Learning science doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive, most of the ingredients can probably be found in your kitchen or around the house. Scroll down to see them all!
TIP: Did you know there are a ton of awesome science kits and subscription boxes that will further develop your child’s love of science? KiwiCrate is one of our favorite ed-tech companies, as they offer seriously fun & enriching science & art projects, for kids ages 0-24 months, ages 2-4, ages 5-8, ages 6-11 and ages 13+, delivered to your home.
photo: Professor Egghead
Make a Fossil
A lesson in: Fossils
Follow along with an expert from Professor Egghead (a company that offers online and at-home science classes) and learn all about how fossils are created and even make your own at home! Check out the video for details.
Messiness factor: 2 sponges.
photo: photography (c) by Carl Tremblay, used with permission from Storey Publishing
A Better Bubble
A Lesson in: Chemistry and Physics
By understanding the laws of chemistry and physics, today’s bubble masters have taken their art to new heights. You can get in on the action yourself by blending your own custom bubble mixes. Then you can experiment to see which produces the biggest, strongest, and most colorful bubbles.
Materials
3 quart-size mason jars with two-piece lids
Water
Dishwashing soap (preferably Dawn or Joy brands*)
Glycerin (sold at drugstores and craft stores**)
Guar gum ***
*Other brands might work, but bubble experts generally recommend these.
**Glycerin costs about $7 for 6 ounces at a drugstore, so some people use corn syrup instead.
***This food thickener is often sold in supermarkets (Bob’s Red Mill is one brand). You need only a small amount, though, so check the bulk food section.
Instructions
Make the Basic Formula
3 cups water
2 tablespoons dishwashing soap
You can make bubbles with a mix of just dishwashing soap and water, but they won’t be very big and they’ll pop very quickly. That’s why serious bubble makers add other ingredients to make their bubbles more stretchy and durable. Just a little bit of a key ingredient can make a huge difference in your bubbles! See for yourself by testing the different formulas. Label each formula so you can note its particular strengths and weaknesses.
Add GLYCERIN for Strength
3 cups water
2 tablespoons dishwashing soap
Glycerin
Also known as glycerol, glycerin is a humectant, a substance that keeps things moist. Bubbles burst when they dry out, so adding glycerin can make them last longer. Most formulas call for about 2 teaspoons per batch, but for extra-strong bubbles, experiment with adding up to 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) per batch. The drawback: it makes your bubbles heavier and doesn’t make them bigger.
Add GUAR GUM for Size
3 cups water
2 tablespoons dishwashing soap
Glycerin
Guar gum
For amazing monster-size bubbles, you need an extra stretchy formula. You can achieve that by adding a small amount of a polymer, such as guar gum, a food thickener. (For more about polymers, see What's Going On, page 21.)
To help the guar gum dissolve better, mix ¼teaspoon of the powder with enough glycerin to create a paste. Mix the paste into the water, then add the dishwashing soap, and give everything a good stir.
Take It Further
Some bubble formulas call for baking soda, which is said to improve the performance and stability of larger bubbles. This acidic cooking powder changes the pH of the mix to make it more neutral. Add about ½tea-spoon per quart, first mixed into a paste with glycerin, as you did with the guar gum. Add this after adding the guar gum, water, and dish soap, then cap the jar and turn it over to blend everything together. Can you observe any difference in your bubbles?
For more tips and expert advice, check out Soap Bubble Wiki online, where you can read reviews of mixtures, see amazing photos, and learn more about the role of various ingredients.
What’s Going On
A bubble is a ball of air surrounded by a thin film of liquid. Water alone is not stretchy enough to hold the air, but a mix with dishwashing soap is elastic, like a balloon. Bubbles pop when the water on their surface evaporates or touches anything dry. Adding a humectant, such as glycerin, to your mix slows down evap-oration, making the bubbles last longer. Adding a polymer, such as guar gum, makes the bubbles far more elastic so they can stretch to huge sizes.
