Ignite Curiosity: Hands - on fall STEM Activities for Homeschoolers

As a homeschool mom, I know how important it is to bring hands-on, engaging learning experiences into our homes. With fall upon us, it’s the perfect time to embrace the season and use what’s around us—colorful leaves, pumpkins, and more—to introduce STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) concepts to our kids.

Here are 10 fun and educational fall-themed STEM activities that are easy to incorporate into your homeschool day. These activities not only spark curiosity but also nurture critical thinking and problem-solving skills—all while celebrating the beauty of the season!

1. Leaf Classification and Identification

Go on a nature walk and have your kids collect different leaves. When you get back home, help them classify the leaves by size, shape, and color. Use this opportunity to introduce the basics of leaf anatomy and discuss why leaves change color in the fall. This activity makes biology come alive through the changing season and helps kids practice observation and classification.

2. Pumpkin Sink or Float Experiment

This classic STEM activity is always a hit! Gather pumpkins of various sizes along with other fall objects, such as acorns, apples, and gourds. Ask your kids to predict which items will sink and which will float, then test their hypotheses in a bin of water. This is a fun way to introduce concepts of buoyancy and density while letting them splash around a bit!

3. Candy Corn Tower Challenge

Kids love candy corn, but did you know you can turn it into an engineering project? Give your kids candy corn and toothpicks, then challenge them to build the tallest and most stable tower they can. Along the way, talk about structure, balance, and stability. This activity teaches basic engineering principles while giving kids a tasty reward at the end!

4. Apple Volcanoes

This is a twist on the classic vinegar-and-baking-soda volcano experiment. Core out apples, fill them with baking soda, and let your kids pour vinegar inside to watch the fizzy "eruption." Use different types of apples and observe any differences in the reactions. This activity brings a fun chemical reaction into your home and ties it into a seasonal theme.

5. Leaf Maze STEM Challenge

Create a simple maze on paper, then have your kids gather leaves to line the maze’s walls. Once the maze is ready, challenge your kids to guide a small object, such as an acorn, through the maze. This introduces spatial reasoning and problem-solving in a fun, hands-on way. Plus, it’s a great use for all those leaves your kids love collecting!

6. Pumpkin Catapults

Using popsicle sticks and rubber bands, help your kids build a simple catapult. Then, see how far you can launch very small pumpkins or acorns. This activity is perfect for introducing the concepts of force and trajectory, and it’s sure to get your kids excited about physics. You can even have a friendly competition to see who can launch their pumpkin the farthest! For a video tutorial click here!

7. Fall Scavenger Hunt with a STEM Twist

Set up a scavenger hunt that encourages your kids to collect fall items, like leaves, acorns, and pinecones. Afterward, have them measure, weigh, or compare the items, turning the scavenger hunt into a math and science lesson. This activity makes use of your kids’ natural curiosity about the world around them while sneaking in some practical STEM learning.

8. Candy Corn Dissolving Experiment

Set up a simple science experiment to see how fast candy corn dissolves in different liquids. Use water, vinegar, oil, and soda, and have your kids observe the changes over time. Ask them to make predictions, time the dissolving process, and compare the results. This is a fun introduction to chemistry, and they’ll love watching their favorite candy

disappear!

9. Pumpkin Seed Counting and Estimating

After carving your pumpkins, turn the seeds into a math lesson. Have your kids estimate how many seeds are inside the pumpkin, then count them out to see how close they were. You can group the seeds into tens or hundreds to reinforce math concepts. This activity adds a numerical twist to a favorite fall tradition and helps develop math skills in a hands-on way.

10. Leaf Rubbing and Vein Study

This simple activity turns a nature walk into an art-and-science combo. Place leaves under a sheet of paper and let your kids rub over them with a crayon to reveal the leaf’s veins. Then, use a magnifying glass to study the veins up close and explain how they transport water and nutrients through the leaf. It’s a great way to combine creativity with biology!

Bringing STEM Into Your Homeschool

These fall-themed STEM activities are not only educational but also fun for the whole family. By incorporating the beauty of the season into your homeschool lessons, you can spark your child’s curiosity and keep them engaged with hands-on learning.

As homeschool moms, we have the flexibility to turn everyday moments into opportunities for growth and discovery. Whether you’re measuring pumpkin seeds, exploring chemical reactions with apple volcanoes, or building candy corn towers, you’re fostering a love of learning in your child—something that will serve them well for years to come.

So, grab your pumpkins, candy corn, and leaves, and dive into these fun fall STEM activities!

And if you are looking for more fall family activities, be sure to grab my FALL BUCKET LIST UNIT with 15 family activities and 20 homeschool educational activities to make memories all season long!