STEM activities for kids during school breaks:

At Virginia Tech we regularly hear about, or are asked about how to engage kids in learning during breaks away from the rigor of school.  Here is a list of DC Area things parents or older siblings can do to involve kids in everyday research and planning tasks that help them realize their research and problem-solving abilities:

STEM Activities for the Breaks and Holidays

For any of the following, a great way to help students develop executive function skills and STEM habits of Mind include having them take leadership in the following:

• Planning the itinerary/schedule

• Background research

• Prepare a budget for the day (food, transportation, admissions, etc.)

• Identifying “must-see” or “must-do” options

• Weather and Safety 

• Older kids taking responsibility for younger kids

Natural Areas

1. George Washington Memorial Parkway

1. Potomac Heritage Trail - Roosevelt Island to Cabin John Bridge (Lone Oak Drive)

2. Shorter hikes at 

1. Windy Run

2. Donaldson Run 

3. Gulf Branch

4. Chain Bridge 

5. Turkey Run

6. Langley Forest

2. Great Falls National Park - Maryland Side

1. Park museum and towpath

2. Olmstead Island

3. Billy Goat A - not for small kids or dogs

4. Bill Goat B - some scrambling required

5. Billy Goat C - better for kids and dogs
   
   

3. Great Falls National Park - Virginia Side

1. Park museum and towpath

2. Rocky Island overlook

3. Cow Hoof Rock

4. First industrial use of dynamite
   
   

4. Mount Vernon - River Farm

Museums

1. Children's Science Center - Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax.

2. Children's Museum - Washington, D.C.

3. National Air and Space Museum

4. Natural History Museum - check out our Qualcomm Cell Phone Exhibit

5. National Museum of History and Technology

6. DC Auto Show - expensive!

7. Udvar Hauzy Museum

At Home

1. Plan and budget an activity night

2. Cooking

3. Helping others

4. Reading and storytelling

5. Improving your habitat

6. Teaching Non-profit Leadership

7. Plant some plants

8. Build things

9. Learn your neighborhood

10. Old Electronics - Take Apart

11. Indoor Container Gardens

12. Bicycle maintenance or upgrade

13. Music-maker apps

14. Lego challenges

15. Geocaching or letterboxing

16. Kitchen Science

17. Customizing recipes (e.g., cookies, ice cream)

18. Build or install a Tiny Library

19. Mimic / recreate famous paintings

Invention Activities

1. Invention Virginia - www.InventionVirginia.net 

2. Invention DC - www.InventionDC.net

Preparation for Local Science and Engineering Fairs 

1. Alexandria - January 29

2. Arlington - 

3. DC Public Schools - 

4. Fairfax - 

5. Falls Church City - 

6. Loudoun - 

7. Manassas - 

8. Manassas Park - 

9. Prince George’s (MD) - 

10. Prince William - 

11. Stafford - 

Maker and Physical Computing Fun Activities

1. micro:bit programming in Block Code, Javascript or Python (no device required)

2. Nova-Labs Youth Catalog

3. Nova-Labs Makerschool

4. Nova-Labs Youth Robotics

Crafts

1. Winter Capital Art and Craft Festival - Dulles Expo Center - December 12-14, 2025

2. Old Town Alexandria Christmas Fair (November 29)

3. McLean Holiday Art & Crafts Festival (December 5–7)

4. Christmas Market & Holiday Craft Show at John Carlyle Square (December 13)

5. Old Town North Holiday Market (December 14) 

6. Old Town Manassas Christmas Market and Crafts - November 29

7. National Harbor Craft Show- December 6-7, 2025

First Aid Training - Online First Aid and CPR Training - UCPRA

Other resources

1. eHow

2. Instructables

3. YouTube