easy biology experiments for elementary students

Discover the Joy of Science: 16 Experiments Perfect for Elementary Students

The future is dependent on humans who know how to use science to make sound decisions, innovate, and take part in cultural, political, and civic conversations. Understanding this, I felt a responsibility. With that being said, I wanted to help other teachers around the world learn how to introduce science in fun, practical, and interactive ways for their elementary-aged students. Therefore, I am sharing my ultimate list of 16 science experiments for elementary school in this article.

WOW! The 5th graders at Northridge Elementary School participated in our lesson NEWTON’S 2nd LAW OF MOTION. Their experiments helped them understand force, mass, and acceleration. https://t.co/IRMc0iv6RJ pic.twitter.com/a93gleNPnL — WPAFB EO Office (@wpafbeo) March 2, 2022

20 Fun Biology Experiments for Elementary School Students

Are you seeking engaging, interactive biology experiments to captivate elementary school students? This blog post will explore 20 exciting biology experiments that will spark curiosity and promote hands-on learning. Let's dive in!

Are you seeking engaging, interactive biology experiments to captivate elementary school students? Look no further! This blog post will explore 20 exciting biology experiments that will spark curiosity and promote hands-on learning. Let's dive in!

Exploring Plant Life

1. growing seeds in different conditions.

By conducting this simple experiment, teach your students about the role of sunlight, water, and soil in plant growth. Have your students plant seeds in various conditions, such as different amounts of sunlight or soil types. Observe and compare the growth of the plants over time.

2. Leaf Chromatography

Introduce the concept of chromatography by examining the different pigments in leaves. Have your students collect leaves from different plants and use filter paper and rubbing alcohol to separate the pigments. This experiment will allow them to explore the diversity of natural colors.

3. DIY Terrariums

Bring the water cycle and ecosystems to life with this hands-on experiment. Guide your students in creating miniature terrariums using glass jars, soil, rocks, and small plants. Discuss how the plants release moisture through transpiration, which condenses on the jar walls and falls back as precipitation.

4. Parts of a Flower Dissection

Engage your students in plant anatomy with this dissection activity. Provide flowers for each student or group and guide them through identifying the different parts of a flower, such as petals, sepals, stamens, and pistils. This experiment will deepen their understanding of how flowers function and reproduce.

5. Photosynthesis in Action

Unleash the power of sunlight with this photosynthesis experiment. Ask your students to collect leaves and cover a portion of each leaf with aluminum foil. After a few days, remove the foil and observe the color change in the uncovered area, indicating chlorophyll production through photosynthesis.

Investigating the World of Microorganisms

6. yogurt bacteria culture.

Introduce your students to beneficial bacteria by guiding them in culturing yogurt at home. Discuss the role of bacteria in our digestive system and how they help break down food. This experiment will provide a hands-on experience in understanding the importance of these microorganisms.

7. Pond Water Microscope Investigation

Take your students on a microscopic adventure by exploring microorganisms in pond water. Provide microscopes and guide them in collecting water samples from a nearby pond or stream. Observe and discuss the diverse microorganisms, such as amoebas, paramecia, and algae.

8. Bread Mold Growth

Uncover the fascinating world of fungi by investigating bread mold growth. Ask your students to place slices of bread in different environments, such as a sealed bag, a moist container, or exposed to sunlight. Monitor and record mold growth over time, discussing the conditions that promote fungal growth.

9. Ant Farm Exploration

Invite your students to observe ant behavior and learn about insects by setting up a simple ant farm. Provide an ant farm kit or guide them in creating one using a transparent container, sand, and ants. Observe how ants build tunnels, communicate, and work together as a colony.

10. Bacterial Handprint Experiment

Highlight the importance of handwashing with this eye-opening experiment. Ask your students to press their hands onto agar plates or petri dishes before and after washing their hands thoroughly. Incubate the plates and observe the bacterial growth, emphasizing the need for proper hand hygiene.

Animal Kingdom Adventures

11. butterfly life cycle observation.

Embark on a captivating journey through the life cycle of butterflies. Provide caterpillars or chrysalises for your students to raise and observe. Document the stages of metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly, and discuss the importance of butterflies in pollination.

12. Owl Pellet Dissection

Unravel the secrets of food chains and predator-prey relationships with an owl pellet dissection. Provide owl pellets for your students to dissect and identify the bones of prey animals. This experiment will deepen their understanding of the interactions within an ecosystem.

13. Eggshell Toothpaste Experiment

Small Bites Pediatric Dentistry

Investigate the impact of different substances on tooth enamel using eggshells. Guide your students in soaking eggshells in various liquids like vinegar, soda, or fruit juice. Observe and discuss the effects of these substances on the eggshells, relating them to dental health.

14. Fish Tank Ecosystem

Create a mini aquarium in your classroom to study the interactions between fish and their environment. Discuss the concept of ecosystems, including the nitrogen cycle and food webs. Your students will be able to observe aquatic life and understand the delicate balance within an ecosystem.

15. Camouflage in Nature

Unleash your students' creativity while exploring the concept of camouflage. Provide paper animals and guide them in designing patterns that blend with different environments. Test their designs by placing the paper animals in corresponding backgrounds and discussing how camouflage aids in survival.

Human Body Exploration

16. diy lung model.

Bring the respiratory system to life with a DIY lung model. Using balloons, plastic bottles, and straws, guide your students in creating a model demonstrating how air moves in and out of our lungs during breathing. This experiment will enhance their understanding of our amazing respiratory system.

17. Taste Bud Mapping

Delve into the sense of taste with a simple taste bud mapping experiment. Provide taste test samples, such as sweet, salty, sour, and bitter substances, and guide your students in mapping the different taste sensations on their tongues. Discuss the role of taste buds in detecting flavors.

18. Skeletal System with Q-tips

Build a model of the human skeleton using Q-tips to understand bone structure. Guide your students in arranging Q-tips to represent bones and discuss the different types of bones in our bodies. This hands-on activity will reinforce their knowledge of the skeletal system.

19. DIY Digestive System

Create a hands-on model of the digestive system to illustrate the journey of food through our bodies. Using household materials like plastic bags, crackers, and water, guide your students in simulating the process of digestion from the mouth to the intestines. This experiment will make learning about digestion fun and memorable.

20. Heart Rate Investigation

Measure and compare heart rates under different conditions to introduce your students to the cardiovascular system. Ask them to take their pulse before and after various activities, such as exercise or relaxation. Discuss how the heart responds to changes in activity level, emphasizing the importance of cardiovascular health.

Partnering with a Lessonpal Tutor

You may also consider partnering with a Lessonpal Biology tutor who can provide additional guidance tailored to your student's learning needs.

Remember, education is all about exploration and discovery! Encourage your students to embrace curiosity and dive into these exciting biology experiments. So why not take advantage of the expertise of a Lessonpal Biology tutor to make the learning experience even more enriching and enjoyable? These 20 fun biology experiments will engage your elementary school students and foster a deeper understanding of various biological concepts. To further enhance their learning experience, I recommend exploring additional resources for teachers and students, such as online articles, books, or educational websites dedicated to biology experiments.

Additional Resources:

In addition to these 20 fun biology experiments, plenty of other resources are available to enhance your students' learning experience further. Here are a few suggestions:

• Online Articles: Explore websites like National Geographic Kids, Science Buddies, and Education.com for many articles and resources on biology experiments for elementary school students. These platforms often provide step-by-step instructions, explanations of scientific concepts, and additional experiment ideas.
• Books: Visit your local library or bookstore for biology experiment books for elementary school students. Look for titles like "The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book" by Tom Robinson or "Janice VanCleave's Biology For Every Kid: 101 Easy Experiments That Really Work" by Janice VanCleave. These books offer a variety of engaging experiments with detailed explanations and background information.
• Educational Websites : Check out Mystery Science, Khan Academy, and STEM Learning websites for interactive biology activities and lessons. These platforms provide video tutorials, quizzes, and hands-on activities that can supplement your classroom experiments.
• Science Kits: Consider investing in biology experiment kits for elementary school students. Companies like Thames & Kosmos and Steve Spangler Science offer kits with all the materials and instructions needed to conduct various experiments. These kits often include detailed explanations of the scientific principles behind each experiment.

