Craft StationsNo. 9058 · The 2026 edition
31 Days of Halloween STEM Activities and Projects
Get ready for a spooky month of learning! This collection offers a full 31-day countdown of hands-on STEM challenges designed to keep young minds engaged. From building structures to writing code, eac
Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at steampoweredfamily.com.
Dive into a month-long series of educational Halloween projects that blend creativity with core STEM concepts. This guide provides daily activities spanning science experiments, engineering builds, coding exercises, and artistic creations. Each day features a unique challenge to inspire curiosity and problem-solving skills throughout the entire month.
About this
A month-long countdown roundup of over 31 Halloween-themed STEM and STEAM activities from STEAM Powered Family, originally started about 10 years ago when the author's kids wanted a new Halloween activity each day of October. Activities span science, chemistry, engineering, circuits and coding, candy/edible science, slime and oobleck, math, art and printables, with options for preschool through high school and even adults. Several free printables are offered via the site's mailing list, and a paid printable pack in the shop includes a 31-day calendar, task cards, challenges and games.
Tips
- The list began almost 10 years ago as a Halloween advent-calendar style challenge to try a new Halloween activity every day in October.
- There are over 31 activities, with ideas suitable for preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, and even adults.
- Activities are organized into categories: Halloween Science Experiments; Halloween Chemistry Experiments; Halloween Engineering Projects; Halloween Coding and Circuit Projects; Candy and Edible Halloween Science; Halloween Slime and Oobleck; Halloween Math Activities; Halloween STEAM and Art Projects; and Halloween Printables.
- Free printables tied to the page include a Halloween maze and word search (designed with extra challenge for older kids), a Halloween coding printable, a Magical Wizards Coding fun pack, and Halloween Thaumatrope printables—several delivered via the mailing list.
- A paid printable pack in the STEAM Powered Family shop includes a calendar with 31 Days of Halloween Activities, task cards, challenges and games; a Bats and Cats Activity Pack is also promoted.
- Play dough used for the Pumpkin Squishy Circuits dries out, so it should not be prepared too far in advance of the lesson.
- The page notes affiliate links and that purchases through them may earn a commission.
The list
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01
Flying Ghosts Tea Bag Experiment
Science. WOW-worthy experiment where tea bag ghosts take flight; link included for the full project.
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02
Magnetic Flying Ghosts
Science. Uses magnetism plus a little engineering to make ghosts fly; a Halloween twist on the site's Wingardium Leviosa experiment.
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03
Spooky Spider Magnetic Science
Science/Engineering/Math. Kids build a special spider web and a magnet-powered spider that dances, jigs and wiggles around it.
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04
Halloween Skittles Experiment
Science. Make spooky designs with candy, then watch the science unfold; good use for leftover Halloween candy.
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05
Halloween Balloon Races
Science/Physics. Simple setup physics challenge where kids explore Newton's Laws of Motion racing balloon creations; works for classroom, homeschool or a Halloween party.
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06
Halloween Marshmallow Science
Science. Quick experiment letting kids explore their artistic side before learning about the expanding energy of heat; fun from toddlers to teens.
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07
Gummy Mummies
Science. Combines Lego, history and science in a mummy-themed experiment.
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08
Glow in the Dark Science
Science. A gathered collection of glow in the dark activities including the science behind the glow for lessons.
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09
Halloween Magic Milk
Science. Inspired by the classic magic milk experiment; kids mix Halloween colours using the colour wheel and explore the science.
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10
Pumpkin Preservation Experiment
Science. Tests ways to keep carved pumpkins looking fresh from carving until October 31st.
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11
Grow Scented Halloween Crystals
Science. Grow durable, scented crystals to use as Halloween decorations.
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12
Halloween Moon Dough – Fizzing Ghosts!
Chemistry. Sensory moon dough combined with chemistry to create a fizzing ghost experiment.
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13
Halloween Balloon Experiment
Chemistry. Kids make balloons or ghosts, then set off a chemical reaction to reveal their spooky designs.
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14
Monster Eyes – A Halloween Egg in Vinegar Experiment
Chemistry. Classic rubber egg project given a Halloween twist, turning eggs into squishy, bouncy monster eyeballs.
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15
Puking Pumpkins – Volcano Pumpkin Science Experiment
Chemistry. Carve a pumpkin then use chemistry to turn it into an erupting volcano pumpkin; a huge kid hit.
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16
Make A Glow In The Dark Lava Lamp
Chemistry. Traditional lava lamp science experiment with a Halloween glow-in-the-dark twist.
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17
Spooky Glow-in-the-Dark Milk Plastic
Chemistry. Make plastic from milk (casein) into spooky glow in the dark trinkets and figures.