What to Watch For
See how long the bubbles last, how strong they are, how high they fly, even how colorful they are. Try them indoors and outdoors, on a calm day and a windy day. See how each formula works when you use a big wand or a small blower (see Homemade Bubble Wands, opposite). The brand of dishwashing soap you use can have a big impact on your final mix. Dawn and Joy are recommended, so if your bubbles are not performing well, try one of those.
Tell Me More
Since bubbles pop from evaporation, the best time to blow them outdoors is when the air is calm and muggy, such as after a rain shower. On colder days, however, your bubbles may fly higher, because your warm breath is lighter than the cold air. In extremely cold weather, you can watch your bubbles freeze into ice orbs (or watch it on YouTube). And if you really want your bubbles to last, keep them in a sealed jar with a little bubble solution on the bottom. Famous bubble entertainer Eiffel Plasterer (Google him!) is said to have kept a bubble this way for nearly a year!
Homemade Bubble Wands
Sure, you could use those plastic rings that come in store-bought bubble mixes. But other options are all around you. Try using one of these.
A string wand. These devices use a circle of string wick to make immense bubbles. For a simple homemade version, thread about 3 feet of string or yarn through two straws and tie it in a knot. Holding a straw in each hand, dip the device in a wide flat container of mix (see top photo, page 35). You can find instructions for other wands online at Soap Bubble Wiki.
The metal ring from a mason jar. Add a clothespin for a handle and pour your bubble mix into a shallow plate for dipping.
A pipe cleaner. Bend it into a lollipop shape. The fuzz holds the soap mix like a paintbrush.
A wire coat hanger. Bend it into a large lollipop shape. Use a plate, Frisbee, or any other wide and flat container to hold your mix. For monster bubbles, wrap the wire hoop in a cotton shoelace to hold even more liquid. Tape the handle for a grip.
Excerpted from Mason Jar Science © by Jonathan Adolph, used with permission from Storey Publishing.
Messiness factor: 3 sponges
Water Density Rainbow
A Lesson in: Density
By adding more or less sugar to each water solution you are creating different density levels. When you add coloring to the glasses you will be able to see which solution is the heaviest. Add the colors in rainbow order to impress the kids.
You will need:
Food coloring
Tablespoon
Five glasses or plastic cups (clear)
Water
Visit Steve Spangler Science to get the complete how-to.
photo: Storey Publishing
Cup Amplifier
A lesson in: Sound
Slide a mobile phone into this low-tech amplifier and the result will be music to your ears. The audio is deeper, richer, and louder, thanks to the science of sound waves and the natural amplification created by the cone-shaped cups. If the two cups look a bit like the attentive ears of a cat or fox, that’s no coincidence. Animal ears use the same science, but in reverse: they help creatures hear by gathering sound waves and directing them into the ear. For engineers, that’s a design worth copying.
Customize your amplifier to fit any size phone!
Tabs cut all around the hold make it easy to glue the cardboard tube in place.
Cut a slot with a flap to support your phone.
What’s Going On
The Cup Amplifier focuses and projects sound waves, the same way that a cheerleader’s megaphone (or even just your cupped hands) amplifies your voice. Once sound waves are created, they want to spread out in all directions. The amplifier directs them from your phone’s speakers into the cardboard cups, where, instead of scattering, they are gathered and channeled in one direction—out the openings.
Messiness factor: One sponge
Excerpted from Cardboard Box Engineering © 2020 by Jonathan Adolph. Used with permission from Storey Publishing.
photo: Sarah Gualtieri via Unsplash
Understanding Acids and Bases
A lesson in: Chemistry
Use kitchen supplies like sugar, lemon juice, soda and water to teach kids about the pH scale. You'll use cabbage juice as an indicator and add the various ingredients. Then, make note of the color changes and see what is acidic and what isn't. Get the whole tutorial over at 3M.
Messiness factor: Three sponges.
photo: Melissa Heckscher
Skittles Science
A Lesson in: Stratification
A great way to get rid of extra candy, this easy science experiment for kids uses Skittles and whatever liquids you want to use. The idea is, the candy is made of ingredients that dissolve, so kids get a chance to guess which liquid will make the Skittles dissolve the fastest. Get more info over at Little Bins for Little Hands.
