Van Andel Institute for Education Staff Picks
Here is a compilation of activities and resources that you can use with your children during the summer. These are all aimed at keeping curiosity and a love of learning alive and well! If you have time, we’d love your feedback.
Have you tried one of these ideas and loved it?! Email us a photo/video of the activity or the final product at: Information@vaei.org We may share it on Facebook or Twitter!
SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS and ENGINEERING ACTIVITIES
Celebrating Black History Month (VAI) 5-8
During the month of February, we celebrate African Americans and all of their amazing contributions to our history. When we celebrate this month for all that it is, it is important to remember the STEM contributions that African Americans have made over the years. Learn about some of the most famous STEM contributors as you make a scale model of the solar system, using household materials. Celebrating Black History Month
Slippery Science (VAI) K-5
Winter weather can present many fun opportunities: sledding, ice skating, ice hockey, and skiing. Winter weather also has some down sides, for example; according to the Michigan State Police there were 202,232 car crashes due to icy, snowy, or slushy roads between the 2016 to 2020 winter seasons. (Michigan State Police) Did you know that there is a scientific force that these fun, and not so fun, activities have in common? Can you guess what it is?! The answer is friction! Slide into fun with this activity that will teach you all about this force that we encounter every day! Slippery Science
Ice Melt at the Poles (VAI) 5-8
Will the ice on Earth melting have a real effect on the rise of our sea levels? NASA recently released a report that 2022 was the 5th warmest year on record for planet Earth. This warming trend is set to continue and will have genuine consequences for Earth’s population. As these temperatures warm, the ice at the South pole and the North pole will continue to melt. How will that ice melting affect the sea levels around the world? Your child can discover the consequences of climate change and ice melting by engaging in a simple activity that can display powerful results. Melting of the Poles
Keeping Warm for Winter Fun! (VAI) K-5
What's the first thing you do when you get ready to head outside during the winter months? You might put on extra layers of clothes, put on a coat, wrap a scarf around your neck, or maybe all of the above! But has your child ever stopped to wonder how those extra layers of clothes keep you warm? Or why is your sweatshirt or coat made out of soft materials and not materials like metal? Help your child discover the answer to the question “What materials keep us warm?” and all the hot facts about insulators.Keeping Warm for Winter Fun!
The Science of Baking (VAI) K-12
As the holiday season ramps up, many households around the world take to the kitchen to bake up some delicious goodies for friends and families to enjoy. Every family has a secret recipe that they use to make that one holiday dessert like nobody else. We all have our favorites and recently a survey was given to determine each U.S. State’s favorite holiday treat. What makes all of these different holiday treats taste so special? Does it really matter how much sugar is put into a dish? Or if we forget to use the baking powder? When we look at it, science might be the magic ingredient our treats really need.
Winter WONDERland (VAI) I K-12
For some of us the snow has already begun to fall, others are anticipating the first big snowfall of the year. Love it or hate it, snow has fallen in all 50 states at least once throughout history and falls annually in the majority of the United States. Have you ever paused to wonder about snow? How does snow form? Is each snowflake actually unique? Why is some snow good for packing snowballs while other snow won’t stay together?
Fibonacci Day (VAI) I K-12
Every year on November 23rd, the United States celebrates National Fibonacci Day. You may be asking what this day is all about or how to celebrate such an occasion. The origin of the day comes from the famed Italian mathematician, Leonardo Bonacci (also known as Leonardo Fibonacci). In the early 13th century, Fibonacci discovered the unique pattern of numbers that sum the previous two numbers before them - 1, 1, 2, 3 ,5, 8, 13, 21 - and so on. This is why we recognize National Fibonacci Day on November 23rd (11/23 has the first four numbers of the sequence) every year!
Howling Hurricanes (VAI) I 6-12
On average the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June through November, produces 14 named storms. Of those 14 storms 7 of them are classified as hurricanes. How do scientists classify these storms and who decides on the names of each hurricane? Find the answer to these questions and try a simulation to see how strong of a storm you can create!
