STEM Activity for kids
Pom Pom Shooter | STEM Activity for kids
Pom pom shooters are ideal for any ages. All six of my kids enjoyed this activity.
It's the perfect indoor activity for kids. Whether it's a rainy day or just too cold to head outside! It's a good idea to have some back up activities to keep the kids occupied.
I love this activity because it doesn't need many resources and the main item is a toilet paper roll!
If (unlike me) you actually empty your bathroom bin regularly enough that you don't have any empty toilet rolls to hand, you could always use a disposable cup. Just cut out the base to make it hollow.
Or even a pool noodle. This would probably be the most sturdy option.
Supplies you will need for this activity:
- Toilet paper roll
- Balloon
- Cellotape
- Glue
- Scissors
- Pom Poms
- Coloured/patterned paper
- Gems or something to decorate
How to make pom pom shooters
Step 1:
Grab your toilet paper roll and decorate it as you please.
We used coloured paper, flowers and feathers.
Step 2:
Tie the balloon and cut off the rounded end. Not too much.
Step 3:
Place the balloon over the toilet roll and cellotape to hold in place.
Step 4:
Finally, you're done! Place pom pom inside your crafty toilet roll and pell the balloon back tight. Release the balloon to shoot your pom poms!
Watch the video below to get a clear idea of how to make your very own pom pom shooter.
@life_without_school Pom pom popper! A quick, simple activity to keep your child entertained. #kidsactivities #activitiesforkids #toddleractivities #kidscrafts #toddleractivitiesathome #educationalactivitiesforkids #simple ♬ Kun Anta - Humood AlKhudher
How does this pom pom shooter activity relate to STEM?
The Second Law of Motion explains how force, mass, and acceleration are related.
It says:
- If you push something harder, it moves faster.
- If something is heavy, it’s harder to move it.
For example:
- If you kick a small ball, it goes far (it’s light, so it accelerates easily).
- If you kick a heavy ball with the same force, it doesn’t go as far (it’s heavier, so it accelerates less).
The bigger the force, the faster something moves. The heavier it is, the harder it is to move.
The Third Law of Motion says:
"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."
This means that whenever you push or pull on something, it pushes or pulls back on you with the same amount of force, but in the opposite direction.
Simple Example:
- When you jump off a boat, you push the boat backward, and the boat pushes you forward into the water.
- When you let the air out of a balloon, the air rushes out one way, and the balloon flies the other way.
It’s like a “push-push back” rule!