Dream Big in PJs: 12 STEAM Activities Perfect for a Kids’ Pajama Party or Playdate

A kids’ pajama party or playdate is the perfect setting for cozy fun, creativity, and hands-on learning. With the right STEAM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), kids can explore big ideas through play while laughing, collaborating, and even baking something delicious together.

Below you’ll find 12 pajama-party–perfect STEAM activities, each with step-by-step instructions, materials needed, and an image idea you can use to generate visuals for your blog, Pinterest, or social media.

1. Counting Sheep Sweet Dream Pies: No-Bake Chocolate Mousse STEM Activity

STEAM Focus: Science, Math, Engineering, Art

What You’ll Need:

• Baketivity Counting Sheep Sweet Dream Pies kit

• Heavy cream (cold)

• Cocoa powder

• Mixing bowls

• Whisk or hand mixer

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Spatula

Instructions:

1. Measure the Ingredients
   Have kids measure the heavy cream and cocoa powder, talking about fractions, volume, and accuracy.
2. Whip the Cream
   Whisk or mix the heavy cream until it thickens, observing how air changes the texture.
3. Add Cocoa Powder
   Gently fold in cocoa powder  noting color and consistency changes.
4. Fill the Crusts
   Spoon the chocolate mousse into the graham cracker crusts, smoothing the tops evenly.
5. Decorate the Pie
   Add sheep-themed decorations and toppings, counting and patterning as you go.
6. Chill and Set
   Place pies in the refrigerator and observe how chilling helps the mousse firm up.

Ask & Explore:

• What do you think will happen to the cream when we whisk it?

• How does the mousse change when air is added?

• Why do you think the pie gets firmer in the fridge without baking?

2. Color-Changing Milk Science

STEAM Focus: Chemistry, Observation

What You’ll Need:

• Whole milk

• Food coloring

• Dish soap

• Shallow bowls

• Cotton swabs

Instructions:

1. Pour milk into shallow bowls.

2. Add drops of food coloring.

3. Dip a cotton swab into dish soap.

4. Touch the milk surface and observe color movement.

Ask & Explore:

• What do you think will happen when soap touches the milk?

• Why do the colors move instead of staying still?

• What job does soap do in our experiment?

2. Marshmallow Engineering Tower

STEAM Focus: Engineering, Problem Solving

What You’ll Need:

• Marshmallows

• Toothpicks or dry spaghetti

• Flat surface

Instructions:

1. Challenge kids to build the tallest structure possible.

2. Test stability by gently tapping the table.

3. Redesign to improve strength.

Ask & Explore:

• Which shape do you think will make the strongest tower?

• What happens when your tower gets taller?

• How could you redesign it to make it stronger?

4. Glow-in-the-Dark Slime Lab

STEAM Focus: Chemistry, Sensory Science

What You’ll Need:

• White school glue

• Baking soda

• Contact lens solution

• Glow powder or glow paint

Instructions:

1. Mix glue and baking soda.

2. Add glow powder.

3. Slowly add contact solution until slime forms.

4. Test glow under dim light.

Ask & Explore:

• How does the slime feel before and after mixing?

• What makes it glow in the dark?

• Is the slime more stretchy or more sticky?

5. Starry Constellation Craft

STEAM Focus: Astronomy, Art

What You’ll Need:

• Black construction paper

• Star stickers

• White chalk or gel pens

Instructions

1. Create constellation patterns using stickers.

2. Connect stars with chalk lines.

3. Name the constellation and tell a story.

Ask & Explore:

• What shapes do you see in the stars?

• How do scientists use patterns to name constellations?

• What story would you tell about your constellation?

6. Edible Geometry Kabobs

STEAM Focus: Math, Geometry

What You’ll Need:

• Fruit chunks

• Skewers

• Shape reference cards

Instructions:

1. Identify shapes in fruit pieces.

2. Build repeating patterns.

3. Count and compare quantities.

Ask & Explore:

• What shapes can you find in your fruit?

• Can you make a repeating pattern?

• Which fruit shape shows up the most?

7. DIY Stuffed Animal Parachutes

STEAM Focus: Physics, Engineering

What You’ll Need:

• Coffee filters

• String

• Tape

• Small toys or stuffed animals

Instructions:

1. Attach strings to coffee filter edges.

2. Tie strings to toy.

3. Drop from height and observe descent.

Ask & Explore:

• Which parachute do you think will fall the slowest?

• What happens when we change the size of the parachute?

• How does air help slow things down?

8. Puzzle Race Relay

STEAM Focus: Logic, Teamwork

What You’ll Need:

• Age-appropriate puzzles

• Timer

Instructions:

1. Divide kids into teams.

2. Complete puzzle sections relay-style.

3. Discuss strategies used.

Ask & Explore:

• What strategy helped your team the most?

• Was it faster to work alone or together?

• What would you do differently next time?

9. Shadow Tracing Art

STEAM Focus: Light Science, Art

What You’ll Need:

• Flashlights

• Paper

• Markers

• Toys

Instructions:

1. Shine light to create shadows.

2. Trace outlines.

3. Decorate scenes.

Ask & Explore:

• What happens to the shadow when we move the light?

• Why do shadows change size?

• Where else do you see shadows every day?

10. Painted Rock Memory Game

STEAM Focus: Art, Cognitive Skills

What You’ll Need:

• Smooth rocks

• Paint

• Brushes

Instructions:

1. Paint matching symbols on rocks.

2. Let it dry.

3. Play memory matching game.

Ask & Explore:

• How did you remember where the matches were?

• Did patterns help your memory?

• What new symbols would make the game harder?

11. Bead Pattern Coding

STEAM Focus: Technology, Math Patterns

What You’ll Need:

• Colored beads

• String or pipe cleaners

Instructions:

1. Create bead pattern sequences.

2. Have kids decode and copy patterns.

3. Design their own.

Ask & Explore:

• What comes next in your pattern?

• How is this like giving a computer instructions?

• What happens if we change one color?

12. Bubble Geometry Exploration

STEAM Focus: Math, Physics

What You’ll Need:

• Bubble solution

• Bubble wands (various shapes)

Instructions:

1. Blow bubbles with different wands.

2. Observe shapes formed.

3. Discuss why bubbles are round.

Ask & Explore:

• What shape are bubbles?

• Why don’t bubbles stay square?

• What happens when bubbles touch each other?

Planning a pajama party, playdate, or homeschooling activity? Download our FREE STEAM Pajama Party Play Sheets below to guide kids through each activity with fun questions, reflection prompts, and easy ways to break the ice. It’s the perfect companion for hands-on learning, creative play, and meaningful family moments. All in cozy pajamas!