STEM activities are all the rage in education right now, and for good reason. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) – and the Arts for STEAM – are crucial to kids’ learning and our future. But how to get your younger children interested? They might not be ready for coding, but many preschoolers under age 5 can enjoy some basic STEM principles through play.

Below we've got easy instructions to help you and your budding scientist build an apple boat or a toothpick-marshmallow castle, attempt a pom-pom drop, or indulged in baking soda science. Read on for a list of 25 tried-and-true screen-free STEM activities to do with your preschooler.

For more science experiments for kids of all ages, check out our list of 64 easy science experiments for kids, try our colorful Skittles science experiment, or enjoy one of our magical light experiments for toddlers and preschoolers—all of which can be found in our Guide to Science Experiments for Kids. Happy discovering!

Atlantic City is known for its casinos and fun for adults, but the city has plenty of children’s entertainment, including the Steel Pier amusement park. The 1,000-foot-long Steel Pier extends from the Atlantic City boardwalk and sits right across from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which is where my family stayed during spring break. My husband, two kids, and I were able to easily walk from our hotel to the pier.

With more than 20 rides for families to enjoy plus boardwalk games and snacks, Steel Pier is a fun way to spend an afternoon in Atlantic City. My 6-year-old was tall enough to get on many of the rides by himself, which was a relief to me and my husband, who only had to squeeze onto a few kiddie rides that required adult accompaniment.

Read on for tips for parents to know before they go. For even more fun in the area, check out our guide to Atlantic City with kids and the best spots on the Jersey Shore.

Sometimes the best NYC playgrounds are hidden in plain sight and at Ravenswood Playground in Astoria, Queens this is certainly the case.

If you are looking for a new playground that doesn’t disappoint, look no further than this NYC playground. While Astoria has always had a great history of parks and playgrounds, with the most well-known being its namesake Astoria Park, Ravenswood Playground is the new park on the block, and it’s not messing around. Read on for the highlights of this new romping spot, which made our list of the new NYC playground we couldn't wait to visit, and find all our top NYC playground picks in our Parks and Playgrounds Guide for NYC Kids.

Kemah and its boardwalk may be just 20 miles from downtown Houston, but it delivers a drastic change of scenery from city life. The Kemah waterfront is packed with kid-friendly attractions that will keep the whole family entertained for hours.

Kemah, Texas, is well known for its delicious and family-friendly restaurants, which make for the perfect lunch or dinner after a long day with kids. And the boardwalk has plenty to keep you entertained between meals, from amusement park-style rides to the fascinating Stingray and Reef exhibit.

For more family fun south of town, check out our ultimate guide of things to do with kids in Galveston. 

You can also save with the top attractions in Houston with Go City - Houston card. By purchasing this ticket, you receive admission to several Houston attractions at half the regular price: Space Center Houston, Downtown Aquarium, Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Houston Zoo or the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and the Kemah Boardwalk or the Children’s Museum Houston.

Swimming lakes are a great option for families to beat the heat in the Atlanta summer. Sure, pools are fun but sometimes kids and parents need a change of scenery from diving boards and chlorine. Luckily, there are lots of swimming lakes near Atlanta with great beaches that make an easy summer day trip for Atlanta families. You don't need a boat or a personal watercraft for these beaches; you can actually just go jump in the lake. We've narrowed it down to our favorites, all within 90 minutes or less of Atlanta. Remember, we're moms too so obviously we only included places that offer restrooms.

Need more ideas about how to cool off as the temperatures rise? Check out our Summer Activities Guide for Atlanta Kids, which includes great ideas like the Best Outdoor Water Parks in Atlanta for Family Fun. 

Canobie Lake Park is a family-run amusement and water park in Salem, New Hampshire, less than an hour from Boston. The amusement park is jam packed with fun for everyone in your family. We've gathered our best insider tips and must-do activities for the perfect day out with kids at Canobie Lake Park and the Castaway Island Water Park. So read on for all our tips- from getting your Canobie Lake Park tickets to finding the best Canobie Lake Park rides!

We're thrill ride—and kiddie ride—fans here at Mommy Poppins! For more fun-filled theme parks, check out our Boston Theme and Waterparks Guide.

Lake Compounce is America's First Amusement Park. For 175 years, visitors have come to this New England destination to enjoy a day by the lake and take a ride on the carousel. Today, the amusement park features more than 45 rides and attractions, including Crocodile Cove, seasonal Halloween and Christmas Time special events, and has become a staple of Connecticut summer fun. Read on for all the info you need, from getting Lake Compounce tickets to bringing food to the park and enjoying Lake Compounce Campground!

We love hitting the rides in warm weather. For more water and amusement park tips, check out our Mommy Poppins Theme and Water Park Guide for even more park fun.

Roller skating rinks are a great place to have fun and there are so many great options in the Philadelphia area. So lace up your skates, Philly! It’s time to hit the rink for some retro fun. Roller skating is the perfect way to sneak in some exercise for both kids and adults. There are indoor and outdoor rinks throughout the Philadelphia area so you can practice your skating skills while making memories with you kids no matter the weather!

If you need more ways to get the energy out, check out our list of Trampoline Parks and Bounce House Play Areas or our guide to the Best Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones. If you're looking to get outside, we've rounded up all the Best Playgrounds in the Philadelphia Region.