Remember, the key to successful learning is providing various resources and opportunities for exploration. By incorporating these additional resources into your lesson plans, you can create a well-rounded and enriching biology curriculum for your elementary school students. Go ahead and inspire your students to embrace curiosity, dive into these exciting biology experiments, and explore the vast world of science!

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Easy Biology Experiments for Kids

April 11, 2023 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

Biology is the study of life and living things , including plants, animals and microorganisms. Biologists refer to living things as organisms. This collection of biology experiments for kids covers some of the most important concepts in biology

There are many different branches of biology, including:

Ecology – the relationships between organisms

Zoology – the study of animals

Taxonomy – classification of organisms

Anatomy – the structure of organisms

Botany – the study of plants

Microbiology – the study of tiny organisms

Physiology – functions of living organisms

Biology is a vast and exciting area of science covering everything from the smallest virus to evolution, ecosystems and the climate.

Top 10 Biology Experiments for Kids

All about water.

All living things need water; luckily, the Earth has a lot of water! Water is made up of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. This edible model of a water molecule shows the structure.

The yellow sweets represent hydrogen, and the purple sweet represents oxygen. The formula for a water molecule is H 2 O .

Water is a polar molecule. It has a positive end and a negative end. The negative end of one water molecule is attracted to the positive end of another water molecule, resulting in a hydrogen bond between the two molecules. This attraction between water molecules means water has a high surface tension. There are lots of simple ways to demonstrate surface tension. An investigation using a bowl of water with pepper sprinkled over the top is good to start with.

Surface Tension Demonstration

You’ll need.

A bowl of water

Ground black pepper

Washing up liquid ( dish soap )

Instructions

Fill the bowl almost to the top with tap water.

Sprinkle black paper over the surface.

Place a drop of washing-up liquid in the centre of the water.

The pepper should move very quickly to the sides.

How does it work?

The washing-up liquid reduces the surface tension of the water, which allows the water particles at the surface to spread out, taking the pepper with them!

More surface tension demonstrations

Find out how many drops of water you can fit on a coin with Rookie Parenting.

Use surface tension to make lollysticks move in water.

Try the classic magic milk experiment . Adding dish soap makes food colouring in milk explode with colour!

Enzyme Demonstrations

Organisms use enzymes to speed up chemical reactions. Enzymes are biological catalysts. The easiest way to learn about enzymes is to use them! A microorganism called yeast is used in bread making as it contains enzymes that convert sugar and starch ( from the sugar and flour in the bread mix ) into carbon dioxide and ethanol. The carbon dioxide gas makes the dough rise. Giving bread the light, airy texture we all enjoy.

Enzymes only function in the right environment for them, which is different for different enzymes. Yeast needs warm, moist conditions, which is why bread dough is left somewhere warm to rise before baking.

Learn about enzymes with pizza or bread dough

You can learn about the enzymes in yeast by making pizza or bread dough ! If the dough is left somewhere cool, it won’t rise as much as dough left in a warm place, as the enzymes in the yeast won’t work as well.

Cell structure and function activities

All organisms are made up of one or more cells.

Bacteria and protozoa are examples of single-celled organisms.

A group of cells working together is called a tissue. Many tissues working together are an organ.

Cells contain organelles, which allow them to function.

Plant cell models

Making a cell model is a fun way to learn about cell structure.

Jelly/jello or a plate

Candy/sweets

Make your jello as per the instructions in a lightly greased container.

When the jello is set, gently tip it into the container in which you want to make the cell.

Add sweets to look like each organelle.

Use toothpicks and stickers as signs to label the cell model .

Another idea is to combine this activity with the pizza dough to learn about enzymes and create a pizza model of a cell!

Learn more about cells, organelles and the difference between animal and plant cells with my animal and plant cell revision cards.

Specialised cells

Find out about specialised cells with a 3D model of a neurone cell .

Photosynthesis Experiments

Photosynthesis is the process by which organisms ( mostly plants ) create energy. It occurs in organelles called chloroplasts .

Carbon dioxide + water  (and light ) ———> glucose and oxygen

The energy for the reaction comes from sunlight. Photosynthesis is an essential process for life on Earth. It creates oxygen and also helps to remove the carbon dioxide created by human activity.

Plants use the glucose made during photosynthesis for cellular respiration .

Photosynthesis demonstration

Science Buddies have a great photosynthesis investigation you can try.

Plant structure and function

Dissect a flower.

Dissecting a flower is a great way to learn about the different parts of a plant and their function.

Any flowers with large parts – lily, daffodil, tulip

Magnifying glass

Lay the flowers out on a table. Try to identify the different parts.

Label areas of the different parts of a flower on a sheet of white card or paper plate and match the dissected pieces to the correct label.

Another easy way to learn about plant structure and function is to make a 3D flower model .

Osmosis Experiments

Osmosis can be a tricky concept to get your head around as it is the movement of water molecules across a partially permeable membrane from a region of higher water concentration to a region of lower water concentration. This can be demonstrated using an egg!

You might be wondering how on Earth an egg with a shell can be used to demonstrate the movement of water, and you’re right to wonder. The first thing you have to do is remove the shell by soaking the egg in vinegar. The eggshell dissolves, leaving the semi-permeable membrane behind.

Containers big enough to hold an egg

Soak an egg in vinegar for 24 hours. Carefully remove the egg and rinse. You should be able to remove most of the shell. Leave it in vinegar for another 24 hours and then rinse again.

Place the egg in a cup or jar of water and leave for two hours. Water will move into the egg by osmosis as the concentration of water inside the egg is lower than outside. The egg will grow in size.

If the egg is placed in a concentrated sugar solution, water will move out of the egg into the sugar solution as the concentration of water inside the egg is greater than the sugar solution.

More Biology experiments and activities for kids

Find out why surface area to volume ratio is such an important concept in biology using sugar cubes.

Learn about Mitosis with paper plate models.

Extract your own DNA at home!

Demonstrate how diffusion works with squash or food colouring and water.

Make plasticine models of viruses to learn about their structure.

Learn about the structure of DNA with this candy model that shows the double helix structure of DNA.

Find out how trees disperse seeds with my selection of seed dispersal activities .

Model the digestive system with a pair of tights! This is an excellent way for children to really visualise how food passes through the human body.

Make a model of a pumping heart to discover why heart valves are so important.

Biology resources on the web

Learn.Genetics has lots of brilliant resources about genes, human health, neuroscience and ecology.

For younger children, check out Maddie Moate on YouTube . The channel covers topics from finding out how cinnamon grows to beekeeping, all explained in a fun and visual way.

Can you recommend any other biology experiments for kids for us to try?

Last Updated on April 12, 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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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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10 Super Simple Science Experiments for Elementary Students

by Sara Ipatenco

Science is one of the core subjects necessary in every elementary school classroom. Experiments are a critical part of any science curriculum, because they allow your students to get up close and personal with learning concepts. Science experiments don’t have to be expensive, hard, or time-consuming. With a few inexpensive materials, a science lab, and a class period or two, you can bring science alive for your students. Here are 10 experiments to get your students started.

Just so you know, we may get a small share of the sales made through affiliate links on this page.

1. Dancing popcorn

Materials needed:.

• 1-quart jar
• 1 tablespoon popcorn kernels
• 2-4 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 cup white vinegar

Directions:

• Fill the 1-quart jar about three-quarters with water.

