11 year old science experiments

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Simple and Easy Science Projects for an 11-year-old

Science Project on Nails That Rust

There are many simple science projects that can enhance an 11-year-old's learning in subjects such as earth science, physical science and chemistry. While many of these science projects require little to no adult help or supervision, some experiments require a partner who can help monitor the project and take notes.

Creating Hydrogen with Water

Strip two six-inch pieces of wire insulation. Wrap one end of each wire around the terminals of a 9-volt battery. Fill a small glass with water and add two teaspoons of baking soda or salt. Dip the free ends of the wire into the water and watch bubbles of oxygen and hydrogen rise from the wires.

High Bounce Ball

Select three high bounce balls for this project. Place one on a saucer and leave at room temperature. Place another in a baggie, seal the baggie, then place it in the freezer. Place the third ball in a small bowl of hot water. Let the balls sit for an hour, refilling the bowl with more hot water every fifteen minutes. Bounce the three balls on the floor, measuring how high each bounces. Measure how temperature changes the elasticity on the balls.

Static Electricity

Wash and dry a small black plastic comb. Run water from a faucet, with the stream of water being at least 1/8-inch thick. Charge your comb with static electricity by vigorously running it through long, dry hair many times or vigorously rubbing it with a wool sweater. Slowly move the comb towards the stream of water and the stream will move towards the comb.

Magnetic Metals

Line up metal items on a table, such as a coin, a bottle cap, a safety pin, paper clip and a metal spoon. Create a chart on paper by listing these items on the left side. Add two boxes after each item. Above the first row of boxes, write “Prediction.” Above the second row, write “Result.” Tape a magnet to the end of a ruler, with the magnet resting on top of the tape. Write your prediction of which items the magnet will pick up in the prediction boxes, then use the ruler to hold the magnet over each item.

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• The Innatural Museum; Making Hydrogen from Water
• Science Made Simple; Static Electricity
• American Chemistry Society; Science for Kids; Characteristics of Materials; Magnets and Metals

About the Author

Dawn Colclasure has written for the newspaper, "SIGNews," since 2003 and has been published in several different newspapers and magazines. Dawn also writes books on writing and the paranormal. She lives and writes in Eugene, Oregon.

Photo Credits

Ableimages/Lifesize/Getty Images

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• Activities for Kids

49 Science Experiments for Kids to Try at Home

Looking for science experiments for kids? Thanks to common household ingredients, some ingenuity, and our guide, these at-home science experiments for kids make any day exciting. To help you prepare, we’ve rated each experiment from one to five sponges so you know the messiness factor ahead of time. If you’re looking for seasonal projects, check out these water-themed science experiments . Or how about a few science projects for kids that are perfect for the backyard ?

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 0 months up to 13+.

Classic Science Experiments for Kids

Potato battery science experiment.

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

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 science project for kids that doesn't require a lot of prep. 

Messiness factor: Three sponges

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 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.

Germ Testing Science Project for Kids

A lesson in: Germs

This germ-growing science project for kids will help them 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 Kids Activity Blog .

Make an Edible Water Bottle

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zar🐴 🦜Travel Fun (@chasing_ice88)

A lesson in: Chemistry and specifically, spherification.

This futuristic science experiment will leave your kids 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.

Make Crystal Egg Geodes

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A lesson in: Molecular bonding and chemistry.

This grow-your-own experiment lets you grow crystals inside an eggshell. 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. Get the tutorial for this science experiment for kids at Art and Soul.

Messiness factor: Four sponges.

Check the Iron in Breakfast Cereal

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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.

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. We love this science experiment you can do at home! 

Messiness Factor: One sponge

Related:  14 Backyard Science Experiments for Kids

Marshmallow Tower

A lesson in: Engineering

Using only marshmallows and dry spaghetti noodles, kids can experiment with structure, stability, and weight distribution. Get the instructions from Kesler Science by clicking here.  

Messiness factor : 1 sponge

Paper Airplane Science

A lesson in: Aerodynamics

By making various paper airplanes , your scientists can test the drag of each plane, which will have an effect on how far they fly. Get more info on this science project for kids here .

Messiness factor: 1 sponge

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 easy science experiment for kids to get started.

Messiness factor: 1-3 sponges, depending on the state of the eggs in the end!

A Lesson in: Molecules

Fill a shallow dish with milk, drop food coloring, and make sure the drops don't touch. Then, dip a cotton swab in dish soap and place it in the middle of the dish. The colors will begin to swirl and seem as though they are moving on their own! Explain to your kids that the soap reduces surface tension and makes the fat molecules in the milk move. Click here for more science experiments that use food coloring.

Messiness Factor: 2 sponges

Professor Egghead's Lesson about Light

A Lesson in : Light

Learn all about the sun and what it gives humans (think energy and warmth!) You'll also do an experiment to learn about different kinds of light, even ultraviolet rays. Get the video from Professor Egghead here.  

Messiness factor: 1 sponge 

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, in 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.

Excerpted from  Cardboard Box Engineering  © 2020 by Jonathan Adolph. Used with permission from Storey Publishing.

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 . 

Find Out How Many Water Drops Fit on a Coin

A Lesson in: Chemistry

An easy science experiment to do at home is one that helps kids find out what affects the surface tension of water! 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 from Rookie Parenting . 

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 . 

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!

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 sense of smell and sight 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 . 

Messiness factor: One sponge. 

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.

Make a Sundial

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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

Dry Ice Bubbles

A lesson in: Gas.

Dry ice is already cool enough on its own, but it takes science to turn them into 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 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.

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.

Egg in a Bottle

Your whistler has the basics of air pressure down just by using their mouth to blow. And now you can amaze them with this science experiment for kids. 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.

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.

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.

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 .  

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.

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 for mixing the ingredients . Prolong the life of your goo by keeping it in an airtight container in the fridge. And, if you need help with cleanup, check out our guide for how to get slime out of clothes, couches, and hair . 

Make Fizzy Lemonade

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. 

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 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.

Salt Crystal Feathers

A lesson in: Evaporation

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. 

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

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 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 .

Make Elephant Toothpaste

A lesson in:  Chemistry and the exothermic process <<<impress your kids! 

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 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. 

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. 

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 lettuce 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.

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.

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 The Science Kiddo .

Disappearing Egg Shell

Can you and the kiddos solve the mysterious case of the disappearing eggshell? 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!

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 The Science Kiddo made a clever game with this knowledge.

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 .

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 .

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 of a cookie sheet!) and watch it dance to different 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.

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 out how to recreate a family-friendly version of this spark by visiting the activity blog Learn Play Imagine .

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. 

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 .

Is This Soluble?

A Lesson in: Mixtures 

Teaching children chemistry can become a fun, at-home activity as a weekend afternoon project or as part of their remote learning curriculum. One of the best experiments you can do is the mixing activity. With this exercise, children will learn the difference between soluble and insoluble substances. Do not worry! You can do it with ingredients you already have in your kitchen!

Ingredients

• Oil (cooking oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, etc.)
• Food Coloring
• Transparent containers with a lid or transparent cups with a spoon to mix

Before you begin the activity, ask the children what each ingredient is—whether it is a solid, liquid, or gas—and what they think will happen when you begin mixing them. This guarantees a hands-on experiment that will allow the children to feel they are in control.

• Mix the water and the sand. Children will notice there is a separation between both ingredients and that layers have formed, so it is an insoluble reaction.
• Mix the water and the food coloring. Children will see them combine—the water turning into that color—and know it is a soluble reaction.
• Mix the water and the table salt. The salt will disappear in the water, making it another soluble reaction.
• Mix the water and the oil. This time, a clear layer will be formed, showing another insoluble reaction.

After these mixing activities, you can further this experiment by letting the children find other ingredients to mix with water and have them determine if that substance is soluble or insoluble. The main goal is to show them different reactions and layers.

For a clear example of this experiment, check out this video .

Messiness factor: 2 sponges 

Experiment courtesy of Dr. Stephanie Ryan. See more fun about science over at letslearnaboutscience.com

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72 Easy Science Experiments Using Materials You Already Have On Hand

Because science doesn’t have to be complicated.

If there is one thing that is guaranteed to get your students excited, it’s a good science experiment! While some experiments require expensive lab equipment or dangerous chemicals, there are plenty of cool projects you can do with regular household items. We’ve rounded up a big collection of easy science experiments that anybody can try, and kids are going to love them!

Easy Chemistry Science Experiments

Easy physics science experiments, easy biology and environmental science experiments, easy engineering experiments and stem challenges.

1. Taste the Rainbow

Teach your students about diffusion while creating a beautiful and tasty rainbow! Tip: Have extra Skittles on hand so your class can eat a few!

Learn more: Skittles Diffusion

2. Crystallize sweet treats

Crystal science experiments teach kids about supersaturated solutions. This one is easy to do at home, and the results are absolutely delicious!

Learn more: Candy Crystals

3. Make a volcano erupt

This classic experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid), which produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate.

Learn more: Best Volcano Experiments

4. Make elephant toothpaste

This fun project uses yeast and a hydrogen peroxide solution to create overflowing “elephant toothpaste.” Tip: Add an extra fun layer by having kids create toothpaste wrappers for plastic bottles.

5. Blow the biggest bubbles you can

Add a few simple ingredients to dish soap solution to create the largest bubbles you’ve ever seen! Kids learn about surface tension as they engineer these bubble-blowing wands.

Learn more: Giant Soap Bubbles

6. Demonstrate the “magic” leakproof bag

All you need is a zip-top plastic bag, sharp pencils, and water to blow your kids’ minds. Once they’re suitably impressed, teach them how the “trick” works by explaining the chemistry of polymers.

Learn more: Leakproof Bag

7. Use apple slices to learn about oxidation

Have students make predictions about what will happen to apple slices when immersed in different liquids, then put those predictions to the test. Have them record their observations.

Learn more: Apple Oxidation

8. Float a marker man

Their eyes will pop out of their heads when you “levitate” a stick figure right off the table! This experiment works due to the insolubility of dry-erase marker ink in water, combined with the lighter density of the ink.

Learn more: Floating Marker Man

9. Discover density with hot and cold water

There are a lot of easy science experiments you can do with density. This one is extremely simple, involving only hot and cold water and food coloring, but the visuals make it appealing and fun.

Learn more: Layered Water

10. Layer more liquids

This density demo is a little more complicated, but the effects are spectacular. Slowly layer liquids like honey, dish soap, water, and rubbing alcohol in a glass. Kids will be amazed when the liquids float one on top of the other like magic (except it is really science).

Learn more: Layered Liquids

11. Grow a carbon sugar snake

Easy science experiments can still have impressive results! This eye-popping chemical reaction demonstration only requires simple supplies like sugar, baking soda, and sand.

Learn more: Carbon Sugar Snake

12. Mix up some slime

Tell kids you’re going to make slime at home, and watch their eyes light up! There are a variety of ways to make slime, so try a few different recipes to find the one you like best.

13. Make homemade bouncy balls

These homemade bouncy balls are easy to make since all you need is glue, food coloring, borax powder, cornstarch, and warm water. You’ll want to store them inside a container like a plastic egg because they will flatten out over time.

Learn more: Make Your Own Bouncy Balls

14. Create eggshell chalk

Eggshells contain calcium, the same material that makes chalk. Grind them up and mix them with flour, water, and food coloring to make your very own sidewalk chalk.

Learn more: Eggshell Chalk

15. Make naked eggs

This is so cool! Use vinegar to dissolve the calcium carbonate in an eggshell to discover the membrane underneath that holds the egg together. Then, use the “naked” egg for another easy science experiment that demonstrates osmosis .

Learn more: Naked Egg Experiment

16. Turn milk into plastic

This sounds a lot more complicated than it is, but don’t be afraid to give it a try. Use simple kitchen supplies to create plastic polymers from plain old milk. Sculpt them into cool shapes when you’re done!

17. Test pH using cabbage

Teach kids about acids and bases without needing pH test strips! Simply boil some red cabbage and use the resulting water to test various substances—acids turn red and bases turn green.

Learn more: Cabbage pH

18. Clean some old coins

Use common household items to make old oxidized coins clean and shiny again in this simple chemistry experiment. Ask kids to predict (hypothesize) which will work best, then expand the learning by doing some research to explain the results.

Learn more: Cleaning Coins

19. Pull an egg into a bottle

This classic easy science experiment never fails to delight. Use the power of air pressure to suck a hard-boiled egg into a jar, no hands required.

Learn more: Egg in a Bottle

20. Blow up a balloon (without blowing)

Chances are good you probably did easy science experiments like this when you were in school. The baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment demonstrates the reactions between acids and bases when you fill a bottle with vinegar and a balloon with baking soda.

21 Assemble a DIY lava lamp

This 1970s trend is back—as an easy science experiment! This activity combines acid-base reactions with density for a totally groovy result.

22. Explore how sugary drinks affect teeth

The calcium content of eggshells makes them a great stand-in for teeth. Use eggs to explore how soda and juice can stain teeth and wear down the enamel. Expand your learning by trying different toothpaste-and-toothbrush combinations to see how effective they are.

Learn more: Sugar and Teeth Experiment

23. Mummify a hot dog

If your kids are fascinated by the Egyptians, they’ll love learning to mummify a hot dog! No need for canopic jars , just grab some baking soda and get started.

24. Extinguish flames with carbon dioxide

This is a fiery twist on acid-base experiments. Light a candle and talk about what fire needs in order to survive. Then, create an acid-base reaction and “pour” the carbon dioxide to extinguish the flame. The CO2 gas acts like a liquid, suffocating the fire.

25. Send secret messages with invisible ink

Turn your kids into secret agents! Write messages with a paintbrush dipped in lemon juice, then hold the paper over a heat source and watch the invisible become visible as oxidation goes to work.

Learn more: Invisible Ink

26. Create dancing popcorn

This is a fun version of the classic baking soda and vinegar experiment, perfect for the younger crowd. The bubbly mixture causes popcorn to dance around in the water.

27. Shoot a soda geyser sky-high

You’ve always wondered if this really works, so it’s time to find out for yourself! Kids will marvel at the chemical reaction that sends diet soda shooting high in the air when Mentos are added.

Learn more: Soda Explosion

28. Send a teabag flying

Hot air rises, and this experiment can prove it! You’ll want to supervise kids with fire, of course. For more safety, try this one outside.

Learn more: Flying Tea Bags

29. Create magic milk

This fun and easy science experiment demonstrates principles related to surface tension, molecular interactions, and fluid dynamics.

Learn more: Magic Milk Experiment

30. Watch the water rise

Learn about Charles’s Law with this simple experiment. As the candle burns, using up oxygen and heating the air in the glass, the water rises as if by magic.

Learn more: Rising Water

31. Learn about capillary action

Kids will be amazed as they watch the colored water move from glass to glass, and you’ll love the easy and inexpensive setup. Gather some water, paper towels, and food coloring to teach the scientific magic of capillary action.

Learn more: Capillary Action

32. Give a balloon a beard

Equally educational and fun, this experiment will teach kids about static electricity using everyday materials. Kids will undoubtedly get a kick out of creating beards on their balloon person!

Learn more: Static Electricity

33. Find your way with a DIY compass

Here’s an old classic that never fails to impress. Magnetize a needle, float it on the water’s surface, and it will always point north.

Learn more: DIY Compass

34. Crush a can using air pressure

Sure, it’s easy to crush a soda can with your bare hands, but what if you could do it without touching it at all? That’s the power of air pressure!

35. Tell time using the sun

While people use clocks or even phones to tell time today, there was a time when a sundial was the best means to do that. Kids will certainly get a kick out of creating their own sundials using everyday materials like cardboard and pencils.

Learn more: Make Your Own Sundial

36. Launch a balloon rocket

Grab balloons, string, straws, and tape, and launch rockets to learn about the laws of motion.

37. Make sparks with steel wool

All you need is steel wool and a 9-volt battery to perform this science demo that’s bound to make their eyes light up! Kids learn about chain reactions, chemical changes, and more.

Learn more: Steel Wool Electricity

38. Levitate a Ping-Pong ball

Kids will get a kick out of this experiment, which is really all about Bernoulli’s principle. You only need plastic bottles, bendy straws, and Ping-Pong balls to make the science magic happen.

39. Whip up a tornado in a bottle

There are plenty of versions of this classic experiment out there, but we love this one because it sparkles! Kids learn about a vortex and what it takes to create one.

Learn more: Tornado in a Bottle

40. Monitor air pressure with a DIY barometer

This simple but effective DIY science project teaches kids about air pressure and meteorology. They’ll have fun tracking and predicting the weather with their very own barometer.

Learn more: DIY Barometer

41. Peer through an ice magnifying glass

Students will certainly get a thrill out of seeing how an everyday object like a piece of ice can be used as a magnifying glass. Be sure to use purified or distilled water since tap water will have impurities in it that will cause distortion.

Learn more: Ice Magnifying Glass

42. String up some sticky ice

Can you lift an ice cube using just a piece of string? This quick experiment teaches you how. Use a little salt to melt the ice and then refreeze the ice with the string attached.

Learn more: Sticky Ice

43. “Flip” a drawing with water

Light refraction causes some really cool effects, and there are multiple easy science experiments you can do with it. This one uses refraction to “flip” a drawing; you can also try the famous “disappearing penny” trick .

Learn more: Light Refraction With Water

44. Color some flowers

We love how simple this project is to re-create since all you’ll need are some white carnations, food coloring, glasses, and water. The end result is just so beautiful!

45. Use glitter to fight germs

Everyone knows that glitter is just like germs—it gets everywhere and is so hard to get rid of! Use that to your advantage and show kids how soap fights glitter and germs.

Learn more: Glitter Germs

46. Re-create the water cycle in a bag

You can do so many easy science experiments with a simple zip-top bag. Fill one partway with water and set it on a sunny windowsill to see how the water evaporates up and eventually “rains” down.

Learn more: Water Cycle

47. Learn about plant transpiration

Your backyard is a terrific place for easy science experiments. Grab a plastic bag and rubber band to learn how plants get rid of excess water they don’t need, a process known as transpiration.

Learn more: Plant Transpiration

48. Clean up an oil spill

Before conducting this experiment, teach your students about engineers who solve environmental problems like oil spills. Then, have your students use provided materials to clean the oil spill from their oceans.

Learn more: Oil Spill

49. Construct a pair of model lungs

Kids get a better understanding of the respiratory system when they build model lungs using a plastic water bottle and some balloons. You can modify the experiment to demonstrate the effects of smoking too.

Learn more: Model Lungs

50. Experiment with limestone rocks

Kids  love to collect rocks, and there are plenty of easy science experiments you can do with them. In this one, pour vinegar over a rock to see if it bubbles. If it does, you’ve found limestone!

Learn more: Limestone Experiments

51. Turn a bottle into a rain gauge

All you need is a plastic bottle, a ruler, and a permanent marker to make your own rain gauge. Monitor your measurements and see how they stack up against meteorology reports in your area.

Learn more: DIY Rain Gauge

52. Build up towel mountains

This clever demonstration helps kids understand how some landforms are created. Use layers of towels to represent rock layers and boxes for continents. Then pu-u-u-sh and see what happens!

Learn more: Towel Mountains

53. Take a play dough core sample

Learn about the layers of the earth by building them out of Play-Doh, then take a core sample with a straw. ( Love Play-Doh? Get more learning ideas here. )

Learn more: Play Dough Core Sampling

54. Project the stars on your ceiling

Use the video lesson in the link below to learn why stars are only visible at night. Then create a DIY star projector to explore the concept hands-on.

Learn more: DIY Star Projector

55. Make it rain

Use shaving cream and food coloring to simulate clouds and rain. This is an easy science experiment little ones will beg to do over and over.

Learn more: Shaving Cream Rain

56. Blow up your fingerprint

This is such a cool (and easy!) way to look at fingerprint patterns. Inflate a balloon a bit, use some ink to put a fingerprint on it, then blow it up big to see your fingerprint in detail.

57. Snack on a DNA model

Twizzlers, gumdrops, and a few toothpicks are all you need to make this super-fun (and yummy!) DNA model.

Learn more: Edible DNA Model

58. Dissect a flower

Take a nature walk and find a flower or two. Then bring them home and take them apart to discover all the different parts of flowers.

59. Craft smartphone speakers

No Bluetooth speaker? No problem! Put together your own from paper cups and toilet paper tubes.

Learn more: Smartphone Speakers

60. Race a balloon-powered car

Kids will be amazed when they learn they can put together this awesome racer using cardboard and bottle-cap wheels. The balloon-powered “engine” is so much fun too.

Learn more: Balloon-Powered Car

61. Build a Ferris wheel

You’ve probably ridden on a Ferris wheel, but can you build one? Stock up on wood craft sticks and find out! Play around with different designs to see which one works best.

Learn more: Craft Stick Ferris Wheel

62. Design a phone stand

There are lots of ways to craft a DIY phone stand, which makes this a perfect creative-thinking STEM challenge.

63. Conduct an egg drop

Put all their engineering skills to the test with an egg drop! Challenge kids to build a container from stuff they find around the house that will protect an egg from a long fall (this is especially fun to do from upper-story windows).

Learn more: Egg Drop Challenge Ideas

64. Engineer a drinking-straw roller coaster

STEM challenges are always a hit with kids. We love this one, which only requires basic supplies like drinking straws.

Learn more: Straw Roller Coaster

65. Build a solar oven

Explore the power of the sun when you build your own solar ovens and use them to cook some yummy treats. This experiment takes a little more time and effort, but the results are always impressive. The link below has complete instructions.

Learn more: Solar Oven

66. Build a Da Vinci bridge

There are plenty of bridge-building experiments out there, but this one is unique. It’s inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s 500-year-old self-supporting wooden bridge. Learn how to build it at the link, and expand your learning by exploring more about Da Vinci himself.

Learn more: Da Vinci Bridge

67. Step through an index card

This is one easy science experiment that never fails to astonish. With carefully placed scissor cuts on an index card, you can make a loop large enough to fit a (small) human body through! Kids will be wowed as they learn about surface area.

68. Stand on a pile of paper cups

Combine physics and engineering and challenge kids to create a paper cup structure that can support their weight. This is a cool project for aspiring architects.

Learn more: Paper Cup Stack

69. Test out parachutes

Gather a variety of materials (try tissues, handkerchiefs, plastic bags, etc.) and see which ones make the best parachutes. You can also find out how they’re affected by windy days or find out which ones work in the rain.

Learn more: Parachute Drop

70. Recycle newspapers into an engineering challenge

It’s amazing how a stack of newspapers can spark such creative engineering. Challenge kids to build a tower, support a book, or even build a chair using only newspaper and tape!

Learn more: Newspaper STEM Challenge

71. Use rubber bands to sound out acoustics

Explore the ways that sound waves are affected by what’s around them using a simple rubber band “guitar.” (Kids absolutely love playing with these!)

