It’s a part of life — sometimes you simply can’t be in the classroom. Instead of scrambling to fill the gap, set your substitute up for success with fun, ready-to-use STEAM kits. Each kit offers hands-on activities that align with your curriculum, ensuring your students keep learning and exploring — even when you’re away.

Our extensive collection of STEAM kits spans every STEM subject — from science and technology to engineering, applied arts, and math. Each of the kits included here are designed to be truly turnkey, with materials that accommodate large classrooms and activities that require minimal setup. Explore our curated lists of recommended kits to find the perfect fit for your next substitute day or classroom project.

  1. Variety packs – Our collection includes several kits made up of a variety of games and activities that support STEM learning during play. Play is important in STEM learning; it builds social/emotional skills while lowering the stress of traditional classroom learning. Our favorite variety packs are STEAM Games, Math Games, and STEAM Party Pack.

  2. LEGO – Who doesn’t love LEGO? It is so simple to use yet serves as a powerful tool in engineering, science, and applied arts classrooms. Our Bulk LEGO kit offers a fully customizable experience for each classroom, providing a ton of pieces and building platforms. For a more structured approach to LEGO in the classroom, we recommend LEGO Zipline for those classrooms that are learning about physics, engineering, or design. If you are trying to instill career-readiness skills like communication, the LEGO Team Challenge may be the perfect fit for your students.

  3. Mini Rocket Launchers – How far can a straw, Play-Doh, and an index card fly? As far as the mini rocket launcher can propel it! Using common materials, students will design their own rockets and then test their ability to fly. This is a great option for students who are learning about the iterative design process in science and engineering classes. The kit comes with everything you need to have students make and launch their own rockets.

  4. Handheld Microscopes – These bite-sized microscopes come with prepared slides and slide components that allow students to create their own. A great option for practicing observation skills. Pair with a kit of Ouisi cards to create discussion between designs in the natural and human-made worlds.

  5. Dominos – Dominos may be one of the most underrated learning tools in the game. You can incorporate them as a manipulative to talk about fractions and algebraic operations, a visual aid for students who are learning to count. Dominos tie directly to science standards of motion and stability, and can even be used in language arts to facilitate collaborative discussions. We offer two kit sizes; the small is great for smaller class sizes or a class-wide collaboration. Our large kits are great for classrooms of up to 30 students working in small groups.

  6. KEVA Planks – KEVA Planks are a classroom superhero when it comes to hands-on learning. Students can explore balance, leverage, and stability while building geometric and architectural forms that connect directly to math and science. With ready-to-go lesson guides, KEVA Planks make an ideal turnkey activity for substitute days—engaging students from elementary through high school.

Be sure to place a hold on the kit you’d like to provide for your substitute a week or two before it is needed, to allow for the necessary processing and travel time to get to your classroom.

As always, patrons can check out kits through our online catalog. 

If you are not yet a patron and would like to be, please fill out the Patron Interest Form, and we will process your request within 1-2 business days.

, , , , , ,