2. Add the baking soda to the water and stir until it’s dissolved.

3. Gently pour the popcorn kernels into the jar.

4. Slowly pour in the vinegar. Go slowly or you’ll get a volcano overflowing over the top of the jar.

5. Watch the popcorn kernels dance! The reaction between the baking soda and vinegar causes bubbles to form in the liquid. As the bubbles move, they knock into the popcorn kernels, causing them to look like they are dancing.

2. Lemon volcano

• Food coloring
• Baking soda
• Cut the lemon in half. Slice a tiny sliver off the bottom of one lemon half so it sits flat on a plate. Cut a few slits in the flesh of the lemon.

2. Place a few drops of food coloring on the lemon half sitting flat on the plate. Use two or three colors for a more colorful reaction.

3. Squeeze a bit of dish soap on the lemon half right on top of the food coloring.

4. Sprinkle a spoonful of baking soda on top of the dish soap. Use the back of the spoon to press the baking soda into the flesh of the lemon.

5. Squeeze the other half of the lemon on top of the baking soda. You should start to see a colorful reaction right away!

6. Keep squeezing until you’ve gotten all the juice out of the second lemon half. As the lemon juice reacts to the baking soda it will fizz. The dish soap will also bubble, mixing with the food coloring to make the experiment colorful and easy to see. It works because of the reaction of the acidic lemon juice with the baking soda and dish soap.

3. Turning pennies green

• Paper towels
• White vinegar
• Pennies dated 1981 or older – younger pennies don’t have enough copper to get the proper reaction necessary to make this experiment work
• Place a folded paper towel into the bottom of a bowl.

2. Place the pennies on top of the paper towel. Put some of the pennies heads up and some of the pennies tails up so your students can see the green in a couple different ways.

3. Pour enough white vinegar over the pennies to saturate the paper towel. Save the rest of the vinegar to refresh the paper towel as it dries.

4. Observe the pennies after an hour or two. The green will just be starting to appear on the pennies.

5. Leave the pennies overnight. Observe them again the next day. There will plenty of green appearing on the pennies. The green, which is called malachite, continues to appear because of the chemical reaction between the copper, the vinegar, and the oxygen in the air. This is why the Statue of Liberty is green!

4. Glitter Germs

• White plate
• Fill the plate with water. Sprinkle glitter over the surface of the water. The more glitter you sprinkle, the more dramatic the reaction will be.

2. Have your students dip one finger in dish soap.

3. Students will gently dip their soap-covered finger into the center of the plate.

4. Observe what the glitter does! It will immediately scatter away from the soap. This happens because the soap lowers the surface tension of the water, which causes the molecules to scatter – the glitter just makes it so your students can see that happen. This is a great science experiment to teach the importance of washing hands – the soap will literally make the germs scatter!

5. Exploding baggies

• Plastic zip-top bag
• One square of toilet paper
• Pour half a cup of vinegar into a plastic zip-top bag.

2. Place a spoonful of baking soda into a square of toilet paper.

3. Fold the toilet paper square up to make a small packet.

4. Head outside because the next part will get messy! Once outside, quickly place the toilet paper packet in the bag, squeeze the air out, zip the bag closed, and set on the sidewalk. It’s important to do this part quickly!

5. Back up and watch. The bag will start to puff up.

6. Keep watching!

7. Watch some more. It’s almost there!

8. Bang! The bag will explode! This experiment works because the vinegar and baking soda create carbon dioxide gas in the bag. As more carbon dioxide is made, it builds up in the bag until the bag can’t hold any more. That’s when the bag pops.

6. Walking water

• 6 small glass jars
• Red, yellow, and blue food coloring
• Place the 6 glass jars in a circle so the jars are touching each other. Fill every other jar about three-quarters full of water.

2. Place a few drops of red food coloring in one jar, skip the empty jar, add yellow food coloring to the next jar, skip the empty jar, and then add blue food coloring to the next jar.

3. Fold six paper towels into fourths the long way.

4. Place the end of one paper towel in the red jar and the other end in the empty jar. Then place the end of another paper towel into the same empty jar and the other end in the yellow jar. Take the third paper towel and place one end in the yellow jar and the other end in the next empty jar. The fourth paper towel will have one end in the empty jar and the other end in the blue jar. The fifth will have one end in the blue jar and the other end in the following empty jar. The last paper towel will have one end in the empty jar and one end in the red jar.

5. Watch the paper towels begin to absorb the colored water.

6. After a few minutes, the paper towels will be saturated with the primary colors.

7. Keep watching and the colors will begin to transfer from the jars you filled to the empty jars. The experiment works because the primary colors will mix in the empty jars making the secondary colors. The paper towels will then begin to absorb the secondary colors, making it look like the water is walking from jar to jar.

• 4 cups white vinegar
• 4 tablespoons baking soda
• Large cooking pot
• Glass measuring cup
• Pour 4 cups of white vinegar into your cooking pot.

2. Add baking soda, one tablespoon at a time, to the white vinegar.

3. Stir the mixture well after each tablespoon. This will prevent the pot from overflowing.

4. Boil the white vinegar and baking soda mixture on medium-low heat for about an hour. You want to boil it long enough that that much of the liquid is boiled out. You want about three-quarters of a cup of liquid.

5. Scrape a small amount of the dried powder from the side of the pot and place it in the middle of a colored plate. A colored plate isn’t required, but it will make it easier to see the hot ice grow.

6. Pour the liquid into a glass measuring cup. It will be quite hot, so this is a job for the teacher! The liquid might also have a yellow tinge to it. This is normal and will not change the outcome of the project. Begin slowly pouring the liquid onto the powder on the plate. Patience is the key from here on out. Your students will need to pour the liquid very slowly or it will just spread all over the plate rather than growing.

7. Keep pouring, a drop or so at a time, and watch the ice begin to grow.

8. Keep pouring until you’ve used up all the liquid. The “ice” will continue to be hot to the touch, so make sure your students aren’t touching the ice as it grows. It works because the powder “seed,” called sodium acetate, crystalizes and releases heat energy, which is why it will be hot to the touch. It’s the same process used to make hand warmers.

8. Floating ink

    materials needed:.

•     White glass plate
•     Dry erase markers

    Directions:

• Draw simple pictures on a white glass plate using the dry erase markers.

2. Use another color to draw a few more images on the plate.

3. Place a small amount of water into a glass jar. Carefully pour the water onto the edge of the plate.

4. Watch the dry erase images begin to lift off the plate and float on top of the water. It works because the ink in dry erase markers is insoluble, which means it won’t dissolve in liquid. Instead, when the ink in a dry erase marker meets water, it floats to the top. Have your students experiment with different colors of dry erase markers and different temperatures of water to see if that changes the how quickly and easily the images float.

9. Snowstorm in a jar

• A glass jar
• White paint
• Blue food coloring
• Alka-seltzer tablet
• Fill a jar about three-quarters full of baby oil.

2. In the small bowl, mix white craft paint with water until the paint is completely stirred into the water.

3. Add several squirts of blue food coloring and a generous amount of glitter to the baby oil. Slowly pour in the white paint and water mixture.

5. Carefully drop an Alka-seltzer tab in the jar.

6. The snowstorm will immediately start in the jar! Your students will begin to see the glitter, blue oil, and white paint start to swirl slowly in the jar.

7. Keep watching because the snowstorm will get crazier! It works because water is denser than oil so the white paint water will sink to the bottom of the jar. The Alka-seltzer causes a chemical reaction with the water, forcing the water up toward the top of the jar. At the same time, the oil will be blocking the water, forcing it back down toward the bottom of the jar. These opposite forces of pressure make it look like there’s a blizzard!

10. Crushing cans

• Empty aluminum can
• Small cooking pot
• Fill the empty aluminum can with just enough water to cover the bottom and place it in a small cooking pot and over medium heat.