Amazing Axolotls - Fact or Fiction (VAI) I K-12
Axolotls have had a significant increase in popularity since being introduced to Minecraft in 2021, however they have been used in scientific research since the 1980’s. Axolotls are fully aquatic amphibians that retain their gills and other larval properties throughout their lives. This allows them the ability to regenerate lost body parts throughout their lives. Learn about these incredible creatures and how they contribute to science. Try your own experiments with regeneration.
Amazing Axolotls - Fact or Fictions
Living Fossils (VAI) I K-12
Sturgeon have been living on Earth since the time of the dinosaurs but now face threats to their existence due to human activity. These fish are important to maintaining a high level of biodiversity in their ecosystems. Learn more about these amazing creatures and how you can measure biodiversity levels right in your own neighborhood.
Artemis’ Foul (VAI) I K-12
This isn’t science fiction or fantasy! NASA plans to return humans to the moon. Artemis I is the first step in making this dream a reality. Learn more about the mission and why the first launch was delayed. Do some engineering or you own with a NASA designed activity.
DIY Sprinkler (VAI) I K-12
The weather is warming up, so that calls for some cool down science. Design your own sprinkler with this warm weather challenge, keeping an eye out for a surprise in the sky!
Ice Cream in a Bag (VAI) I 4-8
Get a TASTE for science with this delicious investigation! Try your hand at making an edible experiment that you can make your own!
Currency Corrosion (VAI) I 4-8
Explore the world of oxidation with this penny corrosion activity, right from your own home! Turn old, dull pennies into new, then turn them green! Get a quick glimpse into the history of penny composition along the way.
Floating Words (VAI) I K-12
Do you ever get bored with writing on paper and not seeing your words or pictures move around for you? Try this out and watch your words or drawings dance around in front of you!
Electrorheological Fluids (VAI) I 4-12
Learn how to make the flow of a liquid stop by using static electricity!
Balloon Air Pressure (VAI) I K-8
This fun experiment demonstrates how the invisible force of air pressure works with a few simple supplies.
Moldy Bread Experiment (VAI) I K-12
Ever wonder if washing your hands actually makes a difference? Test it out with slices of bread! Learn how mold grows from bacteria from your hands or household objects, right on some bread!
Hydrophobic Sand (VAI) I K-12
Make your own sand that repels water so it never gets wet! See how this sand behaves and try to come up with an explanation for how!
Solar Oven (VAI) I 4-12
Can’t wait to go camping? Make s’mores using the energy from the sun!
Balloon Powered Lego Cars (VAI) I 4-12
Become an engineer by designing and creating your own balloon powered LEGO car. Put your racing skills to the test against different opponents and on different terrain to see Newton’s laws of motion take place!
Fizzing Rainbow (VAI) I K-12
With baking soda and vinegar discover how acid base reactions occur and what this means on an atomic level! This is made even more visual by creating rainbows or designs with food coloring.
Climbing Water (VAI) I K-12
Discover how water behaves in a way that allows it to climb on surfaces and defy gravity!
Watch a Plant Breathe (VAI) I 4-12
By simply submerging a plant (leaf, or flower) in water you can see exactly how a plant breathes and gets its vital source of oxygen every single day, no matter what its environment may be!
Homemade Thermometer (VAI) I 3-8
Using some recycled materials, engineer your own thermometer and learn the science behind temperature and how we measure it.
Instant Hot Ice (VAI) I K-12
Using baking soda and vinegar, see how an acid base reaction can use the crystallization process to produce hot ice crystal towers!
Up-Cycled Suspension Bridge (VAI) I K-12
Using everyday products around your house, in your recycle bin, and in your trash, you can build the suspension bridge of your dreams! You can test out how much weight the bridge can hold also using everyday household items.
Archimedes Squeeze (VAI) I K-12
Have you ever noticed that when you put an object in water, the water moves out of the way? Or that when a boat floats on water yet a coin will sink? Archimedes Principle explains how this is possible, due to density!