Messiness factor: Two sponges.
photo: Engin Akyurt via Unsplash
The Science of Pumpkin Seeds
A lesson in: The Plant Life Cycle
After you've carved your pumpkin this year, clean, dry and save the seeds for a biology lesson. Explain why pumpkins need seeds, what happens to them when they're planted, and what they need to turn into new pumpkins. You can even make a seed germinator with this easy tutorial from The Exploratorium.
Messiness factor: One Sponge
photo: Jelleke Vanooteghem via Unsplash
The Saliva Experiment
A lesson in: Chemistry & Anatomy
C'mon, spit's got a bad rap. Do your kids know they wouldn't be able to taste things without saliva to dissolve food particles? Learn the importance of spit (and enjoy a snack) in this taste-testing experiment, courtesy of Kidshealth.org.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Public Domain Pictures via Pixabay
Find Out How Many Water Drops Fit on a Penny
A Lesson in: Chemistry
Find out what affects the surface tension of water with a follow-along science experiment from 3M scientist Audrey Sherman. You'll need basic materials like a penny and a water dropper, and be sure to make a hypothesis before you start. You might be surprised! Get the tutorial here.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Imani via Unsplash
Bend Water with Electricity
A lesson in: Electricity
This experiment is so simple you can do it right now! Grab a willing volunteer, comb her hair 10 times and then bring the comb to the running faucet. Watch the water bend towards the comb! What's going on? It's all about electrons and their charges. Find out more details over at Science Bob.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Little Bins for Little Hands
Pulley Experiment
A Lesson in: Physics
This simple experiment requires a trip to the hardware store, but putting it all together is a cinch. Once you've completed the system, have your kids pick up different-sized rocks and make a note about how difficult it is. Then, try with the pulley. Is it easier or is it harder? To find out how to make your pulley, and for other questions to ask your kids, head over to Little Bins for Little Hands.
Messiness Factor: One sponge.
photo: Excerpted from Mason Jar Science (c) by Jonathan Adolph, photography (c) by Carl Tremblay, used with permission from Storey Publishing.
Make a Bug Vacuum
A Lesson in: Entomology
Scientists capture bugs for study using a mouth-powered vacuum, called an aspirator or a pooter. Kids can make their own version from a mason jar, then use it to gather ants (or other small insects) and observe them in action.
What you'll need:
Pint-size mason jar with a two-piece lid
Milk or juice carton
Hole punch
2 bendy straws
Tape
Gauze pad
How to:
1. Open the milk carton along the seams and flatten it out. Use the inner lid of the mason jar as a template to trace a circle on the carton. Cut out the circle and punch two holes in the center about an inch apart.
2. Carefully slide the short ends of the bendy straws into the holes. Tape a piece of gauze pad around the end of one straw to prevent any bugs from getting sucked up.
3 Set the lid on the jar and fasten it in place with the ring.
4. To use your pooter, place the tip of the straw without the gauze near a bug. Put your mouth on the straw with the gauze, and gently suck in. The bug should travel up the straw and land unharmed at the bottom of the jar.
Take It Further
Capture some ants in your bug vacuum, then use a magnifying glass to observe these remarkable insects up close. Open the jar and feed them a few drops of sugary water or corn syrup, or try giving them some birdseed. Ants live in colonies headed by a queen ant, and they can’t last long on their own. When you are done observing them, release your ants where you found them. (Note: Some ants bite, so be careful handling them.)
Tell Me More
Ants were the Earth’s first farmers. For millions of years, certain species have been creating underground gardens where they grow their favorite fungus for food. They tend to their crops, bringing them water and even weeding out other fungi they don’t want.
Excerpted from Mason Jar Science © by Jonathan Adolph, used with permission from Storey Publishing. Available online, $12.69.
Messiness Factor: One sponge.
photo: iStock
Make a Volcano Explode
A Lesson in: Chemical reactions.