2. While you are waiting for the water in the can to boil, fill a bowl with plenty of ice and water.

3. Keep an eye on the can. Peek in the top to see if the water has started to boil.

4. Once the water is boiling, the teacher will use the tongs to remove the can from the pot.

5. Immediately turn the can upside down into the bowl of ice water. The can will crush instantly. It works because the steam from the boiling water in the can pushes all the air out the opening at the top. When the can is placed in the ice water, the steam cools and water takes it place. Since water takes up less space than steam, the blocked opening of the can makes it impossible for air to fill up the space the steam previously took up. The result is instant crushing.

With a few simple ingredients and class period or two, your students will learn a ton about scientific concepts while also observing just how much fun science can be.

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40+ Easy Science Experiments For Students: Lots Of Great Ideas

Categories Activities & Ideas

Science is one of the most intriguing subjects to learn in school. It’s so varied and it can be a lot of fun for kids – especially when it comes to conducting science experiments. However, science experiments do not always have to be about beakers and bunsen burners. There are several ways that students can conduct easy science experiments, and it does not require a lot of resources or money to do so.

But what exactly are the options?

Well, if you are a teacher or a parent looking for easy science experiments for students, then we’ve got you covered. Our comprehensive list below shows you plenty of options that they can take part in.

So, if you’re ready to find out a lot more – then read on for lots of ideas!

Easy Science Experiments For Students! 

Without any further delays, let’s dive right into this list of some easy science experiments for students. We’re sure that your young minds will love some of these!

1. Dancing Pepper

Perhaps one of the most intriguing and fun experiments is the dancing pepper experiment. It shows kids how substances behave differently when placed on water in an effort to show how molecular behavior can differ with surface tension.

This can result in some things appearing to dance, so it’s a pretty fun experiment to observe! 

2. Colored Celery 

This is a pretty basic experiment but it can help to show kids how plants absorb water. You just need either celery or a white flower and some colored water. Once the celery is placed in the colored water, it can help kids to visualize how plants sustain themselves.

3. Dissolve Or Not?

This experiment can help teach kids about different solutions, but it’s more about showing kids the way to create their own hypotheses. For example, having six different substances and six different solutions, questioning whether it will dissolve and why they think so. 

4. Volcano (Baking Soda)

Every kid will have fond memories of this experiment. It’s a super fun and easy science experiment that shows how bases and acids react when they are in contact with one another, and it results in a miniature volcano! 

5. The Skittles Experiment 

This is a cool way to learn about diffusion. You simply need a packet of Skittles and observe what happens when each different color coating is exposed to shallow, cold or hot water. 

6. Burn The Bill 

Don’t panic, you won’t be burning any money with this experiment . It’s an easy way to teach kids about combustion, so you can use any paper item. 

7. Dr. Seuss’ Butter Experiment

Any fans of Dr. Seuss may recognize this experiment. You simply need to put heavy whipping cream into a tight jar and observe how the fat molecules clump together and form a butter product!

8. Liquids And Layers 

Using items that you can find in your pantry, this experiment can help to show kids how liquids have different densities and how they might operate.

9. Egg Crystal Geode 

Merging Springtime and Geology together, this is a fun experiment whereby kids can make their own geodes and learn about super-saturated solutions.

10. Make Rain In A Jar 

This quick and simple experiment can help to show students how rain occurs. As we know, rain is the result of warm, humid air converging with cold air in the upper atmosphere. 

So, using a jar and a plate, you can place ice and water into a jar and show kids how rain works by making your own in a jar! 

11. The Unpoppable Balloon 

Students will be intrigued by how you can put a sharp stick through a balloon and it won’t pop! It’s a quick and simple experiment that demonstrates polymers.

12. Float Or Sink?

This experiment is pretty basic but it’s quite important to learn. It can be conducted anywhere too, but it’s best during hot weather using a lake or river. 

Create a hypothesis with multiple items and question whether or not you believe certain items will sink or float. 

13. Make Your Own Sand 

Any kid will get a kick out of making their own sand ! The experiment doesn’t need too many resources or items, but it’s something you need to ensure before you start.

14. Make Your Own Barometer 

This experiment can help show kids how air pressure has an effect on the weather. The best way to do this is to build your own barometer! 

15. Create A Solar Oven

This is a quick and easy way to show students how radiant heat works. By harnessing its power, there are many things you can do! You just have to be careful.

16. The Sticky Ice Experiment 

It’s really fun to show students how salt has an effect on water and its freezing point. You need water, salt, and some string to carry this one out!

17. An Egg In A Bottle

Using a small bottle, some matches, and an egg, you can show your students how objects may react to adaptations in air pressure.

18. Make A CD Garden 

You’re certain to have some old CD cases around. If so, you can get kids involved in making their own CD case garden and observe the ways that plants grow!

19. The Gummy Worm Dance 

When an acidic liquid is mixed with a neutral solution, it’s possible for some things to react in hilarious ways that kids will love. Place a gummy worm in a jar and mix the solutions to watch your students laugh at the results.

20. Make A Green Penny 

If you have an old penny lying around, then why not test out this experiment , which takes about three days? It’s a cool way to learn about metal and chemical reactions , though! 

21. Soap Popcorn 

This experiment needs supervision from an adult, but it’s awesome to watch. Using Charles’ law, simply place a bar of soap in a microwave and watch how it expands as it heats up. 

22. The Cabbage PH Indicator 

Students can test out the PH levels of different liquids simply by using cabbage. It’s pretty simple to perform and it’s cool to watch.

23. Can Ice Grow?

This experiment needs to be followed step by step, but it’s really interesting to observe. With some basic steps, you can get your students to observe how ice might grow and form towers.

24. Paper Cup – The Strength In Numbers 

Using several paper cups and some cardboard sheets, this is an outdoor experiment that can help to demonstrate weight distribution and how paper cups can hold body weight when in numbers.

25. Separate Pepper And Salt 

Draw from the power of static electricity via a plastic spoon and show students how easy it is for matter to divide and separate – which can be shown with salt and pepper.

26. Fireworks In A Jar

At the right time of year, you can theme this experiment using oil, water, food coloring, and a jar. It’s a super fun project to help kids understand density – and the results are pretty! 

27. Water And Oil Discovery Bottles 

Most of us will be familiar with making water and oil discovery bottles from when we were kids, and it continues to be a super fun experiment for students today. All the bright colors are an awesome sensory experience for kids.

28. Color Mixing With Coffee Filters

This experiment is more for younger students, but it’s simple and effective. Using coffee filters, you can add liquids to watch how the filters absorb them and change colors, making mixes which make new colors.

29. Create Fizzy Lemonade 

A tasty experiment for the summer, this can help teach kids how mixing base liquids with acid creates a chemical reaction – but it results in something that you can enjoy at the end! 

30. Magic Milk 

This simple experiment needs a few items; milk, dish soap, and food coloring. This is a super colorful and fun thing to do and can help show kids how molecular behavior might work, how surface tension works, and a little bit about an object’s density.

31. Walking On Eggs 

Another experiment that can show the power of weight distribution is walking on eggs. Show your students how something so fragile can withstand body weight when in large numbers.

32. Create A Hydraulic Elevator 

This experiment sounds more complex than it actually is. You just need to use some sticks and large medicine droppers. It’s a classic experiment that many STEM teachers have used in the classroom before.

33. Demonstrate Inertia 

Newton’s first law of motion can be demonstrated pretty easily, and it’s never too early or too late to show students how it works! 

34. Grow Your Gummy Bears

When it comes to students and science, what better way to teach them than using candy ? Using all areas of the major sciences, you can turn little gummy bears into big gummy bears! 

35. The Disappearing Egg Shell

Students of all ages enjoy watching this experiment , and it’s helpful to show them the ways that chemical reactions operate.

36. Coca-Cola Tooth Experiment 

This is a classic experiment that can help show students the effects of sugary drinks on their teeth. When your students are young and losing their baby teeth, ask them to bring in a tooth and show them the horrible effects in a jar! 

37. Small Tornado In A Bottle

Most of us performed this experiment when we were students, and it’s super fun to keep it going with your own students. Demonstrating centripetal force by creating a water vortex in a bottle is awesome! 