Put Your Heart Into It (VAI) I 6-12
Get your blood pumping with this functioning heart model! Build your own atrium and ventricle, and learn to flow from one to the next and out to the lungs or the rest of your body!
How are Folded Mountains Created? (VAI) I K-12
Using towels and some force, discover how mountains such as the Himalayas, Swiss Alps, or the Rocky mountains were created. Also learn how this continues to alter and change the size and shape of this type of mountain.
How are Folded Mountains Created?
Floating Orange (VAI) I K-12
Using an orange and water, discover the ideas of buoyancy, water displacement, weight, and gravity. Also learn how they all work together to cause some objects to sink, and others to float.
Growing Gummy Bears (VAI) I K-12
By using gummy bears, students can learn about the fundamentals of osmosis, as well as how this benefits the human body.
Bernoulli Ball (VAI) I K-12
Ever wondered how an airplane flies or how objects levitate? Check out this cool activity to find out! Take it up a notch to really test out your skills with some additional challenges.
Rainy Day (VAI) I K-3
Have you ever looked at the clouds on a sunny day? Or how about on a rainy day? Did you notice a difference? Jump into this rainy day investigation to find out about cloud science during different times of the year!
Filtration Station (VAI) I K-12
Yikes! We need your help cleaning up some yucky water around town! Put your creative filtration skills to the test with this engineering design challenge. Your mission is to create the cleanest water using the least amount of resources possible.
Fingerprint Detectives (VAI) I 4-12
Detectives need YOUR help solving this fingerprint mystery! Take your crime solving skills and put them to the test, right from your own home!
How Small are your Small Intestines really? (VAI) I 4-12
Using a hose, ruler, and measuring tape, you will be able to discover just how long your small intestine is and WHY it is as long as it is.
How Small are your Small Intestines Really?
The Effect of Sugar on Teeth (VAI) I K-12
Have you ever been curious about how the different beverages you drink throughout the day affect your teeth? This at home activity using eggs will give you an idea!
Play Doh Geology (VAI) I 3-8
Do you remember playing the game mystery bag? How exciting it was to reach into a bag not knowing what was in there, but hoping you would get something good? Geologists do this every day! Take a shot at Earth core sampling to see what kind of surprises you get!
Make Your Own Spine (VAI) I K-12
Using an egg carton, design your own spine to be able to learn about the importance of the spine’s different regions and their functions!
Lemon Powered Clock (VAI) I 4-12
When life gives you lemons….make a clock! Create a unique clock powered by an unconventional source. Repurpose some household materials to learn about circuits and electricity!
Save the Ice! I K-6
A “cool” engineering design challenge that will have you investigating the physical properties of materials and their ability to slow heat transfer!
Cupcake Science (VAI) I 4-12
It has often been said that “Baking is a science and cooking is an art”. This activity will have you practicing your scientific process and skills while creating (mostly) delicious creations. Find out the answer to the question “What does each cupcake ingredient do?”
Slime! (VAI) I K-12
Slime is an at home favorite. It is guaranteed to provide hours of fun for kids and adults alike. As Adam Savage once said “The only difference between science and messing around is writing things down!”. Make Slime even more scientific with this activity!
Homemade Microscope (VAI) I K-6
With just a few common items from around the house, you can make a simple microscope that’s straight out of history.
Rockin’ Rockets (VAI) I 4-12
Become a rocket scientist with this simple activity! Design rockets out of everyday materials, test variables, and discover what makes a rocket fly!
Digestion, Proteins, and Fats Experiment (VAI) I 6-12
Learn about digestion and how fats and proteins are broken down using household products.
Digestion, Proteins, and Fats Experiment
Melt Stuff! (VAI) I K-4
Investigate the properties of matter through simple experimentation. Add heat to everyday matter and discover what happens!