There's a reason why this science experiment is so popular. When the solid baking soda (sodium bicarbonate—a base) mixes with the liquid vinegar (acetic acid—a weak acid), it creates a gas—carbon dioxide! Besides the chemical reaction, kids enjoy making the actual volcano, whether it's out of clay, mud, or foam sheets. Get a great step-by-step tutorial from The Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experiments by clicking here.
Messiness Factor: Four sponges
Bake Hygroscopic Cookies
A Lesson in: Hygroscopy.
This simple science experiment is best when you check in on it the next morning. Bake up a batch of cookies, then place them in an airtight container with a piece of fresh bread. Watch as the cookies stay straight-from-the-oven soft thanks to the moisture of the bread (The sugar in the cookies is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs water molecules out of the bread). The best part? Getting to eat the cookies!
Messiness Factor: Two sponges.
photo: Babble Dabble Do
A Smell Challenge
A Lesson in: Olfactory senses.
Teach kids the importance of smell with this activity that asks them to use only their noses to identify objects. Can they sniff out the fish oil over the garlic cloves? The lemon juice over the orange oil? Homeschooling blogger Ana has the instructions at Babble Dabble Do.
Messiness Factor: Two sponges.
photo: Susanne Jutzeler via Pexels
The Juice-Tasting Challenge
A lesson in: Taste buds and olfactory senses.
Tummy’s rumbling–it’s time to eat! Did you know that you “eat” with your nose and eyes as well as your mouth? It’s true. Put your family’s snifffers and peepers to the test with this juice-guessing game.
You’ll Need:
Masking tape
4 glasses
Pen and paper
4 flavors of juice
4 food colorings
How to:
1. Stack a piece of tape on the bottom of each glass and number them one to four, making sure your partner can’t see the numbers. Pour one type of juice into each glass.
2. Send your partner out of the room. Drip a different food coloring into each juice and stir so your partner can’t recognize the juice by its color alone. Record the number, juice type, and color in each glass on a piece of paper.
3. Call your partner back. Tell her to hold her nose, sip from each glass, and guess the juice If she’s like most people, she’ll be kind of confused–her eyes and tongue give her two conflicting flavor messages.
4. Ask her to unplug her nose, close her eyes, and sniff the juice before drinking it. Her guesses should be on target now. All hail the mighty schnoz!
Reprinted from Exploralab: 150+ Ways to Investigate the Amazing Science All Around You. Available online. $24.95.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: iStock
Learn about Shooting Stars
A lesson in: Astronomy.
With this fun video from They Might Be Giants, kids can learn that shooting stars are not stars, they're meteorites. Then, take it out back for a fun backyard stargazing session.
Messiness Factor: One sponge.
photo: Tip Toe Fairy
Experiment with Tie Dye
A lesson in: Chemistry.
Dyes are fiber reactive, so there's a chemical reaction between the dye and the fabric. You can do this experiment with everything from paper to t-shirts. We've got a great list of tie-dye projects here.
Messiness Factor: Five sponges.
photo: otherwiseeducationg.com
Make a Sundial
A lesson in: Astronomy.
Unravel the mysteries of time. Or at least figure out the basics by setting up a sundial outside. Take time each hour to check the sun’s positioning and make note of it so your sidekick can see the bigger picture.
Messiness Factor: One sponge.
photo: Simply Modern Mom
Dry Ice Bubbles
A lesson in: Gas.
Dry ice is already cool enough on its own (yes, pun intended) but it takes science to turn them a rad overflow of bubbles. When you add water, it changes the temperature of the dry ice, causing the ice to go from solid to gas. That’s where the fog and bubbles come from! Head to crafty blog Simply Modern Mom to get the full tutorial. But be careful: Dry ice can cause serious skin burns, so make sure your kids are well supervised and know not to touch the ice.
Messiness factor: Three sponges.
photo: From Candy Experiments 2 by Loralee Leavitt/Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC.
Invisible Licorice
A lesson in: Light and perspective.
Did the candy melt or disappear? Your sweetums might think it’s magic, but it’s really all about how oil redirects light, causing half the candy to disappear! Click here for the instructions on how to recreate this mind-warping experiment.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: woodleywonderworks via flickr
Egg in a Bottle
A lesson in: Air pressure.
