10 Creative STEAM Classroom Project Ideas for the Holidays

If you’re in the market for project ideas to bring to your classroom that celebrate the holiday season using STEAM (science, tech, engineering, arts, and math), this is your list. Below you’ll find projects that are perfect for students in elementary school, middle school, and even high school; volumetric decorations, anyone?

1) Christmas Tree Fractions

Who says fractions can’t be festive? Check out this STEAM project that combines math and art.

Materials: green paper, scissors, glue, marker

2) Crystal Candy Canes

Liquids, solids, science, crystals, decorations — they all come together in this crystal candy cane project from Little Bins for Little Hands.

Materials: borax (found in laundry detergent aisle), water, small mason jars (a wide mouth is preferable), pan, spoon, cup, and tablespoon measure

3) Instant Snow Project

Ever heard of snow dough? Your students will love this—especially if your area is lacking in wintry weather this time of year.

Materials: one cup of baking soda, glitter (as much or as little as you want), 1/4 cup of water

4) Snow Storm in a Jar

In this fun project from Lemon Lime Adventures — easy and safe for preschoolers or elementary-aged children — students learn how to whip up their own self-contained snowstorm while talking about weather science.

Materials: baby oil, white paint, water, glitter, Alka Seltzer, jar

5) Marshmallow Toothpick Snowman Challenge

Who doesn’t love a challenge? Task your students with engineering a freestanding marshmallow and toothpick snowman.

Materials: marshmallows, toothpicks, marker

6) Volumetric Christmas Trees

In this super smart STEAM project, you’ll teach students to create volumetric Christmas trees and snowflakes that can then be used to decorate your classroom with dimension.

Materials: paper, pencil, scissors, string, glue

7) Rudolph Balloon Races

Encourage your students to learn physics and have a little fun with Rudolph-themed balloon races. Winners get, say, an extra few minutes at lunch.

Materials: anchor points (chairs, desks, etc.), string or twine, straight straws, balloons, decorating supplies for Rudolph (red pompoms, construction paper, googly eyes, tape), tape, clips/clamps to keep the air in the balloon

8) Can You Turn On These Christmas Lights?

Let your little engineers try to solve this one—getting cut-up non-LED lights to turn on.

Materials: set of Christmas lights, 9 Volt Battery

9) Edible Dreidels

Mix creativity with engineering and end up with edible Hanukkah dreidels in this easy STEAM task.

Materials: Kosher marshmallows, pretzel sticks, frosting, Hershey Kisses, food-safe marker

10) Kwanzaa Woven Mat

The woven mat, or mkeka (em-KAY-kah), a traditional symbol, is where the Kwanzaa symbols sit. Let your kids work their engineering and artistic magic creating their own Mkeka mat with these directions from Fisher-Price.

Materials: black, red, and green construction paper or felt, scissors, glue or stapler, ruler