Space Landing: Engineering Challenge I 4-12
When NASA lands a spacecraft on a planet, like Mars, it is very important to slow that object down so that nothing (or no one) is damaged! A spacecraft headed for Mars can be traveling as fast as 13,000 miles per hour so slowing it down can take a lot of work and creativity! In this challenge you will see if you can land a spacecraft (an egg) safely without damaging it.
Space Landing: Engineering Challenge
Squirrel Feeder (VAI) I 2-12
Everybody loves bird feeders; they see squirrels as nuisances. But squirrels are intelligent and amazing creatures! Try this engineering challenge to foster love and appreciation for sensational squirrels!
Dancing Oobleck (VAI) I K-12
A fun twist on a classic. Taking gooey play to the next level with the help of sound waves!
Space Tourism (VAI) I 4-12
The year is 2220 and you are the marketing director at an interplanetary travel agency. Space travel is the new normal and we have mastered technologies to go to and from an object within our solar system! Your job is to create the next poster ad campaign for a nearby planet (or other celestial body).
Citizen Science (VAI) I K-12
The school doors may be closed, but you can still be a scientist. Many organizations look for citizens to observe the world around them and contribute data to their studies. This is a perfect time to be a citizen scientist!
Wine Cork Rafts: Engineering Design (VAI) I K-6
Engineering design using wine corks (or other cork materials) to make rafts/boats that will float on water. Learn about what makes objects float with this fun design activity!
Wine Cork Rafts: Engineering Design
Garbage Garden (VAI) I K-12
Use the remains of your veggies from dinner to grow a garbage garden to teach kids about where our food comes from!
DIY: Lava Lamp (VAI) I Pre K-12
Create a lava lamp by using items that you have around the house! This is a great way to teach concepts like polarity and density. Plus, at the end of the activity, you will have a fun lava lamp to brighten up the house!
Rock Candy (VAI) I Pre K-12
Create your own rock candy at home with simple ingredients. See if you can perfect your rock candy recipe to yield the most candy!
Sidewalk Puffy Paint (VAI) I Pre K-3
Are your kids bored with regular old sidewalk chalk? Make this sidewalk puffy paint with only 4 simple household ingredients and a bottle.
Hopscotch with a Twist! (VAI) I Pre K-6
A versatile activity that uses a classic game! Whether you're playing just to get moving, want to practice basic arithmetic, or act like a scientist, this is the perfect activity for your youngster indoors or outdoors!
Scavenge and Sort: Sensory Bin (VAI) I Pre K-3
Stimulate the senses and keep children entertained for hours, create an at-home sensory stimulating bin filled with lots of goodies! Everything in the provided list are at-home items, no need to take a trip to the store to make this special craft! Practice everything from colors to numbers!
Scavenge and Sort: Sensory Bin
Blood: Learning and Activities (VAI) I K-6
Teach your kids about the human body at home, like blood and blood cells, kids find this topic fascinating! Make it fun with an easy-to-make at home blood cell model and fun videos/activities. Included in this document are models, activities and resources to utilize.
Blood: Learning and Activities
Invisible Writing (VAI) I K-3
Let kids make a drawing on the bathroom mirror using diluted dishwashing detergent, and when the mirror fogs up during the bath or shower, it will reveal the message when they get out!
Dissolving Peeps (VAI) I K-4
Using different liquids, discover how peeps can dissolve right before your eyes!
Recycled Music (VAI) I K-12
Using recycled materials found around your home, create an instrument and investigate how sound is made!
Incredible Egg Geode I K-8
Make a geode from an egg!
How to Make Crystal Egg Geodes: 13 Steps (with Pictures)
Snow Fluff I K-6
Discover how cornstarch and shaving cream can be used to make snow. You can create your own snowman or snow angels!
Science Bob I 4-8
Great science experiments with instructions that you can do right at home. Safety instructions included.
Easy Science Experiments You Can Do at Home or at School
10 Ingredients; 14 Experiments I 4-8
With only 10 easy to find ingredients, conduct 14 different experiments.
Kitchen Science Projects for Kids
Maker Stations I K-12
3 Free Weeks of Maker Stations to keep your students creating at home! Each challenge includes simple instructions using materials around the house, QR code video resources, and a student recording sheet.