Your whistler has the basics of air pressure down just by using their mouth to blow. And now you can amaze them with this egg-cellent experiment. There is a little fire play involved (dropping a lit paper into the bottle), but that’s what causes the unbalanced air pressure, which pushes the egg into the bottle. Want to test it out? Head over to Steve Spangler Science for the tutorial.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: isabel*la via flickr
Invisible Ink
A lesson in: Oxidation.
If your snacker has noticed how their apples have turned brown after being left out for too long, then they’ve seen oxidization in action (loss of electrons and nutrients when in contact with oxygen). Fortunately, lemon juice only oxidizes when in contact with heat. This method works with baking soda and milk too. Click here to find out how to write secret messages with your little spy.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: OakleyOriginals via flickr
Kid-Safe Lava Lamps
A lesson in: Density and intermolecular polarity.
These sound like big words for our little ones, but there’s an easier way to break it down. Water and oil won’t mix because they’re not the same “weight” or substance (just like clay and LEGOs won’t become one). Now add a drop of food coloring (which is heavier than oil) and a fizzy tablet and watch the air bubbles take coloring with them to the top. Head on over to S. L. Smith’s blog to see how it’s done.
Messiness factor: Two sponges.
photo: Melissa Heckscher
All About Germs
A lesson in: Germs.
This germ-growing experiment, which will help kids understand how even the cleanest-looking surfaces (and hands) can be filled with germs, is one of the easiest science experiments for kids we've found. Get the fun and yucky instructions at kidsactivitiesblog.com.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Education.com
Taste Test
A lesson in: The five senses.
After figuring out this simple experiment your sidekick will want to play Houdini with all her friends. All it takes is an apple, vanilla extract, and a cotton ball to pull one over on her tastebuds. Abracadabra!
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Jessica B via Flickr
Rock Candy
A Lesson in: Crystallization.
Be careful: The water only has the power to make the sugar crystals “invisible” when it’s piping hot. After the water cools down and evaporates, the sugar turns back into a solid. And with a little help of your sugar-soaked string, the crystals will find a home to grow upon and become rock candy. Learn how to make your smart sweets with these instructions from the Exploratorium.
Messiness factor: Two sponges.
photo: Suzie's Farm via Flickr
S'more Solar Oven
A lesson in: Solar power.
Harness the power of the sun to make your favorite campfire treat! With just a few common household items you can create an eco-friendly oven just for melting marshmallows and chocolate, plus you can teach kids about the power of the sun. Click here to learn how.
Messiness Factor: Two sponges.
photo: Inhabitat
Make an Edible Water Bottle
A lesson in: Chemistry and specifically, spherification.
This futuristic experiment will leave your little scientist wanting to know more about chemistry. Quench her thirst for knowledge when you create an edible membrane around teaspoons of water to make these handy water “bottles.” The tutorial is in video form over at Inhabitat. Trust us, it’s as cool as it looks!
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Emily Ranquist via Pexels
Dissolving Candy Hearts
A lesson in: Chemistry/
Explore the science of your child's fave Valentine's Day candy and use up those leftovers STAT. Toss them into warm water and wait (and watch, of course) to see what happens. Repeat the science experiment with cool water, veggie oil, milk or any other liquid and record what caused the candy to dissolve the fastest, which took the longest.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Learn with Play at Home
Make Fizzy Lemonade
A lesson in: Chemistry.
Plain old fresh-squeezed lemonade is so last year. Boost the fun quotient and learn a simple science concept simultaneously when you recreate this edible Fizzy Lemonade drink from Learn With Play at Home. It’s super easy to mix and little sippers report it’s pretty tickly too. A great alternative to the baking soda-vinegar volcano, it shows kids what happens when an acid and base are mixed together.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Jeff Kubina via Flickr
Whirlpool in a Bottle
A lesson in: physics, weather science.
