# data[].attributes.body
Are you wanting fun, quick activities to try with items you already have laying around at home? Check out TheSTEMKids.co for some simple activities you can do with your child.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
7 Easy Science Activities for Preschoolers Your Kids Can Do!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learning is not only about textbooks. To maximize kids' learning, engage them in Science Activities for Preschoolers. We chose the 7 best ones, check them out!

# data[].attributes.body
Want to spend some quality time with your child in the kitchen? Check out this resource by Bright Horizons to spark some ideas.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What do cooking and STEM have in common? More than you might think. STEM learning can happen every day in small moments as we slow down to observe and ask questions. Grab an apron, preheat the oven, and start wondering.

What do cooking and STEM have in common? More than you might think. The kitchen is a virtual laboratory for exploring all sorts of STEM topics, such as measurement, patterns, chemistry, properties of matter, cause and effect, and much more. Preparing food is a daily part of life, which means that the learning occurs in a natural, meaningful context-with delicious results.

STEM: An "I Wonder" Mindset

STEM is all about encouraging children-and adults-to observe and think about the world more intentionally. You don't have to be a scientist or have all the answers to promote STEM thinking in your kids. Instead, encourage "I wonder" questions and try to find the answers. Here are a few questions from the kitchen to get you thinking:

I wonder why food spoils.

I wonder why water bubbles when it gets hot.

I wonder why the water turns to steam if it gets really hot.

I wonder what makes bread rise.

I wonder what makes food salty, sweet, bitter, or pungent.

I wonder why food changes when it's cooked or combined with other foods.

In the course of making a simple meal, a variety of questions might come up if you're observing and thinking with an "I wonder" mindset. State one of your questions out loud and see what your child has to say. With this sort of open-ended inquiry, one question often leads to multiple questions and discoveries.

From Questions to Discoveries in the Kitchen

As you ask questions in the kitchen, your child might want to learn more. Pointing out basic scientific concepts in the kitchen doesn't have to take a lot of time or planning. Below are some ideas to spark even more learning through quick conversations and cooking projects:

Using a Scale

Weigh dry ingredients on a food scale or measure them with measuring cups. Discuss differences between metric and U.S. measurements.

Learn About Your Food

Observe patterns, similarities, and differences in fruits and vegetables. Why do some foods (bananas) have thick peels, while others have thin, edible ones? Why are some foods dry and some juicy?

From Farm to Table

Learn about food systems and do some research. How does food get to us? How do we use it wisely? How can we handle food waste responsibly?

Composting

Make a vermicomposter or see if you can improve upon your current system for handling food waste and recycling packaging.

Chemistry with Pancakes

Whip up some pancakes and explore measurement, volume, and chemistry. Pancakes are a great introduction to simple baking because they require few ingredients, they're hard to mess up, and they're ready in minutes. Let your child help you measure out the ingredients. Use a glass measuring cup for liquids and a metal or plastic one for the flour and sugar. Help your child whisk the ingredients just until they're smooth. Observe how the pancakes rise on the griddle, becoming larger than they originally were, and how bubbles form when the pancakes are ready to be flipped. Wonder out loud about why this happens (baking powder contains hydrogen carbonate, which creates carbon dioxide-and bubbles-when heated). Maybe you'll even want to do some additional experiments with baking soda and baking powder to learn more.

Preparing Vegetables

Roast some vegetables and learn about plants. Even kids who don't like vegetables will often try them roasted-especially when they've helped make them. Even better if you can grow them yourself or visit a farm stand or farmer's market. Choose a variety of vegetables, including root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or parsnips, cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts or cauliflower, and some fruiting vegetables (actually fruits), such as tomatoes and peppers. Casually discuss the different ways vegetables grow and point out differences in their texture, color, and shape. Wash and cut the vegetables, toss them on a baking sheet with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast them in a hot (400 degrees) oven until they're brown. Wonder about why the vegetables turn brown (the sugars in them cause them to caramelize).

STEM learning can happen every day in small moments as we slow down to observe and ask questions. Grab an apron, heat up the oven, and start wondering.

A Parent's Guide to STEM Education Webinar

Watch this parenting webinar from Bright Horizons to hear how parents can incorporate STEM education with easy activities to do at home, featuring Dr. Anita Greenberg, CEO of Science Delights.