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18
Candy Catapult
Engineering. Engineer a catapult and launch candies into pumpkins and cauldrons; teaches engineering, physics and math and works as a party game or classroom project. Page also links a Lego pumpkin catapult by Frugal Fun 4 Boys.
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19
Candy Engineering and Math Challenge
Engineering/Math. Candy construction challenge building critical thinking, problem solving and fine motor skills while hitting a target with candy.
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20
Build a Skeleton Hand
Biology/Engineering. Build a skeleton-like model of the hand from black construction paper, decorated with white or glow in the dark markers/paint so it moves.
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21
Frankenstein Candy Dispenser DIY
Engineering. Learn about simple machines building a Frankenstein candy dispenser from a few cups, craft sticks, cardboard and candy; suited to classroom or after-school STEM.
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22
Build a Haunted House Challenge
Engineering. Quick challenge using recycled materials and creativity to build a spooky haunted house.
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23
Halloween Mummy Circuit Craft
Circuits. A simple Halloween craft powered up with a simple circuit.
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24
Halloween Bat STEM Craft
Circuits. Bat toilet roll craft with glowing red eyes, a twist on the mummy circuit craft.
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25
Build a Fruit Battery out of Pumpkins!
Circuits. Learn about battery cells, currents and voltage by building a battery from pumpkins and squash strong enough to light an LED.
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26
Halloween Coding Activity
Coding. Screen free printable coding activity introducing sequencing, critical thinking and attention to detail; free printable for mailing list members.
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27
Glow Salt Circuits
Circuits. Easy-to-make salt circuits for elementary through high school that glow when the lights go out.
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28
Build a Witch or Wizard Circuit Wand
Circuits. Make a wand that lights up on command (or by closing the circuit).
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29
Wizards Coding Printable
Coding. Screen free Magical Wizards Coding Fun Pack with coding challenges; free via newsletter signup.
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30
Pumpkin Squishy Circuits
Circuits. Tried-and-true play dough circuit project; note that the play dough dries out so don't make it too far in advance.
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31
Halloween Candy Bomblicious Recipe
Edible/Candy. Sweet treat made with kids where the best part is smashing the candy bombs open to find surprises inside; great for a Halloween party.
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32
Candy Science
Candy. Unit study into the science of candy making; success in the lab is sweet.
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33
Glow in the Dark Jello Recipe
Edible. Explore polymers and eat them too; perfect for a Halloween party.
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34
Layered Lollipops
Candy. Layered density experiment using lollipops or hard candies; smells and looks amazing.
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35
Glow In The Dark Oobleck
Slime/Oobleck. Oobleck that glows with or without black light.
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36
Halloween Oobleck Spider Search Game
Slime/Oobleck. Oobleck variation with spiders that makes a fantastic Halloween party game.
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37
Glow in the Dark Slime
Slime. Glow in the dark slime where paint creates the fluffiest texture; excellent for a Halloween party.
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38
Franken-Slime Halloween Slime
Slime. Spooky slime filled with creepy crawlies, inspired by Frankenstein.
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39
Halloween Math Logic Puzzles
Math. Sudoku-style Halloween themed math logic puzzles.
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40
Halloween Thaumatropes
STEAM/Art. Halloween themed thaumatropes, a traditional optical illusion toy; printable available.
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41
Halloween Agamograph STEAM Project
STEAM/Art. Optical illusion project great for October classrooms; finished pieces display well and demonstrate perspective.
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42
Halloween Art and Math Challenge
STEAM/Art/Math. Halloween line art projects combining art with math, plus bonus writing prompt crafts for the classroom.
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43
3D Halloween Art Project
STEAM/Art. Explores depth and perspective moving from 2D to 3D in a spooky Halloween scene.
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44
Halloween Pomander Project
STEAM. Heritage activity making amazing-smelling pomanders; builds fine motor skills and is a strong sensory experience. Make with oranges or mini pumpkins.
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45
Halloween Pumpkin Melted Crayon Art
STEAM/Art. No-carve pumpkin decorating using melted crayon art for colourful results.
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46
Halloween Salt Dough Ornaments
STEAM/Art. Budget friendly Halloween decor and ornaments made with a homemade salt dough recipe; good for home or classroom.
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47
Halloween Spinning Pop Up Card
STEAM/Art. Kids use free printable templates to make a Halloween card that pops up and spins, choosing from two designs; great for Halloween party invitations.
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48
Spooky Halloween Tetris Printable
Printable. Printable Halloween version of Tetris; the page notes Tetris has cognitive benefits and may help with healing from trauma.
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49
Halloween Bath Bombs
Chemistry/Edible. Bath bombs blending chemistry, math and art with careful ingredient ratios; recipes include Monster Eyes, Glow in the Dark and Pumpkins.
More photos
Photos hosted by steampoweredfamily.com.
