FALLing For STEAM: Creative Fall Activities To Get Kids Thinking!

As the leaves change and curiosity blooms, fall is the perfect season to explore the magic of STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. At The Creative Clubhouse, we believe STEAM isn’t just about experiments or gadgets; it’s about inspiring kids to wonder, design, test, and create — no matter their age.

What is STEAM?

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math — but it’s much more than five subjects. It’s an approach to learning that encourages kids to ask questions, solve problems, and think creatively. Through play, exploration, and hands-on projects, children learn how the world works and how they can shape it.

STEAM Activities for Younger Kids (Ages 3–8)

At this age, STEAM learning is rooted in curiosity, play, and sensory experiences.

Focus on:

• Exploration over explanation – some kids may not understand why yet, or be able to explain what they know, and that’s okay. They are learning by using their senses and observing what happens 

• Building fine motor skills through tinkering, sorting, and constructing.

• Using art as a bridge to other subjects (painting with magnets, building shapes with clay, etc.).

• Using technology with adult guidance to build understanding and apply the information to what they are doing

STEAM Activities for Older Kids (Ages 8 and up)

As kids grow, STEAM becomes about problem-solving, testing ideas, and real-world applications. They can:

• Design and build models that work (bridges, catapults, simple machines).

• Explore coding or digital design.

• Analyze results, make predictions, and modify designs

• Use technology to research and present findings.

🍂 Fall STEAM Activities for Younger Kids (Ages 3–8)

• Nature Prints & Leaf Symmetry: Collect leaves and press them into paint or clay to explore texture and symmetry.

• Leaf Sorting and Counting: Gather leaves or acorns and sort them by size, shape, or color, then count or make patterns. Cut a circle in the middle of a paper plate and have them glue leaves on the plate to make a fall wreath

• Color Mixing with Fall Paints: Mix yellow, red, and orange to explore shades of fall, and then have then create their own masterpiece

• Make homemade applesauce: Have them help you follow the recipe to make applesauce. Discuss the breakdown of the apples, and experiment with sweetness, texture, and presentation.

• Candy Corn Dissolving Experiment (Chemistry): Observe what happens when candy corn sits in water, vinegar, and oil — make predictions and record results.

• Pumpkin Science: Explore floating/sinking by putting various objects collected from nature in a sink full of water and have them predict which will sink/float

  
  

🍁 Fall STEAM Activities For Older Kids (Ages 8 and up)

• Spider Web Engineering Challenge: Use yarn or string to create a spider web design that can hold a small object (like a pom pom “spider”).

• Scarecrow Design Challenge: Use recyclables and natural materials to design and build a scarecrow that stands on its own.

• Make homemade applesauce (Math, Science, Art). Have them follow the recipe to make applesauce, discuss the breakdown of the apples, and experiment with sweetness, texture, and presentation.

• Temperature Tracking: Measure and graph outdoor temperature changes throughout the week. Use the data to predict weather patterns.

  
  

Here are some additional STEAM activities.

How Adults Can Support Their Makers

Every young creator needs a cheerleader — and that’s where adults come in! Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or teacher, you don’t have to be an engineer or artist to nurture a love of STEAM. Here’s how you can help:

• Be curious together: Wonder out loud, make guesses, and explore answers as a team. Kids love when adults show interest in their discoveries!

• Ask open-ended questions: Try, “What do you think will happen if we try this?” or “How could we make it even better?”

• Celebrate the process, not the product: It’s not about perfect results — it’s about creativity, persistence, and learning through mistakes. What they do or create may not be what YOU  envisioned, and that is OKAY!

• Make room for messes: Real learning is often a bit messy! Give kids space to tinker, mix, and build freely.

• Connect it to everyday life: Point out STEAM in cooking, nature, building projects, or art — it’s everywhere once you start looking.

Closing Thoughts

Whether it’s collecting & sorting colorful leaves, or designing a scarecrow STEAM is everywhere — especially in fall. When children are given the freedom to explore, test, and imagine, they don’t just learn — they build confidence, creativity, and curiosity that will last all year long.

Want more hands-on STEAM fun? Join us at The Creative Clubhouse this January at the Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan for creative workshops designed to inspire young makers! Can't wait to see you there!