Provide open-ended play ideas like this Christmas tree loose parts STEM to support kids early learning skills. This hands-on play engages fine motor and cognitive skills as kids explore, plan, and build with small parts.
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You can easily add science play to your holiday schedule with this Christmas Tree loose parts STEM. The activity is easy to set up and practically mess-free.
Related: Loose Parts Build-A-Sun Activity
STEM activities support critical thinking and fine motor play as kids experiment with materials. STEM is known as STEAM when an art component is included or highlighted in the process.
- In this build-a-tree activity, kids plan like engineers, design like artists, and count and arrange small parts using fine motor and math skills.
Learn more about STEAM play and the STEAM Kids series of books in this post.
STEAM = Science + Technology + Engineering + Art + Math
Open-ended activities are recommended for the early years, when kids are beginning to explore their environments. This hands-on approach allows preschoolers to experiment without expected outcomes such as how a certain product or result should look.
The valuable ‘outcome’ of an open-ended activity is that early learning skills are strengthened as a result of the experience of engaging with materials and environment: observational skills are supported when mixing paint colors or play dough colors together; fine motor and creative skills are supported when arranging paper shapes to make flowers.
This build-a-tree activity supports kids interactive learning with fun materials that provide tactile, problem-solving experiences, and it’s a simple way to add science to your holiday themed activities in preschool or kindergarten.
Christmas Tree STEM Kids Activity
Christmas trees are traditionally tall and green and shaped like a triangle. While we largely followed the triangle shape, we chose materials with different shades of green and different textures, and included colorful pompoms to add the art component that takes us from STEM to STEAM.
The loose parts you provide will guide the activity. Include different colors, shapes and textures to inspire creativity and critical thinking.
Setup the activity
Fill each section of a divided tray with small items. These items are only suggestions. Use whatever materials you have on hand.
pipe cleaners (chenille stems)
bottle caps
craft sticks
pompoms
felt cutouts
Other options include paper cupcake liners, feathers, and straws. You could also dip cotton balls in green or other colors of paint in place of pompoms.
Set the divided tray in the work area. Invite kids to build a Christmas tree.
Support the activity with other options.
- Place a tray or cardboard box lid next to to the divided tray to define a working space for building the tree. This will also help contain the loose parts like tiny pompoms that may roll off the table.
- Outline a tree shape on plain paper or a cardboard canvas to prompt engagement with materials.
Christmas tree design ideas
A loose parts activity invites kids to work at their own pace without step by step instructions, as they explore and discover how materials interact and fit together in available spaces.
Add STEM or STEAM to your holiday curriculum with this Christmas tree loose parts preschool activity. And visit our STEM to STEAM Pinterest board for more interactive science play ideas.