Learn more: Rubber Band Guitar

72. Assemble a better umbrella

Challenge students to engineer the best possible umbrella from various household supplies. Encourage them to plan, draw blueprints, and test their creations using the scientific method.

Learn more: Umbrella STEM Challenge

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32 Cool Science Experiments for Kids (that are Fun AND Easy!)

Do you ever want to do science experiments at home with your kids, but you’re not quite sure what to do? Not just any old kitchen science experiment will do – you want something cooler than vinegar + bicarb soda! But, you also want something simple and easy to do – because no-one wants a huge mess from their kids doing crazy science experiments at home!

We understand, and that’s why the writing team here at STEM Geek has put our heads together to come up with the most awesome at-home science experiments for kids! As science enthusiasts and educators, we also wanted to make sure that these are genuine science learning opportunities. So not only are they captivating for the kids, but we also emphasize what questions can be asked as kids explore and apply the scientific method! Plus, we’ve arranged them according to how much time they take: up to 1 hour, 1 to several hours, and long-term.

Related Post: Ultimate Boredom Buster: 101 Things To Do When Kids Are Bored

Science Experiments at Home that take Less than 1 Hour

1. tie-dye milk.

Sounds delicious, right? You’re not actually drinking it, but instead watching science magic happens when you combine dish soap with milk and food coloring. This is a very pretty experiment that draws the focus and mind into what’s happening on the plate, and all because of a little chemistry with everyday items. Well, food dye may not be an everyday item, but it might be after your kids get a hold of this!

So, what’s going on here, scientifically-speaking? Milk is made up of two major ingredients: water and fat. When you add a little dish soap, it bonds with the fat in the milk so strongly that it literally pushes the food coloring and water away from the cotton ball. On a microscopic level, the dish soap is wandering around the milk, which causes the colors to swirl and swirl.

Questions to ask beforehand:

• Before knowing what will happen to the food coloring, ask the kids what they think will happen when dish soap mixes with milk.
• Since the major catalyst is fat in the milk, what would happen if you used other types of milk: Skim milk, soy milk, coconut milk?

You’ll need:

• Round cake pan or plate with high edges
• Cotton ball (some tutorials show cotton swabs)
• Dish detergent
• Different colors of food dye (three or four should do)

Procedure/Instructions:

• Fill the pan halfway with milk.
• Drip one color of food dye in one section of the plate away from the center. Four to five drops works and later you can play around with more or less. Do the same for the rest of the colors around the plate.
• Soak the cotton ball in dish detergent, and when you’re ready for action, place the cotton ball into the center of the pan.
• Watch the colors racing around, creating a psychedelic tie-dye effect!
• You can add more cotton balls throughout the dish to see more action.
• If some food coloring hugs the wall of the plate, take a cotton swab dipped in dish detergent and place it into the food coloring. It will move away!

2. Saturn’s Glowing Rings

I don’t know about you, but I love everything about space. This experiment shows you how Saturn’s rings are made of rocks and ice chunks even though they look so smooth in pictures. You’ll also see why there are big gaps in the rings. Younger kids take delight in using a flashlight and sprinkling powder, while older kids can get more specific with questions about Saturn and how the rocks and ice stay in orbit.

• Do Saturn’s rings give off their own light?
• Why are some rocks and ice chunks more lit up than others?
• Compare the results of light sprinkles to thicker sprinkles.
• Strong flashlight
• Powder (flour, baby powder, etc) in a shaker
• Very dark room
• Darken a room and set the flashlight on the edge of a table or counter, pointing it at a blank wall. Lay the newspaper on the floor between the flashlight and the wall.
• Turn on the flashlight and notice where the light comes from the flashlight and where it hits the wall. You should only see the light from these two places and not from the space between them. This shows you that the light travels through the air without being seen until it hits the wall. The light represents the sun’s light.
• Now to see how Saturn’s rings glow: Hold the powder shaker and sprinkle some powder over the beam of light where you know the light is traveling. You’ll notice the powder lights up and sparkles in the beam of light. The powder shows in glowing clumps, just like in Saturn’s rings.

3. Breaking Down Colors

We all know that the fun, vibrant colors we see in our lives are created by mixing the basic red, yellow, and blue. In this experiment, you and your child will learn which colors make up those fun shades they have in their art supplies. This also teaches some basic chemistry and uses materials you already have at home. It can be done very simply and expanded to create a large-scale investigation if you love it.

• Which colors separate out first?
• Is the same order for each test?
• Which colors make up the original shade?
• Do the different types of color (pen, pencil, paint) separate in the same way or differently?
• Are some separated in a shorter space are the colors the same mixture?
• Coffee filters
• Color sources (markers, colored pencils, paint, etc.)
• A plain pencil
• To complete this experiment, cut the coffee filters into strips, mark one end with a line the same distance from the bottom on each strip.
• Color in each strip (between the bottom and line) with your colors, and write at the top what the color and source are (e.g., purple marker).
• Place each strip in a glass and help it to stand up by folding the top over a pencil (a chopstick, table knife, or any long narrow object will also work) so that it stands up in the glass.
• Fill the glass up to the top of your colored block, and wait. The water will move up the filter, and the colors will separate out as it goes.
• Remove the strip once the water gets near the top of the strip to stop the experiment. 

To make this a true experiment, we recommend testing multiple colors and using markers, colored pencils, and paint (as some starting examples). You could test the same colors from each type of art supply to investigate whether they all use the same mix of basic colors to create the same end product.

This post has a nice full description of the methods if you need more detail.

4. Water Xylophone

This simple experiment will teach your child about sound and pitch using glasses, water, and something to act as a mallet. Don’t let the simplicity deceive you, there are a lot of ways to experiment and learn through this process, and it also brings in an element of music that makes it interesting and engaging.

• Do you think more water makes the sound higher or lower in pitch?
• How do you think the shape or size of the glass will affect the sound?
• How should we arrange the glasses to play a simple song?
• Do you think this will work with a plastic cup, why or why not?
• Some glasses
• Something wood to act as a mallet (we recommend wood so you don’t break the glasses!)
• A great way to start is with glasses that are the same size, shape, and material, and filling them with different amounts of water.
• Have your child use the mallet to test how the amount of water affects the sound.
• From there, it’s a really simple extension to use different sized and shaped glasses (or any glass vessel like jars and bowls) to experiment with how the shape, size, and amount of water in the glass affect the tone. 

To take this one further and really bring in the musical component, you and your child could work out a simple song and create the right tones to play it. If you or your child are musical, you could get very elaborate and creative (try googling harry potter or star wars theme songs on glasses, there are so many options that I couldn’t even choose one)!

5. Ultimate Bottle Flipping

Ah, bottle flipping. The fad that kids can’t get enough of, but parents are well and truly over. The constant thud of semi-filled water bottles being tossed (and hopefully landing upright) is guaranteed to send parents around the twist!

If you can stand it for a bit longer though, there’s a lot of STEM knowledge to be gained in this bottle flipping experiment. As we know, the aim of bottle flipping is to flip a partially filled water bottle underhand and get it to land upright.

In this experiment, kids will learn the importance of observing a result multiple times before changing a variable (the amount of water in the bottle).

• How much water should you put in the bottle?
• What is the ideal amount of liquid to get the perfect flip?
• What should be the ideal amount of water?
• Was their prediction correct?
• Why do they think the amount of water affects the chances of landing the bottle?
• A plastic water bottle
• Measuring jug
• Paper to record results
• Get the kids to start by flipping their bottle with no water in it at all. Kidspot recommends flipping it 50 times for each step, but you could do less if you need to.
• Try it again with 50ml of water.
• Keep adding more water until the bottle is full.

If they’re keen, you could try other types or sizes of bottles, or even try different liquids to see if that affects the results!

6. Rainbow in a Jar

This simple science experiment is not only very visually appealing, but it’s also a great way to learn about the density of liquids. Warning though, this one could get messy so make sure kids are in some old clothes and you might want to take it outside! I like this experiment because you’ll probably have most of the materials in your kitchen already!

• Which liquids they think will be heaviest?
• Which ones will be lightest?
• Why do they think that?
• A glass jar
• Food coloring
• Various liquids like honey, corn syrup, dishwashing liquid, olive oil, rubbing alcohol and water.
• Use the food coloring to make all your liquids a different color. A dropper comes in handy here, but if you don’t have one you can manage without.
• Slowly add each liquid to the jar (pouring into the middle of the jar is best).
• Soon, you’ll have different layers of colored liquid forming your very own rainbow in a jar.

You might even get them to draw a diagram of what they think the jar will look like at the end. They can compare this with the experiment results to see if their prediction was correct.

It might also help to talk to your kids first about what density is and how materials are all made of different amounts of molecules. The more molecules a liquid has, the heavier it will be. Playdough to Plato demonstrates a great way of introducing this concept using marbles. 

7. Write Your Own Secret Messages! 

We love science experiments that are made up primarily of supplies that you likely already have in your home.

• Why do you think this will work?
• Which liquid do you think will make the best secret message?
• Why do people write secret messages?
• Juice (eg. Lemon)
• Lamp (or anything else that can be used as a heat source)
• In order to complete this experiment, you’ll need to gather all of your supplies along with a piece of paper, some q-tips, and a lamp or other item that you can use as a heat source.
• Next, you’ll mix your lemon juice with a slight amount of water. 
• Using your q-tip, use the mixture you’ve created to begin writing your message. 
• Allow it to dry. 
• Once dry, apply heat to it in order to get your message to appear.

Extend this project by attempting to write with a juice and water mixture, a milk and water mixture, or any other variation of the liquids we listed as necessary supplies!

8. Create Your Own Butterfly

Your little ones will love practicing their color mixing by creating their very own coffee filter butterflies. Hang them in the windows of your home to spread some cheer and to watch the sun flow through their beautiful wings! 

• What colors can mix together to make other colors?
• How do butterflies fly?
• What do you think will happen when we add water to the markers?
• Water spray bottle
• Allow your child to draw on the coffee filter to their heart’s content.
• Spray it with water and allow the colors to mix together.
• Allow it to dry thoroughly.
• Once dry, fold it like a fan and then clip it in the middle.

Ta-da, you’ve created a beautiful butterfly! 

9. Make A Duck Call

Give your family an excuse to head outdoors by allowing your children to craft their own duck calls. Test them out at a local pond and see if you can get the ducks to come closer to you for a healthy veggie snack! 

• Do you think ducks will be able to hear us with this?
• What other materials do you think could make this noise?
• How is what we have created similar to a duck’s beak?
• Plastic straw
• Push down on the straw to flatten one end and then cut the flattened end into a point.
• Flatten out your straw and then blow into it.
• Feel free to experiment with different amounts of flattening and different point shapes to see how you can adjust the sound.
• When finished, take your duck call into the wild to test it out.

10. Make Ivory Soap Boats

Did you ever carve items out of soap at camp when you were a child? Give your child the same opportunity. Soap can be carved using safe items, like plastic knives. 

• Why are we able to carve soap so easily?
• Do you think our boats float?
• Why do you think they float or sink?
• Carving tools (for kids)
• Allow your child to express their creative side by carving their boat out of soap. 
• Once they have finished carving it, allow them to test them out in the bathtub. . Extend their learning by discussing density with them–the soap floats because it is less dense than the water.

11. Make Your Own Quicksand 

As John Mullaney famously said, “I thought quicksand would be a much bigger problem in my adult life than it would have turned out.” For some reason, quicksand permeates children’s adventure stories – and their imaginations! 

• Where can we find quicksand in real life?
• How do you think quicksand works?
• What do you think we will need to make our own quicksand?
• Cornflower (one cup)
• Water (half cup)
• A container
• To make your quicksand, you’ll need to mix the cornflour and water. 
• Be sure to stir slowly in order to demonstrate – if you stir too quickly, it will become hard and you won’t be able to see it function the way it should!

12. Make Your Own Lava Lamp

We’ve tried this one in our classrooms, and trust us, our kids go wild year after year. Kids love making something that they can use as home decoration, and they love how easy it is to show new people – this is the experiment that lives on and on! 

• How do you think density is involved in this experiment?
• Why don’t the water and oil mix?
• Why can’t we shake our lava lamps?
• Clear Plastic Bottle
• Vegetable Oil
• Food Coloring
• Alka-Seltzer
• Pour water into the plastic bottle until it is approximately one quarter full. 
• Then pour vegetable oil in until the bottle is almost completely filled. 
• Allow some time for the oil and water to separate. 
• It is important that your children do not shake the bottle in this step. It will extend the experiment for no other reason than you waiting for the bubbles to dissipate. 
• Add as much food coloring as your child deems fit and then drop a piece of Alka-seltzer tablet into the bottle for the lava lamp fun to begin.

13. Guess the Smell

This one will take a little more prep work, but it’s a great touchstone for your children to begin discussing one of their five senses: the sense of smell! 

• What are examples of times we use our sense of smell?
• What other senses do we have?
• If you could only use one sense for the rest of your life, which one?
• Plastic Cups
• Smells (eg. coffee, cinnamon, vanilla, lemon juice)
• Place a variety of common smells in small plastic cups. We like to use coffee, cinnamon, vanilla, and lemon juice. 
• Pour these in and place tin foil securely over the top of the cup. 
• Poke small holes in the top of the foil. 
• Secure the foil with tape (on the sides, not over the holes). 
• Allow your children to guess the smells and record their findings on paper.

Home Science Experiments that take 1 to Several Hours

14. mangrove bioshield  .

Ecologists and conservationists are pushing for more regulations in building and saving mangrove forests around coastal areas. The reason is represented in this STEM activity. The trees act as a mangrove BioShield (bio = life, shield = protection), showing how natural obstacles can prevent critical damage from marine natural disasters such as tsunamis.

The mangrove BioShield can be for older elementary kids through to high school. Obviously, the younger they are, the more parent involvement. This experiment is done twice to show the effects of having and not having a BioShield. The first part uses little to no trees, and the second uses a forest of trees and rocks.

• What will happen in a tsunami if the village is without a BioShield? And the village with a BioShield?
• Would a BioShield help with hurricanes?
• Would you want to encourage people to save manatee forests if they are beneficial?
• Medium to large clear, plastic container
• Newspaper – wad into balls, then cover half of the bottom container – this help to keep the ground sturdy
• Mud – cover the newspaper and press it in to form a slope down to the empty side of the container. The top side should be flattened for the cardboard houses, then it slopes down into the empty half of the container.
• Cardboard houses (use the bottoms of milk cartons for the house and popsicle sticks for the roofs, place houses on the mud towards the top of the high slope
• Model trees or leafy stems from plants – Different amounts for activity 1 and activity 2
• Several small rocks
• Cardboard – long enough to fit across the container and tall enough to hold it from out of the water
• Water – enough to go halfway up the slope

A tsunami without the mangrove forest – insert only one or two trees down the slope. Place the cardboard piece into the water end of the container and move back and forth to create waves. Notice how easy it is for the water to destroy the village you’ve created.

Repeat the process of constructing the village, but this time insert a lot of trees down the slope to where the water meets the mud. They need to be deeply rooted like mangroves, and I’ve found that aquarium plants work well for this reason. Place the rocks within the mangrove forest and in front of the trees. Add a little bit more water. Insert the cardboard again and move it back and forth to create waves.  

15. A Greater Crater

When you look at the night sky and see the moon, one of the first things you notice is its craters. The moon is completely covered in them, and some are so large we can see them from Earth. Meteorites often make the craters that we see when they hit the surface, but it makes us wonder why some craters are so much bigger than others.

This experiment will help you to investigate one of the main reasons why craters come in different sizes.

• What causes craters?
• How big do the meteorites have to be to make a crater?
• What is it about the meteorite that causes the size of the crater?
• Paper to record your results
• Flat floor surface for the experiment, large enough for the newspaper to cover
• Shallow metal pan at least 2 inches deep
• Flour to fill 2 inches of the pan
• ¼ cup hot chocolate powder
• Mesh strainer or flour sifter
• Large marble (and others of varying sizes if comparing results)
• Metric ruler
• Tongs or long tweezers
• Pour the flour into the pan until it reaches 2 inches. Place the pan on top of the newspaper on a level surface.
• Sift a layer of hot chocolate powder over the flour (this is so you can better see the rays and other features of the craters).
• You will be dropping your marble from three different heights, then comparing the sizes of the craters. Measure the diameter (side to side) of the marble and record this on your paper as Marble 1. Hypothesize how large the crater will be and write that next to the diameter of Marble 1.
• Stand next to your pan and hold the marble at knee height above the flour. Drop the marble (do not throw it, just let it fall from your fingers) into the flour and study the shape of the crater. Look for a rim around the crater or any rays coming from the edges.
• Measure across the widest part of your crater, from rim to rim and record on your data sheet as Marble 1 – Knee Height – Width or something similar. You can also draw a picture of your results.
• Very gently use the tongs or long tweezers to remove the marble without destroying the crater.
• Repeat this procedure from waist height, shoulder height, top of head height. Make sure you aim in different parts of the flour so you don’t land on top of another crater. Record all of your results as the different heights you’re using.
• Compare your results.
• You can try again with a different sized marble as “Marble 2” to compare those results with each height as done with Marble 1.

Perhaps now, you’ll look at the moon a little differently!

16. Rube Goldberg Chain Reaction Machine

We’ve all seen them, some pretty far-out there chain reaction machines to complete simple tasks, usually in movies. But they are real , and are becoming even more popular now that we’re all stuck at home for a while. This is a fun way to explore physics with stuff you have at home.

Ask your child to decide what the end goal is (e.g. get the ball into the cup), and ask them to think about creative ways to make it get there. Working together, you can start with small pieces of a circuit to find out how your ball reacts to the set-up, and grow it from there. You can even refer to this video for more ideas:

• What will happen when the ball bounces off of this wall?
• How will these dominoes change the speed of the ball?
• What can we use to make sure that the ball goes in the direction we want it to at this point?
• What should we put here to get the best bounce? 
• Paper towel
• Toilet paper tubes
• Fixed objects like walls or furniture
• Any other toys and materials that can be used to build your circuit

To make this a true experiment, it needs to include more than a one-off demonstration, and there are a lot of ways to accomplish this.

• Set up parallel courses and use different sized or weighted balls to go through the circuit.
• Set up one elaborate circuit and use different objects one at a time.
• Set up circuits in different ways to see how different set-ups affect your end goal.

Another experimental component is the process used to create a circuit that reaches your end goal ( like this video about getting the ball into the cup, but you could come up with lots of other endpoints!). Along the way, you and your child get a lot of time to learn about momentum, velocity, friction, energy transfer, and interference (e.g., the cat). 

17. Melting

This is a simple and fun experiment that can be set up in a short time and then fill-up your day with observations and new experiments. Using only things you already have at home, you can set-up an engaging experiment with your kids!

Ice melts at different rates depending on a variety of factors including temperature, pressure, and if there are impurities (think salt, sugar, dirt) in the ice or touching the ice. There is a lot of opportunities to get creative and do the experiment in multiple ways, keeping your kids engaged and developing their investigative, experimental, and critical thinking skills.

• Which ice melts the fastest, slowest, and if they have any guesses about why?
• What other ice-melting experiments they think would be fun: Using different temperature liquids? Using different amounts of ice? Different sized cups?
• Lots of ice
• Several matching cups (i.e., they are the same size, shape, and color)
• Measuring cups
• A variety of liquids for the test
• Paper for writing down observations
• Measure the same amount of ice and place it in each cup.
• M easure equal amounts of each liquid and place them in the cups: try to complete this part quickly so that the ice in each cup is in liquid for as close the same amount of time as possible.
• Set up your cups in a place that is easy for your child to watch and observe.
• Ask them to check in at regular intervals (every 15 minutes, every hour) and record or talk to you about their observations.

Other potential experimental examples:

• Using different liquids to test if they affect melting time;
• Using the same liquid and placing ice in different locations to test what conditions throughout your home affect melting;
• Test if different amounts of ice melt at different rates;
• Test if different kinds of cups change melting time.

There are endless possibilities for you to come up with new ways to complete these simple experiments. You get the idea. Explore more!

18. Breathing Leaves

Science experiments don’t get much more simple than this one!  It’s effective though and kids will enjoy watching their leaf ‘breathe’. Learning about plant science is often tricky because it can seem a bit abstract. This experiment allows kids to see the process of plants making oxygen right before their eyes!

A question to ask beforehand:

• What do you think will happen if we leave it for a few hours?
• A fresh leaf from a tree
• A bowl of water
• Pluck a fresh leaf from a tree and place it in a bowl of water.
• Use a rock to weigh it down and leave the experiment out in the sun.
• Have your kids predict what they think they will see when they come back in a few hours (they can write their prediction down or draw a diagram if that’s more their style).
• After a few hours, your kids will see lots of tiny little bubbles on the edge of the leaf and in the glass bowl of water (use a magnifying glass to get a closer look if you have one).

So, what’s happening here? Leaves take in carbon dioxide and convert it to oxygen during photosynthesis. The bubbles you can see are the leaf releasing the oxygen it’s created. You could explain to your kids how trees and plants make the oxygen we need to breathe. Kids Fun Science explains this experiment in more detail and suggests taking it further by leaving the plant for a longer period of time (do you see more or fewer bubbles?) or placing a leaf in a dark area to see what difference that makes!

19. How Does Sunscreen Work?

If there’s one thing I know, it’s that kids hate wearing sunscreen! Trying to get it on them is like wrestling a crocodile. Maybe if they knew how sunscreen worked they’d understand how important it is to wear it when they’re out in the sun (and be slightly more cooperative when we’re lathering it over their little faces). This is a simple experiment that shows kids the difference wearing sunscreen will make to their skin.

• What do they observe when they come back?
• Why do they think one side faded and the other not?
• A piece of colored cardboard (a dark color would be best)
• Your usual bottle of sunscreen
• Have your kids smear the sunscreen over one part of the cardboard and leave the other part clear.
• Kids can then predict what they think will happen when they return to the experiment after a few hours.
• Talk to them about how the sun’s UV radiation is absorbed by the sunscreen so it can’t get through to damage the cardboard.

You could even take it further by trying different kinds of sunscreen or leaving your cardboard out during different times of the day.

20. Make A Rubber Egg

Imagine a world in which eggs can be used like bouncy balls. Well, with a couple of home supplies and a little bit of science, you can live in that world. Your child will be dazzled as they remove eggshells from eggs while leaving the insides intact. 

• Is vinegar an acid or a base?
• Is there another substance that could do this?
• Simply leave the egg in the vinegar for a few hours and wait to see what happens. Because of the transformative nature of this experiment, it lends itself to science journaling. 
• Consider having your kiddos draw before and after pictures of the eggs in order to track their journeys. 

21. Flying Tea Bags

Nothing will get your kids’ attention faster than telling them that you are going to spend some time creating something that will fly. However, because this experiment will involve fire, please ensure that you select a time in which you will be able to provide ample adult supervision. 