This easy little experiment doesn't take much: just two empty and clear 2-liter bottles, a metal washer, water and some duct tape. Food coloring is optional. Fill one bottle with about two-thirds water. Place the washer on the bottle and line up the empty bottle on top of the water-filled one. Wrap the duct tape around the middle securing the two bottles together. Then, turn the bottles upside down. Does the water go straight down or do you see a mini whirlpool (Swirl the top or bottom a bit for a better effect)? The spinning water is called a vortex, and all tornadoes, hurricanes and typhoons are examples of air vortexes. Since you’re using water, this is an example of a whirlpool. As the water spins faster, it pushes to the outside of the bottle creating a hole in the middle. The air from the bottom of the bottle comes up the middle and the water from the top flows back down through the hole.
Messiness factor: Two sponges.
photo: The Homeschool Scientist
Gumdrop Structural Challenge
A lesson in: Physics.
'Tis the season for gumdrops and this classic structural engineering challenge uses just two ingredients: toothpicks and candy. We’re particularly fond of this one from The Homeschool Scientist because it helps you explain what the concepts (engineering, load distribution, physics, shape comparison) are to your kiddos while they are building it. doing it. Visit The Homeschool Scientist to get going. And click here for five more gumdrop-themed challenges.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Little Bins for Little Hands
Exploding Pumpkins
A lesson in: Chemical reactions.
By now you've probably parented for long enough to have tried the good ol' baking soda and vinegar volcano more than a few times. This fall-themed take on the classic, from Little Bins for Little Hands, is a scientific exploration that will make a mess in the most magnificent way possible!
Messiness factor: Five sponges.
photo: Greg Shield via Unsplash
The Science of Fall Colors
A lesson in: Botany, plant life cycles.
Why do leaves change color in the fall? That's a tricky one to explain to your child. That is, without the help of a hands-on experiment to do the "talking." If you're not sure where to start, check out this simple exploration from How We Learn.
Messiness factor: Zero sponges.
photo: Melissa Heckscher
Make a Baking Soda & Vinegar "Steam" Powered Boat
A lesson in: Chemical reactions.
Sure, anyone can do the old baking soda and vinegar volcano, but what about creating a boat that is propelled by this classic chemical reaction? Keep your little Einsteins busy this afternoon with this cool experiment that doesn't require a lot of prep. Get the step-by-step here.
Messiness factor: Three sponges.
photo: Schooling a Monkey
Salt Crystal Feathers
A lesson in: Evaporation. And also awesomeness.
You’ve probably tried a salt crystal growing kit at some point in your life (5th grade Science Fair perhaps?) but Schooling a Monkey takes the idea to a new level with these Salt Crystal Feathers. This awe-inspiring project is deceptively simple and inexpensive to achieve, and requires just a wee bit of patience to see the results—kids will love checking in on the progress. Visit Schooling a Monkey now to get started.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Ruth Hartnup via Flickr
Soda Blasting Experiment
A lesson in: Chemistry, pressure and release of pressure.
This experiment is one you'll definitely want to do outside. Step it up with this Mentos + soda experiment: head to Steve Spangler for all the need-to-know details on this engaging experiment.
Messiness factor: Three (very epic) sponges.
photo: Shelly Massey
Melting Rates
A lesson in: Solar science and absorption.
Different colors have different heat absorbing capacities. Black has the greatest heat-absorbing capacity, which results in ice melting quicker than on white, which reflects the most light. Learn how to observe and report on which colors affect ice’s melting rates here on Curiodyssey. Get more sidewalk science ideas here.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Mike Adamick
Make Water Float
A lesson in: Air pressure.
Can you make water float? We bet you can. No, you don’t need to be a wizard or a witch. You don’t need to cast a spell. There’s nothing magic about it at all, in fact. You can make water float using good, ol’ fashioned, awesome science. The “trick” to this experiment is air pressure. Get everything you need and the how-to, right here, thanks to Mike Adamick and his book, Dad's Book of Awesome Science Experiments.
Messiness factor: Two sponges.
Photo by Mike Adamick. Copyright © 2014 F+W Media, Inc. Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.
photo: Art and Soul
Crystal Egg Geodes
A lesson in: Molecular bonding and chemistry.