Mr. Losik’s Family Survival Guide I K-8
One of our favorite Blue Apple teachers, Mr. Andy Losik, shares his ideas for keeping the learning going!
Mystery Science I K-5
Free resource for science lessons to do at home.
Wings of Life: Disneynature Documentary (VAI) I K-4
Watch the documentary Wings of Life (disney+ and amazon prime) to discover the importance of pollinators. Then build your own pollinator from the movie!
Wings of Life: Disneynature Documentary
Reuse and Recycle (VAI) I K-5
Make good use of old toilet paper rolls by putting them to use in a creative engineering challenge!
Sports and Science! (VAI) I K-12
Kids want to go outside and play. Parents might ask them to do some science. Why not both?
Scavenger Hunt! (VAI) I K-12
Get outdoors! A scavenger hunt like this one can help spark questions and lead to great explorations!
Microwave Lightning (VAI) I K-12
When you microwave a grape something unexpected occurs. Try it out and see for yourself! Learn about a type of matter that doesn't often show up here on earth!
Elephant Toothpaste! (VAI) I K-12
Create a fun, flowing chemical reaction using simple ingredients.
Skittles Rainbow! (VAI) I K-3
This easy to do at home activity will help your youngster explore colors and science through making rainbows!
Paper Pillars! (VAI) I K-6
This is a simple, inquiry based, investigation that can be done with minimal materials and all things you are sure to have laying around the house! It is a great way to get your child thinking and acting like a true scientist!
Lungs: Learning and Activities (VAI) I K-6
Teach your kids about the human body at home. Your kids will find this topic fascinating! Included in this resource you will find easy-to-make at home models and fun videos/activities.
Lungs: Learning and Activities
MAKE-A-DIFFERENCE ACTIVITIES`
Prevent the Spread (VAI) I 3-8
Want to empower your child to make a difference in this uncertain time? Here’s a free version of a project called Prevent the Spread in which children can explore resources to learn more about germs, conduct their own at-home experiment to see which hand sanitizer is most effective, and create a PSA video to help protect our communities from the spread of germs!
Senior Notes (VAI) I K-12+
Make notes/color pictures to send to your local retirement center to brighten the day of a resident during visitor restrictions.
Do Something! Bingo (VAI) I K-12+
The past year has taught each of us a lot about the importance of looking out for and taking care of each other. Let’s continue to teach our kids the value of making a difference. Check out Do Something Good Bingo. This game has 24 activities to get your students thinking and acting in ways that make the world a better place!
TECH ACTIVITIES
Bill Nye Saves the World: Question Guide (VAI) I 9-12
Make screen time meaningful! Watch each episode and follow the journaling prompts and/or questions that go with each one. Use these questions to stimulate meaningful discussion about different real world issues. (Note: Some episodes contain adult content)
Bill Nye Saves the World: Question Guide
Disney+ (VAI) I K-12
Have Disney+? Check out this resource as a way to connect its content in an educational way!
Disney+ as an Educational Resource
Virtual Museum Tours (VAI) I K-12
These fascinating museums have virtual tours...no lines! We’ve added a discussion guide to help students think creatively and critically as they enjoy these virtual exhibits.
Stop Motion Movies! (VAI) I K-12
Using a free app on any mobile device, create endless hours of fun by writing and directing your own stop motion film!
Stop Motion Movies Parent Resource
Code.Org (VAI) I K-12
A free resource with tons of online coding activities. Make screen time more meaningful by building 21st century skills!
School House Rock! (VAI) I K-12
Don't forget about the classics! Use this opportunity to make sure the next generation keeps the love going for School House Rock! All your favorites are available on YouTube. They hold up, I promise!
Jennifer Fisher’s YouTube Channel I Pre K-2
Jenny Fisher is a 1st grade teacher in Cedar Springs, Michigan. She has created a YouTube channel to help her first grade students stay busy and engaged with fun activities that reinforce what they have learned thus far. She’s happy to share!
