5 Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day With STEM

Thank you to all the fathers and father figures who encourage us to explore the world with curiosity and add an element of fun to new experiences! To help children celebrate Father’s Day, check out fun activities to do alongside their role models. Together, you can imagine, build, test and experiment with these fun STEM activities. Read on to find more ways to celebrate Father’s Day with a spark of ingenuity.

Play a Game of Sink or Float

Experimenting with water can add a playful splash of STEM fun to Father’s Day. To explore buoyancy, start by filling a sink or a container with water, collect household items and then predict which objects will float and which will sink! For more water-based activities, try out this floating egg experiment!

Decorate a ‘Dad Rocks’ Paperweight

Select the perfect rock and transform it into a dad-themed paperweight! Using washi tape and a permanent marker, children can add fun designs and kind messages to celebrate their real-life heroes. From patterned bowties to googly eyes, this personalized paperweight is a “solid” reminder of how important fathers and father figures are during childhood.

Make a DIY Robot Hand

When dads lend a helping hand, it feels like anything is possible! Enjoy this fun activity together to bring a robotic hand to life with simple materials. This exploration of STEM highlights how the human body functions and how we can mimic our anatomy with technology!

Create a Salt Dough Picture Frame

With flour, salt, water and food coloring, kids can make their very own salt dough picture frame to gift to a special dad in their lives. Consider shaping the dough to spell out “D-A-D” or make a personalized handprint before baking.

Read a STEM Book

Reading a STEM book together is a great way to spend quality time with a role model on Father’s Day. Just take a look at a few of many STEM books that spark curiosity about innovation.

“Gary and the Great Inventors” by Akura Marshall, Illustrated by Al Joshua Spratling

This fun book is all about exploring inventors, the impact of their inventions and sparking inspiration through the exciting world of STEM.

“Emma Ren Junior Paleontologist” By Jenny Lu, Illustrated by George Sweetland

This fun and educational book stretches the imagination as Emma Ren goes on a class trip to the Natural History Museum to study dinosaurs.

“Josephine and Her Dishwashing Machine” by Kate Hannigan, Illustrated by Sarah Green

Discover the biography of National Inventors Hall of Fame^® Inductee Josephine Garis Cochran, inventor of the dishwasher! This inspiring picture book tells the story of the innovator and entrepreneur behind one of the world's most-used kitchen appliances.

“The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver” by Gene Barretta, Illustrated by Frank Morrison

Explore the story of National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductee George Washington Carver and his contributions to agriculture and society as a celebrated botanist, scientist and inventor. This artful storybook illustrates the wonder he found in his childhood secret garden and may inspire you to create your own garden!

Cook a Delicious Breakfast

With careful measurements, complex chemical reactions and delicious food to enjoy, cooking breakfast is a fun way for children to show appreciation on Father’s Day while practicing useful skills! Bring STEM into the kitchen and whip up a delicious breakfast.

Explore More Ways to Jump Into STEM

Looking for even more ways to celebrate STEM connections and build an innovative mindset? Keep exploring our blog for more activity ideas to do all year round.