This grow-your-own experiment that lets you grow crystals inside an egg shell. Be sure to get alum powder that contains potassium, or else you won't get any crystal growth. Adding drops of food dye to the growing solution yields some super cool crystals. A perfectly formed geode takes about 12-15 hours to grow, making this a great weekend project. Check out more of Art and Soul's gorgeous eggs over at their blog!
Messiness factor: Four sponges.
photo: Steve Spangler Science
Water Density Rainbow
A lesson in: Water density.
With just a spoonful of sugar and some food coloring, you can make water more or less dense, and with a little practice, you can make a rainbow in a jar! Check out how to do it here! If you like rainbows, click here for five other ways to make one in your own home.
Messiness factor: Two sponges.
photo: Photo: S. Massey
Walk on Eggs
A lesson in: Weight distribution.
How can you walk on eggs without breaking them? Steve Spengler shows us how and teaches an awesome lesson on how an egg’s unique shape gives it tremendous strength, despite its seeming fragility. Check out this play-by-play to get started.
Messiness factor: One to three sponges, depending on the state of the eggs in the end!
photo: Fun at Home With Kids
Make Elephant Toothpaste
A lesson in: Chemistry and the exothermic process <<
If you’ve ever wondered how elephants keep their tusks clean, we’ve got the answer. They use elephant toothpaste! Find out how to mix your own and figure out the science behind this dynamic exothermic (heat releasing) reaction from Asia Citro at Fun at Home With Kids. Our favorite part? That you get to throw in some sensory playtime after the action’s over.
Messiness factor: Three sponges. Maybe four.
photo: Amber Guetebier
Bending Water with a Comb
A lesson in: Electrical currents and static electricity.
This static electricity science experiment couldn't be any easier. In fact, other than a balloon or going down the slide, it might be the easiest way to teach kids about electrical currents. And, you can impress them with your wizarding skills once before you reveal the science behind it. Click here to get the step-by-step.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Photo: Swirlingthoughts via Flickr
Sketch a Shadow
A lesson in: Solar science, tracking how the earth moves around the sun/
See what happens when you set up toys on paper in the sun, and try tracing their shadows at different times of the day. You can draw right on the sidewalk with chalk, too. Pick toys with distinctive outlines to make it easier. For more science fun in the sun, click here.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Owlcation
Glowing, Smoking Bubbles
A lesson in: Sublimation.
When a substance passes directly from a solid phase to a gas phase without ever becoming a liquid, it sublimates. Add a little dry ice to bubble solution and the contents of an activated glow stick and get ready to rock the glow-in-the-dark scene in your neighborhood. Owlcation whipped up this awesome experiment to create glowing bubbles, and The Maker Mom thought to add dry ice to the same experiment here. The bubbles are out of this world—they glow and rise from the smoke. Naturally, we recommend an adult to handle the dry ice (skin contact can burn) and supervise this experiment.
Messiness factor: Three sponges.
photo: Chris Martin via Flickr
Regrow Leftovers
A lesson in: Photosynthesis and plant science.
Insert a little plant science into the mix by re-growing food from scraps. Think onions, potatoes, and lettuces for this one (psst… green onions are a super easy, fast option). Get the low down on all that recycled goodness at Mrs. Happy Homemaker. Since plants need water and sunlight to grow, exposing scrap roots to that winning combo helps them recharge.
Messiness factor: Two sponges.
photo: Rookie Parenting
Magnetic Cereal
A lesson in: Magnetism.
You’ve probably seen the label that says “fortified with iron” on your cereal box, but how much iron is actually in your cereal? Is there enough to cause a magnetic reaction? This super easy experiment doesn’t require too many fancy ingredients (cereal + magnet) which means you and the kiddos can try it right away. The results may surprise you! Get the how-to at Rookie Parenting and get started!
Messiness Factor: Two sponges.
photo: meddygarnet via Flickr
Homemade Slime
A lesson in: Polymers.