38. Make A Bag Leak-Proof

Another experiment that demonstrates polymers, you need a plastic bag, some water, a sharp pencil, and some patience – and you can show kids the seemingly impossible!

39. Make A Non-Newtonian Fluid 

There are substances out there that get firmer when pressure is applied to them, and these are known as non-Newtonian fluids. It’s really intriguing to see how fluids can behave in such ways, so your students are bound to get a kick out of this.

40. Demonstrate Capillaries

You can show kids how our capillaries function using items you can find pretty much everywhere. It’s super cool and colorful and you’re bound to excite everyone with this in the classroom.

41. Make Candy Rock 

Students, candy, and rocks – they go hand in hand! Your students will love to create their own candy rock and watch as the rock crystals grow.

42. Make The Super Bubble

You can show students how to make a better version of bubble mixture to create much larger bubbles, called superbubbles! 

43. Frozen Vegetable Oil Paintings

Here’s another classic experiment that most kids have conducted when they were in the classroom. It’s a fun way to show kids how some liquids behave when they are frozen, and as vegetable oil behaves differently – you can make awesome paintings! 

44. Make An Ice Magnifying Glass 

This experiment is pretty simple, but we like to add something more fun to it. Once you have made your ice magnifying glass, show your students how glass behaves underwater by designing a real magnifying glass (do not allow them to do this though).

Glass under water can be cut and sliced in much different ways than above the surface, so you can easily create your own glass designs to show your students in a safe way.

45. Can Eggs Float?

Finally, on our list, we have the experiment that has shown students for years how eggs can float on water if salt is added to the liquid. It’s a simple way to explain density, and it’s always a good idea to bring in the Dead Sea example.

The Dead Sea is so salty that people can simply float on its surface, but it’s also deadly because if you turn around – it’s difficult to get your head out of the salty water! 

Things To Remember

There are always things you should remember when it comes to these sorts of experiments. Some are much more obvious than others, but it’s always important to ensure we’re on the same wavelength. These include the following.

Safety 

Conduct a health and safety risk assessment before you carry out any experiment, and always be aware of any safety equipment you and your students may need to wear. Be sure to take reasonable care with all of your experiments (and best to do a trial run first!).

Reinforce Learning 

It’s all fine and good demonstrating the experiments, but you must ensure that you reinforce the student’s learning by asking questions at the end of the lesson. It’s also wise to set some theoretical homework based on their practical experiment. 

Do Your Research 

It’s of course critical that you know exactly what you are doing before you show your students, but it’s also as important to know your students. For example, if an experiment is more tailored for younger students, do not try it for older kids.  You may also like: 1st grade science project ideas .

The Bottom Line 

And that’s our comprehensive list of the easiest science experiments that you can show students in the classroom, at home, or out in the field! We hope you have enjoyed our guide and you’ve found some amazing new experiments for your students! Good luck.

Top tip: Teach your students about the most famous inventors while they work on their own science experiments.

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7 Easy Scientific Method Experiments

Kids’ natural curiosity never fails to amaze me. Their imaginations and observation skills run wild, especially at the elementary level. And the classroom is the perfect place to explore and exercise their curious minds!

When it comes to introducing younger students to scientific concepts like drawing observations and conclusions, the scientific method is a great place to start. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy. I’ve seen some pretty intense resources that teach the scientific method for kids, and they’ve been anything but kid friendly!

My preferred way to teach science is to boil the scientific method down to these 5 steps:

• Asking a research question
• Making a hypothesis
• Doing the experiment
• Taking observations
• Writing a conclusion

Keeping the scientific method for kids simple lets them explore their world without confusing them too much. When it comes to science concepts, we want to ease younger students in — not overwhelm them. This helps kids build a love of science that will last their whole lives!

With all that being said, I’ve gathered my favorite easy scientific method experiments for younger students into one bundle for you! These 7 Easy Science Experiments to Teach the Scientific Method are amazing because they all follow the same framework. This helps students know what to expect when it’s time to experiment and keeps your curriculum cohesive. Once we do one or two, my class gets into a nice groove and doesn’t need much direction on my part.

Plus, each of these experiments are available in a digital format, so they’re perfect for in-person or distance learning! And since they are so easy for students to follow, students will have no problem completing them at home.

What are the 7 easy scientific method experiments?

I’m glad you asked! Here is everything that is included in the scientific method for kids bundle:

1. Rainbow Milk Experiment

In the Rainbow Milk Magic Experiment, students will combine milk, dish soap, and food coloring to learn all about why the colors begin to swirl and look as if they are exploding into a rainbow. This is such a simple science experiment that works great with students of any age!

2. Tornado in a Bottle Experiment

This Tornado in a Bottle Experiment is the perfect way to teach the scientific method to kids. Students will practice measuring to fill a water bottle, then add dish soap and of course some glitter! They will then create a vortex to simulate a tornado and learn all about tornadoes.

3. Fingerprint Science Experiment

In the Fingerprint Science Experiment, students will become detectives and investigate their fingerprints while learning about the scientific method! This STEM fingerprint science experiment will cover the three types of fingerprints and super fun facts about fingerprints in humans and animals.

4. Marshmallow Toothpick Tower Science Experiment

The Marshmallow Toothpick Tower Science Experiment teaches students about building structures. They get to build their own masterpieces with marshmallows and toothpicks. As a bonus, this one ends in a tasty snack that students can enjoy!

5. Coffee Filter Digital Science Experiment

Students will learn about pigment and chromatography through this engaging experiment. They will get to draw a picture on a coffee filter using markers and observe what happens when it is sprayed with water. This is a fantastic way to introduce students to the concept of chemistry!

6. Slime Experiment

What kid doesn’t love slime?! This fun experiment lets them make their own with just a few household supplies. I love using this one during Halloween — it’s got the perfect spooky vibe!

7. Clean a Dirty Penny Science Experiment

Students love to collect and bring in a dirty penny for this science experiment. Students discover which cleaning solution works best to clean it and why using the scientific method! All you need are pennies, water, dish soap, salt, and vinegar. It’s a great option for Presidents’ Day, too!

What’s included in each scientific method for kids experiment?

I recently edited this bundle of experiments to include a table of contents, digital versions on Google Slides, and some great teacher tips to help your experiments run smoothly and make life easier for you. Each experiment includes…

●       Explanation of the experiment, great for parents to follow at home!

●       Guiding Question and Hypothesis

●       Experiment (Picture and written)

●       Observations (Picture and written)

●       Conclusion

●       The science behind the experiment explained (includes fill in the blank option as well)

There you have it: everything you need to teach the scientific method to your students or a child at home!

Teaching the scientific method to kids doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s best to stick to 5 steps and use the same experimental format to keep science lessons cohesive. My 7 Easy Science Experiments to Teach the Scientific Method are an amazing option for anyone looking to introduce students to key STEM concepts!

How often do you experiment in your classroom? What’s your favorite experiment to do? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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You may also like, 3 digital science lessons for elementary students, free 1st grade math warm-ups, fingerprint science project for kids, 2nd grade fractions activity, number search puzzle for fun multiplication and division practice.

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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.

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Simple But Fun Elementary Science Experiments to Try in Your Classroom

Written by Holly (Teach Starter)

Looking for some fun elementary science experiments you can do in the classroom that will wow your students? Getting hands-on with science and creating projects that are doable in a classroom setting but also have an element of “cool” are the Teach Starter team’s favorite way to get our students hooked on science.

So we put together some of our very favorite simple science experiments for kids to try out in your classroom! From making an eggshell disappear for a chemistry lesson to showing off the capillary action of flowers for biology, these science experiment ideas will be a sure hit in your classroom!

Simple Elementary Science Experiments

We have developed a series of simple elementary science experiments that are perfect for the busy teacher! Bonus: All of these fun experiments are simple to do and use everyday items.

