Combine science and art in a hands-on STEAM activity for preschoolers. The colorful pompoms in this Christmas activity provide lots of different ways for kids to build and create. This child-led activity engages kids in fine motor and sensory play with STEAM.

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STEAM is a method of integrating science and art in hands-on activities. Principles of STEAM are (often unintentionally!) evident in many of the crafts and activities we set up for kids, as well as in their independent play.

Kids plan like engineers when they build with blocks. They create like artists when they explore colors with a fizzy experiment.

Look for more information on STEAM principles at the end of the post.

A STEAM activity with a Christmas theme is easy to set up with pompoms and bottle caps.

Pompom STEAM activity

Christmas crafts and activities are often inspired by traditional, and unique, signs of the season. Different colors, shapes and textures are seen in Christmas trees, candy canes, wreaths, and more. 

In this STEAM activity, kids explore the sights of the holiday as they make shapes and create designs with bottle caps, and count and sort colorful pompoms.

Supplies

• regular pompoms

• glitter pompoms

• bottle caps

• tweezers or grasping tool (optional)
  
  
• sheet of craft foam

Instructions

Christmas tree

We used a craft tray we made from a box lid to transport supplies to the work area. The tray can then be used as a defined work space for the activity.

Line the bottom of the tray with felt or a sheet of craft foam. This provides a nice surface to work on and helps prevent the bottle caps from sliding around.

Arrange bottle caps on the tray to form a pyramid that resembles a Christmas tree.

Place pompoms in the bottle caps, 1 large pompom or 2 -3 small pompoms. Use fingers or a grasping tool to pick up pompoms.

Incorporate different colors of pompoms and make interesting designs with the bottle caps. Be creative with the colors and shapes.

More ideas for building with pompoms and bottle caps.

Christmas tree with lights and a glittering topper!

Christmas wreath with a red bow!

Candy cane!

                                                                                Letter J!

This simple activity is fun for toddlers and preschoolers. Counting and designing with bottle caps and pompoms prompts the important hands-on interaction that supports developmental skills.

STEAM: Science + Technology + Engineering + Art + Math

Technology: using tweezers or tongs

Engineering: planning and building with bottle caps

Art: choosing pompom colors

Math: counting, identifying shapes

Imagine what you can create with bottle caps and pompoms!

STEAM KIDS Christmas

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exciting activities for a merry and bright holiday season! 

Visit our Christmas Pinterest board for more crafts and activities.