• How do we stay safe with fire?
• How do we make sure we don’t damage the surface we are working on?
• Why do you think the tea bag will fly?
• Single Serving Tea Bags
• A Small Bowl
• A Non-Flammable Work Surface
• First, open the tea bags and unfold them. 
• Empty the leaves from the bag. 
• Stand the tea bags up on your surface and light the top of each bag on fire. 

As they begin to burn, they will float into the sky! 

22. Make Wax Paper Lanterns

Your children will love the chance to display their fantastic art skills by creating these paper lanterns. If you want to add a culture lesson, have your children research German’s St. Martin’s Day and learn about why children parade through the streets with lanterns. We promise there’s a good moral story involved here! 

• When could we use lanterns?
• What safety considerations do we need to use in this project?
• Why can we see the light through the wax paper?
• Popsicle Sticks
• To begin, tear a ten-inch piece of wax paper off of the roll and cut it in half. 
• After that, fold each piece in half. 
• Allow your child to color their image on top of the wax paper. (This is a great place for an impromptu lesson in color mixing). 
• Fold the wax paper and iron it (consider something in between the crayon mess and the iron you use on your clothes). 
• Finally, glue the craft sticks into squares, add the wax paper, and turn it into a cube.

Voila, you’ve created your own lantern!

23. Create an Insect Habitat

Alright, this one isn’t for the faint of heart. Draw up your courage and send your child into the backyard to collect all of the creepy crawlies they’d like to.

Now you have a home for them. Better yet, you can keep your child entertained for hours as they track the growth of their bug friends.

• What do bugs need to survive?
• What do bugs eat?
• What is the difference between a need and a want?
• Imagination
• Find something that you’re willing to sacrifice to the bugs in order to create a habitat for them – we recommend a shadowbox so that your child can see inside, but a cardboard box will do just fine as well. 
• Ensure that there is breathing room for the bugs. 
• Create a habitat with sticks, bark, small rocks, dried leaves, and whatever else you can find.
• If you’re willing to hang onto the habitat long enough, use it as an opportunity to talk about decomposition as the bugs begin to break down the twigs.

Long-Term Science Experiments at Home

24. crystal kingdom.

This is the oldest trick in the book, but it’s popular because it’s so effective, fun, and has great results. The only drawback to most crystal-growing recipes is that they take ages to grow, and to be quite honest this one is no exception. In fact, these crystals will take several days to grow but the end result is worth it. The reason is that this experiment involves growing a whole landscape of beautifully colored salt and bluing crystals. Here’s a video for visual reference: 

A few things to keep in mind: Allow for plenty of air circulation, preferably inside rather than outside. Ammonia is not necessary but does help in the process.

• What will happen when you add ammonia?
• Why does more salt and less liquid create faster crystallization?
• What part does the bluing solution have in crystal growing?

(Answers can be found here )

• Two bottles of bluing solution
• Large tray/cookie sheets with sides
• Measuring cup
• Liquid watercolors
• Eye droppers
• Cut sponges into large pieces. Spread them out on the tray.
• Measure out 1 cup of each of salt, water, and bluing and then gently mix together.
• Evenly coat or sprinkle the mix over the sponges.
• Add 1 cup of ammonia to the sponges.
• Coat an extra 1 cup of salt on to the sponges.
• By now you’ll see some crystals growing . Sprinkle the magic mix again: 1 cup each of salt, water, and bluing. You can pour the ingredients onto the tray instead of on top of the crystals to keep them from breaking. Don’t worry, more will grow!
• Take an eyedropper, and drop a tablespoon of each liquid watercolor (undiluted) in different patterns over the sponges and crystals.
• Take note of your garden and what the crystal formations look like. You can make a sketch in your notebook as a before and after. Ask questions and observe!
• Observe how the crystals are bigger than before, and notice the colors aren’t as vibrant. Compare the differences in shapes, sizes, and colors.
• If you want more crystals to grow, add a little more water, bluing, and salt.

25. Blow up a Balloon with Yeast

We are surrounded by science in action, but sometimes it is really difficult to see what is happening, especially when it is on a small-scale. When we make bread, yeast ‘eats’ the sugars in the food and creates CO2, giving bread its airy texture. This experiment lets you both visualize what happens when yeast consumes sugar and is a great set-up for an experiment that can be observed throughout the day.

Depending on your supplies and time, you could start with a demonstration and use that to think of other tests, or you could set up several parallel tests at the same time.

• How quickly does the balloon filled with air?
• When does it stop filling (at some point the yeast will run out of food and will stop making gas)?
• Does the starting temperature affect the experiment?
• Does the balloon fill faster in different places in your home (try especially for different air-temperatures, you could include an outside location)?
• Some balloons
• Blow up the balloon a few times before starting so that it’s loosened up a bit.
• Fill the bottle with about 1 inch of warm water (heat is required to activate the yeast, but you could experiment with different temperatures), add the yeast and swirl to dissolve.
• Add the sugar and swirl more.
• Place the balloon over the opening to the bottle and wait. You should expect to see the balloon begin to inflate after around 20 minutes.
• Continue checking and observing how much the balloon inflates throughout the day.

More example experimental setups include:

• Do different temperatures – either with the water you start with or the air the yeast lives in – affect how quickly the balloon blows-up?
• Does using 2x the yeast result in a balloon that is 2x bigger, or blows-up 2x faster?
• Do different types of sugar (e.g., white sugar, honey, syrup, flour) affect how quickly the balloon blows up or how big it gets?

A sk your child to think of new experiments (you could prompt with some of the examples above, or ideas from this post ). 

26. Seed Germination

A really simple but fun multi-day experiment is germinating seeds under different conditions. This means finding some quick-sprouting seeds such as beans and putting them in different conditions to see how that affects germination (sprouting leaves and roots) and growth.

I love using seed experiments because they are inexpensive, simple, and leave a ton of room for creating your own unique experiment.

• Which seed will sprout fastest?
• Seeds (Beans, radishes, squashes, and many flowers sprout quickly from large seeds, making them good choices.)
• Small pots or paper cups
• Potting soil
• Cloth or paper towel
• Somewhere with good light
• To get started, you’ll need some seeds – feel free to choose something you already have, if you’re a gardener you might have some seeds ready for the coming season and could spare a few – or find something online or at your local nursery.
• Use small pots or paper cups and fill each with your growth material (we recommend a minimum of 3 for a useful comparison).
• Fill one with potting soil, one with sand, and one with a cloth or paper towel.
• Place them somewhere with good light, and add water.
• Ask your child to predict which seed will sprout fastest, and make observations every day. If possible, make them around the same time each day.
• Once you see growth, you can ask your child what they think caused any differences, and you can use that as a jumping-off point for more experiments

Additionally, you could:

• Use one type of seed and different types of growth media: soil, paper towel, gravel, sand, water, etc.
• You could use different seeds (beans, flowers, grass, herbs) and grow them under the same conditions (soil, water, sun exposure) to see how different plants grow differently.
• You could see how different light conditions (by a window, in the basement, in a bright room away from a window, etc.) affect germination.

You could also extend each experiment by simply continuing to grow each seed to learn whether the different germination time affects long-term growth (you may want to re-pot everything in the soil for this to be effective, depending on the specifics of your initial experiment).

27. Colored Celery

It’s hard to imagine plants having little capillaries inside them that transport water and nutrients, but this experiment shows that in action. It’s easy to set up, but you’ll have to wait at least a day to see some results. Your kids will be able to see how transpiration takes place and plants absorb water from the soil all the way up into their leaves.

• A few stalks of celery (celery works best for this because it’s a bit more visible, but you could also use flower stems)
• Different food coloring
• Place each stalk in a cup of colored water and make your predictions about what will happen.
• After a day or so you’ll see the celery leaves becoming the color of the water they’re standing in.
• Have your kids describe their observations (they can write down what they see or draw it if they prefer).
• If you look at the base of the stem you’ll also see tiny little holes that the colored water is traveling through.

When you’re done with the experiment, make sure you snap the celery and look inside – you should be able to see the capillaries in action. For more ideas, Little Bins for Little Hands has got some great hints and tips for this experiment.

28. Moldy Bread

This experiment is an oldie, but a goodie! Kids love looking at disgusting things and this one will certainly come up with the goods. Not only will kids learn about how mold grows, but they might also take on some lessons about the importance of washing their hands!

You might want to check out the results of this experiment at Science Alert before you start to see if your stomach is up to it.

• A few slices of bread
• Some ziplock bags
• Sticky little hands. 
• Get a few slices of bread and lay them out on your kitchen bench.
• Have your kids touch one piece of bread with dirty, unwashed hands.
• They can wash their hands with soap and water and touch another slice, then do the same using hand sanitizer.
• Leave one piece of bread untouched.
• Place them all in clear, labeled ziplock bags and predict which one will grow the most mold.
• Leave your bread slices for at least a week (it may take a bit longer, depending on the conditions where you live) and get the kids to record their observations.

You can also try wiping your bread slices on other surfaces to see what moldy results you get (their laptop or tablet is a great place to start)!

29. Sprouting Beans

Give your household a real survivalist feel by beginning an indoor garden. We recommend planting your beans in a clear cup so that your children can be privy to all of the processes during the plant’s journey.

• How does a plant grow?
• What does germination mean?
• What is in season to grow in our area now?
• Unprocessed Beans
• If you’d like your child to see every step of the process, consider placing the beans inside of a damp paper towel inside of a ziplock. 
• You can wait, see the germinated seed together, and then plant it inside of a small cup.
• Once inside the cup, watch it grow.

Extend your work by planting various beans and altering the growth conditions in order see what makes your beans grow best! 

30. Begin Composting

Begin your “go green” resolutions by teaching your child the value of composting! Best of all, once the science experiment is done, your family will have a recycling process that will last your entire lifetimes. 

• Why is composting important?
• How else can our household go green?
• Why do we need a foundation layer for compost?
• Compost Bin
• Organic Material
• First, create a compost bin. You can purchase one or build one out of wood. 
• To begin your composting, you’ll need even amounts of brown materials (think shredded paper, dryer lint, etc.) and green materials (think fruit and vegetable waste, lawn clippings, etc.). 
• If you’re really feeling fancy, throw some earthworms in there.

For days to come, your family will be able to discuss what can and cannot be broken down by the decomposers inside of the compost bin. Never-ending science! 

31. Turn Grapes Into Raisins

Your kids may or may not eat raising – but we can guarantee you, they’ve likely never considered the option of creating their own! 

• What other snacks can we make with science?
• Should we ever eat our experiments?
• How does this work?
• For this experiment, you’ll need grapes. (Really, that’s it!) 

Leave your grapes somewhere where they will not be disturbed and use this as an opportunity for your children to journal the changes in the grapes from day to day. Believe it or not, this type of sequential journaling is a valuable literacy skill! 

32. DIY Science Experiment

The best science experiment your child can engage in is the one they create themselves! Begin brainstorming a list of questions and let the world be their oyster as they plan and carry out their own experiments. Some of our favorite brainstorming questions, from Scholastic’s Science-Fair Project Guide, are listed below:

• What is the effect of toothpaste brand on teeth-cleaning power?
• What brand of trash bag can withstand the most weight before ripping?
• How does the type of material affect how long a shirt takes to dry?

Written by Miranda Altice, Kaitlin Anselmo, Mark Coster, Allison Ebbets, and Jodie Magrath.

Mark is the driving force behind STEM Geek. With 20 years of experience in chemistry education and research, and 3 willing children as guinea pigs, Mark has a passion for inspiring kids and adults to combine fun and learning with STEM Toys!

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37 Cool Science Experiments for Kids to Do at Home

General Education

Are you looking for cool science experiments for kids at home or for class? We've got you covered! We've compiled a list of 37 of the best science experiments for kids that cover areas of science ranging from outer space to dinosaurs to chemical reactions. By doing these easy science experiments, kids will make their own blubber and see how polar bears stay warm, make a rain cloud in a jar to observe how weather changes, create a potato battery that'll really power a lightbulb, and more.

Below are 37 of the best science projects for kids to try. For each one we include a description of the experiment, which area(s) of science it teaches kids about, how difficult it is (easy/medium/hard), how messy it is (low/medium/high), and the materials you need to do the project. Note that experiments labelled "hard" are definitely still doable; they just require more materials or time than most of these other science experiments for kids.

#1: Insect Hotels

• Teaches Kids About: Zoology
• Difficulty Level: Medium
• Messiness Level: Medium

Insect hotels can be as simple (just a few sticks wrapped in a bundle) or as elaborate as you'd like, and they're a great way for kids to get creative making the hotel and then get rewarded by seeing who has moved into the home they built. After creating a hotel with hiding places for bugs, place it outside (near a garden is often a good spot), wait a few days, then check it to see who has occupied the "rooms." You can also use a bug ID book or app to try and identify the visitors.

• Materials Needed
• Shadow box or other box with multiple compartments
• Hot glue gun with glue
• Sticks, bark, small rocks, dried leaves, bits of yarn/wool, etc.

#2: DIY Lava Lamp

• Teaches Kids About: Chemical reactions
• Difficulty Level: Easy

In this quick and fun science experiment, kids will mix water, oil, food coloring, and antacid tablets to create their own (temporary) lava lamp . Oil and water don't mix easily, and the antacid tablets will cause the oil to form little globules that are dyed by the food coloring. Just add the ingredients together and you'll end up with a homemade lava lamp!

• Vegetable oil
• Food coloring
• Antacid tablets

#3: Magnetic Slime

• Teaches Kids About: Magnets
• Messiness Level: High (The slime is black and will slightly dye your fingers when you play with it, but it washes off easily.)

A step up from silly putty and Play-Doh, magnetic slime is fun to play with but also teaches kids about magnets and how they attract and repel each other. Some of the ingredients you aren't likely to have around the house, but they can all be purchased online. After mixing the ingredients together, you can use the neodymium magnet (regular magnets won't be strong enough) to make the magnetic slime move without touching it!

• Liquid starch
• Adhesive glue
• Iron oxide powder
• Neodymium (rare earth) magnet

#4: Baking Soda Volcanoes

• Teaches Kids About: Chemical reactions, earth science
• Difficulty Level: Easy-medium
• Messiness Level: High

Baking soda volcanoes are one of the classic science projects for kids, and they're also one of the most popular. It's hard to top the excitement of a volcano erupting inside your home. This experiment can also be as simple or in-depth as you like. For the eruption, all you need is baking soda and vinegar (dishwashing detergent adds some extra power to the eruption), but you can make the "volcano" as elaborate and lifelike as you wish.

• Baking soda
• Dishwashing detergent
• Large mason jar or soda bottle
• Playdough or aluminum foil to make the "volcano"
• Additional items to place around the volcano (optional)
• Food coloring (optional)

#5: Tornado in a Jar

• Teaches Kids About: Weather
• Messiness Level: Low

This is one of the quick and easy and science experiments for kids to teach them about weather. It only takes about five minutes and a few materials to set up, but once you have it ready you and your kids can create your own miniature tornado whose vortex you can see and the strength of which you can change depending on how quickly you swirl the jar.

• Glitter (optional)

#6: Colored Celery Experiment

• Teaches Kids About: Plants

This celery science experiment is another classic science experiment that parents and teachers like because it's easy to do and gives kids a great visual understanding of how transpiration works and how plants get water and nutrients. Just place celery stalks in cups of colored water, wait at least a day, and you'll see the celery leaves take on the color of the water. This happens because celery stalks (like other plants) contain small capillaries that they use to transport water and nutrients throughout the plant.

• Celery stalks (can also use white flowers or pale-colored cabbage)

#7: Rain Cloud in a Jar

This experiment teaches kids about weather and lets them learn how clouds form by making their own rain cloud . This is definitely a science project that requires adult supervision since it uses boiling water as one of the ingredients, but once you pour the water into a glass jar, the experiment is fast and easy, and you'll be rewarded with a little cloud forming in the jar due to condensation.

• Glass jar with a lid
• Boiling water
• Aerosol hairspray

#8: Edible Rock Candy

• Teaches Kids About: Crystal formation

It takes about a week for the crystals of this rock candy experiment to form, but once they have you'll be able to eat the results! After creating a sugar solution, you'll fill jars with it and dangle strings in them that'll slowly become covered with the crystals. This experiment involves heating and pouring boiling water, so adult supervision is necessary, once that step is complete, even very young kids will be excited to watch crystals slowly form.

• Large saucepan
• Clothespins
• String or small skewers
• Candy flavoring (optional)

#9: Water Xylophone

• Teaches Kids About: Sound waves

With just some basic materials you can create your own musical instrument to teach kids about sound waves. In this water xylophone experiment , you'll fill glass jars with varying levels of water. Once they're all lined up, kids can hit the sides with wooden sticks and see how the itch differs depending on how much water is in the jar (more water=lower pitch, less water=higher pitch). This is because sound waves travel differently depending on how full the jars are with water.

• Wooden sticks/skewers

#10: Blood Model in a Jar

• Teaches Kids About: Human biology

This blood model experiment is a great way to get kids to visual what their blood looks like and how complicated it really is. Each ingredient represents a different component of blood (plasma, platelets, red blood cells, etc.), so you just add a certain amount of each to the jar, swirl it around a bit, and you have a model of what your blood looks like.

• Empty jar or bottle
• Red cinnamon candies
• Marshmallows or dry white lima beans
• White sprinkles

#11: Potato Battery

• Teaches Kids About: Electricity
• Difficulty Level: Hard

Did you know that a simple potato can produce enough energy to keep a light bulb lit for over a month? You can create a simple potato battery to show kids. There are kits that provide all the necessary materials and how to set it up, but if you don't purchase one of these it can be a bit trickier to gather everything you need and assemble it correctly. Once it's set though, you'll have your own farm grown battery!

• Fresh potato
• Galvanized nail
• Copper coin

#12: Homemade Pulley

• Teaches Kids About: Simple machines

This science activity requires some materials you may not already have, but once you've gotten them, the homemade pulley takes only a few minutes to set up, and you can leave the pulley up for your kids to play with all year round. This pulley is best set up outside, but can also be done indoors.

• Clothesline
• 2 clothesline pulleys

#13: Light Refraction

• Teaches Kids About: Light

This light refraction experiment takes only a few minutes to set up and uses basic materials, but it's a great way to show kids how light travels. You'll draw two arrows on a sticky note, stick it to the wall, then fill a clear water bottle with water. As you move the water bottle in front of the arrows, the arrows will appear to change the direction they're pointing. This is because of the refraction that occurs when light passes through materials like water and plastic.

• Sticky note
• Transparent water bottle

#14: Nature Journaling

• Teaches Kids About: Ecology, scientific observation

A nature journal is a great way to encourage kids to be creative and really pay attention to what's going on around them. All you need is a blank journal (you can buy one or make your own) along with something to write with. Then just go outside and encourage your children to write or draw what they notice. This could include descriptions of animals they see, tracings of leaves, a drawing of a beautiful flower, etc. Encourage your kids to ask questions about what they observe (Why do birds need to build nests? Why is this flower so brightly colored?) and explain to them that scientists collect research by doing exactly what they're doing now.

• Blank journal or notebook
• Pens/pencils/crayons/markers
• Tape or glue for adding items to the journal

#15: DIY Solar Oven

• Teaches Kids About: Solar energy

This homemade solar oven definitely requires some adult help to set up, but after it's ready you'll have your own mini oven that uses energy from the sun to make s'mores or melt cheese on pizza. While the food is cooking, you can explain to kids how the oven uses the sun's rays to heat the food.

• Aluminum foil
• Knife or box cutter
• Permanent marker
• Plastic cling wrap
• Black construction paper

#16: Animal Blubber Simulation

• Teaches Kids About: Ecology, zoology

If your kids are curious about how animals like polar bears and seals stay warm in polar climates, you can go beyond just explaining it to them; you can actually have them make some of their own blubber and test it out. After you've filled up a large bowl with ice water and let it sit for a few minutes to get really cold, have your kids dip a bare hand in and see how many seconds they can last before their hand gets too cold. Next, coat one of their fingers in shortening and repeat the experiment. Your child will notice that, with the shortening acting like a protective layer of blubber, they don't feel the cold water nearly as much.

• Bowl of ice water

#17: Static Electricity Butterfly

This experiment is a great way for young kids to learn about static electricity, and it's more fun and visual than just having them rub balloons against their heads. First you'll create a butterfly, using thick paper (such as cardstock) for the body and tissue paper for the wings. Then, blow up the balloon, have the kids rub it against their head for a few seconds, then move the balloon to just above the butterfly's wings. The wings will move towards the balloon due to static electricity, and it'll look like the butterfly is flying.

• Tissue paper
• Thick paper
• Glue stick/glue

#18: Edible Double Helix

• Teaches Kids About: Genetics

If your kids are learning about genetics, you can do this edible double helix craft to show them how DNA is formed, what its different parts are, and what it looks like. The licorice will form the sides or backbone of the DNA and each color of marshmallow will represent one of the four chemical bases. Kids will be able to see that only certain chemical bases pair with each other.

• 2 pieces of licorice
• 12 toothpicks
• Small marshmallows in 4 colors (9 of each color)
• 5 paperclips

#19: Leak-Proof Bag

• Teaches Kids About: Molecules, plastics

This is an easy experiment that'll appeal to kids of a variety of ages. Just take a zip-lock bag, fill it about ⅔ of the way with water, and close the top. Next, poke a few sharp objects (like bamboo skewers or sharp pencils) through one end and out the other. At this point you may want to dangle the bag above your child's head, but no need to worry about spills because the bag won't leak? Why not? It's because the plastic used to make zip-lock bags is made of polymers, or long chains of molecules that'll quickly join back together when they're forced apart.

• Zip-lock bags
• Objects with sharp ends (pencils, bamboo skewers, etc.)

#20: How Do Leaves Breathe?

• Teaches Kids About: Plant science

It takes a few hours to see the results of this leaf experiment , but it couldn't be easier to set up, and kids will love to see a leaf actually "breathing." Just get a large-ish leaf, place it in a bowl (glass works best so you can see everything) filled with water, place a small rock on the leaf to weigh it down, and leave it somewhere sunny. Come back in a few hours and you'll see little bubbles in the water created when the leaf releases the oxygen it created during photosynthesis.

• Large bowl (preferably glass)
• Magnifying glass (optional)

#21: Popsicle Stick Catapults

Kids will love shooting pom poms out of these homemade popsicle stick catapults . After assembling the catapults out of popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and plastic spoons, they're ready to launch pom poms or other lightweight objects. To teach kids about simple machines, you can ask them about how they think the catapults work, what they should do to make the pom poms go a farther/shorter distance, and how the catapult could be made more powerful.

• Popsicle sticks
• Rubber bands
• Plastic spoons
• Paint (optional)

#22: Elephant Toothpaste

You won't want to do this experiment near anything that's difficult to clean (outside may be best), but kids will love seeing this " elephant toothpaste " crazily overflowing the bottle and oozing everywhere. Pour the hydrogen peroxide, food coloring, and dishwashing soap into the bottle, and in the cup mix the yeast packet with some warm water for about 30 seconds. Then, add the yeast mixture to the bottle, stand back, and watch the solution become a massive foamy mixture that pours out of the bottle! The "toothpaste" is formed when the yeast removed the oxygen bubbles from the hydrogen peroxide which created foam. This is an exothermic reaction, and it creates heat as well as foam (you can have kids notice that the bottle became warm as the reaction occurred).

• Clean 16-oz soda bottle
• 6% solution of hydrogen peroxide
• 1 packet of dry yeast
• Dishwashing soap

#23: How Do Penguins Stay Dry?

Penguins, and many other birds, have special oil-producing glands that coat their feathers with a protective layer that causes water to slide right off them, keeping them warm and dry. You can demonstrate this to kids with this penguin craft by having them color a picture of a penguin with crayons, then spraying the picture with water. The wax from the crayons will have created a protective layer like the oil actual birds coat themselves with, and the paper won't absorb the water.

• Penguin image (included in link)
• Spray bottle
• Blue food coloring (optional)

#24: Rock Weathering Experiment

• Teaches Kids About: Geology

This mechanical weathering experiment teaches kids why and how rocks break down or erode. Take two pieces of clay, form them into balls, and wrap them in plastic wrap. Then, leave one out while placing the other in the freezer overnight. The next day, unwrap and compare them. You can repeat freezing the one piece of clay every night for several days to see how much more cracked and weathered it gets than the piece of clay that wasn't frozen. It may even begin to crumble. This weathering also happens to rocks when they are subjected to extreme temperatures, and it's one of the causes of erosion.

• Plastic wrap

#25: Saltwater Density

• Teaches Kids About: Water density

For this saltwater density experiment , you'll fill four clear glasses with water, then add salt to one glass, sugar to one glass, and baking soda to one glass, leaving one glass with just water. Then, float small plastic pieces or grapes in each of the glasses and observe whether they float or not. Saltwater is denser than freshwater, which means some objects may float in saltwater that would sink in freshwater. You can use this experiment to teach kids about the ocean and other bodies of saltwater, such as the Dead Sea, which is so salty people can easily float on top of it.

• Four clear glasses
• Lightweight plastic objects or small grapes

#26: Starburst Rock Cycle

With just a package of Starbursts and a few other materials, you can create models of each of the three rock types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Sedimentary "rocks" will be created by pressing thin layers of Starbursts together, metamorphic by heating and pressing Starbursts, and igneous by applying high levels of heat to the Starbursts. Kids will learn how different types of rocks are forms and how the three rock types look different from each other.

• Toaster oven

#27: Inertia Wagon Experiment

• Teaches Kids About: Inertia

This simple experiment teaches kids about inertia (as well as the importance of seatbelts!). Take a small wagon, fill it with a tall stack of books, then have one of your children pull it around then stop abruptly. They won't be able to suddenly stop the wagon without the stack of books falling. You can have the kids predict which direction they think the books will fall and explain that this happens because of inertia, or Newton's first law.

• Stack of books

#28: Dinosaur Tracks

• Teaches Kids About: Paleontology

How are some dinosaur tracks still visible millions of years later? By mixing together several ingredients, you'll get a claylike mixture you can press your hands/feet or dinosaur models into to make dinosaur track imprints . The mixture will harden and the imprints will remain, showing kids how dinosaur (and early human) tracks can stay in rock for such a long period of time.

• Used coffee grounds
• Wooden spoon
• Rolling pin

#29: Sidewalk Constellations

• Teaches Kids About: Astronomy

If you do this sidewalk constellation craft , you'll be able to see the Big Dipper and Orion's Belt in the daylight. On the sidewalk, have kids draw the lines of constellations (using constellation diagrams for guidance) and place stones where the stars are. You can then look at astronomy charts to see where the constellations they drew will be in the sky.

• Sidewalk chalk
• Small stones
• Diagrams of constellations

#30: Lung Model

By building a lung model , you can teach kids about respiration and how their lungs work. After cutting off the bottom of a plastic bottle, you'll stretch a balloon around the opened end and insert another balloon through the mouth of the bottle. You'll then push a straw through the neck of the bottle and secure it with a rubber band and play dough. By blowing into the straw, the balloons will inflate then deflate, similar to how our lungs work.

• Plastic bottle
• Rubber band

#31: Homemade Dinosaur Bones

By mixing just flour, salt, and water, you'll create a basic salt dough that'll harden when baked. You can use this dough to make homemade dinosaur bones and teach kids about paleontology. You can use books or diagrams to learn how different dinosaur bones were shaped, and you can even bury the bones in a sandpit or something similar and then excavate them the way real paleontologists do.

• Images of dinosaur bones

#32: Clay and Toothpick Molecules

There are many variations on homemade molecule science crafts . This one uses clay and toothpicks, although gumdrops or even small pieces of fruit like grapes can be used in place of clay. Roll the clay into balls and use molecule diagrams to attach the clay to toothpicks in the shape of the molecules. Kids can make numerous types of molecules and learn how atoms bond together to form molecules.

• Clay or gumdrops (in four colors)
• Diagrams of molecules

#33: Articulated Hand Model

By creating an articulated hand model , you can teach kids about bones, joints, and how our hands are able to move in many ways and accomplish so many different tasks. After creating a hand out of thin foam, kids will cut straws to represent the different bones in the hand and glue them to the fingers of the hand models. You'll then thread yarn (which represents tendons) through the straws, stabilize the model with a chopstick or other small stick, and end up with a hand model that moves and bends the way actual human hands do.

• Straws (paper work best)
• Twine or yarn

#34: Solar Energy Experiment

• Teaches Kids About: Solar energy, light rays

This solar energy science experiment will teach kids about solar energy and how different colors absorb different amounts of energy. In a sunny spot outside, place six colored pieces of paper next to each other, and place an ice cube in the middle of each paper. Then, observe how quickly each of the ice cubes melt. The ice cube on the black piece of paper will melt fastest since black absorbs the most light (all the light ray colors), while the ice cube on the white paper will melt slowest since white absorbs the least light (it instead reflects light). You can then explain why certain colors look the way they do. (Colors besides black and white absorb all light except for the one ray color they reflect; this is the color they appear to us.)

• 6 squares of differently colored paper/cardstock (must include black paper and white paper)

#35: How to Make Lightning

• Teaches Kids About: Electricity, weather

You don't need a storm to see lightning; you can actually create your own lightning at home . For younger kids this experiment requires adult help and supervision. You'll stick a thumbtack through the bottom of an aluminum tray, then stick the pencil eraser to the pushpin. You'll then rub the piece of wool over the aluminum tray, and then set the tray on the Styrofoam, where it'll create a small spark/tiny bolt of lightning!

• Pencil with eraser
• Aluminum tray or pie tin
• Styrofoam tray

#36: Tie-Dyed Milk

• Teaches Kids About: Surface tension

For this magic milk experiment , partly fill a shallow dish with milk, then add a one drop of each food coloring color to different parts of the milk. The food coloring will mostly stay where you placed it. Next, carefully add one drop of dish soap to the middle of the milk. It'll cause the food coloring to stream through the milk and away from the dish soap. This is because the dish soap breaks up the surface tension of the milk by dissolving the milk's fat molecules.

• Shallow dish
• Milk (high-fat works best)

#37: How Do Stalactites Form?

Have you ever gone into a cave and seen huge stalactites hanging from the top of the cave? Stalactites are formed by dripping water. The water is filled with particles which slowly accumulate and harden over the years, forming stalactites. You can recreate that process with this stalactite experiment . By mixing a baking soda solution, dipping a piece of wool yarn in the jar and running it to another jar, you'll be able to observe baking soda particles forming and hardening along the yarn, similar to how stalactites grow.

• Safety pins
• 2 glass jars

Summary: Cool Science Experiments for Kids

Any one of these simple science experiments for kids can get children learning and excited about science. You can choose a science experiment based on your child's specific interest or what they're currently learning about, or you can do an experiment on an entirely new topic to expand their learning and teach them about a new area of science. From easy science experiments for kids to the more challenging ones, these will all help kids have fun and learn more about science.

What's Next?

Are you also interested in pipe cleaner crafts for kids? We have a guide to some of the best pipe cleaner crafts to try!

Looking for multiple different slime recipes? We tell you how to make slimes without borax and without glue as well as how to craft the ultimate super slime .

Want to learn more about clouds? Learn how to identify every cloud in the sky with our guide to the 10 types of clouds .

Want to know the fastest and easiest ways to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius? We've got you covered! Check out our guide to the best ways to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit (or vice versa) .

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45 Easy Science Experiments for Kids

Hello, STEM! These simple DIY activities can be done at home or in school.

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Imagine blowing the biggest bubbles imaginable — or even making bubbles within bubbles. Or sending vessels — rockets, tea bags, airplanes — soaring through the sky for impossible distances. Now imagine making things explode, or change colors, or reveal hidden messages with just a few simple mixtures.

None of this is magic. It's all science that you can do at home, most likely with ingredients you already have in your house. So, next time you need a boredom-busting indoor activity on a rainy day or a DIY project to get their minds humming, try one of these best at-home science experiments for kids , which cover topics like cover magnetism, surface tension, astronomy, chemistry, physics and more.

First off, it's good to start them off with the scientific method. Give them a journal to record their observations, questions, hypotheses, experiments, results and conclusions. As always, safety counts: wear goggles and coats or aprons if need be (sometimes kids get a kick out of how scientific the protective gear makes them look), and always make sure that the kids are supervised when doing them. (Warning: Some of these are messy!)

These experiments are mostly designed for preschoolers through elementary schoolers — with a couple that are either demonstrations or better for older kids — but if you have a younger one, you can check out these 1-year-old learning activities , toddler learning activities and preschool/kindergarten learning activities , some of which also cover STEM subjects.

Floating Fish

Here's another one that deals with solubility and density.

• Draw the outline of a fish on the bottom of a glass plate or tray in dry-erase marker. Retrace your drawing to make sure all the lines are connected. Let dry for a minute or two.
• Fill the measuring cup with tap water. Place the pour spout just inside the corner of the dish and add water very slowly until it just covers the bottom. Be careful not to pour water directly onto your drawing or make splashes near it. The water will move toward your drawing, eventually surrounding it. Observe what happens. If the water splashes or it doesn’t work on your first try, empty the dish, erase the drawing with a paper towel, dry off the dish, and try again.
• Tilt the dish slightly from side to side. What happens? Jot it down.

The ink in dry erase markers is engineered to be slippery. It’s made with a chemical that causes it to easily release from surfaces. (Permanent markers are made with a chemical that makes the ink stick to surfaces, so be sure not to use these in your experiment!)

The easy-release ink lets go from a surface, but why does it float? There are two reasons. First, dry erase ink isn’t soluble, which means it won’t dissolve in water. Second, dry erase ink is less dense than the water, so it becomes buoyant, meaning it can float. When you tilt the dish, the fish moves around on the water’s surface.

From Good Housekeeping Amazing Science: 83 Hands-on S.T.E.A.M Experiments for Curious Kids! See more in the book »

Brush, Brush!

This one will really get them into brushing their teeth once they scientifically prove all the good things that toothpaste can do.

• Write on sticky notes: Soda 1, Soda 2, Juice 1, and Juice 2. Place them in a row on a counter.
• Fill two glasses halfway with brown soda and place behind the Soda 1 and Soda 2 sticky notes. Fill two glasses halfway with lemon juice and place behind the Juice 1 and Juice 2 sticky notes.
• Carefully place one egg in the bowl. Squeeze a big dollop — about one tablespoon — of toothpaste on top of the egg and gently rub the toothpaste all around with your hands until the egg is completely covered in a thick layer of toothpaste. Repeat with a second egg.
• Gently submerge the toothpaste-covered eggs into the liquids: one egg in the glass labeled Soda 1 and the other egg in the glass labeled Juice 1. Wash and dry your hands.
• Gently submerge the remaining eggs, without toothpaste on them, in the remaining glasses: one in the glass labeled Soda 2 and the other in the glass of juice labeled Juice 2. Wash and dry your hands. Leave the eggs in the glasses for 12 hours.
• After 12 hours, remove the eggs from the glasses of soda one at a time. Rinse them in cool water and pat them dry with the towel. Place each egg by the sticky note of the glass it was in. Are the eggs the same or different colors?
• Remove the eggs from the glasses of juice one at a time. Rinse them under the faucet and pat them dry. Place each egg by the sticky note of the glass it was in. Feel the eggs gently. Does one feel stronger or weaker than the other?
• Write down your observations in your science notebook.

The eggshells in this experiment represent the enamel (outer coating) on your teeth. Toothpaste cleans your teeth and prevents stains: it removes food and drink particles that are stuck on your teeth. Teeth can be stained easily by dark-colored liquids like cola, coffee or tea. The egg without toothpaste will be brown and discolored. The egg covered in toothpaste was protected from turning brown.

Toothpaste also protects your pearly whites from decay (breaking down). The egg without toothpaste left in the lemon juice was worn down and soft to the touch, while the egg that was protected with toothpaste is stronger. The lemon juice is acidic, and those acids broke down the shell just as acidic drinks can wear away your tooth enamel. When a tooth is worn down, a cavity can form more easily. But the fluoride in toothpaste mixes with your saliva to create a protective coating around your tooth enamel. It helps keep your teeth strong and cavity-free.

Grow an Avocado Tree

For an easy lesson in Earth Science, your family can grow an avocado tree from a pit. You can buy an AvoSeedo kit , or just peel the seed and suspend it over water with toothpicks.

Get the tutorial »

Milk Bottle Xylophone

No for an experiment in sound!

• Arrange six glass jars or bottles, all the same size with no lids, in a line. What will each jar sound like when you tap it with a spoon? Make a prediction, then tap each jar. Record your observations.
• Next, put water in each of the jars. Pour 1⁄4 cup (60 ml) of water into the first jar. Add 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of water to the second jar. Continue in 1⁄4-cup increments, adding 3⁄4 cup (180 ml) of water to the third jar, 1 cup (240 ml) of water to the fourth jar, 11⁄4 cups (300 ml) of water to the fifth jar, and 11⁄2 cups (360 ml) to the sixth jar. Add a couple of drops of food coloring to each jar.
• What will each jar sound like? Will they sound the same or different than when the container was empty? Will they sound the same or different from one another? Record your predictions.
• Tap each jar with a metal spoon. Write down your observations about each jar’s pitch (how high or low a sound is) in your notebook.

Sound waves are created by vibrations, which are back-and-forth movements that are repeated again and again. Pitch depends on the frequency of the waves — how many are created each second. A high pitch is created by high-frequency sound waves, and can sound squeaky. A low pitch is created by low-frequency sound waves, and sounds deep and booming.

When you tapped the jar, it vibrated. The vibrations traveled from the jar to the water to the air and eventually to your ears. The jars with more water had a low pitch. The sound waves vibrated more slowly because they had more water to travel through. The jars with less water had higher pitches. The sound waves vibrated faster because they had less water to travel through. A jar with no water in it makes the highest pitch because it has the least substance to travel through.

"Elephant Toothpaste"

Okay, elephants don't really brush with this stuff, which is made from a chemical reaction between hydrogen peroxide, yeast, dish soap and a few other simple ingredients. But this experiment has a big "wow" factor since, when the substances are mixed, the "toothpaste" foams out of the bottle. You can use it to teach kids about catalysts and exothermic reactions.

Get the tutorial at Babble Dabble Do »

DIY Compass

Explore the way magnetism works, and how it affects everyday objects, by magnetizing a needle and making a DIY compass. You can even spin the compass in the water, and it'll end up pointing the right way again.

Get the tutorial at STEAM Powered Family »

Craft Stick Chain Reaction

Kids can learn about the differences between potential and kinetic energy with this chain reaction. It makes a big impact: Once the tension is released, the pom poms go flying through the air!

Get the the tutorial at Science Sparks »

Color-Changing Invisible Ink

Kids will feel like super-spies when they use this heatless method to reveal pictures or colors written with "invisible ink." You can try different acid/base combinations to see which one makes the most dramatic result.

Get the tutorial at Research Parent »

Paper Bridge

Get the engineering back into STEM with this activity, which challenges kids to create a paper bridge that's strong enough to hold as many pennies as possible. How can they manipulate the paper to make it sturdier? (Hint: Fold it!)

See the paper bridge tutorial at KidsActivities.com »

Challenge your little scientist to lift up an ice cube with just a piece of string. It's possible ... with a little salt to help. Salt melts the ice and lowers the freezing point of the ice cube, which absorbs the heat from the water around it, making the water cold enough to re-freeze around the string.

Get the tutorial at Playdough to Plato »

Marshmallow Catapult

Another lesson in potential and kinetic energy, kids will love sending mini marshmallows flying in the name of science. Change some of the variables and see how that affects the marshmallow's trajectory.

Get the tutorial at Hello, Wonderful »

Leaf Breathing

It's hard for kids to picture how plants and trees "breathe" through their leaves — until they see the bubbles appear on a leaf that's submerged in water. You can also teach them about photosynthesis by putting different leaves in different spots with varying levels of sunlight.

Get the tutorial at KC EDventures »

Hoop-and-Straw Airplane

We all remember how to fold those classic, triangular paper airplanes, but these hoop-and-straw airplanes fly way better (and straighter). Experiment by changing the length of the straw and the size of the hoops and see how it affects the flight.

Get the tutorial at Mombrite »

Film Canister Rocket

Blast off! You don't need jet fuel to make these rockets go, just Alka-Seltzer tablets and baking soda, but they'll be amazed when they achieve lift-off! (Note: If you can't find old film canisters, tubes of Airborne work, too.)

Get the tutorial at Raising Lifelong Learners »

Coin Inertia

Stack up about five or so coins on a piece of cardboard and place it over a glass of water. Then, flick the cardboard out from on top of the glass. Do the coins drop into the water, or ride with the cardboard? Due to inertia, they drop into the water — a very visual (and fun!) demonstration of Newton's First Law of Motion.

Get the tutorial at Engineering Emily »

Apple Oxidation

What works best for keeping an apple from turning brown? Test to find out! Slice up an apple, and let each slice soak in a different liquid. Then take them out, lay them on a tray, and check the brownness after three minutes, six minutes and so on. Not only does this test the properties of different liquids, it also helps students practice the scientific method if they create hypotheses about which liquids would be most effective.

Get the tutorial at Jennifer Findley »

RELATED: 50 Fun Activities for Kids Will Keep Them Entertained for Hours

Coffee Ground Fossils

By making a salt dough with coffee grounds and pressing various shapes into it (toy dinosaur feet, seashells), kids can get a better understanding of how fossils are made. If you poke a hole in the top before it dries, the kids can hang their "fossils" up in their rooms.

Get the tutorial at Crafts by Amanda »

Chromatography Flowers

Chromatography is the process of separating a solution into different parts — like the pigments in the ink used in markers. If you draw stripes around a coffee filter, then fold it up and dip the tip in water, the water will travel up the filter and separate the marker ink into its different pigments (in cool patterns that you can display as a craft project). This family made the end-result even brighter by adding an LED circuit to the center.

Get the tutorial at Steam Powered Family »

Water Walking

You'll need six containers of water for this one: three with clear water, one with red food coloring, one with blue coloring, and one with yellow coloring. Arrange them in a circle, alternating colored and clear containers, and make bridges between the containers with folded paper towels. Your kids will be amazed to see the colored water "walk" over the bridges and into the clear containers, mixing colors, and giving them a first-hand look at the magic of capillarity.

Get the tutorial at Fun Learning for Kids »

Sunscreen Test

This experiment puts the A (art) in STEAM: Paint different designs on construction paper with different sunscreens, leave the papers out in the sun and compare the results. Then, hang your "conclusions" on your fridge.

Get the tutorial at Tonya Staab »

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

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50 Fun Kids Science Experiments

Science doesn’t need to be complicated. These easy science experiments below are awesome for kids! They are visually stimulating, hands-on, and sensory-rich, making them fun to do and perfect for teaching simple science concepts at home or in the classroom.

Top 10 Science Experiments

Click on the titles below for the full supplies list and easy step-by-step instructions. Have fun trying these experiments at home or in the classroom, or even use them for your next science fair project!

Baking Soda Balloon Experiment

Can you make a balloon inflate on its own? Grab a few basic kitchen ingredients and test them out! Try amazing chemistry for kids at your fingertips.

Rainbow In A Jar

Enjoy learning about the basics of color mixing up to the density of liquids with this simple water density experiment . There are even more ways to explore rainbows here with walking water, prisms, and more.

This color-changing magic milk experiment will explode your dish with color. Add dish soap and food coloring to milk for cool chemistry!

Seed Germination Experiment

Not all kids’ science experiments involve chemical reactions. Watch how a seed grows , which provides a window into the amazing field of biology .

Egg Vinegar Experiment

One of our favorite science experiments is a naked egg or rubber egg experiment . Can you make your egg bounce? What happened to the shell?

Dancing Corn

Find out how to make corn dance with this easy experiment. Also, check out our dancing raisins and dancing cranberries.

Grow Crystals

Growing borax crystals is easy and a great way to learn about solutions. You could also grow sugar crystals , eggshell geodes , or salt crystals .

Lava Lamp Experiment

It is great for learning about what happens when you mix oil and water. a homemade lava lamp is a cool science experiment kids will want to do repeatedly!

Skittles Experiment

Who doesn’t like doing science with candy? Try this classic Skittles science experiment and explore why the colors don’t mix when added to water.

Lemon Volcano

Watch your kids’ faces light up, and their eyes widen when you test out cool chemistry with a lemon volcano using common household items, baking soda, and vinegar.

Bonus! Popsicle Stick Catapult

Kid tested, STEM approved! Making a popsicle stick catapult is a fantastic way to dive into hands-on physics and engineering.

Grab the handy Top 10 Science Experiments list here!

Free Science Ideas Guide

Grab this free science experiments challenge calendar and have fun with science right away. Use the clickable links to see how to set up each science project.

Get Started With A Science Fair Project

💡Want to turn one of these fun and easy science experiments into a science fair project? Then, you will want to check out these helpful resources.

• Easy Science Fair Projects
• Science Project Tips From A Teacher
• Science Fair Board Ideas

Easy Science Experiments For Kids

Science Experiments By Topic

Are you looking for a specific topic? Check out these additional resources below. Each topic includes easy-to-understand information, everyday examples, and additional hands-on activities and experiments.

• Chemistry Experiments
• Physics Experiments
• Chemical Reaction Experiments
• Candy Experiments
• Plant Experiments
• Kitchen Science
• Water Experiments
• Baking Soda Experiments
• States Of Matter Experiments
• Physical Change Experiments
• Chemical Change Experiments
• Surface Tension Experiments
• Capillary Action Experiments
• Weather Science Projects
• Geology Science Projects
• Space Activities
• Simple Machines
• Static Electricity
• Potential and Kinetic Energy
• Gravity Experiments
• Magnet Activities
• Light Experiments

Science Experiments By Season

• Spring Science
• Summer Science Experiments
• Fall Science Experiments
• Winter Science Experiments

Science Experiments by Age Group

While many experiments can be performed by various age groups, the best science experiments for specific age groups are listed below.

• Science for Toddlers
• Science for Preschoolers
• Science for Kindergarten
• Elementary Science by Season
• Science for 1st Grade
• Science for 2nd Grade
• Science for 3rd Grade
• Science for 4th Grade
• S cience for 5th Grade
• Science for 6th Grade
• Science for Middle School

How To Teach Science

Kids are curious and always looking to explore, discover, check out, and experiment to discover why things do what they do, move as they move, or change as they change! My son is now 13, and we started with simple science activities around three years of age with simple baking soda science.

Here are great tips for making science experiments enjoyable at home or in the classroom.

Safety first: Always prioritize safety. Use kid-friendly materials, supervise the experiments, and handle potentially hazardous substances yourself.

Start with simple experiments: Begin with basic experiments (find tons below) that require minimal setup and materials, gradually increasing complexity as kids gain confidence.

Use everyday items: Utilize common household items like vinegar and baking soda , food coloring, or balloons to make the experiments accessible and cost-effective.

Hands-on approach: Encourage kids to actively participate in the experiments rather than just observing. Let them touch, mix, and check out reactions up close.

Make predictions: Ask kids to predict the outcome before starting an experiment. This stimulates critical thinking and introduces the concept of hypothesis and the scientific method.

Record observations: Have a science journal or notebook where kids can record their observations, draw pictures, and write down their thoughts. Learn more about observing in science. We also have many printable science worksheets .

Theme-based experiments: Organize experiments around a theme, such as water , air , magnets , or plants . Even holidays and seasons make fun themes!

Kitchen science : Perform experiments in the kitchen, such as making ice cream using salt and ice or learning about density by layering different liquids.

Create a science lab: Set up a dedicated space for science experiments, and let kids decorate it with science-themed posters and drawings.

Outdoor experiments: Take some experiments outside to explore nature, study bugs, or learn about plants and soil.

DIY science kits: Prepare science experiment kits with labeled containers and ingredients, making it easy for kids to conduct experiments independently. Check out our DIY science list and STEM kits.

Make it a group effort: Group experiments can be more fun, allowing kids to learn together and share their excitement. Most of our science activities are classroom friendly!

Science shows or documentaries: Watch age-appropriate science shows or documentaries to introduce kids to scientific concepts entertainingly. Hello Bill Nye and the Magic Schoolbus! You can also check out National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, and NASA!

Ask open-ended questions: Encourage critical thinking by asking open-ended questions that prompt kids to think deeper about what they are experiencing.

Celebrate successes: Praise kids for their efforts and discoveries, no matter how small, to foster a positive attitude towards science and learning.

What is the Scientific Method for Kids?

The scientific method is a way scientists figure out how things work. First, they ask a question about something they want to know. Then, they research to learn what’s already known about it. After that, they make a prediction called a hypothesis.

Next comes the fun part – they test their hypothesis by doing experiments. They carefully observe what happens during the experiments and write down all the details. Learn more about variables in experiments here.

Once they finish their experiments, they look at the results and decide if their hypothesis is right or wrong. If it’s wrong, they devise a new hypothesis and try again. If it’s right, they share their findings with others. That’s how scientists learn new things and make our world better!

Go ahead and introduce the scientific method and get kids started recording their observations and making conclusions. Read more about the scientific method for kids .

Engineering and STEM Projects For Kids

STEM activities include science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In addition to our kids’ science experiments, we have lots of fun STEM activities for you to try. Check out these STEM ideas below.

• Building Activities
• Self-Propelling Car Projects
• Engineering Projects For Kids
• What Is Engineering For Kids?
• Lego STEM Ideas
• LEGO Engineering Activities
• STEM Activities For Toddlers
• STEM Worksheets
• Easy STEM Activities For Elementary
• Quick STEM Challenges
• Easy STEM Activities With Paper  

Printable Science Projects For Kids

If you’re looking to grab all of our printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets and bonuses like a STEAM Project pack, our Science Project Pack is what you need! Over 300+ Pages!

• 90+ classic science activities  with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information.  NEW! Activity-specific observation pages!
• Best science practices posters  and our original science method process folders for extra alternatives!
• Be a Collector activities pack  introduces kids to the world of making collections through the eyes of a scientist. What will they collect first?
• Know the Words Science vocabulary pack  includes flashcards, crosswords, and word searches that illuminate keywords in the experiments!
• My science journal writing prompts  explore what it means to be a scientist!!
• Bonus STEAM Project Pack:  Art meets science with doable projects!
• Bonus Quick Grab Packs for Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics

Subscribe to receive a free 5-Day STEM Challenge Guide

~ projects to try now ~.

Easy Science Experiments for Kids

Looking for some easy experiments to do with the kids? We’ve got you covered with all of our favourite, easy science experiments for kids. The best part about all of these ideas is that they may be simple, but the lessons are powerful! Plus they can be adapted for a wide variety of ages and learning environments.

100+ Genius Easy Science Experiments for Kids

Disclaimer: This article may contain commission or affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer I earn from qualifying purchases. Not seeing our videos? Turn off any adblockers to ensure our video feed can be seen. Or visit our YouTube channel to see if the video has been uploaded there. We are slowly uploading our archives. Thanks!

Fun Science Experiments

First let’s kick things off with a list of easy science experiments for kids that we have done many times over and are a favourite of STEAM Powered Family readers around the world. Almost all of these projects use common household items and are tested by kids and teachers. We have science experiments for all ages, from preschool to middle school, even adults love to do these. The best part is that you can use these ideas to help students gain comfort and eventually mastery of the Scientific Method . This list is also a fantastic place to find ideas for your science fair projects.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Experiments

It is incredible the number of cool science experiments you can create from this one simple chemical reaction between Baking Soda and Vinegar . This endothermic reaction, is a classic acid and base chemical reaction.

Here is the chemical formula of this reaction

C 2 H 4 O 2  + NaHCO 3  -> NaC 2 H 3 O 2  + H 2 O + CO 2 vinegar + sodium bicarbonate -> sodium acetate + water + carbon dioxide

Some of our favourite baking soda and vinegar science activities of all time include Bottle Rockets , Fireworks Experiment , Baking Soda Oobleck , and Hatching Dinosaur Eggs . No matter which one you pick, you must try at least one vinegar and baking soda experiment when little scientists are first learning about chemistry.

Balloon Races – Physics Science Experiment

This fast paced, exciting science experiment explores the principles of physics and Newton’s Laws of Motion. It is so simple, kids won’t believe how much they are learning while having fun! Balloon Races make a fantastic activity for the classroom, camp, after school program or at home when the kids need to burn off some energy while learning!

Build a Compass – A Magnetism Science Experiment

Did you know it is actually very easy to build a compass ? All you need is a bowl of water, a needle and a cork! Have your children explore the same magnetic forces that inspired Einstein as a child in this fun science experiment.

Lollipop Layers Density Experiment

Density is such a fun phenomenon to explore, and in this version of a density experiment we are using candy! Lollipop layers is so simple, all you need is a bunch of lollipops or hard candies, water, and a patient hand. The result… GORGEOUS!

Greenhouse Effect Science Experiment

Climate change experiments are so important for helping foster a deep understanding in our students. In this Greenhouse Effect Science Experiment we learn how gas are changing the atmosphere and affecting global temperatures.

Volcano Experiment

A classic science project for kids, making a volcano can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it. The goal of the exercise, a big, bubbly reaction that is sure to WOW students. Here are some of our favourite Volcano Experiments we have done.

Have you ever made a Lava Lamp at home? This sensory science experiment is mesmerizing! Watching those bubbles bounce and dance and play is sure to capture students of all ages. Best of all, we have 5 different ways you can make a Lava Lamp (including the old favourite with alka seltzer), so no matter what supplies you have available, we have a Lava Lamp experiment you can do.

Make Milk Plastic

While teaching elementary science I was always on the hunt for cool science experiments that would impress my kids and really stretch their interests and foster their curiosity. One of the biggest hits of all time was a surprisingly simple experiment, that we never really considered as possible… making plastics. Specifically making bioplastics out of milk . With this concept you can create a lesson that is a powerful way to explore polymers with kids. This easy science experiment is a sure fire hit with students and gives them a wonderful keepsake of their studies.

Bouncy Naked Egg in Vinegar Experiment

Have you ever tried to shell a raw egg? Impossible you say? Challenge your hypothesis in this egg in vinegar science experiment ! Not only will you remove the shell from a raw egg, but the result is a bouncy, rubbery, raw egg. An incredibly simple science experiment, it can also be used to teach higher level concepts in osmosis and biology for students learning about the parts of the cell.

Making Water Rise Experiment Magic

When we did this water experiment the kids jaws hit the floor! It is so simple, but the results shock the kids. This is one very easy science experiment that is also incredibly memorable. It teaches the science of creating a vacuum in a very simple approach with just a jar, water and a candle. Learn how to make water rise and wow your students!

Elephant Toothpaste

You have probably seen the Elephant Toothpaste Science Experiment done on TV or at the Science Center where they create a massive gusher that goes many feet into the air, but did you know there is a very simple and easy way you can do this experiment yourself with items you already have available? This classic science experiment is one every student should experience.

Frozen Bubbles

If you live where it gets well below freezing, one of our favourite winter science experiments is to freeze bubbles . There are some specific science principles you need to understand to ensure this experiment is a beautiful success!

Growing Crystals

As a crystal lover and passionate family of rock hounds, the idea of growing crystals is something that we love! Over the years we have found all the ways to simplify and perfect the process so you can easily grow gorgeous crystals and learn the science behind crystallization. We have made crystals from borax, alum and sugar. We even have edible crystals called Rock Candy … yum!!

Explore Surface Tension with Glitter (or Pepper) and Soap

Surface tension is the focus of this simple science experiment that provides a powerful demonstration of the effect soap has on surface tension. Do this easy experiment, all you need is a plate, water, glitter or pepper and dish soap. Such an easy science experiment for kids!

Bottle Crush – Simple Heat Transfer Experiment

Got a soda pop bottle, some hot water and a cold winter day (or a bucket of ice)? Then you have all the makings of a cool science experiment! This this Bottle Crush science experiment , kids feel like all powerful magicians as they crush plastic bottles without touching them.

pH Testing Lab

Have you ever done a pH lab ex periment? In this simple version, you can use items from the kitchen to create a science lab that allows students to explore pH and learn more about acids and bases.

Gummy Mummies – Gummy Bear Mummification Experiment

Gummy Bear Science Experiments are always a hit with kids and in this easy science experiment we explore how the mummification process works. Add an extra fun comparison by also placing some of the gummy bears in liquid.

Walking Rainbow

Want a beautiful rainbow science experiment that is soooo easy it all happens without you even needing to do anything? Simply set it up, walk away, and come back to a beautiful rainbow of colours. In the Walking Rainbow Science Experiment kids learn about capillary action and color mixing. All you need is jars, paper towels, water and food coloring.

Rainbow Rain

On a rainy day, why not make Rainbow Rain in this simple science experiment for kids. The results are beautiful and will brighten a dreary day. All you need is water, shaving cream and a few drops of food colouring.

Skittles Experiment

It doesn’t get any easier than the simple Skittles Experiment . All you need is a plate, some Skittles and water. Soon you will have a spectacular science experiment the kids will beg to do again and again.

It’s been all the rage for a few years, and whether you love it or hate it, making slime can actually be a fantastic science experiment for kids.

Ready to do one of the most simple science experiments, but also the most fun? It’s time to make non-Newtonian Fluids! Known as Oobleck , it turns sold under pressure and liquifies when you remove pressure. And it will keep kids learning hands on and exploring for hours! The best part is all the different science experiments you can do with Oobleck.

Now when you think of Moon Dough , you don’t immediately think of easy science experiments for kids, but that’s because you have never made Moon Dough the way we make Moon Dough! In our recipes we learn about emulsifiers, glow in the dark science, chemical reactions, heat transfer, all while having so much fun exploring science and sensory play with kids of all ages.

Making playdough with your kids is a great way to teach them about mixtures, solutions, substances, and chemical changes. It is also teaches about the importance of formulas and the role each ingredient plays in creating one of the all time most popular sensory play items, playdough!

Magic Milk Experiment

Ready for some serious wow factor in a really easy science experiment? Magic Milk is a classic experiment that always mesmerizes kids. Over the years we have used it to learn about surface tension, space, pollution on Earth Day, and so much more. All you need is milk, dish soap and a drop of food colouring… and watch the magic colour explosion happen!

Simple Snow and Ice Experiment

Is it winter where you live? This is a fantastic, very simple and easy experiment to do with young students. All you need is some jars, snow, ice cubes and water… and watch the melting magic !

Heat Transfer Experiment – Slurpee Making

Kids love this simple slurpee science experiment where they get a cold, sweet treat at the end in the form of a homemade slurpee! Using the science of heat transfer, kids will make their very own slurpee out of juice. A great experiment for learning about temperature, heat and heat transfer.

Flying Ghosts Tea Bag Experiment

Obviously this easy science experiment is perfect for Halloween, but don’t let that stop you from doing it at any time during the year. The results of the flying tea bag experiment are always a hit with kids and all you need is fire and a tea bag to set flight to curiosity!

Ice Fishing

Inspire your little ones to learn more about how salt and water react in this fun ice fishing science experiment .

Water and Oil Experiment

Demonstrate how oil and water don’t mix in this colourful oil and water experiment. All you need is a few simple ingredients: water, oil and food colouring. When it comes to easy science experiments for kids, it doesn’t get easier than this!

Magnet Science – Harry Potter Inspired Wingardium Leviosa

Use the magic of science to wow students, or teach students this experiment so they can wow their friends with their new found magical abilities. You can also use this science to make ghosts fly! Who knew magnet science was so cool?

Marshmallow Science

Marshmallows are the secret to easy science experiments that you never knew existed in your pantry! Learn how to teach concepts around heat, molecules, expansion and more in this marshmallow science experiment .

Sky Science

Kids wondering why the sky changes colour during sunrise and sunsets? Or the always famous, why is the sky blue, question? Explore the science of the sky colours in this easy experiment .

Easy STEM Challenges

Why not combine Science with some Technology, Engineering and Math in these easy STEM Projects for kids.

Build a Popsicle Stick Catapult

One of the original STEM projects kids have been building for generations is the simple catapult. There are lots of different ways you can build a catapult, but here we are making the always easy and popular Popsicle Stick Catapult .

Build a Water Clock

This easy STEM project has some significant historical context that your history loving students will go wild over. Plus building a water clock is surprisingly easy but packs a powerful learning punch.

Make a Glow Salt Circuit

Before you start to worry, building a circuit doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, once your students master the basics of electricity and circuits, they will want to start adding circuits to everything. To get started, one of the most simple circuit projects you can make is our Glow Salt Circuit . Don’t worry, we provide all the detailed instructions to ensure your project is a hit.

Build a Battery

Another great way to explore electricity science is to build a simple battery out of food. We have built Lemon Batteries , Pumpkin Batteries and even Potato Batteries . Kids love capturing the energy in our foods and using it to light up!

Build a Bridge

A bridge building challenge is a great way to challenge a class either in school, at camp or in an after school program. Kids get to let their innovation, creativity, and understanding of science and engineering go wild as they build their creations. Then test them out against other designs to see which concepts come out on top.

Rube Goldberg Machine

Building simple machines is an incredible STEM project for all ages. With a Rube Goldberg Machine you are linking simple machines into a chain reaction to achieve an end goal. The best part about a Rube Goldberg Machine project is that it challenges students to work together and apply critical thinking and problem skills as they develop their STEM literacy. Check out the Rube Goldberg Machine we built as a Leprechaun Trap .

Build a Catapult Cannon

Catapults may be fun, but as kids get older, they want bigger challenges, bigger launches and bigger fun with their learning. Enter the Catapult Cannon , a Catapult design that launches harder and farther than your regular catapults, and challenges students to apply more advanced engineering and physics concepts.

Build a Confetti Cannon or Seed Bomb Launcher

For a smaller scale challenge with mini cannons, try making this Confetti Cannon , which includes two different designs, one for little learners and one more complex design for older kids. Plus you can use a similar design concept to make a Seed Bomb Launcher for homemade Seed Bombs.

Tower Construction Challenge

A very easy STEM Project is to challenge kids to build a tower. Now you can do this with blocks or LEGO, but up the challenge by having kids build with candy , marshmallows , paper, pasta or even frozen bubbles . Add a time limit to turn this into a one minute STEM challenge.

Make a Thaumatrope

Optical illusions are always a fun experiment for kids. For a quick and easy optical illusion for kids, try building Thaumatropes . It is so easy, especially with our ideas and templates.

Build a Balloon Car

This is a STEM build that is perfect for a classroom or after school group. Build a Balloon Car that is powered by air. For younger kids, challenge them with the Make It Move STEM Challenge .

Biology Science Building Models

Turn a boring Biology lesson into a fun science class with a STEM project inspired by the human body. Build functioning models of The Lungs , The Heart or The Hand .

Science Projects and STEM Activities for the Holidays

Need something specific to celebrate the seasons or holidays? Check out all of these resources featuring the best in easy science experiments for kids with a special theme!

Spring Activities

Summer Activities

Fall Activities

Winter Activities

End of School Year

Valentine’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day

Halloween Activities

Christmas Activities

5 Days of Smart STEM Ideas for Kids

Get started in STEM with easy, engaging activities.

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10 of the BEST Science Experiments for Kids

May 28, 2021 By Emma Vanstone 1 Comment

Here at Science Sparks, we’ve tried a lot of science experiments over the years; some have been brilliant on the first go, some have taken a LOT of tweaking, and some have been a complete disaster! Most have been great fun, whatever the outcome. To save you and your budding scientist the disasters, I’ve put together a list of the BEST science experiments for kids !

The BEST Science Experiments for Kids

1. mini baking soda rocket.

Up first is my mini baking soda powered rocket . A fun way to do this activity is to split it into two parts.

Design the Rocket

It needs to stand up with a gap between where the cork fits and the floor. Remember not to add too many decorations or it will be too heavy.

Launch the Rocket

Experiment with different amounts of baking soda and vinegar to find the best rocket fuel !

The rocket must be placed on a hard surface to launch.

2. Skittles Experiment

If you haven’t tried the good old skittles experiment, where HAVE you been?

Pour water over Skittles on a plate and watch as the colours dissolve from the candy into the water.

Investigate using different temperatures of water and even different types of sweets. If you have any Skittles left over at the end, another idea is to try some candy chromatography .

3. Elephants Toothpaste

Babble Dabble Do has the most amazing version of this explosive science activity. Elephant toothpaste is always fun!

4. Colour Changing Potions

Everyone loves a fizzy potion, but it’s even better if you can get it to change colour!

If you use red cabbage indicator juice as the base liquid for a traditional baking soda and vinegar potion , it will change colour as it reacts.

5. Chromatography

Chromatography is a visual way to separate the different dyes in inks. All you need is some non-washable felt tip pens, filter paper and water. It’s a brilliant colourful science investigation for kids .

A fun twist on this activity is to use candy instead of felt-tip pens. Watch as the candy colours separate as they travel up the filter paper.

6. Create a Chain Reaction or Rube Goldberg Machine

A Rube Goldberg machine uses the principle of a chain reaction to achieve an end goal. Examples are popping a balloon or delivering an item to someone.

7. Lolly Stick Explosion

A craft or lolly stick explosion is a fantastic group activity or science demonstration.

They take some time to set up but are worth the effort.

Oobleck is made from cornflour and water . It’s called a Non-Newtonian liquid as it feels solid when you squish it between your fingers but turns back into a liquid when the pressure is released.

9. Absorbing with Sugar Cubes

This activity uses sugar cubes to learn about absorption and properties of materials , especially whether they are waterproof or not.

The idea is to build a tower of sugar cubes and test different materials to see which can save the higher cubes. It’s a lovely visual, hands-on experiment.

10. Bouncy Egg

Do you know how to make an egg bounce ?

First, you need to remove the shell by soaking the egg in vinegar. This leaves just the membrane behind. Once you’ve washed off the shell, you can bounce the egg.

Take care with this one, as eventually, the egg will break!

What do you think? Have I missed any? What would you add to the list? Perhaps a mento geyser ?

More of the best science experiments for kids

Make dry erase pictures float with The Best Ideas for Kids.

Create a lens with jello and Science Fun.

Make a bouncy ball with The 36th Avenue , and then find out why balls bounce !

Set up a colourful fizzy rainbow with Messy Little Monster.

Make water travel down a string with Rookie Parenting.

Last Updated on April 9, 2024 by Emma Vanstone

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.

Reader Interactions

November 09, 2022 at 4:15 pm

Love the experiments! I really want to try one!

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Science Fun

Science Experiments for Kids:

Science experiments you can do at home!  Explore an ever growing list of hundreds of fun and easy science experiments. Have fun trying these experiments at home or use them for science fair project ideas. Explore experiments by category, newest experiments, most popular experiments, easy at home experiments, or simply scroll down this page for tons of awesome experiment ideas!

Making A Volcano:

Acids and Bases Can Erupt in Your Faces

Orange Fizz:

Awesome Experiments:

New Experiments:

Check Out Our Newest Experiments

Top Experiments:

Easy Experiments:

Storm In A Glass:

Home Made Play Dough:

Snow Fluff:

Snow Globe:

Squishy Turkeys:

Rainbow in a Glass:

Sizzlin’ Snowballs:

Jello Lenses:

Ice Fishing:

Super Cool Soda:

Jack-O-Cano:

Dancing Hearts:

Marbled Gift Wrap:

Massive Expanding Soap:

Surface Tension Art:

Fizzy Fruit:

Rotting Pumpkin:

Explode A Bag:

Invisible Extinguisher:

Paper Hovercrafts:

Fun Fossil Stamps:

Cool Crystals:

Balloon Pop! Not!

Solar Eclipse Kit:

Moldy Apples:

Cool Off Volcanoes:

Vinegar Pops:

Make It Rain:

Black Light Blue Beverage:

Changing of the Leaves:

Snowflakes:

Water Fireworks:

Mind of a Student:

Balloon Speakers:

Polar Bear Blubber:

Gorgeous Gooey Gobstoppers:

Olympic Medals:

Dyed Flowers:

Rain, Rain, Don’t Go Away Gauge:

Blossoming Beans:

Butter Fingers:

Polishing Pennies:

Dancing Liquid:

Floating Egg:

Bendy Bones:

Pot Of Gold:

Layers of Liquids:

15 Awesome Science Experiments For Older Kids

Its time for another Saturday Science ! This is one of my favorite days in the week. If you are a regular here, you know how much we love science. We love simple science and we also love approaching science like real scientists. On my Facebook page , many readers have started to ask for resources for older children and since Legoman (8) and Bones (6) are technically considered “older”, I thought it would be fun to gather up some science experiments that we want to try on our own.

Science can be loads of fun. From creating contraptions and models to learning about the inner-workings of life… there are so many science experiments that can be done at home. {Please note: Adult supervision is always suggested with any science experiment}.

Simple Science Experiments for Older Children

• Explore Static Electricity with balloons, bending water, and electrifying gelatin.
• Study Electricity and try making your own Electric Tootbrush
• Test your engineering abilities by making a straw and rubber band bridge .
• Learn more about physics with your very own Egg Drop Contraptions .
• Explore the basics of light and color with experiments like bending, scattering, and comparing light.
• Make a bottle rocket using recycled materials.
• Use problem solving and predictions in a Lego science experiment .
• Develop the young chemist in you by exploring unknown liquids.
• Make concoctions and test chemical reactions with 5 simple fizzing experiments .
• Take your chemistry to the next level by making a mentos soda dispenser .
• Make your own smores in your recycled solar oven .
• Learn about the rock cycle by making an edible rock cycle .
• Learn about your own DNA with ingredients from your kitchen.
• Discover how sound travels and is amplified by making your own balloon speakers.
• Compare and contrast the viscosity of various liquids and the effect they have in a simple 2 ingredient recipe for cloud dough.

More Science Ideas:

Which one will you try? Have you tried something that isn’t listed? I can’t wait to hear! Connect with  me on  Facebook ,  Twitter ,  Google+ ,  Pinterest ,  Instagram  or  subscribe by email . I can’t wait to hear your ideas.  

Are You Ready for More Science Fun?

Time for saturday science blog hop, super simple science experiment: build a flying contraption from the usual mayhem, static electricity from suzy homeschooler, growing bean seeds in bags from p is for preschooler, milk color explosion from stir the wonder.

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8 thoughts on “15 Awesome Science Experiments For Older Kids”

Pingback: Milk Color Explosion | Stir The Wonder

I’m going to have to keep this in mind for when my daughter is a little older. I love that straw bridge!

I swear, I want to try ALL of these experiments! Thanks for sharing, Dayna.

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Pingback: Saturday Science: Static Electricity | Suzy Homeschooler

Thanks for featuring our bottle rocket!

Great round up. Thanks for including our backyard chemistry. I am featuring this post in After School Round Up.

I must thank you for the efforts you have put in penning thijs website. I really hope to see the sme high-grade content by you in the future as well. In truth, yur creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal website now 😉

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15 Classic Science Experiments for Kids and Teens!

If you’re looking for an idea for an upcoming science project, or just looking for something fun to do one afternoon… you’ve come to the right place because we listed some science experiments in this blog!

Here at Student-Tutor, we love science!

From Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, and Nikola Tesla, to today’s modern renegades like Steven Hawkings, Carl Sagan, and Elon Musk; we see the way science has transformed and revolutionized our world and the way we think about things.

It is without a doubt that these influential leaders once found themselves tinkering, learning, and experimenting as kids and teenagers. Here are some fun science experiments these great scientists may have once enjoyed!

Here Are 10 of the Best Kid’s Science Experiments to Try Today!

These classic science experiments are perfect for learning in the classroom whether you are enrolled in a private or public school . You can also do this at home! Make sure you get your parent or teacher’s permission before jumping in… some of these can be messy! Also, there are some school clubs  that will teach you more of these so find one and join.

1. Rubber Egg Science – Via: Little Bins for Little Hands

Source: Little Bins for Little Hands

The first experiment on this list is one you may already have all of the supplies for!

If you weren’t already aware, there are many different fun egg science experiments ! In this example, we’ll be looking at the timeless “Rubber Egg” experiment; where we’ll be using acetic acid (vinegar) to cause a chemical reaction with calcium carbonate (the eggshell).

The reaction looks like this:

To get started, all you will need is:

• 1 Egg… or a Dozen!
• 1 Mason Jar or Glass Vase.
• 1 Bottle of White Vinegar.
• 1 Week’s Time.

Steps to create this experiment:

• Place your egg inside the jar or vase.
• Cover the egg with vinegar.
• Wait 24 hours, then drain the jar and fill with fresh vinegar.
• Leave the egg in the vinegar for 7 full days, record any changes you observe.
• Drain vinegar, rinse, and report any observed changes to the egg.

Observations and results:

Over the course of this experiment, the egg will undergo a significant change to its physical properties…

Did you notice anything strange or unusual?

• Did you notice any bubbles along the sides of the egg?
• Was the egg soft after the week had passed?
• Can you see through it with a flash light?
• Does the egg bounce?
• Will it pop if you squeeze it?
• What caused this transformation to the shell?
• Why do you think this happened?

The egg looks translucent when you shine a flashlight through it because the hard outside shell is gone. The only part that remains is the thin membrane called a semipermeable membrane. You might have noticed that the egg got a little bigger after soaking in the vinegar. Here’s what happened…Some of the water in the vinegar solution (remember that household vinegar is 96% water) traveled through the egg’s membrane in an effort to equalize the concentration of water on both sides of the membrane. This flow of water through a semipermeable membrane is called osmosis. Via: Steve Spangler Science

See this experiment in action, courtesy of Sick Science!

2. Potato Powered Alarm Clock – Via: PBS Kids

Source: Robert Lee Fulghum

Renewable energy is the future!

With populations all across the world seeking out new ways to power devices, stay cool in the summer, and access all the other many benefits of modern electrical power; maybe it’s time we learn how we can start making our own totally FREE electricity… from potatoes! This is one of the many science experiments that promote sustainable living!

Here’s what you’ll need to start your own tiny power plant:

• Two Potatoes and One Kitchen Plate.
• Three 8″ Pieces of Insulated Copper Wire (each with 2″ of insulation removed).
• Two Pennies.
• Two Common Galvanized Nails.
• One Digital Alarm Clock.
• Advanced: Digital Multimeter.
• Cut a potato in half and put the two halves on a plate so they stand on their flat ends.
• Wrap the end of one piece of wire around a galvanized nail and wrap the end of a second piece of wire around a penny.
• Stick the nail and penny into one half of the potato so that they’re not touching each other.
• Wrap the third piece of wire around the other penny and put it into the other half of the potato.
• Put the other nail into the second half of the potato, but this nail should not have wire wrapped around it.
• Connect the wire from the penny on the first half of the potato to the nail that has no wire on it in the second half of the potato.
• Touch the free ends of the wires to the wires coming out of the digital clock, get power through the clock.
• Advanced: Use your digital multi-meter to see how much power you can generate through the potatoes.

Did your clock turn on? No? Try connecting the wires in different ways… did anything change?

A potato battery is an electrochemical battery, otherwise known as an electrochemical cell. An electrochemical cell is a cell in which chemical energy is converted to electric energy by a spontaneous electron transfer. In the case of the potato, the zinc in the nail reacts with the copper wire. The potato acts as a sort of buffer between the zinc ions and the copper ions. The zinc and copper ions would still react if they touched within the potato but they would only generate heat. Since the potato keeps them apart, the electron transfer has to take place over the copper wires of the circuit, which channels the energy into the clock. Presto! You have potato power. Via: Kidzworld

See this experiment in action, courtesy of Taras Kul

3. Alka-Seltzer Powered Film Canister Rocket – Via: The Science Kiddo

Source: The Science Kiddo

We think most young scientists would agree… there’s almost nothing more fun than sending a rocket soaring into the air! In fact, there are many science experiments that aim to imitate the same concept.

Though you may not be sending a Tesla Roadster from Earth to Mars , you can certainly get some incredible results from launching this Alka-Seltzer powered rocket from an open parking lot! This is another one the science experiments which is perfect for understanding how even the smallest of rockets create enormous amounts of thrust using high-pressure gas. For a detailed overview of basic rocket science, check out “ How Rocket Engines Work ” by How Stuff Works.

No fuel rods necessary… just grab:

• One or more snap-top plastic bottles –  Ex: 35mm film canisters (vintage, right?), Airborne tablet tubes, M&M Minis tubes, etc… get creative!
• A bottle of water.
• Alka-Seltzer tablets.
• Cardboard & hot glue to construct a proper rocket frame (optional).
• Protective goggles – Safety first!
• Construct your rocket.
• Add water (fuel) to your canister.
• Drop one Alka-Seltzer tablet (oxidizer) into canister.
• Quickly close the canister, set rocket upright, and take cover!
• Blast Off!!

Source: NASA

Did your rocket take flight as expected!?

• How high did your rocket fly? Advanced: Rocket Equations
• What happens if you use more/less fuel?
• What happens if you use more/less oxidizer?
• What fuel/oxidizer ratio worked the best for your specific canister?
• How did the cardboard body design affect your rocket’s flight path?

So what makes the explosion happen? It is actually the same chemistry that happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar together. An acid plus a base mix to form carbon dioxide gas, which are the bubbles you see. When enough carbon dioxide has been produced the pressure builds until the container can no longer contain it, at which point the top pops off and the gas and liquid explode out. Alka-Seltzer is made of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), which acts as a base. When the tablets are solid and dry the acid and base don’t react, but as soon as they are immersed in water they react to form carbon dioxide. This is what causes the explosion. Via: The Science Kiddo

See this experiment in action, courtesy of GrandadIsAnOldMan .

4. Rain Cloud in a Jar – Via: Fun Learning for Kids

Source: Fun Learning for Kids

Here’s one of the most interesting science experiments for the next generation of meteorologists!

This is one of the easiest Earth science experiments for kids which will help them visualize how clouds are formed, and how Earth’s water cycle creates rain! Making clouds in a jar is easier than you might think! This experiment is perfect for the classroom, or for learning at home!

We’ll only need a few ingredients to make awesome jar clouds:

• One large glass mason jar or plastic cup.
• Shaving cream – Foam, not gel.
• Food coloring or washable watercolors.
• Pipettes or eye droppers.
• Fill the large jar with water until it is about 3/4 full.
• Use your shaving cream to create a thick cloud layer on top of the water.
• Wait 1-3 minutes for the foam to settle.
• Drop food coloring or watercolor on top of foam.
• Observe what happens within and below your cloud!

Source: Google Galaxy Science

What did you notice after you dropped the coloring into the cloud?

• Did the cloud change colors?
• Did the colors stay suspended for a moment before dropping?
• What caused the colors to make it through the cloud?
• Did different colors have a different effect?
• What happens if you use warm vs cold water?

Clouds are formed when water vapor rises into the air. When the vapor hits cold air, it turns back into droplets of water. Those tiny drops of water floating in the air collect and “stick” together to form clouds. When clouds get so full of water that they can’t hold any more, the water falls back to the ground as rain. Via: Kidspot

See this experiment in action, courtesy of HooplaKidzLab .

5. Classic Erupting Volcano Science Project – Via: ThoughtCo.

Source: Red Tricycle

Here we have probably one of the most popular, yet controversial science experiments of the last decade!

Almost all students, at some point, have heard of science experiments involving DIY erupting volcanoes.

Given its incredible simplicity, overwhelming popularity at science fairs, and the endless potential for customization, the erupting volcano has sometimes been deemed “lazy” or “uninspired” by some teachers, as it relates to fair and/or class project submissions. However… we’re not here for a grade… we’re here to have some fun! So without further ado, we present the world-famous erupting volcano experiment!

This project has two main parts, the volcano itself and the chemicals that cause the eruption.

You will need the following:

• 6 cups flour.
• 2 cups salt.
• 4 tablespoons cooking oil.
• Warm water.
• Plastic soda bottle.
• Dish washing detergent.
• Food coloring.
• Baking dish or another pan.
• 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
• Mix 6 cups flour, 2 cups salt, 4 tablespoons cooking oil, and 2 cups of water. The resulting mixture should be smooth and firm (more water may be added if needed).
• Stand the soda bottle in the baking pan and mold your fresh dough around it, creating a volcano shape. Make sure you don’t cover the bottle’s hole or drop dough into it!
• Allow your volcano to dry and harden, then paint it as desired (optional).
• Fill the bottle most of the way with warm water and a bit of red food color.
• Add 6 drops of detergent to the bottle. (Detergent helps trap the bubbles produced by the reaction so you get better lava!)
• Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the liquid.
• Slowly pour vinegar into the bottle… then step back!
• Observe the eruption and record your thoughts!

What happened after you added the vinegar to the bottle?

• Was the eruption as mellow or violent as you expected?
• What happens if you use more baking soda?
• What happens if you use less warm water?
• Can you think of any way to make the eruption bigger?
• How can you make the eruption last longer?

The red lava is the result of a chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar. In this reaction, the carbon dioxide gas is produced, pressure builds up inside the plastic bottle until the gas bubbles out of the volcano. This is a good representation of what happens in real volcanoes. Via: Weather Wiz Kids .

See this experiment in action, courtesy of Kids Go Smart

6. Making a Sundial – Via: LASP Colorado.

Source: We Have Kids

Though we don’t see sundials used as much as other time tracking devices, understanding how they work can open a student’s perspective to a broader sense of how the Earth’s position in space, relative to the sun, creates our daily and annual cycles!

Students who follow the detailed guide provided by LASP will find themselves with a home made sundial and the opportunity to track the movement of the sun, and determine the time of local solar noon.

• 1 Wooden dowel or similar pole at least 50cm long.
• 12-24 Shadow markers (flags, rocks, sticks, nails, etc.)
• 1 Meter stick.
• Select a day that will be sunny for at least seven hours.
• Head outside to a relatively flat spot that will be out of the shadow of buildings and trees. Place the pole in the ground making certain that it is perpendicular to the ground using a plumb bob (a piece of string with a weight on it) or a level. Measure and record the height from the ground to the top of the pole.
• Put a #1 on the first object (rock, flag, etc.) you will use to mark the position of the shadows. Place the marker on the ground at the end of the shadow and to record the time from your watch.
• Measure and record the distance from the base of the gnomon to the end of the shadow in the table provided. (Optional: Also measure the angle using a compass.)
• Visit the gnomon at least once an hour for the remainder of the day. Measure the length of the shadow (and the optional angle), place a new numbered marker at the end of the shadow, and record the time of day.
• Use your notes to determine which marker is closest to the pole. This is the time of the shortest shadow and is the observation closest to solar noon. If you have the time, you can take more frequent measurements around the time of this observation on the following day to get a better estimate of solar noon.

• What is the path of the sun as it moves across the sky?
• Does the path of the sun across the sky and the pattern of the shadows from the gnomon on the dial change during the year?

See this experiment in action, courtesy of Waylight Creations!

7. Diet Coke and Mentos Eruption Experiment – Via: Science Kids

Source: Image Kid

Here we have one of the most legendary experiments of the modern day! We present to you, the Diet Coke and Mentos Experiment!

First things first, do NOT attempt this experiment indoors! This will, without a doubt, make a HUGE mess! Though simple in its form, this timeless experiment is sure to entertain young scientists of all ages. Make sure you grab some eye protection for this one! Once you’ve done the experiment with traditional Diet Coke, try repeating the steps with other beverages!

• 2-liter(s) of Diet Coca-Cola
• 2-liter(s) of other beverages (optional).
• Roll(s) of Mentos Mints.
• 1 Funnel or tube (optional).
• Set up your materials OUTSIDE. Grassy areas work best!
• Stand the 2-liter of Diet Coke upright and unscrew the lid.
• If you’ll be using a funnel or other device, attach it to the top of the Coke bottle now.
• Quickly drop 1/2 of the Mentos pack into the Coca-Cola bottle and RUN!
• Record observations.

Source: Simply Designing

• How long did it take for the geyser to begin?
• If you add more Mentos, is the eruption bigger?
• Did the type of beverage make a difference?

Although there are a few different theories around about how this experiment works, the most favoured reason is because of the combination of carbon dioxide in the Diet Coke and the little dimples found on Mentos candy pieces. The thing that makes soda drinks bubbly is the carbon dioxide that is pumped in when they bottle the drink at the factory. It doesn’t get released from the liquid until you pour it into a glass and drink it, some also gets released when you open the lid (more if you shake it up beforehand). This means that there is a whole lot of carbon dioxide gas just waiting to escape the liquid in the form of bubbles. Dropping something into the Diet Coke speeds up this process by both breaking the surface tension of the liquid and also allowing bubbles to form on the surface area of the Mentos. Mentos candy pieces are covered in tiny dimples (a bit like a golf ball), which dramatically increases the surface area and allows a huge amount of bubbles to form. The experiment works better with Diet Coke than other sodas due to its slightly different ingredients and the fact that it isn’t so sticky. I also found that Diet Coke that had been bottled more recently worked better than older bottles that might have lost some of their fizz sitting on shop shelves for too long, just check the bottle for the date. via: Science Kids !

See this experiment in action, courtesy of Olivia Rose !

8. Fizzy Lemonade Drink Experiment – Via: Amazing Girls Science

Source: Learn With Play

After trying the last 7 experiments, you might be thirsty! So, here’s an experiment you can drink when you’re finished!

In this tasty science experiment, you’ll be combining an acid with a base (just like in our awesome volcanoes)… but this will probably be a lot more refreshing than if you drank the vinegar eruption!

• Fresh Ripe Lemons!
• Drinking Water.
• Baking Soda.
• Sugar / Honey / other Sweetener.
• Squeeze as much of the juice from the lemon as you can into the glass.
• Pour in an equal amount of water as lemon juice.
• Stir in 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
• Observe and note effects.
• Give the mixture a taste and add in some sugar if you think it needs to be sweeter.
• What happened when you added the baking soda?
• What happens if you use less water in the mix?
• What ratio of the ingredients gave you the greatest reaction?
• Did the shape of the cup change anything?
• How did it taste?? Did you need any sweetener?

The mixture you created should go bubbly and taste like a lemonade, soda, fizzy or soft drink, if you added some sugar it might even taste like a lemon flavored soft drink you’ve bought at a store. The bubbles that form when you add the baking soda to the lemon mixture are carbon dioxide (CO2), these are the same bubbles you’ll find in proper fizzy drinks. Of course they add a few other flavored sweeteners but it’s not much different to what you made. If you are wondering how the carbon dioxide bubbles formed, it was because you created a chemical reaction when you added the lemon (an acid) to the baking soda (a base). via: Science Kids !

See this experiment in action, courtesy of HM 4U

9. Making Putty, Flubber, or Slime Experiment – Via: Science Kids at Home

Source: Our Best Bites

This experiment is another timeless classic! It’s gone by MANY names over the years, but our favorite is… FLUBBER!

If you’re reading this and have not seen Robin Williams in Flubber … you might not be ready for this experiment! P.S. That movie features a ton of funny science experiments!

In this gooey kids science experiment, we’ll be combing a few more household items to create something totally strange and amazing! Please note, this experiment has a few more steps and parental / teacher supervision is recommended.

Subjects: Chemistry / Polymers

• Borax (can be found with laundry detergents in most grocery stores).
• White glue.
• 2 glass jars with lids.
• Food coloring or liquid paint (optional, but totally worth it!)
• Pour 4 cups of water into a large glass jar.
• Add 1/4 cup Borax and stir until it is dissolved.
• In the 2nd jar, mix 1 cup water and 1 cup white craft glue.
• Tighten the lid and shake well until mixed.
• Add food coloring or paint to the water and glue mixture.
• Pour 1 cup of the Borax solution in a cup.
• Add 1/4 of the glue solution to this mixture.
• Use your finger or a device to give the mixture a stir.
• Observe Results.
• Remove the putty from the solution and knead it to get the finished texture.

• What happened when you combined the two solutions?
• How long did it take for the reaction to happen?
• Was your flubber sticky or smooth?
• Does it bounce like in the movie?
• Did you choose to give your flubber a color? If so, which one?

In the flubber experiment, borax starts out as a solid but creates a mixture with the glue and water. The glue is also a liquid. When they are combined, they create a colloid polymer. A colloid is a mixture where the particles are too large to dissolve but small enough to remain suspended in the liquid. A polymer is a long chain of molecules that look something like strands of cooked spaghetti. With a polymer colloid, the suspended particles are long polymer strands. If the polymer chains slide past each other easily, then the substance acts like a liquid, because the molecules flow. If the molecules hook together at a few places along the strand, then the substance behaves like a rubbery solid. Borax is responsible for hooking the glue’s polymer molecules together to form the putty-like material. When you stretch the putty, it stretches without breaking, but can be “snapped off” cleanly. It bounces higher than a rubber ball, with a rebound of 80%. If you hit it with a hammer, it keeps its shape, but pushing it with light pressure flattens it easily. If you just let the putty sit or squish it with your fingers, the molecules slide over each other and the material flows. When you drop it like a rubber ball, the impact tries to make the molecules move past each other very fast. It doesn’t work. They’re too tangled. via: Science Kids at Home !

See this experiment in action, courtesy of Whiz Kid Science

10. Light Color Heat Absorption Experiment – Via: Discovery Express Kids

Source: Raising Life-Long Learners

If you’ve ever burned your toes on blacktop/asphalt paving in the summer, but questioned why dirt or the concrete around the pool isn’t so bad… then you’re going to love science experiments like this one!

Today, we’re going to test whether or not the color of a surface ACTUALLY makes a difference in how hot things can get! This final kids science experiment is going to test the difference between the extremes of black and white; however, we recommend you repeat the process with all of your favorite colors! Pro Tip: Get a pad of various colored construction papers, all of the same thickness. You can also try a variation of this experiment using food coloring in water (as shown in the picture).

• 2 or more identical glasses or mason jars.
• Black construction paper.
• White construction paper.
• Other construction paper (optional).
• Food coloring (optional).
• Tape or rubber bands.
• Thermometer(s).
• A sunny day
• Cut black construction paper to the same height as one of the glasses.
• Wrap the black construction paper around the glass so it covers the entire outside surface.
• Tape the paper in place or put a rubber band around the glass to hold the paper in place (see image below).
• Repeat steps 2-4 with the other containers using white paper, other colored paper, or add food coloring (if desired).
• Fill all of the glasses with water. Make sure they have the same amount of water in them, and make sure you use the same temperature of water in both glasses.
• Use the thermometer to take the temperature of the water in each glass, then record this as your starting temperature.
• Use the thermometer to take each glass’s temperature every 15 minutes for two or more hours. Record the temperatures and the times for each entry.
• Take note of your observations as you go.
• When the two hours are up, you can use this data in combination with an excel spreadsheet or google doc to create a line graph that represents th temperature change in each glass. Temperature should be your Y-axis and time should be your X-axis.
• Optional bonus: Remove the glasses from sunlight and bring them inside. Record their temperature for another hour or two and observe which one COOLS the fastest!

Source: Inspiration Laboratories

• Did one color heat up more rapidly than the others?
• Did they all reach the same temperature at the end?
• Did one color release the heat / cool faster?
• How do you see this information being applied in real life? Think construction materials!

We know that sunlight includes IR and UV as well as visible light. Certain types of paint may reflect more or less IR and UV light than others. You may have heard of Light Reflectance Value (LRV), which is used to measure how much visible light a certain color reflects, but there’s also a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) which measures how much solar heat (i.e., infrared light) a given material reflects If we look up the LRVs for the colors white and black, we find that white reflects 80% of visible sunlight, and black reflects only 5%. So we can conclude that, regardless of the color of the interior, the car with the darker paint job will have the higher temperature. via: MadSci Network: Physics !

See this experiment in action, courtesy of Curiosity Catalase

11. Floating paperclip – Via: Science Bob

Image source: Science Bob

This experiment is very simple, and yet very enjoyable to do. This will help you understand why some insects are able to walk in the water.

• Dry paper clips
• Water in a bowl
• Tissue paper
• Any pencil with an eraser
• Make sure that the bowl is filled with water.
• Tear a piece of tissue paper.
• Drop the piece of tissue on the water surface.
• Place the paper clip on the top of the tissue. Make sure that you won’t touch the water in doing so.
• Using the eraser end of the pencil, poke the tissue to make it sink. If you did it correctly, the paperclip will float.

• What did you notice when you gently put the paperclip on top of the tissue?
• Did the paperclip remained floating or did it sink along with the tissue?

The paperclip was able to float because of SURFACE TENSION. In other words, the water surface develops a skin where the water molecules hold close together. If you did it right and you followed all the steps, the water molecules can support your paperclip. This is how water striders appear like they are walking on water when in fact, they are held up by surface tension.

12. Plastic milk – Via: Science Bob

Milk isn’t just for drinking. They can also teach you about chemical reactions through some science experiments. We have included one fun project here for you to accomplish. Just make sure that you are accompanied by an adult as you do this.

• One cup of milk (any brand)
• 4 teaspoons of white vinegar
• A medium-sized bowl
• Ask an adult to heat up the milk but not up to the boiling point.
• Pour the milk into the bowl through the assistance of your adult companion.
• Mix the vinegar to the milk and stir it for one minute.
• Strain the milk so you are left with lumpy blobs.
• Collect the blobs and press them together when they already cooled down. You’ll finally have the plastic milk that you can mold.
• Were you able to get milk blobs from your experiment?
• What is the texture of the blobs?

Through combining milk and vinegar, you were able to produce a substance called CASEIN. This is plastic-like so you can mold it into any shape you want. How is this possible, you ask. The milk protein and the acid in the vinegar produce this substance when you started mixing them. It is important to note, however, that this is different from true plastics or polymers.

13. Make a snow globe – Via: Science Fun

In this experiment, we will teach you how to make a snow globe that you can add as a little accent for your home. Ask the help of an adult friend if you are having difficulties so you can add this to the list of science experiments you successfully made.

• A jar with a lid
• White glitter for the snow effect
• Small toys (animals, trees, etc)
• Glue or tape
• Glue all the little toys you found on the lid of the Jar. If you want to make a mini Christmas village, then you may do so.
• Fill half of the jar with glycerin and the other half with water. Stir afterward.
• Add some glitter to make it look like it’s snowing inside your jar. You can also add more if you want to achieve the blizzard effect.
• Put the lid on which contains the toys.
• Put some tape of glue around the lid so the glycerin and water combination won’t spill accidentally.
• Did you notice that as you shake your globe, the fluid inside does not flow like normal water?
• Did the fluid cause the snow effect?

Because you combine the water with glycerin, you were able to create your own snow globe. Glycerin has a high viscosity so it looks like the snow is slowly falling down inside the jar. Viscosity dictates how a fluid easily pours so you when you shake or turn your snow globe, the liquid slows down the glitters as gravity pulls them down. This is one of the science experiments that are fun to create and the output is also something you can use and display afterwards.

14. Expanding soap – Via: Science Fun

Some science experiments seem weird. Just like this one. We do not recommend doing this alone so you better ask the help of an adult friend. In this experiment, we will look at the possibility of expanding a little ivory soap. Read on to learn more.

• Large microwave
• Place the ivory soap inside the bowl.
• Put it inside the microwave for two minutes.
• Notice how it grows! Take a video if you like.
• Wait several minutes before taking it out from the microwave so it can cool down.
• How big did the soap grow in the span of two minutes?
• What is the texture of the soap after getting it out from the microwave?

Because the ivory soap has a lot of air bubbles in it, there is a high possibility that it will grow once it is heated for several minutes. The air bubbles expanded when it was put inside a microwave, resulting in a massive soap. Since soaps are solids, it will remain expanded even when it cooled down. You can still use the soap you experimented it by cutting it into smaller pieces.

15. Dancing raisins – Via: Coffe Cups and Crayons

This is probably considered one of the top easy science experiments out there. You will be able to do this in three simple steps without needing the supervision of an adult. If you would love to see how air bubbles work in lifting objects in the water, then you will enjoy this.

• Clear sodas
• Fill the three glasses with different kinds of sodas and the other one with water. Make sure to use sodas that weren’t refrigerated.
• Put the raisins into the soda and watch them dance!
• Put raisins on the water and compare its movement to the raisins you put into the soda.
• Did the raisins sink when you put them in the soda?
• Did they float after some time?
• What was the movement of the raisins you put in the soda as compared to the ones that you dropped in the glass with water?

Since the raisins are denser than the soda, it initially sunk to the bottom. However, because air bubbles formed outside the raisins, they started to float all the way to the top. They fall back down once all the bubbles already popped. This makes them appear as if they were dancing. There are a lot of science experiments similar to this one that will show you how objects dance when put in soda.

As you can see, there is a TON of safe, fun, and easy science experiments you can do at home or in the classroom! There are also some educational apps for kids that will teach you these. Which ones of these top 15 did you try yourself? Are there any others you’d recommend to the Student-Tutor community? Post them below!

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50+ Genius STEM Activities for Kids

With a name like The STEM Laboratory, it’s no surprise that we’re obsessed with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities for kids.

These 50+ STEM projects are sure to keep little scientists engaged, learning and well-prepared for their STEM-filled future.

Get inspired below and then sign up for our 5 Day STEM Challenge!

Not only will you learn exactly how to plan and teach STEM like a pro – but we’ll show you how to do it using supplies you already have in your storage closet. Score!

It’s never been simpler (or faster!) to get everything in place. Hop over and join right here!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Science Projects

There are countless science experiments for kids but these 14 projects are our hands-down favorites!

Make a mini model of the water cycle with just a Ziploc bag!

Turn your name into crystals!

Find out why the sky is blue. // Rookie Parenting

Test whether objects are magnetic . // The Measured Mom

Whip up some frothy, foamy toothpaste .

Pour ice that is warm to the touch but freezes.

Make one orange sink and another one float!

Pour a rainbow into a jar. 

Capture fireworks in a jar using just a few common household supplies. // I Can Teach My Child

Go fishing for ice.

Learn about color mixing when you make  water walk! // Parenting Chaos

Catch a cloud in a jar.

Build a sand volcano that really erupts. // Growing a Jeweled Rose

Play with Magnetic Slime . // Frugal Fun 4 Boys 

Technology Activities

Build robots that really walk, talk and “think”. // Amazon

Teach kids about coding !

Let kids have a little screen time playing 20 teacher-approved apps.

Program a set of kid-friendly robot friends: Dash and Dot . // Amazon

Or build a Kano computer! // Amazon

Engineering Projects

Solve a batch of LEGO challenge cards.

Fold paper into building blocks that really stack. // Babble Dabble Do

Use plastic cups and craft sticks to create four brilliant challenges . // Frugal Fun 4 Boys

Build with straws and tape. // Lemon Lime Adventures

Build structures with marshmallows and pretzels.

Design a pom pom drop  that guides the pom pom from one paper towel roll to the next. // Coffee Cups and Crayons

Learn about bridges and then build your own. // Carrots are Orange

Make a craft stick catapult that really launches!

Try a classic! Organize an egg drop challenge . Can you build a structure that will keep the egg from breaking?! // Buggy and Buddy

Build a batch of exploding boomerangs . // I Can Teach My Child

Test the strength of a piece of paper . // Creekside Learning

Make a moveable pulley! // Carrots Are Orange

Work as a team to build with pipe cleaners and aluminum foil. // Housing a Forest

Math Activities

Practice counting with some truck playdough mats . // Pre Kinders

Or add googly eyes to monsters! 

Teach kids about odd and even numbers with some hands-on activity sheets.

Clip 2-dimensional shapes. // The Measured Mom

Solve a batch of shape puzzles.

Use a Ziploc bag to solve addition problems on a number line. // Source unknown

Make a set of little math books. // Liz’s Early Learning Spot

Solve hands-on addition problems with LEGOS!

Play a round of math fact Jenga.

Learn about fractions with some handy pizza clip cards.

Practice adding together a handful of coins.

Teach kids about AM and PM.

Learn about the multiplication rule of nine. // Shelley Gray Teaching

Now Let’s Take Your STEM Centers to the Next Level

If you’re ready to give your STEM centers a MAJOR boost, hop over and take our 5 Day Challenge!

Not only will you learn exactly how to plan and teach STEM like a pro – but how to do it using supplies you already have in your storage closet.

It’s never been simpler (or faster!) to get everything in place.

Hop over and join right here!

Similar Posts

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LEGO Addition Cards

Expanding Ivory Soap Experiment

Cactus Math Skills Practice Cards

Rain Cloud in a Jar

How do i buy the 50 genius stem activities for kids? i did not see that in the shop thank you

All of the STEM activities are linked to free blog posts. Just click on the activity you’d like to try and you’ll automatically be taken to the page with all the details. 🙂

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53+ Activities For 11 Year Olds (Printables + Reels)

11-year-olds can be exciting, as they are curious and eager to learn. This age is perfect for exploring new interests and developing skills, so I’ve got you some awesome activities.

From building forts to solving puzzles , the possibilities are endless. You can get creative with arts and crafts, dive into the fun of painting with water , or craft your own stories with puppet crafts . Plus, there’s nothing like a friendly game of soccer or basketball to get your heart pumping.

For those who love a good challenge, why not try some problem solving activities or set up a thrilling obstacle course? So let’s get started on an unforgettable journey of fun and discovery!

Activities For 11 Year Olds

Paper flowers bouquet activity.

“Paper Flowers Bouquet Activity” is perfect for fostering creativity, improving fine motor skills , and making a wonderful handmade gift. It’s a lovely way to engage in arts and crafts.

Materials: Colored paper, scissors, glue or tape, straws, and decorative items like pom-poms or stickers. Additionally, have a paper cone or a small vase handy.

• Roll a piece of paper into a cone shape and glue the edges to secure.
• Cut colorful paper into flower shapes and attach pom-poms in the center.
• Attach the flowers to the straw and insert the paper flowers into the cone.
• Decorate the cone with hearts, stars, or ribbons as shown.
• Your paper flower bouquet is ready!

Make Paper Dolls

“Make Paper Dolls” is perfect for improving fine motor skills, and providing a fun and engaging craft project. It’s a lovely way to encourage imaginative play and create personalized toys.

Materials: Colored paper, scissors, glue, markers, and popsicle sticks.

• Get all materials.
• Cut shapes from the paper for the doll’s body, head, arms, and legs.
• Draw faces and details on the paper pieces.
• Attach the paper pieces to craft sticks with glue to form the dolls.

Paper Jewelry Making Activity

“Paper Jewelry Making Activity” is perfect for improving fine motor skills and providing a fun and engaging craft project.

Materials: Colored paper, scissors, glue, jewelry findings such as earring hooks and jump rings, quilling tools, and beads.

• Gather materials.
• Cut the paper into thin strips and roll into shapes (e.g., circles, teardrops).
• Glue shapes together to form jewelry pieces.
• Attach jewelry findings (e.g., hooks for earrings) with jump rings.
• Decorate with beads for added style.

Paper Basket Making Activity

In this “Paper Basket Making Activity,” children can create beautiful and functional paper baskets.

Materials: Colored or construction paper, scissors, glue, a pencil, and decorative items such as stickers, ribbons, or buttons .

• Cut colored paper into 1-inch strips.
• Weave strips to form the basket base, securing ends with glue/tape.
• Weave additional strips for the sides, securing as you go.
• Attach a long strip for the handle with glue/tape.
• Decorate with stickers, beads, or buttons.

DIY Mini Swing

This activity is perfect for fostering creativity, improving fine motor skills, and providing a fun and engaging craft project.

Materials: Craft sticks, glue, string or yarn, cardboard, paint, and scissors. You can use hot glue or craft glue.

• Glue popsicle sticks together to form the swing’s base and roof.
• Cut a small cardboard rectangle for the seat (paint if desired).
• Attach equal lengths of yarn/string to each side of the seat.
• Tie the other ends of the yarn/string to the swing’s roof, ensuring the seat hangs evenly.

Wall Hanging Activity

“Wall Hanging Activity” is an amazing way to personalize their space and display positive messages.

Materials: Colored paper or cardstock, scissors, glue or tape, markers or pens, string or yarn, and decorative items such as pom-poms , mirrors, and flowers.

• Cut colored paper or cardboard into rectangular strips.
• Write positive words on each strip with markers or paint.
• Attach strips to yarn or string with glue or tape at regular intervals.
• Decorate strips with flowers, beads, or pom-poms.

DIY Winter Cap for Dolls Activity

Creating a DIY winter cap for dolls is a fun and creative activity that kids will love. It’s a great way to make personalized accessories for their favorite dolls while also developing their crafting skills.

Materials: Yarn in various colors, scissors, cardboard tubes, a ruler, glue, and a bottle cap.

• Use the bottle cap as the base.
• Cut yarn into 10-12 inch pieces.
• Fold a yarn piece in half, insert the looped end through the ring, and pull loose ends through the loop to knot. Repeat until the ring is covered.
• Gather and tie the loose ends at the top, trimming excess yarn.
• Fluff the top to create a pom-pom effect, and optionally, secure with craft glue.

Face Mask Making Activity

Creating face masks is a fun and imaginative activity that lets kids transform into their favorite characters or animals .

Materials: Colored paper or cardstock, scissors, markers or crayons, glue or tape, and string or elastic bands.

• Choose a mask design (animal, superhero, etc.).
• Draw the mask outline on cardstock, including eye holes.
• Cut out the mask and eye holes.
• Decorate with markers, crayons, or paint.
• Punch holes on each side and attach string or elastic bands.

BirdHouse Making Activity

Building a birdhouse is a amazing activity that combines creativity with a love for nature. It provides kids an opportunity to learn about birds and their habitats.

Materials: Cardboard, paint, brushes, glue, markers, a straw, and scissors.

• Cut the cardboard according to your design. Ensure you have a base, four walls, and a roof.
• Assemble the pieces using glue.
• Paint the birdhouse in bright, cheerful colors. Allow the paint to dry completely.
• Let your child decorate it with a marker.

Friendship Bracelets Making Activity

Making friendship bracelets is a creative activity that children can enjoy. It allows them to create personalized gifts for their friends, promoting thoughtfulness and fine motor skills.

Materials: Embroidery floss or colorful yarn and beads, along with a pair of scissors.

• Choose embroidery floss or thread colors.
• Tie a knot at one end to keep them together, leaving length for tying later.
• Begin braiding or knotting in chosen pattern.
• Continue braiding/knotting to desired length & tie another knot at the end to secure.

Origami Making Activity

Origami is the art of paper folding, transforming a simple sheet of paper into intricate designs. It’s a fantastic activity that boosts children’s creativity and improves their concentration and hand-eye coordination .

Materials: Origami paper or any square sheets of paper, along with markers or pens.

• Gather materials: origami paper, markers/pens.
• Choose a simple design (rabbit, butterfly, frog).
• Follow folding instructions precisely.
• Continue folding step by step.
• Add details with markers/pens (eyes, patterns) for a lively touch.

Science Experiment

“ Science Experiment” is perfect for fostering curiosity, enhancing observational skills, and providing a hands-on learning experience. It’s a great way to introduce basic scientific concepts in an engaging manner.

Materials: Two glasses of water, two lemons, salt, and a spoon.

• Fill both glasses with equal amounts of water.
• Place a lemon in one glass and observe if it sinks or floats (usually sinks).
• Add salt to the water in the second glass and stir until dissolved.
• Place the same lemon in the saltwater and observe if it sinks or floats (should float due to increased water density).

Playing Chess Activity

Playing chess is a stimulating activity that improves children’s strategic thinking, problem-solving skills , and patience. It’s a game of skill and strategy that people of all ages can enjoy.

Materials : A chessboard and chess pieces.

• Set up the chessboard with pieces in starting positions.
• Ensure players understand names and movements of pieces.
• Explain rules: piece movements, capturing, and checkmate objective.
• Encourage thoughtful moves, considering offense and defense.

Watering Plants Activity

In this “Watering Plants Activity,” children can learn about the importance of taking care of plants and the role water plays in their growth.

Materials: A watering can or spray bottle for hydrating plants or garden areas.

• Fill the watering can or spray bottle with water from a nearby source.
• Walk to the plants or garden area that needs watering.
• Gently pour or spray the water at the base of the plants, ensuring that each plant gets enough water.

Mirror Art Activity

In this “Mirror Art Activity ,” children can explore their creativity by making beautiful art pieces using mirrors. This activity is great for developing fine motor skills and artistic expression.

Materials: Small mirror pieces and cardboard, assembled with glue.

• Choose a design or pattern you want to create on your cardboard base.
• Apply glue to the back of each mirror piece.
• Carefully place the mirror pieces, pressing them firmly onto the base.
• Continue until the entire design is filled with mirror pieces.

Cycling Activity

Cycling is a fun and healthy outdoor activity that kids love. It helps them stay active, improve balance, and enjoy the fresh air.

Materials:  Bicycle and safe riding area.

• Ensure your child has a properly fitting bicycle.
• Find a safe area for riding, such as a park or quiet street.
• Show your child how to mount the bicycle and start pedaling.
• Encourage them to ride around, practicing turning and stopping safely.

Stamp Collecting Activity

Stamp collecting is a fascinating and educational hobby that allows kids to learn about history , geography, and different cultures through beautiful and unique stamps.

Materials: A collection of stamps and a white sheet.

• Start by gathering a variety of stamps.
• Let your child sort them by country.
• Now stick all the stamps onto the white sheet.

Paper Wreath Making Activity

Creating a paper wreath is a fun and creative craft that kids can enjoy, especially during festive seasons. It helps develop their fine motor skills and allows them to explore their artistic side.

Materials: Green construction paper or cardstock leaves, a paper plate or cardboard ring base, glue or a stapler for assembly, and optional paper bows or candles for holiday charm.

• Cut the center out of a paper plate or cardboard to make a ring for the wreath base.
• Cut leaf shapes from green paper/cardstock.
• Glue or staple leaves around the cardboard ring, overlapping for fullness.
• Decorate with a paper bow and other embellishments.
• Optional: Attach a paper candle to the bottom center of the wreath.

Soccer Activity

Playing soccer is a fantastic way for kids to stay active, develop teamwork skills, and have fun outdoors. It’s a great sport for physical fitness and social interaction.

Materials: Soccer ball and open space.

• Find a safe, open area for soccer practice.
• Provide your child with a soccer ball.
• Explain basic soccer rules: dribbling, passing, shooting.
• Demonstrate dribbling: tapping the ball lightly with their feet while moving.
• Encourage passing practice with a friend or family member.

Salad Decoration Activity

Decorating a salad is a fun and creative way to make healthy eating exciting for kids. It allows them to use their imagination while learning about different fruits and vegetables .

Materials : Assorted fruits and veggies like cucumbers, grapes, cherry tomatoes, apples, and bananas, along with a cutting board and knife under adult supervision. Prepare a large plate or tray to arrange them.

• Wash all fruits and vegetables.
• With adult supervision, cut into shapes.
• Arrange cucumber slices and grapes for stems and leaves.
• Use cherry tomatoes and banana slices for petals and centers.
• Arrange apple slices at the bottom for soil or ground effect.

Reading Activity

Reading is a wonderful activity that helps children improve their language skills, expand their imagination, and gain knowledge. It’s a relaxing and enjoyable way to spend time.

Materials: A variety of books, such as fairy tales and animal stories. They are accompanied by a cozy reading area for comfortable enjoyment.

• Create an amazing reading spot for your child.
• Choose books matching their interests and level.
• Encourage them to pick a book and start reading.

Bookmarks Making Activity

Making bookmarks is a fun and creative activity that allows kids to design their own unique markers for their books. It helps improve their crafting skills and makes reading even more enjoyable.

Materials: Colored paper or cardstock, scissors, glue stick, markers, crayons, or colored pencils, popsicle sticks, and googly eyes.

• Cut colored paper into bookmark-sized strips or shapes.
• Let your child decorate with markers, crayons, or colored pencils.
• Add stickers, googly eyes, or ribbons for extra flair.
• Ensure glue and decorations are dry before using in books.

Write A Journal Activity

Writing a journal is a wonderful way for kids to express their thoughts, reflect on their day, and practice their writing skills . It can help them develop self-awareness and a positive mindset.

Materials: Journal activity sheets and pens or pencils.

• Provide your child with a journal activity sheet and a pen or pencil.
• Encourage them to write about their day, focusing on their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
• Review their entries together, discussing their reflections and celebrating their growth through journaling.

Learn Crochet

Learning to crochet is a relaxing and rewarding activity that allows kids to create beautiful handmade items. It’s a great way to improve fine motor skills and patience.

Materials: A crochet hook, yarn in various colors, and scissors.

• Choose a beginner-friendly crochet project, like a small square or scarf.
• Demonstrate how to hold the crochet hook and yarn properly.
• Teach basic stitches (e.g., chain stitch, single crochet) clearly and slowly.
• Encourage practice and help as needed during the project.

Scavenger Hunt Activity

A scavenger hunt is an exciting and adventurous activity that encourages kids to explore their surroundings and have fun while searching for various items. It’s a great way to stimulate their curiosity and observation skills.

Materials: A scavenger hunt list or simply you can use our printable for that, a pencil or marker, and a bag or basket.

• Print the scavenger hunt list and provide a pen/pencil.
• Explain the goal: find and check off all items.
• Encourage exploration in backyard, park, or neighborhood.
• As they find items, have them check off the list and collect them if needed.

Start a Handmade Crafts Business

Starting a handmade crafts business is a fantastic way for kids to explore their creativity, learn entrepreneurial skills, and earn some money. It’s an excellent project that combines art and business.

Materials: Craft supplies and tools like paints, brushes, scissors, and glue, along with packaging materials such as boxes and bags.

• Brainstorm craft ideas your child enjoys and others might like.
• Gather supplies and help them create samples.
• Teach packaging and creating price tags.
• Encourage interaction with customers and explaining crafts.

Word Search Activity

Word search activities are a fun and educational way for kids to improve their vocabulary , spelling, and concentration skills. It’s a great activity to keep them engaged and learning.

Materials: A word search sheet..for that use our printable and either a pencil or a marker.

• Print the word search worksheet and give a pen/pencil.
• Encourage scanning grid horizontally, vertically, diagonally.
• Review found words together, discussing new concepts learned.

Host a Puppet Show

Hosting a puppet show is an imaginative activity that encourages kids to be creative, improve their storytelling skills, and have fun performing.

Materials: Puppets, which can be store-bought or homemade, and a small stage or curtain, easily fashioned from a table and a cloth.

• Set up a stage or curtain area for the puppet show.
• Provide puppets (store-bought or homemade).
• Help create a simple script/storyline, encouraging original characters and dialogue.
• Let your child practice the show before performing for family and friends.

Math Activity

Math activities are an excellent way for kids to practice their arithmetic skills, improve their problem-solving abilities, and develop a love for numbers. They make learning math fun and engaging.

Materials: A math worksheet, a pencil, and an eraser.

• Print the math worksheet and give a pencil and eraser.
• Encourage solving each problem methodically.
• Review answers together, discussing mistakes and correcting them.

Making House of Cards Activity

Building a house of cards is a fun and challenging activity that helps kids develop patience, fine motor skills, and concentration. It’s an engaging way to test their balance and coordination.

Materials: A deck of playing cards and a flat, stable surface, such as a table.

• Find a flat, stable surface for card building.
• Begin with two cards, leaning to form an inverted “V” for the base.
• Add pairs of cards in “V” shapes to build the base.
• Place a card horizontally across pairs for stability.
• Repeat for additional levels, ensuring stability before adding cards.

Lunch Box Notes Activity

Adding lunch box notes is a heartwarming activity that allows parents to surprise their kids with encouraging messages and show them love throughout the school day. These notes can boost a child’s confidence and brighten their day.

Materials: Colorful paper, markers, scissors, and stickers.

• Print lunch box note templates and cut into individual notes.
• Write personalized messages (encouragement, jokes, reminders).
• Place a note in your child’s lunch box daily.
• Feel the joy knowing they have a special surprise at lunchtime.

Fruit Popsicle Activity

Making fruit popsicles is a delicious and healthy way for kids to cool down and enjoy a treat. This activity is easy to do and allows kids to get creative with their favorite fruits.

Materials: Fresh fruits and fruit juice are utilized alongside popsicle molds and sticks.

• Start by washing and cutting the fresh fruits into small pieces.
• Fill the popsicle molds with the fruit pieces, layering them to create a colorful pattern.
• Pour fruit juice or yogurt into the molds, covering the fruit pieces.
• Insert the popsicle sticks and freeze the molds for several hours or until completely frozen.

Find The Difference Activity

Find the Difference activities are a fun and engaging way to help kids develop their observation and attention to detail skills. This activity involves comparing two similar pictures and identifying the differences between them.

Materials: A Find the Difference worksheet along with a pencil.

• Print out the Find the Difference worksheet and give it to your child along with a pen or pencil.
• Let your child find and circle the differences between the two pictures.
• Encourage your child to carefully look at both pictures and identify the differences.

Sculpture Making Activity

Sculpture making is a creative and hands-on activity that allows kids to explore their artistic abilities and work with different materials. It’s a wonderful way to develop fine motor skills and creativity.

Materials: Sculpting clay or dough and sculpting tools, along with water for shaping and smoothing.

• Give your child clay or sculpting dough.
• Explain it using sculpting tools to shape and carve.
• Encourage creating various shapes, figures, or abstract designs, letting imagination lead.

Maze Fun Activity

Maze activities are a great way for kids to develop problem-solving skills, improve their concentration, and have fun at the same time. This activity involves finding the correct path through a maze.

Materials: A maze worksheet or simply use our printable, pencil, and eraser.

• Print the maze worksheet and provide a pencil or marker.
• Explain the objective: guide the car safely from home to work.
• Encourage careful navigation, tracing the path with the pencil.

How Was Your Day Activity

The “How Was Your Day” activity is a great way to encourage meaningful conversations with kids about their day. It helps them reflect on their experiences and share their thoughts and feelings.

Materials: A “How Was Your Day” worksheet along with a pencil and eraser.

• Print the “How Was Your Day?” chart and place it in an accessible spot.
• Daily, sit with your child and review the questions.
• Encourage them to answer, fostering reflection and sharing experiences.

Playing Cards Activity

Playing card games is a fun and educational activity that helps children improve their concentration, memory, and strategic thinking. It’s a great way to spend quality time with family and friends.

Materials: A deck of playing cards and a flat surface such as a table.

• Choose a card game suitable for your child’s age, such as Go Fish, Crazy Eights, or War.
• Explain the rules of the game clearly and ensure everyone understands how to play.
• Deal the cards and start playing, taking turns according to the game’s rules.
• Encourage your child to think strategically and enjoy the game.

My Chores Chart Activity

Using a chores chart is an excellent way to help children learn responsibility and stay organized. It’s a fun and visual method to keep track of daily tasks and develop good habits.

Materials: A printed chores chart and a pen.

• Print a chores chart and display it visibly.
• List daily tasks like making the bed and tidying.
• Encourage marking off completed tasks with pen or stickers.

Shoot Movie with Phone

Shooting a movie with a phone is a creative and fun activity that allows children to explore their storytelling skills and learn about filmmaking. It’s an exciting way to use technology to bring their imaginative ideas to life.

Materials: A smartphone.

• Brainstorm a story idea with your child and plan scenes.
• Use a smartphone to record, letting your child direct and act.
• After filming, help edit the movie using a video editing app.

Super Hero Bingo Cards Activity

Super Hero Bingo is a fun and interactive game that kids will love. It combines the excitement of superheroes with the classic game of bingo, making it an engaging way to develop their attention and social skills.

Materials: Printed Super Hero Bingo cards with markers/chips and scissors.

• Print Super Hero Bingo cards, cut into squares.
• Give each player a card and markers/chips.
• Call superhero images one by one; players mark corresponding squares.
• First to complete row, column, or diagonal shouts “Bingo!” to win.

Listening Music Activity

Listening to music is a lovely activity that can uplift children’s spirits, help them relax, and stimulate their creativity. It’s a simple yet powerful way to enjoy and appreciate different sounds and rhythms.

Materials: A music player or smartphone, along with headphones or speakers, and a playlist of favorite songs.

• Choose a playlist of songs that your child enjoys or explore new music together.
• Set up a comfortable listening area with headphones or speakers.
• Play the music and encourage your child to listen carefully to the different instruments, beats, and lyrics.

Cricket Playing Activity

Cricket is a fantastic outdoor activity that helps children improve their hand-eye coordination and teamwork skills. It’s a fun and engaging way for kids to stay active and enjoy some friendly competition.

Materials: A cricket bat, a cricket ball, and wickets.

• Set up wickets at both ends of the playing area.
• Divide children into batting and fielding teams.
• Batting team hits while fielding team catches or hits wickets.
• Rotate players for batting and fielding opportunities.
• Enjoy the game, promoting fair play and teamwork.

Learning Music Instrument Activity

Learning to play a musical instrument is a wonderful way for children to express themselves and develop their cognitive and motor skills. It’s a fun activity that can foster a lifelong love for music.

Materials: A musical instrument such as guitar or piano, along with music sheets or beginner lesson books.

• Choose an instrument that your child is interested in learning.
• Start with basic lessons, either through a teacher, online tutorials, or beginner books.
• Encourage your child to practice regularly, starting with simple notes and gradually moving to more complex pieces.

Learning Pottery Activity

Pottery is a great hands-on activity that helps children develop fine motor skills and creativity. It’s a fun way to explore the art of shaping clay into beautiful and useful objects.

Materials: Clay, pottery tools, and an apron.

• Provide your child with a small lump of clay.
• Teach basic techniques: rolling, pinching, coiling.
• Allow them to use pottery tools for details and textures.
• Once shaped, let the pottery dry or bake following clay instructions.

Room Cleaning Activity

Room cleaning is a fun and productive activity that teaches children responsibility and organization. It helps them understand the importance of keeping their space clean and tidy.

Materials: Wipes, a small broom, and dustpan alongside storage bins or boxes.

• Explain cleaning tasks: dusting, sweeping, organizing.
• Assign specific tasks, like dusting furniture or organizing toys.
• Work together to complete tasks efficiently and enjoyably.

Learn Photography Activity

Learning photography is a wonderful way for children to explore their creativity and see the world from a different perspective. It helps them develop an eye for detail and an appreciation for art.

Materials: A camera (digital, smartphone, or any) and basic photography instructions.

• Show your child how to hold and use the camera.
• Teach basic concepts: focusing, framing, lighting.
• Take a walk, letting them photograph various subjects.
• Review photos together, discussing strengths and areas for improvement.
• Celebrate their progress and creativity.

Hiking is a great outdoor activity that allows children to connect with nature , get some exercise, and enjoy beautiful landscapes. It’s a fun way to explore the great outdoors and spend quality time with family.

Materials: Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water, snacks, and hiking poles.

• Choose a suitable hiking trail for your child’s age and fitness level.
• Ensure everyone has comfy shoes, water, and snacks.
• Start at a steady pace, taking breaks to rest and enjoy.
• Encourage observing nature, spotting plants, and animals.
• Take photos and create lasting memories together.

Play Basket Ball

Playing basketball is a fantastic way for children to stay active, develop their coordination, and learn teamwork. It’s an engaging sport that can be enjoyed with friends and family.

Materials: Basketball, basketball hoop, and comfortable sportswear.

• Gather kids at a basketball court or area with a hoop.
• Divide them into two teams for organized fun.
• Explain basic basketball rules: dribbling, shooting, passing.
• Start with one team passing to another, encouraging teamwork.

Dancing Activity

Dancing is a joyful and energetic activity that allows children to express themselves through movement. It helps improve their coordination, rhythm, and confidence while having fun.

Materials: A music player with a selection of upbeat songs and comfortable clothing.

• Clear a safe space where your child can move freely without obstacles.
• Play a selection of upbeat and fun songs that your child enjoys.
• Encourage your child to dance to the music, showing them some basic moves to get started.
• Join in the fun and dance along, making it a lively and enjoyable activity for everyone. Celebrate their unique dance moves and creativity.

Cooking Activity

Cooking is a wonderful activity that allows children to learn about different ingredients, follow instructions, and develop their culinary skills. It’s a fun way to spend time together and create delicious meals.

Materials: Ingredients for simple dishes like cookies or sandwiches, along with mixing bowls, utensils, and aprons.

• Pick a simple, child-friendly recipe.
• Gather ingredients and utensils.
• Involve your child in measuring, mixing, and decorating.
• Taste the delicious food together and celebrate their cooking.

Volleyball Playing Activity

Playing volleyball is an exciting and energetic activity that helps children improve their hand-eye coordination and teamwork skills. It’s a great way to stay active and have fun with friends.

Materials: Volleyball and volleyball net.

• Set up the volleyball net in an open area like a beach or park.
• Divide children into two teams.
• Explain basic volleyball rules: serving, passing, spiking.
• Start the game, encouraging teamwork to keep the ball in play.
• Enjoy watching and cheering for their efforts.

Spend Time with Nature

Spending time in nature is a wonderful way for children to explore the outdoors, learn about the environment, and enjoy some fresh air. It’s a relaxing and educational activity that promotes well-being and curiosity.

Materials: A blanket or mat, along with a nature journal or sketchbook.

• Find a serene outdoor spot like a park or garden.
• Lay out a blanket or mat for comfort.
• Encourage observation of plants, insects, and animals.
• Enjoy peaceful time together, discussing nature’s wonders.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

A nature scavenger hunt is a engaging way for children to explore the outdoors and learn about different plants, animals, and natural objects. It encourages observation skills and makes learning about nature exciting.

Materials: A scavenger hunt list with items like leaves, rocks, and flowers, along with a bag or basket and a pencil.

• Create or print a scavenger hunt list for nature.
• Visit a park, garden, or safe natural area.
• Give your child the list and a bag or basket.
• Walk together, finding items and checking them off.
• Enjoy the adventure and discovering nature together.

In summary, offering different activities that match the interests and growth of 11-year-olds is really important for their development.

When we create a supportive place that encourages them to explore and learn, we help them grow and learn skills they’ll need later on.

Your thoughts on the activities can help make them even better and meet what they’re interested in as they grow.

I’m a former teacher (and mother of Two Childs) with a background in child development. Here to help you with play-based learning activities for kids. ( Check my  Next startup  Cledemy.Com )

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24 Fun Activities for 11 Year Olds

Engaging 11 year olds in fun and educational activities is a great way to nurture their creativity, develop their skills, and keep them entertained.

At this age, children are full of curiosity and energy, making it the perfect time to introduce them to a diverse range of activities that will not only entertain but also contribute to their growth and development.

From outdoor adventures to indoor projects, there’s no shortage of activities that will captivate their imaginations and leave them with lasting memories.

We will explore exciting and age-appropriate activities for 11 year olds, promoting both learning and enjoyment along the way.

Nature Scavenger Hunt:

Encouraging 11-year-olds to explore the outdoors while honing their observation skills, a nature scavenger hunt is a thrilling activity. Create a list of natural items such as leaves, rocks, flowers, and insects, along with specific features like a bird’s nest or a squirrel’s hiding spot. Armed with the list and a small bag, the children venture into a nearby park or garden to seek out these treasures. The activity promotes teamwork, critical thinking, and an appreciation for the environment, as they connect with nature’s wonders in an interactive and exciting way.

Cooking Adventures:

Cooking is a delightful way to introduce 11-year-olds to the culinary world and instill a sense of independence. Under adult supervision, kids can whip up simple and delicious recipes like cookies, cupcakes, or mini-pizzas. They’ll learn essential kitchen skills, measurement techniques, and the joy of sharing their creations with family and friends. The activity not only boosts their confidence but also instills a sense of accomplishment, making it a perfect bonding experience for both parents and children.

Science Experiments at Home:

Foster the young scientist in 11-year-olds by conducting captivating science experiments at home. With easy-to-find materials, they can explore the wonders of chemical reactions, simple physics, and even biology. For example, mixing baking soda and vinegar to create a volcanic eruption or making a homemade lava lamp are both thrilling and educational activities. These hands-on experiments encourage a love for learning and an inquisitive spirit while reinforcing scientific concepts in a practical manner. Related: 20 Brilliant Dice Game With 10 Dice

Creative Arts and Crafts:

Boosting their imagination and artistic skills, engaging in arts and crafts activities is a fantastic idea for 11-year-olds. They can try their hand at painting, drawing, or crafting with various materials like beads, clay, or recycled items. From making personalized greeting cards to designing their dream catchers, the possibilities are endless. These activities not only develop their creativity but also enhance their motor skills and the ability to express themselves through art.

Outdoor Sports and Games:

Promote an active and healthy lifestyle with outdoor sports and games catered to 11-year-olds. Organize friendly soccer matches, relay races, or capture the flag in a nearby park or open space. Such physical activities not only keep them fit but also promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and friendly competition. Additionally, outdoor games provide an opportunity for children to socialize and build friendships while enjoying the great outdoors.

Book Club Adventures:

Nurture a love for reading by organizing a book club for 11-year-olds. Let them choose a book collectively or vote on a monthly basis. Each week, the group can discuss the chapters they’ve read, share their favorite parts, and even act out scenes. Book club activities promote comprehension, critical thinking, and communication skills, while also encouraging social interactions and fostering a sense of community among young readers.

DIY Science Kits:

Create DIY science kits with exciting experiments for 11-year-olds to conduct at home. These kits can include materials and instructions for building volcanoes, making slime, or constructing simple electrical circuits. DIY science kits encourage independent learning and exploration, allowing children to quench their thirst for knowledge while having fun conducting hands-on experiments. Related: 20 Adorable Brown Bear Preschool Activities

Musical Instrument Exploration:

Unleash the musical talents of 11-year-olds by introducing them to various musical instruments. Arrange a day where they can experiment with guitars, keyboards, drums, and other instruments. Enroll them in basic music lessons if they show a keen interest in a particular instrument. Learning to play music enhances cognitive skills, discipline, and creativity, providing a fantastic outlet for self-expression and emotional development.

Community Service Projects:

Teach the value of giving back to the community by involving 11-year-olds in small service projects. They can participate in activities like cleaning up a local park, collecting donations for a charity, or planting trees in their neighborhood. Community service not only instills empathy and compassion but also fosters a sense of responsibility and belonging to a larger community.

Geocaching Adventure:

Combine technology and outdoor exploration with geocaching—an exciting treasure hunt using GPS coordinates. With the help of a smartphone or GPS device, children can follow clues to find hidden containers or “geocaches” in various locations. Geocaching encourages problem-solving, navigation skills, and teamwork as they work together to uncover hidden treasures in their surroundings.

Journaling and Creative Writing:

Encourage 11-year-olds to express their thoughts, feelings, and imagination through journaling and creative writing. Provide them with colorful notebooks, pens, and prompts to inspire their writing journey. They can pen down their daily experiences, create fictional stories, or even try their hand at poetry. Journaling and creative writing foster self-reflection, and communication skills, and boost their confidence as young writers.

Science Museum or Zoo Visit:

Plan a day trip to a science museum or zoo to captivate the curious minds of 11-year-olds. These interactive and educational settings allow children to explore science exhibits, observe wildlife, and learn about the natural world in a hands-on manner. Visiting such places ignites their interest in various scientific disciplines and expands their knowledge beyond the classroom.

Foreign Language Exploration:

Introduce 11-year-olds to the fascinating world of foreign languages. Organize language learning sessions where they can pick up basics in a new language, such as greetings, numbers, and simple phrases. Language learning not only broadens their cultural horizons but also enhances cognitive abilities and helps them appreciate diversity and multiculturalism.

Photography and Photo Scavenger Hunt:

Spark the creativity of 11-year-olds by introducing them to photography. Provide them with digital cameras or smartphones and teach them basic photography techniques. They can then embark on a photo scavenger hunt, where they capture specific subjects, colors, or emotions through their lenses. This activity nurtures their artistic expression, attention to detail, and storytelling skills through visuals.

Indoor Science and Art Projects:

On rainy or cold days, engage 11-year-olds in stimulating indoor science and art projects. They can create homemade volcanoes with baking soda and vinegar, construct paper mache sculptures, or design their own kaleidoscopes. These indoor projects offer an opportunity for creative exploration and experimentation while ensuring their minds remain active and engaged.

Board Game Bonanza:

Organize a board game extravaganza for 11-year-olds to enjoy hours of fun and friendly competition. Set up a variety of age-appropriate board games, such as Monopoly, Scrabble, Settlers of Catan, or Ticket to Ride. Board games promote strategic thinking, decision-making skills, and sportsmanship, making them an excellent way for children to bond with friends and family while having a blast.

Outdoor Movie Night:

Create a memorable outdoor movie night for 11-year-olds under the stars. Set up a projector in the backyard or a suitable outdoor space and screen a kid-friendly movie. Provide blankets, cushions, and popcorn for a cozy movie experience. This outdoor cinema night fosters a sense of camaraderie among the children and offers a unique and magical movie-watching experience.

Robotics and Coding Workshops:

Introduce 11-year-olds to the fascinating world of robotics and coding through engaging workshops. Many educational kits and platforms offer child-friendly robotics and coding projects, allowing them to build robots and write code to control their creations. These workshops nurture problem-solving skills, and logical thinking, and introduce them to the exciting field of technology.

Camping Adventure:

Organize a camping trip for 11-year-olds in a safe and supervised environment. Whether it’s in the backyard or a nearby campsite, camping fosters an appreciation for nature, survival skills, and teamwork. Children can set up tents, build campfires (under adult supervision), tell stories, and stargaze, creating lasting memories and developing a sense of adventure.

Escape Room Challenge:

Create a DIY escape room challenge for 11-year-olds to solve puzzles and mysteries together. Set up a series of puzzles and clues around a room or space, and give them a time limit to complete the challenge. The escape room experience encourages critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving as they work together to crack codes and unlock the mystery.

Outdoor Obstacle Course:

Construct a thrilling outdoor obstacle course for 11-year-olds to challenge their physical abilities and have loads of fun. Utilize everyday items such as hula hoops, cones, ropes, and pool noodles to create stations that involve crawling, jumping, balancing, and climbing. This activity promotes physical fitness, boosts confidence, and fosters healthy competition among friends.

Gardening and Plant Care:

Teach 11-year-olds the joy of gardening by setting up a small garden plot or container garden. Let them grow and care for their plants, from vegetables and herbs to colorful flowers. Gardening imparts valuable lessons in responsibility, patience, and environmental awareness while providing an opportunity to witness the wonders of nature up close.

Recommended:

• 25 Pattern Block Activities for Preschool
• 25 Excellent Outdoor Games for 4 – 5 Year Olds
• 25 Fun Gym Activities for Preschoolers

Sohaib Hasan Shah

Sohaib's journey includes 10+ years of teaching and counseling experience at BCSS School in elementary and middle schools, coupled with a BBA (Hons) with a minor in Educational Psychology from Curtin University (Australia) . In his free time, he cherishes quality moments with his family, reveling in the joys and challenges of parenthood. His three daughters have not only enriched his personal life but also deepened his understanding of the importance of effective education and communication, spurring him to make a meaningful impact in the world of education.

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Saturday, September 14, 2024

Grade four boy dies after swallowing R5 coin at Western Cape school

A Grade 4 pupil died at a school in Western Cape after swallowing a coin. Picture: File image

Published Sep 13, 2024

A Grade four Western Cape pupil tragically died after swallowing a coin.

The Department of Education spokesperson Millicent Merton said the incident took place at Hibernia Primary School in George.

“We are deeply saddened by the death of an 11-year-old Grade 4 learner.

“It is suspected that he accidentally swallowed a coin while entering a classroom on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

“Despite the swift response and best efforts of the school staff, including trained first aid responders, he tragically passed away.”

Merton said the district organised trauma counselling for his classmates, teachers and staff at the school.

“We would like to extend our condolences to his family and friends, as well as the broader school community.”

Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie said Conville SAPS opened an inquest docket following the incident at a local school in George.

“It is alleged that the 11-year-old boy suffocated after swallowing a R5 coin.

“When medical assistance arrived, the boy had already succumbed and was declared as deceased.”

In another incident in July, a Grade 7 learner died in hospital after she fell from the second floor of her school building

It is alleged that Clair Aucamp fell from the second floor balcony at Laerskool Mayville.

Following the tragedy, the Gauteng Department of Education Steven Mabona said they were deeply concerned.

At the time he said the Department had launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident.

He said a Psycho-Social Support team had been sent to the school to provide the necessary support to all those affected.

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