Simple At-Home Inquiry Activities for Preschoolers 

f you’ve ever heard about STEM and thought, “That sounds great, but my kid’s still in diapers,” you’re not alone. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. But for preschoolers, it doesn’t mean complex formulas or fancy robots. It means asking questions, exploring new ideas, and learning through hands-on play. 

You don’t need to be a scientist or buy special kits to get started. With just a few things from your house you can help your child discover how the world works. These five creative STEM activities are designed for curious young kids and busy parents. They’re simple, playful, and perfect for turning everyday moments into learning adventures. 

Gravity & Inertia: Topsy-Turvy Waterfall 

Supplies 

• Sandwich-size zipper bag 
   

• Water 
   

• Tape 
   

• Coat hanger or wooden spoon handle 
   

• Toothpick or push pin 
   

• Large bowl or sink 
   

Steps 

1. Fill the bag halfway with water and seal. 
    

2. Tape the bag flat against the underside of the hanger. 
    

3. Use the toothpick to poke three tiny holes along the edge farthest from the tape. 
    

4. Hold the hanger over the bowl and flip it fast. Water jets upward before falling. 
    

Talk about it 
As soon as the water shoots up, ask, “Whoa! Why did it go up first instead of straight down?” See what your child says, then try flipping slowly and ask, “What changes if we flip it in slow motion?” It’s a fun way to notice how speed affects water’s path. 

Coding & Logic Skills: Marshmallow Morse Maze 

Supplies 

• Mini marshmallows 
   

• Pretzel sticks or toothpicks 
   

• Baking sheet or cutting board 
   

• Marble 
   

• Flashlight 
   

Steps 

1. Build a zigzag fence on the tray using marshmallows as posts and pretzels as walls. 
    

2. Decide that one flashlight blink means left, two blinks mean right, three mean straight. 
    

3. Place the marble at the start and blink directions while your child moves the marble. 
    

4. Switch roles and let your child invent a new code for you. 
    

Talk about it 
Ask, “What if we need a signal to stop or go backward? What could that look like?” After you’ve tried a few rounds, suggest, “Want to make the maze harder?” Then see what creative changes your child comes up with. They might surprise you with their own logic system! 

Material Science & Surface Tension: Raincoat for a Bubble 

Supplies 

• Bubble solution (¼ cup dish soap + ¾ cup water) 
   

• Plastic plate 
   

• 2–4 small cups of olive oil, coconut oil, hand lotion, corn syrup, etc. 
   

• Droppers or teaspoons 
   

Steps 

1. Blow a large bubble onto the plate. 
    

2. Gently place one drop of a test liquid on top of the bubble. 
    

3. Time how long it lasts before popping. 
    

4. Repeat with fresh bubbles and different liquids, then compare results. 
    

Talk about it 
Say something like, “Let’s see which one works best as a bubble shield. Do you think syrup or lotion will win?” Try a few, then wonder out loud, “What if we add two drops? Will it help or make it pop faster?” Let your child be the bubble expert and lead the next round. 

The Power of STEM for Preschoolers 

When kids are encouraged to ask questions instead of just memorizing answers, amazing things happen. Research shows that curious preschoolers go on to do better in reading and math by kindergarten, especially children from under-resourced families. 

In New Mexico, a statewide pre-K program led to big jumps in early math and vocabulary scores by the time kids reached kindergarten. Thanks to more hands-on, playful learning, children scored 6 points higher in vocabulary, 2 points higher in math, and were 14% more likely to meet early reading goals. (NIEER). In New York City, fun, inquiry-based math games helped close nearly 40% of the achievement gap between lower-income and higher-income children by third grade (MDRC). 

And in New Haven, switching to a more play-based, discovery-focused preschool model helped boost school readiness across the board with big gains in language, literacy, and numeracy in just two years. 

A Closer Look at Our STEAM-Powered Classrooms 

At Creative World School, our classrooms are built for curious kids. In the Exploratorium, preschool and pre-K students dive into exciting STEAM adventures where science, technology, engineering, art, and math come to life through hands-on play. We believe in the power and science of art and creativity, just as much as numbers and experiments. Whether children are mixing colors to explore cause and effect or designing structures with blocks and imagination, children are learning by doing, thinking, and discovering. 

Want to see this kind of learning in action? Find a Creative World School near you and come take a tour. We’d love to show you how we help children explore big ideas through everyday wonder.