Science Experiment: Make an Eggshell Disappear

This fun classroom science experiment falls under seriously simple — all you need is some white vinegar, a raw egg, and a glass jar for a chemistry lesson! Your students will learn all about the chemical reaction that occurs when you put an egg into vinegar and leave it overnight. This chemical reaction makes the egg shell disappear but will leave the rubbery membrane, keeping the egg intact.

For a simple description of the chemistry involved, the equipment required, the method and further questioning for your students, download our  Make an Eggshell Disappear – Science Experiment Booklet.

Science Experiment: Make a Rainbow with Water

Everyone loves a rainbow! Students learn all about density in this physics science experiment. They will use different measurements of sugar to create a variety of densities of colored water. Eventually, they will be able to layer water on top of the water, creating a rainbow tower. Sounds like fun, hey?

Again this experiment only requires water, food coloring, sugar, and some different glass jars! To read all about it, download our  Rainbow Water Density Tower – Science Experiment Booklet .

Science Experiment: Capillary Action of Water in Flowers (Biology)

This is always a class favorite! Students learn about how water gets from the bottom of a flower stem all the way to the petals by putting them into colored water!

Download our  Capillary Action of Water in Flowers – Science Experiment Booklet . In our ‘Take it Further’ section of the science booklet, get students to research early botanists.

Science Experiment: Rainbow Bubble Snake

Create a fun, colorful serpent with some simple ingredients for a science experiment that will leave kids giggling!

All you need is:

• Empty plastic bottle
• Dishwashing liquid
• Rubber band
• Food coloring
• A dish of water

• Make the bubble solution by adding water into a shallow dish and adding a few squirts of dishwashing liquid.
• Make the snake by carefully cutting the bottom of the bottle (adults will need to help). Then, place the sock over the end of the bottle and place a rubber band over it to secure it in place
• Wet the sock end with some of the bubble solution, then add a few drops of food coloring on to the end – the more colors, the more colorful!
• Finally, dip the sock end in the bubble solution one more time, and blow through the other end of the bottle. Your rainbow serpent will start to grow…

The hydrogen atoms in one water molecule are attracted to the oxygen atoms in the other water molecules, making the bubbles attach to each other when they come out of the sock fabric. The bubbles are forming because of the air being blown into the soap solution. The air is getting trapped under the surface of the flexible soap skin, stretching it into a sphere shape.

Make it a fair tes t by changing one variable, such as the material or perhaps a different-sized bottle.

Science Experiment: Create a Lava Lamp Science Activity

This simple science experiment for elementary students is an oldie but a goodie!

• Two glasses
• Vegetable oil
• Alka-Seltzer tablets

• First, mix half a cup of water with some drops of food coloring. You can make two different batches with different colors if you wish to make more than one lava lamp.
• Then, fill a glass 3/4 full with vegetable oil. Pour some of the colored mixture into the oil, being careful not to fill the glass too much.
• Add one Alka-seltzer tablet and watch the chemical reaction…

The Alka-seltzer tablets react with the water to produce carbon dioxide gas bubbles! These stick to the water droplets. The water and gas combo is less dense than the oil, so they rise to the top of the glass!

Make this a fair test by changing the amount of Alka-seltzer added. One glass you can add one tablet, another can have two tablets and another can have three. What happens?

Science Experiment: Refraction of Light Science Activity

File this science experiment for kids under SUPER simple. And seriously, we mean super!

• Glass of water

Draw something on a piece of paper. An arrow is a great visual to start this science activity, as it is obvious what happens when you put the glass of water in front of the drawn arrow. But, you don’t have to limit it to arrows. Get creative and draw anything you would like to see through the glass.

When the light is passing through the glass of water, it refracts or bends. The glass of water acts as a cylindrical convex lens and produces an inverted image.

Create a fair test by changing one variable. What happens if you change the size of the glass. Or what if you change the liquid variable? Does it change the result?

Check out our collection of science resources for more science experiments and science teaching resources.

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Top 10 Biology Experiments You Don't Want to Miss

January 14, 2019 4 min read biology experiments science activities

A few years back we shared a series about how to teach the different areas of science at home, which you can find here:

• Teaching Biology at Home
• Teaching Earth Science at Home
• Teaching Astronomy at Home
• Teaching Chemistry at Home
• Teaching Physics at Home

The posts in the series have remained some of our most popular posts and so we thought we would help you all out by sharing our favorite experiments for each discipline!

We are going to start this series out with biology - here's how you can teach biology at home .

And without further ado, here are our top 10 biology experiments!

Top 10 Biology Experiments

1. Dissect a Flower  

Many of the typical spring blooms, such as lilies, tulips, and daffodils, have clearly seen elements, which makes them excellent specimens for your students to study the structure of a flower.

One of the best ways to do this is through a flower dissection! These step-by-step directions for a flower dissection will help you examine the structure of a flower.

2. Raise a Butterfly

Butterflies go through an amazing life-cycle. A butterfly lays an egg, from which a caterpillar emerges. Then, the caterpillar eats and grows, eventually forming a chrysalis. And several weeks later a butterfly emerges!

There is nothing like watching this process in action! And these instructions on how to grow a butterfly will help you observe this life cycle in action.

3. Extract DNA 

DNA is the stuff that tells our cells what to do and how to look. It resides in the nucleus of a cell, so as you can imagine it is quite tiny. In fact, you normally need a very powerful microscope to see DNA for yourself.

That is unless you extract it and force it to join up together into one giant mass of DNA. And that is exactly what you do with this Banana DNA Extraction experiment .

4. Make a Seed Board 

Plants start their lives out as seeds and there is a huge variety of seeds, just like there is a huge variety of plants.  

These four steps for making a seed board will help your students appreciate the differences and similarities between seeds.

5. Dissect an Owl Pellet 

This one often grosses people out, but dissecting an owl pellet is a great way to learn about bones and animal diet.

Don't worry, owl pellets are not from the backside of an owl. Owls swallow their prey whole, so a few hours after the meal, they will regurgitate the indigestible parts in the form of a pellet.

These four steps for dissecting an owl pellet will help you get the most of this fascinating but slightly suspect dissection.

6. Look at Fingerprints

Our body is covered with an amazing organ know as skin. It's the largest organ of the integumentary system. The  skin on our fingers, toes, palms of your hands, and soles of your feet is folded into tiny ridges. These ridges form swirling patterns, that help our hands and feet grip things.

These directions for examining your fingerprints will help your students understand just how amazing our skin is!

7. Grow an Herb Cutting

Roots are the structure of a plant that anchors into the ground and helps the provide the plant with the nutrients it needs to grow.

These directions for growing an herb cutting will help your students see how roots grow and get a chance to examine roots up close without getting dirty! 

8. Make a Habitat Diorama 

Our planet is covered with different types of habitats. Habitats are the place that is normal for the life and growth of a certain animal or a plant. In other words, it's the area where an animal or plant resides.

These directions for how to make a habitat diorama will help your students learn about the different plants and animals in an area in a hands-on way.

9. Eat a Cell Model

The cell is the basic unit of life, but it's so small that we can't see the cell's structure with our naked eyes. Enter the cell model.

You can make a jello cell, a cake cell, or a cell calzone to eat, but whatever cell you choose to snack on, these edible models will help your students visualize this basic building block of life.

10. Create a Fall Leaf  (or Signs of Spring)  Journal

When you study biology, it's a good idea to learn about the nature surrounding you. A  Fall Leaf journal  or a Signs of Spring journal will help your students learn about the trees and bushes that are in your area.

Wrapping it Up

There are loads more options for biology experiments out there that we love - in fact, we probably could have done a post with 100 experiments! But these are the ten we don't want you to miss.  If you want more biology experiments, check out our Biology Pinterest board .

