EURO 2024 is about to kick off, which seems like a good time to share some football-themed science experiments and sporty STEM Challenges.
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](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/DSC_5388.jpg)
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.](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/waterproof-a-football-4-652x1024.jpg)
![Football boot waterproof science activity](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/waterproof-a-football-5-680x1024.jpg)
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 dream football boots thinking about materials, features and benefits](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Design-dream-football-boots-1-724x1024.jpg)
![design a football boot template](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Design-dream-football-boots-2-724x1024.jpg)
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](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/football-kick-challenge-1024x843.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/football-goal-STEM-Challenge-1024x625.jpg)
Exercise and heart rate
Find out how exercise affects heart rate with a simple science investigation.
![Football themed heart rate science investigation instructions](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Heart-Rate-Football-Version-1-724x1024.jpg)
![Football themed heart rate science investigation results table](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Heart-Rate-Football-Version-2-724x1024.jpg)
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.
![Football themed reaction time investigation](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Reaction-Time-Football-Version-1-724x1024.jpg)
![Football themed reaction time investigation results table](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Reaction-Time-Football-Version-2-724x1024.jpg)
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](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Paper-towel-flag-absorbing-activity-1024x681.jpg)
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.
![football themed STEM Challenges](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Football-STEM-Challenges-724x1024.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.science-sparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/10-football-STEM-Challenges-683x1024.jpg)
Last Updated on June 27, 2024 by Emma Vanstone
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