STEM for Kids: School Break Boredom Busters

School breaks are supposed to be a time to relax, but if you’ve ever heard “I’m bored” five minutes after breakfast, you know it helps to have something ready for kids to do. That’s where my workbook of “boredom busters” comes in! These activities are great for families trying to keep their kiddos busy while they’re at home, or for school staff who might be working extended hours during school breaks. STEM activities are perfect for these scenarios because they keep kiddos busy and thinking without feeling like they’re doing schoolwork.

Sneak Peek into the STEM Workbook

This collection of 30 hands-on challenges provides endless boredom busters for the summer months.

This collection of 30 hands-on challenges is packed with low-prep, high-engagement ideas. Each one encourages kiddos to explore, build, test, and reflect. Every activity builds critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The best part is that most of the activities only require basic supplies you already have at home.

Whether your kids are into building, experimenting, or imagining, there’s something for everyone in this STEM pack. From marshmallow engineering to zip lines, these boredom busters turn your kitchen table into a mini makerspace in no time.

Why STEM Activities Are the Ultimate Boredom Busters

STEM activities are boredom busters designed to be playful but purposeful.

STEM is short for science, technology, engineering, and math. To our kids, it just means building, testing, and discovering new things. That’s what makes these boredom busters such a great fit for school breaks. Our kids get to solve problems, test ideas, and have fun while doing it.

For a mid-winter break in February, they can construct a goal post using straws and paper, testing how far they can flick a paper football. During Spring Break in April, they might use jellybeans and toothpicks to build the tallest tower they can. Come time for a school break in December, a present catapult powered by craft sticks and rubber bands will come to the rescue!

These challenges are designed to be playful but purposeful. Each one builds real skills, such as critical thinking, measuring, comparing, and designing. They are all wrapped in exciting, themed tasks that feel like games.

How to Use These Boredom Busters Without the Overwhelm

Let’s be real. None of us wants to spend an hour prepping for a 10-minute activity. That’s why these boredom busters are designed to be grab-and-go. You won’t need specialty kits or a science degree: just a few supplies and a willingness to let your kids take the lead.

Printing the entire workbook is the best way to get started easily with these boredom busters.

One of the easiest ways to get started is to grab the entire workbook and let your child pick a challenge that sparks their interest. The beauty of this workbook is how approachable it is. Each activity includes simple directions, a materials list, and space for your kiddo to plan and reflect. It’s all laid out for you. These boredom busters were made with busy families and classrooms in mind.

Want a winter break challenge? Try building an Ice Castle out of mini marshmallows and toothpicks. For spring break, the Recycling Creation challenge asks our kids to turn clean trash into something totally new. Think cereal box robots or water bottle bird feeders.

During summer, you can keep learning alive with Grill Tools, where your kiddos design a tool to help with an imaginary barbecue. Marble Coaster is another fun one where your kids can create a twisty-turny ramp to carry a marble from top to bottom. No tech is required. Just imagination.

Highlighting Some Favorite Boredom Busters from the Workbook

In March, building a leprechaun trap is a favorite. This boredom buster is one your kids will love.

Every activity in the workbook brings something unique! Here are a few fan favorites you’ll definitely want to check out. In March, building a leprechaun trap is always a hit. Your kids will love thinking through how they’ll trick that sneaky creature. They’ll use basic materials to design and explain their trap in action.

Come October, the Witch’s Tower challenge tasks them with constructing the tallest possible tower that can support a team flag at the top. It’s a perfect mix of Halloween fun and structural engineering! In November, they’ll love hiding their turkey in a clever disguise or creating a working turkey zipline.

There’s even a bonus section! The Egg Zipline is an exciting mix of suspense and science as your kids figure out how to protect a raw egg while sending it across a room on a string. These activities are STEM experiences your kiddos will talk about long after the break ends.

Making Boredom Busters a Daily Routine During Break

A great way to get the most out of these STEM boredom busters is to turn them into a challenge-a-day or challenge-a-week routine. You could print out the calendar pages and let your kids pick which one they want to tackle. You could also surprise them with a mystery challenge bag with the needed materials each day.

Build a summer routine that leaves no time for boredom with these STEM activities.

Try a theme week for summer break. Monday is motion day with the Pool Float or Diving Board challenges. Tuesday is build day with one of the toothpick tower challenges. Wednesday is launch day, with the Build a Rocket challenge. Giving your kiddos something exciting to look forward to each day keeps things fun and keeps complaints at bay.

You can even let your kids document their challenges with photos, journal using the workbook pages, or record short videos. This builds their reflection skills while turning each project into something they’re proud to show off.

Turning Boredom Busters into Meaningful Memories

These boredom busters are more than just a way to pass the time. They’re memory-makers. That moment when a marshmallow tower finally stands without tipping? That’s pride. The laughter when a marble zooms across the kitchen floor? That’s joy. When your kiddo explains to you why their catapult didn’t launch very far, that’s learning in action.

Allowing your child to reflect and to write about each challenge allows them to celebrate their own problem-solving skills.

You can even add a reflection step by encouraging your kids to draw or write about each challenge. What worked? What would they change next time? These reflections help deepen the learning and give them a chance to celebrate their own problem-solving skills.

The truth is that these STEM challenges are helping your kids grow in confidence, creativity, and perseverance. Those are skills that last way longer than school breaks.

Ready to Tackle School Breaks with STEM-Powered Boredom Busters?

If you’re looking for screen-free ways to keep your kids learning, laughing, and creating during school breaks, these STEM challenges are just the thing. With 30 different boredom busters to choose from, you’ve got a full toolkit of engaging activities that spark curiosity and stretch thinking. Grab the workbook, set up your supply bin, and get ready to turn break time into fun time. Let the boredom busting begin!

Want More STEM for Your Kids or Classroom?

If you are ready to dive into even more STEM, I’ve got you covered. Check out these blog posts for more fun ideas.

And. . . if you want even more, then you must check out the STEM for a Year Club! In this club, you get access to all of my STEM challenges and activities. Click the picture below to learn more!

Get all the STEM in the classroom activities you need for the year with the STEM for a Year Club!

Save for Later

Remember to save this post to your favorite STEM Pinterest board for quick access to these boredom busters to share with your students as they head into a break!