If you want it all pulled together for you, check out the following our homeschool science programs with easy-to-use plans for teaching biology:

• For Preschool – Intro to Science  and  Summer's Lab
• For Elementary Students –  Biology for the Grammar Stage ,   Biology Lapbooks , The Sassafras Science Adventures ( Zoology ,   Anatomy , and   Botany )
• For Middle School Students –   Biology for the Logic Stage
• High School Students –   Biology for High School

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Science Experiments

35 Easy Science Experiments You Can Do Today!

Looking for easy science experiments to do at home or in the classroom? You’re in luck because we’ve got over 35 easy science activities for kids that will help you make science fun for all ages. 

Most of these simple science experiments for kids are easy to prepare, quick to perform, and use household items or inexpensive materials you can find almost anywhere. To connect the fun to the “why it works” you’ll find an easy to teach explanation with every experiment!

Musical Jars Science Experiment 

This super easy experiment is simple as it is fun! Kids make their own musical instruments with clear jars and water then investigate sound waves, pitch, and more.

When the experiment is complete, use the colorful new “instrument” for a fun music lesson. Kids can play and take turns to “name that tune”!

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial ->  Musical Jars Science Experiment

Viscosity of Liquids Science Experiment

Viscosity may be a confusing term for kids at first, but this super easy experiment can help them see viscosity in action!

With marbles, clear jars, and a few household materials, kids will make predictions, record data, and compare the results while they test high and low density liquids.

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial ->   Viscosity Science Experiment

Floating Egg Science Experiment

Can a solid egg float? Kids can find the answer and understand why with this quick science experiment. 

Discover just how easy it can be to make a raw egg float while testing the laws of density. We’ve included additional ideas to try so kids can make predictions and test the concept further.

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial ->   Floating Egg Science Experiment

Paper Towel Dry Under Water Experiment

Is it possible to keep a paper towel dry even when submerging it under water? The answer is a surprising “yes,” if you use science to help!

Start with the properties of your materials, make a prediction, then explore matter, density, volume, and more.

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial ->   Paper Towel Dry Under Water Experiment

Mixing Oil & Water Science Experiment

This simple experiment for kids helps them better understand density and the changes that happen when adding an emulsifier to the mix. 

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial ->   Mixing Oil & Water Experiment

Will it Float or Sink Science Experiment

Will it sink or will it float? This fun experiment challenges what students think they know about household items!

Students record their hypothesis for each item then test it to compare what they think will happen against their observations.

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Float or Sink Science Experiment

Water Temperature Science Experiment

What does thermal energy look like? In this easy science experiment, kids are able to see thermal energy as they explore the concept in action.

With clear jars and food coloring, students can quickly see how molecules move differently through hot and cold water.

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Water Temperature Science Experiment

Balloon Blow-up Science Experiment

Kids will discover how matter reacts when heated and cooled as they watch with surprise as baking soda and vinegar blow the balloon up before their eyes.

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Balloon Blow-up Science Experiment

Floating Ping Pong Ball Science Experiment

Kids will giggle with joy with this super easy experiment. With only a ping pong ball and a hair dryer, students will have a great time while exploring Bernoulli’s Principle in action. 

We’ve included additional ideas to further explore the concept with different objects and observe the change in results.

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Floating Ping Pong Ball Science Experiment

Hair Stand on End Science Experiment

It’s especially fun for those who’ve never seen static electricity in action before!

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Hair Stand on End Science Experiment

Oil Bubbles in Water Science Experiment

Kids explore density and experience some chemistry when creating oil bubbles in water with everyday household items.

This experiment is particularly fun when kids see that they’ve made what looks like a lava lamp!

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial ->  Oil Bubbles in Water Science Experiment

Color Changing Water Science Experiment

Kids will be surprised as they watch a new color being “created” without mixing! Using only a clear bowl and glass, some food coloring, and water, this super easy science experiment is quick and easy with a huge wow factor. 

Try it with yellow and blue to follow along with our demonstration video then try different primary color combinations and explore the results.

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial ->  Color Changing Water Science Experiment

Magnetic Paper Clip Chain Science Experiment

It may seem a bit like magic but it’s actually science! It’s not hard to capture your kids’ attention with this quick and easy science experiment as they watch paper clips “stick” together and form a chain!

Perfect for younger children, the experiment only takes a few minutes and is a fun way to explore the concept of magnetic transference.

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial ->  Magnetic Paper Clip Chain Science Experiment

Is it Magnetic Science Experiment

With only a magnet and a few household items, kids will make and record their predictions, test and observe, then compare what they think is magnetic against the results.

Simple and quick, but some of the results may surprise your students!

Cloud in a Jar Experiment

This simple experiment only requires a few materials but really holds student attention as a cloud forms before their eyes!

Kids will learn new weather vocabulary as they explore how physical changes and reactions happen as clouds begin to take form. We’ve also included a helpful chart on the types of clouds.

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial ->  Cloud in a Jar Science Experiment

Magic Milk Science Experiment

Create a dancing rainbow of colors with this easy science experiment for kids!

Using only a few ordinary kitchen items, your students can create a color explosion in ordinary milk when they add our special ingredient. (Hint: The special ingredient (soap!) includes hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules that make the magic happen!)

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial ->  Magic Milk Science Experiment

Walking Water Science Experiment

Water can’t really walk upwards against gravity, but this cool science experiment makes it seem like it can! 

Kids are able to see the capillary action process and learn how attraction and adhesive forces in action allow water to move out of one glass into another. 

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Walking Water Science Experiment

Light Refraction Science Experiment

The results of this easy science experiment are so amazing, it makes kids (and adults) think it must be magic!

Young scientists watch in surprise while they see an arrow change directions instantly. Investigating refraction couldn’t be more fun!

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Light Refraction Science Experiment

Dancing Raisins Experiment

Learn about the reactions of buoyancy and density in this simple science activity for kids. 

They may not need dancing shoes, but give them a glass of soda pop and the raisins in this fun experiment love to dance!

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Dancing Raisins Science Experiment

See Sound Experiment

Kids love this experiment because they are encouraged to drum loudly so they can “see” sound waves in action!

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> See Sound Science Experiment

Elephant Toothpaste Science Experiment

Grab some giant brushes and get ready to make elephant toothpaste! Although you might not be able to get an elephant excited by this super easy experiment, kids love it!

The impressive and quick results created by the chemical reaction and the heat released in the process makes an abundant amount of fun and colorful foam!

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Elephant Toothpaste Science Experiment

Upside Down Glass of Water Science Experiment

We all know what happens when we turn a glass of water upside down, but what if I told you you can do it without the water spilling out?

The experiment only requires a few common items and you’ll be amazed by the results of air pressure in action!

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Upside Down Glass of Water Science Experiment

Pick up Ball with a Jar Science Experiment

It almost seems like magic but with the help of science, you can pick up a ball with an open jar!

Instead of magic, this easy science activity uses centripetal force and practice to do what seems like the impossible. 

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Pick up Ball with a Jar Experiment

Will It Melt Science Experiment

Can you guess which items will melt? This easy outside experiment challenges what students think they know about the effects of the sun.

Pepper Move Science Experiment

Can you make pepper move and zoom away with just a light touch of your finger? With science you can!

This experiment only takes a few quick minutes from beginning to end, but the reaction caused by surface tension makes kids want to do it over and over. 

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial ->  Pepper Move Science Experiment

Crush a Plastic Bottle Science Experiment

Go for it, crush that bottle, but don’t touch it! Although it usually can’t be seen or touched, air pressure is pushing against all surfaces at all times.

With this easy science activity kids can see air pressure at work when they watch a bottle crushes itself!

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Crush a Plastic Bottle Science Experiment

Egg in Vinegar Science Experiment

This vinegar science experiment will have your eggs and kids bouncing (with excitement!) before you know it!

Kids can watch and explore the results of chemical reactions as the egg changes from something that seems solid into what feels like something bouncy!