Is it a liquid or solid? The answer is both! This DIY slime—made from glue, borax and water—is also known as a polymer (molecules that can stick close together to be a solid or spread apart and take liquid form). And it’s all thanks to borax, which acts as a binder to prevent the glue from going completely liquid. Check out Explorable’s recipe on mixing the ingredients. Prolong the life of your goo by keeping it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Messiness factor: Three sponges.
photo: Buggy and Buddy
Turning Pennies Green
A lesson in: Chemical reactions.
It happens to the Statue of Liberty and it happens to the change in your pocket! Create your own home lab with just a few household ingredients (this experiment will literally cost you just pennies). It’s also a chemical reaction with very non-toxic ingredients, so it’s safe and fascinating even for young kids. Click over to Buggy and Buddy to get the simple how-to.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: The Science Kiddo
Film Canister Rocket
A lesson in: Rocket science.
Like the popular baking soda and vinegar experiments, this film canister rocket literally takes it to the next level by using that creation of gas and energy to jet off into the sky. If your explorer has seen videos of mountain tops getting blown off during a volcanic eruption, this science project is pretty much any space lover’s version. Get the building instructions over at kids science activity blog The Science Kiddo.
Messiness factor: Three sponges.
photo: Loadmaster via Wikimedia
Potato Power
A lesson in: Chemical to electrical energy.
When these nails and copper wires collide, heat is generated (psst ... heat is a result of expended energy, so you can explain to your little runner why he feels warmer after a race around the house). But with some potato magic, the properties of the nail and copper stay separated, allowing the heat to become the electric energy needed to power up your devices. Build your own potato battery with this tutorial from Wiki How .
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Go Science Kids
Disappearing Egg Shell
A lesson in: Chemistry.
Can you and the kiddos solve the mysterious case of the disappearing egg shell? Following the simple how-to at Go Science Kids, you’ll learn the step-by-step and talking points about the process along the way. Warning! Although it’s totally non-toxic, toddler aged kids will be tempted to squeeze the egg at the end so make sure it’s a supervised experiment. Visit Go Science Kids to get cracking!
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: The Science Kiddo
Fishing for Ice
A lesson in: Freezing/temperature.
Children living in snow-covered cities might witness their neighbors salting the driveway. Well, while that is definitely not for fun, this experiment is. Salt lowers the freezing point of ice so it melts, but it won’t be able to freeze unless it’s cold enough. See how activity blog The Science Kiddo made a clever game with this knowledge here.
Messiness factor: Two sponges.
photo: Learn With Play at Home
Cloud Jars
A lesson in: How clouds hold water.
Let your imagineers pretend shaving cream is a cloud that holds colorful raindrops. As they squeeze more and more food coloring, their “cloud” will soon release the excess below—just like how real clouds get too heavy and let the rain loose on a gloomy day. Learn how to re-create this weather experiment here.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Mike Adamick for Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experiments
Dyed Plants
A lesson in: Capillary action.
Find out how plants “drink” water with some food coloring. Use carnations, roses, or stalks of celery submerged in the colored water and watch the liquid slowly seep through the plant’s “veins” and towards the leaves. Keep an eye out -- you could have a very colorful bouquet just after the first day. Get the rundown by Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experiments over here.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
photo: Nathan & Jenny via Flickr
Dancing Oobleck
A lesson in: Sound waves.
The word “oobleck” comes from a Dr. Seuss story where a young boy must rescue his kingdom from a sticky substance. But the neat part of this experiment is how oobleck reacts to vibrations. Put the oobleck over a subwoofer (on top a cookie sheet!) and watch it dance to difference frequencies. Your dancer will see how sound isn’t just about volume! Check out more of this awesome experiment from Tammy of Housing a Forest.
Messiness factor: Five sponges.
photo: sherbonbon via flickr
Homemade Lightning
A lesson in: Static electricity. (Or weather science.)
Lightning is essentially electrons moving uber fast between the sky and the earth—and with a few simple materials, you can use homemade static electricity (the reason behind your hair sticking up when you rub a balloon or go through a tunnel slide super fast) for DIY lightning. Figure how to recreate a family-friendly version of this spark by visiting activity blog Learn Play Imagine.
Messiness factor: One sponge.
—Christal Yuen with Amber Guetebier & Gabby Cullen
Feature photo: iStock
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