More on Cooking and STEM with Children:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What do cooking and STEM have in common? More than you might think. STEM learning can happen every day in small moments as we slow down to observe and ask questions. Grab an apron, preheat the oven, and start wondering.

# data[].attributes.body
Have a child interested in coding? Check out the library of resources at code.org. You don’t have to be familiar with coding to engage your student in rich computer science activities.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Whether you're a parent/guardian or a student learning independently, the options below are engaging, easy-to-try ways to begin your exploration of computer science.

Try an Hour of Code with these fun introductory tutorial

Try a one-hour tutorial featuring popular games and movies like Minecraft, Frozen, and Star Wars. Many tutorials are structured like games, designed to teach basic computer science concepts in fun, engaging ways.

Minecraft Hour of Code

Minecraft is back for the Hour of Code with a brand new activity! Journey through Minecraft with code.

Try activity

AI for Oceans

Help A.I. clean the oceans by training it to detect trash! Learn about training data and bias, and how AI can address world problems. View lesson plan.

Try activity

[Back to top]

Watch an engaging series of short videos to learn how computers, the internet, and AI work

Learn the basics of computer science with videos featuring famous technologists like Bill Gates and Satya Nadella, as well as a diverse cast of presenters from a number of industries and organizations.

How Computers Work

With an introduction by Bill Gates, this series of six short videos explains what makes a computer a computer and how computer circuits work.

Watch the video series

How the Internet Works

In this series of eight short videos, you'll learn how the internet was invented, what HTML is, and how search engines like Google work.

Watch the video series

How AI Works

Learn about how AI works and why it matters with this series of short videos. Featuring Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and a diverse cast of experts.

Watch the video series

View more videos, including short inspirational videos featuring celebrities like Steph Curry and Shakira, here.
[Back to top]

Learn the fundamentals with our self-paced courses

Self-paced introductory courses

A great option for students getting started on their own. You'll learn the fundamentals of computer science with drag & drop blocks. Create your own drawings and games. Note: Express courses are currently available in English, Hindi, Italian, and Spanish. For other languages, we recommend our 20-hour Accelerated Course. To see what's available in your language, visit our course catalog.

Self-paced introductions to Game Lab and App Lab

Adapted from our CS Discoveries and CS Principles courses, these short, self-paced modules are a great way to learn concepts that span all programming languages and tools. Requires Code.org account to access.
[Back to top]
Create something!

First, get inspired! View our project gallery - play some of the games or try out some of the apps that students have created. You can "remix" the project to make it your own, or build something new in App Lab, Game Lab, or Web Lab.

App Lab

App Lab is a programming environment where you can make simple apps. Design an app, code with blocks or JavaScript to make it work, then share your app in seconds.

Build an app

Game Lab

Game Lab is a programming environment where you can make simple animations and games with objects and characters that interact with each other.

Create a game

Web Lab

Web Lab is a programming environment where you can make simple web pages using HTML and CSS. Design your web pages and share your site in seconds.

Make a web page

[Back to top]
'Unplugged' activities: Computer Science without the computer

Click image to view as PDF

No screen, no problem! We've put together a 'sampler' of quick, fun CS activities you can do without a device. Have a family Dance Party party while learning about events, or 'program' each other to draw pictures!

View unplugged activities

Or view these unplugged options from other organizations:

Hello Ruby - The world's most whimsical way to learn about computers, technology and programming. Activities on a range of CS topics, like the ability to decompose a problem, spot patterns, think algorithmically, debug problems and work together. (for ages 4-10)

CS Unplugged - A collection of free teaching material that teaches computer science through engaging games and puzzles that use cards, string, crayons and lots of running around. (for ages 5-14)

No computer at home? Try CS on your phone with these apps from our partners

Box Island
A charming mobile coding game that takes learners on an exciting adventure, while teaching the fundamentals of coding, like algorithms, pattern recognition, sequences, loops and conditionals. (for all ages)

codeSpark
Award-winning learn-to-code platform for kids ages 5-9. Solve puzzles and create games with The Foos while learning to code. Note: codeSpark is offering a free 3-month trial. Parent's email address and credit card information are required at signup. (for pre-readers through Grade 5)

[Back to top]
Learn from the Code.org team and special guests!