Jennifer Fisher’s Youtube Channel
Five Useful (and Fun) YouTube Channels I K-12
A curated list of YouTube channels kids can watch guilt-free!
Five Useful (and Fun) YouTube Channels
MATH and READING LESSONS
Celebrity Read Aloud Compilation I K-3
Read alouds are important to building foundational reading skills. Read alouds introduce vocabulary, provide a model of fluent and expressive reading, and show what reading for pleasure is all about! Here you will find celebrities from Captain America to Olaf reading online to kids! Sit back, relax, and enjoy a good story!
Celebrity Read Aloud Compilation
TBR By ABC’s (VAI) I K-12
Your TBR (To Be Read) list just got a whole lot more organized with this fun activity! Fill out a book for every letter of the alphabet and read them in order or out of order; whatever works best for you! You can utilize the library and audiobooks as well!
Superhero Battles (VAI) I 4-10
This interactive spreadsheet puts YOU in control of a battle between any two heroes or villains, real or imagined, and teaches you a little math and coding while you're at it!
Story String Necklaces (VAI) I K-5
Turn reading comprehension practice into a fun, and simple, art project! This engaging activity will teach your child about the beginning, middle, and end of a story and have them telling everyone in the family their favorites!
Candy Math (VAI) I K-6
Use your favorite treats to challenge your brain and practice multiplication and division or addition and subtraction! A “sweet” game that is sure to motivate math practice!
Meet Mae Jamison (VAI) I K-4
Learn about the first African American woman to travel into space! Read about how she chased her hopes and dreams and think about your own with this fun read aloud and craft!
The Backyard Mile (VAI) I Pre K-8
Stuck at home with lots of energy? Get your body and your math skills in gear as you prepare for the great Backyard Mile of 2021!
5 Books for Young Readers (VAI) I Pre K-12
It never hurts to take a break from the screen and have kids crack open a good book! The list will begin at kindergarten and reach up to high school. You will also find a list of great discussion questions to keep your child thinking even after the book is finished!
AdaptedMInds | 1-8
One month free membership to reading and Math Lessons.
Free Math Worksheets, Problems and Practice
Newsela (VAI) I K-12
Current and cross curricular nonfiction texts that can be adjusted to the readers level. Parents can use this at home (free) and it is currently offering free subscriptions to teachers through the end of the school year.
Funny Read-Alouds for Growing Readers (VAI) I K-3
Get your young readers laughing out loud with these picture book stories.
Funny Read-Alouds for Growing Readers
How do you like them Apples! (VAI) I K-12
As the school year starts back up and the summer heat dies down, we get to look forward to all the great things that are associated with autumn. One of the first signs of fall activities to come is the start of apple season. Once given to teachers as a sign of appreciation, these abundant fruits are ripe with potential for scientific experimentation.
OTHER EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Math and Science Stories Read Aloud I K-3
A playlist filled with almost 50 fun science and math read-aloud narrations! A great resource to utilize for lunch time entertainment, pre-nap or post-nap, or when cleaning needs to get done.
Math and Science Stories Read Aloud
Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? I 3-7
A dive into Netflix's cartoon series and what it can teach young viewers! Includes free at home resources, for parents and teachers, that can be used in conjunction with the series.
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
Scholastic: Learn from Home I K-12
Scholastic created a free set of daily resources and activities for students to stay busy. Each day of content is filled with exciting articles and stories, videos and fun learning challenges. Students can even go on virtual field trips or meet best-selling authors!
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
Educational Companies Offering Free Memberships I K-12
A host of companies are offering parents free educational resources.
Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems! I K-5
Acclaimed children's author Mo Willems conducts a daily doodle session to spark creativity.
Buzz Off! (VAI) I 5-12
With warm summer days comes the buzz and sting of the mosquito! When it’s warm and the humidity rises there is little escape. So why celebrate these pesky critters? Learn more about mosquitoes, the diseases they carry and how to protect yourself.
