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Home » Sport Science » 10 Hands-On Football Stem Activities for Kids

10 Hands-On Football Stem Activities for Kids

Modified: Mar 11, 2025 · Published: Jun 19, 2024 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Football fans and future scientists will love my collection of hands-on football themed science experiments and sporty STEM Challenges. Whether you’re a teacher looking for engaging classroom activities, a parent wanting to spark your child’s creativity or a curious football fan, you’re in the right place.

These ten hands-on football STEM activities will keep kids engaged and learning while exploring the science behind the game. They are perfect for a school sports week or science fun at home in the garden.

Football STEM Challenges

Bouncing balls

Find out why balls bounce with a simple science investigation using different sizes and shapes of balls.

basketball, rugby ball and tennis ball for a science investigation

Waterproof a football

Learn about waterproof and non-waterproof materials with a simple waterproof a football science activity. The idea is to cover a drawing of a football boot with different materials and sprinkle each with water to find out which is the most waterproof.

Football boot waterproof science activity. Paper, card, plastic etc are attached to a coloured in drawing of a football image. Water has been sprinkled on top.
Football boot waterproof science activity

Design a dream football boot

Draw and design a football boot from the future, thinking about the materials to use, their properties, and the features and benefits of each design aspect.

Design a football boot design sheet
Design dream football boots thinking about materials, features and benefits
design a football boot template

Build a mini football-kicking machine

We built a mini football kicking machine using lolly sticks and a wooden skewer. The boot on the end of the moving middle stick can kick the table tennis ball football!

I turned this into an investigation by adding play dough to the swinging shoe to determine if the extra mass made the football boot push the ball further.

swinging football boot STEM challenge

Football goal STEM challenge

Make a football goal from a cardboard box and add a moving goalie! We attached a lolly stick to a cardboard figure and made a long cut in the back of the box so he could move.

Exercise and heart rate

Find out how exercise affects heart rate with a simple science investigation.

Heart Rate Investigation Instructions
Football themed heart rate science investigation instructions
Football themed heart rate science investigation results table

Build a mini football table

JDaniel4’s Mom has a great mini DIY football table. This would make a brilliant teambuilding STEM challenge, and a large-scale version would be incredible!

Test reaction time

Footballers need to be able to react very quickly. You can test your reaction times using a ruler with a simple science activity.

Reaction Time Test Activity Sheet
Football themed reaction time investigation
Football themed reaction time investigation results table

Kitchen Towel Flags

Learn about football team flags with a fun absorbing activity using kitchen roll and felt tip pens.

France flag on kitchen towel for a science activity

I’ve created a sheet of 4 football STEM challenges with basic instructions for inspiration in the classroom or at home. These are great for encouraging open-ended exploration and learning.

EASY Football STEM Challenges
football themed STEM Challenges

Buy a pack of FIVE Football Science Investigations

The individual activities can be downloaded for free above, or if you’d like a handy pack of five in one place, click the link below.

FIVE Football Science Investigations

Last Updated on March 11, 2025 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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