Explore Force & Motion with STEAM Activities for Kids

Investigate the concepts of force and motion with fun and engaging hands-on STEAM activities for kids.

Opportunities for hands-on experimenting with various materials allows children to learn and extend their knowledge of Scientific concepts by integrating with other subjects.

STEAM is the traditional STEM + Art.

These STEAM activities are great extensions to further understand the concepts of force and motion.

With STEAM activities the final product of the activity is not as important as the process. Give children time to explore and experiment with the different types of force.

Let’s investigate force & motion.

Force and Motion STEAM Activities for Kids

What is force?

Force is the energy it takes to do work.

For example, if you push or pull an object, it takes energy to make the object move.

What is motion?

Motion is the change of position of an object because of the force that is applied.

Vocabulary:

Push – A force to move something away.

Pull – A force to move something closer to you.

Gravity – A force that attracts objects towards each other.

Magnetism – A force that pulls metal towards a magnet.

Push & Pull Painting

Explore the force of push and pull as you try to move paint to create a unique abstract work of art.

Push and Pull Force Painting A STEAM Activities for Kids

Materials:

White Cardstock Paper
Tape
Tray
Small size cardboard rectangles
Paint

Directions:

Tape your paper to your tray.

Dip your cardboard rectangle into the paint.

Push and pull the cardboard on your canvas to create a unique design. Experiment with different sizes of cardboard.

Push and Pull the paint to create force.

Repeat with other colors until you’re satisfied with your design.

Push and Pull Force Painting A STEAM Activity for Kids

Gravity Painting

Gravity is what keeps people and objects on the ground and causes objects to fall toward the Earth. Experiment with how to use the Earth’s gravitational pull to direct the paint on your canvas.

Gravity Painting for Kids A STEAM Activity

Materials:

White Foam board or Cardboard
Liquid Watercolors
Pipette or Eyedropper
Drop cloth

Directions:

1. Prep your workspace with a drop cloth. Prop your board against a table or easel.

2. Use a pipette or eyedropper to drip the paint at the top of your board.

What happens to the paint?

Watch the drips of gravity painting

3. Experiment manipulating the drips by turning the board as the drips run down.

What happens to the paint if you turn the board?

A STEAM activity for kids exploring the force of gravity

Magnetic Painting

Explore magnetic force with this fun hands-on painting STEAM activity for kids.

Explore the force of magnets with this STEAM Activity for Kids

Materials:

Small metal objects
Magnet
Cardstock Paper
Taper
Washable Paint
Tray

Directions:

1. Tape your piece of white paper to the cookie sheet.

Use the magnet to move the objects around in the paint.

2. Place your small metal objects on the white paper and place the magnet on the underneath side of the cookie sheet. Experiment with moving the metal objects around the paper with the magnet.

Create a unique work of art by painting with magnets

3. Place a small squirt paint on the paper and use the magnet to move the objects through and around the paint. Try moving the objects fast, slow, across the page or in circles.

STEAM activities for kids don’t have to be complicated. With a few simple materials, you can start investigating your favorite ways to create force!

For more STEAM activities check out the links below:

Pendulum Painting Made Easy