CodeBytes

CodeBytes are easy-to-digest, 20 minute interactive lessons blending computer science with real-world topics. Train an AI to read sign language, design an app for good, explore the world of Minecraft, and more!

View episodes

Code Break

Keep computer science fun by taking a Code Break! You can create a cypher with Ashton Kutcher, learn about variables with Yara Shahidi, and even explore how the Internet works with the actual inventor of the Internet, Vint Cerf!

Get connected

[Back to top]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Whether you're a parent/guardian or a student learning independently, the options below are engaging, easy-to-try ways to begin your exploration of computer science. Try a one-hour tutorial featuring popular games and movies like Minecraft, Frozen, and Star Wars. Many tutorials are structured like games, designed to teach basic computer science concepts in fun, engaging ways.

# data[].attributes.body
Promote mathematical reasoning by using Which One Doesn’t Belong to foster essential critical thinking skills.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This is Which One Doesn't Belong?, a website dedicated to providing thought-provoking puzzles for math teachers and students alike. There are no answers provided as there are many different, correct ways of choosing which one doesn't belong. Enjoy!

Which One Doesn't Belong?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This is Which One Doesn't Belong?, a website dedicated to providing thought-provoking puzzles for math teachers and students alike. There are no answers provided as there are many different, correct ways of choosing which one doesn't belong. Enjoy!

# data[].attributes.body
From cyber security to space exploration to vocational training, this playlist can give you the information you need to have successful conversations in your family about STEM futures.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discover where STEM careers can take you and how to get there! Hear from real-world STEM professionals as they unpack what they do, why they do it and how th...

# data[].attributes.headline
Ask Rose: Free Math and Science Help Hotline

# data[].attributes.subject
Ask Rose: Free Math and Science Help Hotline

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Home page: Need help with homework? Just AskRose! AskRose is a fully funded, free math & science tutoring service for 6-12 grade students.

# data[].attributes.headline
Khan Academy: Free Math Tutoring and Extra Examples

# data[].attributes.subject
Khan Academy: Free Math Tutoring and Extra Examples

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A required part of this site couldn’t load. This may be due to a browser extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Explore the full range of titles. Discover sports stars, scientists, artists and much more...

Book explorer

Welcome to the home of Little People, BIG DREAMS, the best-selling biography series for kids by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara.

Discover the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream. Told as a story, with a facts and photos section at the back, this sweet series for kids celebrates triumph over adversity through some of history's favorite characters.

Now with more than 7.5 million copies sold worldwide, the series continues to grow and expand, introducing children around the world to artists, trailblazers, and dreamers who each made a big impact in the world around them.

"Strikingly illustrated, they're superb first biographies for younger readers."

-HuffPost

"Stirring encouragement for all 'little people' with 'big dreams.'"

-Kirkus Reviews

"Informative text...smartly illustrated... Another batch of successful installments in the series."

-School Library Journal

"We're obsessed with the 'Little People, Big Dreams' series."

-Mother Mag

"...adorable illustrations...packs an emotional punch."

-Entertainment Weekly

Mozart

Discover the incredible life of Mozart, world-renowned classical musician and composer. Wolfgang Mozart first started playing the keyboard at just three years old. Inspired by ... Read more "

Terry Fox

Illustrated by T. Connor

Barcelona, Spain Edmonton, Canada

Helen Keller

Illustrated by Sam Rudd

THE AUTHOR

Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, born in Barcelona, Spain, is a writer and creative director in constant search of new concepts for children's books. Working for more than fifteen years for clients in top advertising agencies, her books combine creativity with learning, aiming to establish a new and fresh relationship between children and pop culture.

THE ILLUSTRATORS

Featuring the art and styles of more than 70 different artists from around the world, Little People, BIG DREAMS is a celebration of illustration.

#littlepeoplebigdreams

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: There is no connected account for the user 17841400262647353.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Little People, BIG DREAMS - Be Bold, Be Brave, DREAM BIG!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welcome to the new home of Little People, BIG DREAMS, the best-selling biography series for kids by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara.