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24 Shockingly Fun Electricity Experiments and Activities for Kids

Play dough circuits, LED magic wands, and more!

Electricity is all around us, so we tend to take it for granted. It’s a fascinating subject for kids, though, so they’ll love these electricity experiments and activities. You may need to invest in a few simple supplies for some of these activities, but you’ll be able to reuse them for multiple activities year after year. The hands-on experience kids will get makes the extra effort worthwhile.

1. Start with an anchor chart

Static electricity is most kids’ intro to this concept, and it leads nicely into electrical energy and circuitry. These colorful anchor charts help you teach both.

Get tutorial: Anchor chart about electricity and electricity anchor chart

2. Bend water with static electricity

Most static electricity experiments are quick and easy enough for anyone to try at home. This is a great example: Charge a comb by rubbing it against your head, then use it to “bend” a stream of water from a faucet.

Get tutorial: Water balloon experiment

3. Separate salt and pepper using a magic spoon

This static electricity experiment works because pepper is lighter than salt, which makes it quicker to jump to the electrically charged plastic spoon. So cool!

Get tutorial: Salt and pepper experiment

4. Move a bubble using a balloon

Balloons are a fun way to teach about static electricity. Combine them with bubbles for a hands-on activity students will really love.

Get tutorial: Bubble experiment

5. Flap a (paper) butterfly’s wings

Speaking of balloons, try using them to help a butterfly flap its tissue paper wings. Little ones’ faces light up when they see the butterfly come to life.

Get tutorial: Butterfly wing experiment

6. Make jumping goop with static electricity

Kick your static electricity experiments up a notch by mixing a batch of cornstarch “goop,” then making it “jump” toward a balloon. Amazing!

Get tutorial: Jumping goop experiment

7. Assemble circuits from play dough

When you’re ready to explore electrical energy, start with play dough circuits. You’ll need a battery box and mini LED lights. Mix up your own batches of insulating and conducting play dough using the info at the link.

Get tutorial: Play dough circuit experiment

Buy it: Battery box and clear LED lights at Amazon

8. Create a classic potato clock

A potato clock is an impressive way to kick off or end a unit on electricity. Your students will never look at potatoes the same way again.

Buy it: Potato Clock experiment kit

9. Find out if water conducts electricity

We’re always telling kids to get out of the water at the first sign of a lightning storm, so use this demo to help them understand why. You’ll need alligator clip wires, mini LED bulbs, and button cell batteries.

Get tutorial: Water electricity experiment

Buy it: Alligator clip wires , mini LED bulbs , and button cell batteries at Amazon

10. Whip up wizard wands

Lumos! If your kids are fascinated by Harry Potter and the world of magic, they’ll love this electricity project that turns ordinary sticks into light-up wands! Learn how it’s done at the link.

Get tutorial: Wizard wand project

11. Play a DIY steady-hand game

Electricity experiments like this one are perfect for exploring the idea of open and closed circuits. Plus, kids will have so much fun playing with them.

Get tutorial: Steady-hand game

12. Copper-plate coins using electricity

We all know electricity lights up a room and powers phones, computers, and even cars. But what else can it do? This electroplating experiment is a real jaw-dropper. 

Get tutorial: Copper plate coins experiment

13. Create an index card flashlight

This DIY flashlight really turns on and off! It only takes index cards, aluminum foil, mini LED bulbs, an button cell batteries.

Get tutorial: Index card flashlight

Buy it: Mini LED bulbs and button cell batteries at Amazon

14. Twirl some homopolar dancers

These sweet little twirling dancers are a fantastic demonstration of a homopolar motor. In addition to basic AA batteries, you’ll need neodymium magnets and copper wire.

Get tutorial: Homopolar dancers

Buy it: Neodymium magnets and copper wire at Amazon

15. Build multiple circuits

Create more than one circuit using play dough to create a series. The positive leg of the LED is near the battery terminal. Since the battery can only push the electricity one way, you can create a circuit of two or more to create a larger circuit.

Get tutorial: Series circuit experiment

16. Make a coin battery

Use a stack of coins (the more coins you use, the more electricity produced) to make a battery.

Get tutorial: Coin battery

17. Make an electromagnet

Make an electromagnet, or a magnet that uses an electric field, by wrapping wire around an iron nail and running current through the wire. An electric field is created around the nail and, sometimes, the nail will stay magnetized even when the coil is removed.

Get tutorial: Electromagnet project

18. Create a pencil resister

Learn about how resisters control the amount of electricity that flows through a circuit. Use pencils (a great way to use those old stubby pencils that are sharpened at both ends) as part of the circuit, and watch the brightness of the build change when the resistance in the circuit changes.

Get tutorial: Pencil resister project

Buy it: AA batteries , battery holder , LED light bulbs , and alligator clips at Amazon

19. Find out what conducts electricity

Figure out what objects are made of material that conducts or does not conduct electricity. Collect common objects such as a key, chalk, wood, and/or candle. Then, test each object by putting it between a battery and a light bulb and touching foil to the base of the bulb. If the bulb lights up, the object conducts electricity!

Get tutorial: What conducts electricity? experiment

Buy it: AA batteries and LED light bulbs at Amazon

20. Create electric paint

Use electric paint to create a circuit and light up a painting with batteries and LEDs. You will need a multimeter for this project (here’s how to use a multimeter ).

Get tutorial: Electric paint project

Buy it: Multimeter , electric paint , 9-volt batteries , LED light bulbs , and alligator clips at Amazon

21. Create an electromagnetic train

Show the connection between electricity and magnetism by creating a train with a battery and some neodymium magnets. One note: This is a project for older students who have close adult supervision, as neodymium magnets are very strong.

Get tutorial: Electromagnetic train project

Buy it: Neodymium magnets at Amazon

22. Create an electroscope with a soda can

An electroscope detects the presence of an electronic charge. Create a basic but effective electroscope with a soda can, insulation tape, aluminum foil, and a Styrofoam cup. Put it near various surfaces and see what happens.

Get tutorial: Soda Can Electroscope

23. Turn dirt into a battery

Electricity can even conduct in dirt. Create a dirt battery with galvanized steel screws (very important), an ice cube tray, copper wires, and soil. Make it more interesting by putting lemon juice or vinegar in the dirt.

Get tutorial: Dirt Battery Experiment

Buy it: Copper wire and galvanized screws at Amazon

24. Lemon battery

Use a lemon to create a battery with coins and a multimeter. It’s a great way to show students how literally anything can be a conductor of electricity.

Get tutorial: A Simple Lemon Battery

Buy it: Multimeter at Amazon

Love these electricity experiments and activities? Check out Easy Science Experiments Using Materials You Already Have On Hand .

Plus check out turn muggles into wizards with harry potter science experiments ..

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25 Cool & Exciting Electricity Experiments For Kids

May 17, 2021 //  by  Sean Kivi

Electricity. It's something that is so vital, so essential to our lives that we rarely give it a second thought. It works because it just...does. You might find it difficult to explain to your stunts about the electrical process and how exactly electrons create power. If so, try some of these electricity experiments for kids below. They are sure to make things electrifying for your students!

1. Waterbending Static Electricity Experiment

This experiment is relatively simple and requires only a few household items to set up. You can use this fun science experiment to teach your kids about static electricity and electric charge.

Learn more: Frugal Fun 4 Boys

2. Make a Magic Wand

The most magical part of this battery science project is that you can use it to make science fun. Your kids will love using a coin battery to make a wizard wand. Take care, though, as this isn’t an experiment for kids that are very young.

Learn more: Babble Dabble Do

3. Index Card Flashlight

Use this simple circuit activity to teach your kids about building circuits and batteries. You can even try developing it for your more advanced students by discussing things like electrical charges.

Find out more: Mystery Science

4. Potato Clock

This awesome electricity science experiment would make a fun science fair project, too. It's a good tool for learning about batteries and the functions of electrical power in a way that is creative and engaging.

See it here: Kidz World

5. Bubble Balloons

Using this static electricity activity, your kids will move balloons with a balloon. A fun science project that requires very little set-up, so it's perfect for the classroom and at home!

Learn more: Create Play Travel

6. Soda Can Electroscope

You'll only need a few household materials for this fun science idea. It will keep your kids engaged and interesting by helping them learn all about the positive charge and negative charge.

Learn more: Fizzics Education

7. Create a Motor

This activity is an excellent way to combine engineering and science. Your students will make a simple motor in this experiment. It’s also a fantastic tool for learning about how magnets work.

8. Build a Power Pack

Explore the power of electricity and batteries with this hands-on activity students will be sure to enjoy. You can use this experiment to power some of the other experiments on this list.

Find out more: Energizer

9. Bottle Radio

This wonderful activity involves creating a crystal radio with just a glass bottle and a few other items. You can even use it once it’s completed, so it's great for learning basic concepts on the topic of electricity!

Check it out: Make Zine

10. Making a Dimmer Switch

Using a light circuit, your kids will create their own dimmer switch. Perfect for teaching about light bulbs, sources of power, and electrical currents in a hands-on way. Definitely not one of the activities for babies, though!

Watch it here: Science Buddies

11. Separate Salt & Pepper

Another static electricity project requires no more than some household materials. Younger grade level students will think it’s magic, but you can teach them about types of electricity instead

Find out more: Frugal Fun 4 Boys

12. Butterfly Experiment 

This balloon science experiment is great for combining art with science fun for preschool-aged children to elementary-age children. They'll simply love seeing the butterfly's wings move, and you can use it to teach the basics of electricity.

See it here: I Heart Crafty Things

13. Homopolar Motor

This simple motor experiment is simple to create and an excellent resource to learn about electric power using copper wire. You can also expand it to make a cool optical illusion.

Check it out: Frugal Fun 4 Boys

14. Build an Electromagnetic Train

This fun activity is not as difficult as it sounds! Electrical energy and neodymium magnets power this train, which you can use to learn about electrical currents and electrical charge.

15. Electric Cornstarch

A slightly different take on the usual static electricity experiment, this hands-on science experiment involves learning about positive and negative charges. You can also help students to learn about key concepts of electricity.

Check it out: Steve Spangler Science

16. Water & Electricity 

Have your students ever wondered why you shouldn’t touch a switch with wet hands? Use this experiment to teach them why with the conductor attributes of regular water molecules, from atom to atom.

Read more: Rookie Parenting

17. Steady Hand Game

Playing an educational and fun game is always a fantastic way to learn and this is certainly no different. Your students will learn about the concept of electricity and current electricity flow. It’s also useful for getting your kids involved in STEAM!

See it here: Left Brain Craft Brain

18. Tiny Dancers Homopolar Motor

This activity is an expanded version of classic electricity experiments like number 13. Your students will simply adore seeing the dancers move by neodymium magnet in this cool battery experiment!

Check it out: Babble Dabble Do

19. Simple Lemon Battery

This edible science experiment is an innovative take on teaching complete circuits. Try using different fruits and vegetables and compare their output. Make sure you assist in following directions with children that are younger.

20. Rising Ghosts Experiment

This is an excellent treat for Halloween! This can be used to learn about static charges and electrons with simple materials. You can make it an even more in-depth lesson by looking at concepts like the conduction of electricity.

Read more: Fizzics Education

21. Play Dough Circuits

Get some playdough and let your students craft it into whatever shape they please, then help to show them how it works to conduct electricity. They'll simply love creating this ingenious closed circuit!

See it here: Science Sparks

22. Copper Plate Coins

All you need for one of these exciting electricity experiments is a few household materials and a battery. Your students will be fascinated with the process of electrolysis and using a coin cell battery.

Check it out: Kiwi Co

23. Dirt Battery Experiment

Yes, you got that right - a battery-powered by dirt! This won't fulfill all of your students' electricity needs, but it sure is a fascinating way to teach them about how dirt can function as a conductor.

Learn more: Teach Beside Me

24. Rainbow Salt Circuit

You should be able to find everything at home already for this experiment. Your students will simply love seeing the array of colors of salt, using food coloring, and making a beautiful circuit.

Read more: Steam Powered Family

25. Homemade Wigglebot

Take a trip to the future by helping your kids create their very first "robot". It won't be able to complete any urgent tasks for you, but it will teach them about power and how electricity can be conducted through batteries.

Check it out: Research Parent

Each of these experiments provides an excellent way to get your students excited about and interested in electricity. They will be sure to enjoy using them to learn whilst having a wealth of fun, too.

19 Engaging Electricity Science Experiments for Kids: Igniting Curiosity, Innovation, and a Love for STEM

Looking for some fun, educational activities to try with the kids? This article shares some great science experiments that teach children all about electricity. https://t.co/wRk6qoemUi pic.twitter.com/WaZGNRTeT2 — AnstandigElectric (@AnstandigE) April 25, 2022

1. Bending Water with Static Electricity

Difficulty Level: Low

What It Teaches

Conceptual background, 2. make a magic wand.

The experiment showcases the ability of static electricity to attract objects, effectively turning a simple rod into a ‘magic wand’. This visually engaging activity helps to demystify the concept of static electricity and demonstrates its practical effects.

3. Bubble Balloons

4. soda can electroscope.

The Soda Can Electroscope experiment demonstrates how movement can be detected and visualized without direct contact, using principles of electrostatics. It aims to explore the basics of how electric charges can induce motion in everyday objects, providing a tangible demonstration of invisible forces at work.

Cost: Low ($1 to $5)

5. Separate Salt & Pepper

To see a practical demonstration of how to separate salt and pepper, watching this video is highly recommended.

Learners gain an understanding of how static electricity can be used to manipulate matter at a small scale. The experiment highlights the concept of electric charges and how they interact with different substances. Participants will explore the properties of salt and pepper particles and observe how these properties influence their behavior in an electric field.

This experiment explores the concept of static electricity and its effect on different substances. Salt and pepper respond differently to static charges due to differences in their mass and surface properties. When an object, like a comb or a plastic rod, is electrically charged through friction and brought near a mixture of salt and pepper, the lighter pepper particles are attracted to the static charge more easily than the heavier salt particles.

6. Butterfly Experiment

This experiment introduces the fascinating world of static electricity and its ability to move objects without direct contact. Children learn about the properties of materials that allow them to be influenced by electrostatic forces, illustrating a fundamental principle of physics in a visually engaging way.

This Butterfly Experiment demonstrates how even the simplest materials can be brought to life with a bit of scientific knowledge. It provides an easy-to-understand example of how electrostatic charges attract lightweight objects, mimicking the natural fluttering of a butterfly. Through this experiment, children can grasp the concept of static electricity in a memorable and enjoyable manner, fostering a deeper interest in science and the world around them.

7. Homopolar Motor

8. electric cornstarch.

Discover the fascinating world of static electricity with this simple yet captivating experiment. Using just a few kitchen items and a balloon, witness the curious behavior of a cornstarch and oil mixture as it reacts to electrostatic charges.

To learn how to conduct the Electric Cornstarch experiment, watching this demonstration video is highly recommended.

9. Simple Lemon Battery

The Paper Circuits experiment introduces the fascinating world of electronics by allowing kids to create their own functioning circuits on a piece of paper. Utilizing conductive materials and simple components, this activity bridges the gap between creative arts and science, demonstrating the basics of how electrical circuits are designed and how they function to power devices.

For an engaging demonstration on how to create a Simple Lemon Battery and understand the science behind turning a lemon into a power source, watching this video is highly recommended.

The lemon battery experiment illustrates a basic chemical reaction that generates electrical energy. Lemons contain citric acid, which reacts with two different metals (zinc and copper, for example) inserted into the lemon. This reaction creates a difference in electrical potential between the two metals, allowing an electric current to flow when they are connected by a conductor (like an alligator clip).

10. Index Card Flashlight

To see how kids can easily light up a small bulb with just aluminum foil, a battery, and an index card, viewing the demonstration video is recommended.

This experiment introduces the basic components and principles of an electrical circuit, including energy sources (batteries), conductors (aluminum foil), and loads (a light bulb). When the circuit is completed, electrons flow from the battery through the foil and light bulb, causing the bulb to illuminate. This demonstrates how electrical energy can be converted into light energy, the principle behind all-electric lighting.

11. Potato Clock

This experiment explores how chemical reactions in everyday items like potatoes can be used to generate electricity, powering a digital clock. It illustrates the concept of bio-energy and the potential of alternative energy sources.

Viewing the demonstration video is recommended to witness a potato transform into a power source for a digital clock, proving it’s not just for dinner but a battery too!

A potato clock works on the principle of converting chemical energy into electrical energy, using the potato as an electrolyte. The metals inserted into the potato (typically zinc and copper) act as electrodes. Chemical reactions between the potato juice and the metals create an electrical flow, turning the potato into a battery. This experiment provides a basic introduction to electrochemistry and how batteries work.

12. Water & Electricity

Difficulty Level: Middle

For a detailed demonstration of conducting the Water & Electricity experiment and understanding the principles of conductivity, viewing this video is highly recommended.

13. Create a Motor

Create a simple motor, demonstrating the interaction between electricity and magnetism to produce motion. It offers a hands-on approach to understanding how electrical energy can be converted into mechanical energy.

Cost: Middle ($5 to $10)

For a detailed guide on conducting the Creation of a Motor experiment and witnessing the fascinating process in action, watching this video is highly recommended.

14. Build a Power Pack

This experiment teaches the basics of electrical circuits, including the concepts of conductors, insulators, and switches. Participants learn how to assemble a simple circuit that can power a device, reinforcing the principles of how electricity flows through a circuit and the role of magnets in generating motion.

15. Making a Dimmer Switch

This experiment explores the concept of controlling electrical flow using a dimmer switch, demonstrating how varying the electrical input can affect light intensity. It offers a practical understanding of basic electronics and circuit design.

This experiment involves understanding resistance and its effect on the flow of electricity. A dimmer switch works by varying the resistance in an electrical circuit, thereby controlling the intensity of the light bulb. Increasing the resistance reduces the flow of current, dimming the light, and vice versa. This principle demonstrates how electrical resistance can control the amount of energy that flows through a circuit, a fundamental concept in electronics.

16. Paper Circuits

To learn how to create your own Paper Circuits and see the fascinating combination of creativity and electronics in action, watching this demonstration video is highly recommended.

This experiment demystifies the workings of electrical circuits, emphasizing the importance of a complete path for electrical flow and introducing the concept of conductivity. Participants learn the basic principles of circuit design, including how to connect components like LEDs and batteries to create a functioning circuit. It offers a creative and hands-on approach to understanding electricity and electronics, fostering skills in problem-solving and design.

This experiment provides a foundational understanding of how circuits are built and operated, serving as a stepping stone to more advanced electronics projects.

17. Play-Dough Circuits

18. build an electromagnetic train.

For an insightful demonstration of how to construct a simple version of an Electromagnetic Train and grasp the science that propels it, watching this video is highly recommended.

19. Bottle Radio

The value of electricity science experiments for kids, questions for further exploration.

Science Fun

Electricity And Magnetism Science Experiments

Electricity and magnetism science experiments you can do at home! Click on the experiment image or the view experiment link below for each experiment on this page to see the materials needed and procedure. Have fun trying these experiments at home or use them for SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT IDEAS.

Compass Challenge:

Explore Magnetism With This Cool Challenge

Mystical Magnetic Field:

See Invisible Magnetic Fields

Can You Trick A Vending Machine?:

Magnetic Slime:

Jumping Pepper:

Use Static Electricity To Make Pepper Pop

Magic Bending Water:

Make An Electromagnetic Train:

Electrical Goo:

Use Static Electricity To Control Goo

Looney Lodestone:

This Is One Crazy Naturally Magnetic Rock

Easy DIY Electromagnet:

Make Your Very Own Electromagnet

Magic Magnetic Needle:

Dancing Snake:

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Easy Electricity Projects for Kids

May 19, 2021 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

Electricity and circuits are great fun for children ( and teachers and parents ) to learn about. This collection of electricity science projects and experiments are all easy to try and very satisfying. Watching a bulb or an LED light up because a circuit works always seems very rewarding, and the bonus is you can be as creative as you like! Make houses, torches, robots, and so much more. The creative opportunities with this kind of STEM project are endless!!

These electricity experiments use only a battery so they are safe if supervised by an adult. Remember, mains electricity is very dangerous.

Please supervise children with these activities at all times.

Quick electricity and circuit refresher

Electric current is the flow of charge around a circuit , it can only flow if the circuit is complete.

A battery acts like a pump, pushing the electric charge around the circuit. We call this force voltage. The higher the voltage the more current flows.

You can increase voltage by using multiple batteries or higher voltage batteries.

Which materials conduct electricity?

Metals conduct electricity as they allow electrons to pass through them. Electrical charge is a flow of electrons ( negatively charged particles ).

The opposite of a conductor is an insulator. Insulators don’t allow electric charge to pass through them. Plastic, wood and glass are examples of insulators.

What conducts electricity other than metals?

Sea water or a homemade salt solution. Teach Engineering has instructions for a great salt water battery .

Graphite – see our graphite circuit below.

Do you have any more electricity project ideas for us to try?

Last Updated on January 11, 2023 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.

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