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Egg in Vinegar Science Experiment

Straw Through a Potato Science Experiment

Can you make a normal plastic straw go into a raw, solid potato? It seems like something impossible, but science can easily make it possible!

Pick your potatoes then let kids try their strength as they explore air pressure with this super easy experiment.

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Straw Through a Potato Science Experiment

Rainbow in a Jar Science Experiment

With only a few household items, they’ll explore mass, volume, and density with every color layer!

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Rainbow in a Jar Experiment

Tornado in a Bottle Science Experiment

Kids can have fun while learning more about centripetal force with this fun experiment.

With a little muscle and science, kids watch with amazement as they create their own glitter cyclone in a bottle as the centripetal force vortex appears.

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Tornado in a Bottle Science Experiment

Why Doesn’t the Water Leak Science Experiment

Can you poke holes in a plastic bag full of water without the water leaking out? With this super easy science activity you can!

Kids are stunned as they learn about polymers and how they can do what seems to be impossible.

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Why Doesn’t the Water Leak Science Experiment

Use a Bottle to Blow-up a Balloon Experiment

Is it possible to blow up a balloon with only water and science? 

In this super easy experiment, kids learn more about how matter behaves as they watch a balloon inflate and deflate as a result of matter being heated and cooled.

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Use a Bottle to Blow-up a Balloon Experiment

Orange Float Science Experiment

Kids explore buoyancy as they learn about and test density in this sink or float science activity.

While it only takes a few minutes, this super easy experiment invites kids to predict what they think will happen then discuss why the heavier orange floats!

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Orange Float Science Experiment

Pick up Ice with String Science Experiment

With only a few household items, kids learn about freezing temperatures and the results they create in saltwater versus freshwater.

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Pick Up Ice with String Science Experiment

Color Changing Walking Water Experiment

Using the concepts explored in our popular Walking Water Science Experiment, kids will see color walk from one glass to another and change colors as it goes!

The quick experiment seems to defy gravity like magic, but don’t worry, kids can find out how science makes it work!

Detailed Instructions & Video Tutorial -> Color Changing Walking Water Experiment

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:

Crystal Candy:

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.

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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45 Science Activities For Elementary Students: Challenges And Experiments For Every Season

November 5, 2023 //  by  Christina Cunningham

Each season brings along new themes to explore in our elementary classrooms. In schools around the country, fall brings on studies of pumpkins and leaves, and winter sparks interest in snow and ice. Spring weather invites explorations of puddles and mud, and summer’s heat naturally causes students to ask, “How can we cool off?” Our elementary science experiments can help students explore their natural curiosities. Check out this list of science activities for ideas that span the entire school year!

1. Growing Pumpkin Seeds in a Pumpkin

This experiment begins with the sensory-rich experience of cutting and scooping out goopy pumpkin “guts.” Take this classic experiment a step further by replanting the seeds right inside the pumpkin! Students can track their growth in journals to practice the basic science skills of recording and representing data.

Learn More: Pre-K Pages

2. Pumpkin Decomposition

Opposite to the last experiment, this activity teaches about the end of a pumpkin’s life cycle: decomposition. Make sure you keep the lid on this one-it could get smelly! Pair this experiment with a book like Pumpkin Jack to integrate literacy as well!

Learn More: Kelly’s Classroom Online

3. Frozen Fizzy Spiders

Your students will explore basic chemical reactions with this frozen baking soda and vinegar activity. Hatchling spiders will emerge from their egg sacks in this fizzy science experiment! It is perfect for a theme about creepy critters around Halloween. The best part is that it only takes these few basic household supplies!

4. Dissecting Owl Pellets

A dissection experiment that you can do outside of a science lab! Owl pellets can be purchased on Amazon, and older learners can focus on fine motor skills as they search for clues to an owl’s diet hidden inside their pellets! This activity works great during a nocturnal animal theme.

Learn More: Gift of Curiosity

5. Leaf Chromatography for Kids

As leaves first begin their autumnal changes and fall to the ground, children are captivated by their colors! This chromatography (or color separation) experiment helps students isolate the specific hues in the leaves they gather. You just need a few basic supplies: paper towels, rubbing alcohol, and some kitchen items.

Learn More: A Little Pinch of Perfect

6. Escaping Animals

This fun sensory experiment doubles as an exploration of the states of matter! Your students can test their hypotheses of what will cause ice to melt, all while saving polar animals from their icy trap! Try this one several times with different add-ins, like salt, watercolor paints, and “ice picks.”

Learn More: Views from a Stepstool

7. Colorful Ice Melt

You’ll have to gather some food coloring for the kitchen for this colorful experiment! Take the traditional salt-and-ice experiment a step further by adding in art concepts! The bright colors will highlight the exact ways that the ice is melting-leaving rivulets, holes, etc. in its wake.

Learn More: Artful Parent

8. “Ice” Crystal Names

Merge science and literacy with this crystal experiment! Challenge your class’s ability to follow directions as they make the borax solution from simple ingredients. Then, your students will be mesmerized as they watch crystals grow around their pipe cleaner letters! Display your results as part of your winter classroom decorations!

Learn More: Playdough to Plato

9. Snowball Catapults

Early physical science and engineering skills emerge from this STEM activity ! Challenge kids to use their problem-solving skills to develop a popsicle stick and rubber band catapult, then test them out with a friendly snowball fight!

Learn More: Mombrite

10. Melting Snowman Experiment

During your ice and snow-themed weeks, encourage children to make predictions and represent data as they watch a snowman melt! This is a perfect opportunity to complete some science journaling as you track changes over time and have students draw what they see at certain intervals.

Learn More: Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas

11. Growing Grass Heads

12. disappearing egg shell.

As you begin a study of oviparous (egg-laying) animals in the springtime, students can learn all about the protective shells that keep baby animals safe! As students watch an eggshell dissolve over the course of several days, you can encourage them to make observations, develop theories, and ask further questions.

Learn More: Premeditated Leftovers

13. Dissect a Flower

All teachers of little ones know that children love the process of deconstructing objects! They will have ample opportunity to do so in this “flower dissection,” where they will get to closely observe the parts of a plant. This activity prompts students to sort and classify.

Learn More: Science Sparks

14. Pollination

During a spring insect study, students can participate in this experiment to learn more about the ways that pollinators’ physical traits help plants grow! This is another experiment that encourages students to use the steps of the scientific method as they use loose parts to create the most effective pollinator.

Learn More: The First Grade Round Up

15. Wind Strength

During studies on the weather, students often participate in experiments that help them “see” the wind. Allow students to take this one step further by testing the force of the “wind” required to move differently weighing objects. A perfect experiment for developing and testing hypotheses, as well as using comparative language!

Learn More: Preschool Toolkit

16. Moon Craters

As summertime’s meteor showers begin, many schools take the opportunity to study outer space! Curiosity about our nearest planetary body, the moon, leads to inquiries about its appearance. Teach students about how the moon got its craters with simple materials: a cake pan, flour, and marbles!

17. What Melts in the Sun?

This is a simple science experiment for those long summer days spent outside! It’s also easy to set up with anything you might have on hand. Let students test their theories, experiment with the lengths of time they leave objects in the sun, and follow up with a delicious popsicle treat!

Learn More: Frugal Fun for Boys

18. Sunscreen Paintings

Teach students the importance of SPF by painting dark paper with sunscreen! After leaving their paintings sitting out in the sun, students will notice the difference between the paper protected by lotion and the parts left untouched. Try it again on a cloudy day and compare the two paintings!

Learn More: Kaplan Company

19. Solar Oven S’mores

Work together to harness solar power in a DIY solar oven made from recycled materials! Bring in math skills by encouraging students to measure the temperature inside the oven and experiment with cook times to make the perfect s’more! Celebrate students’ hard work by enjoying these sweet treats afterward!

Learn More: NASA-Climate Kids

20. Oil and Water

Explore the concept of density during water play by adding oil and food coloring! Challenge students to record what they observe, experiment with the basics of color mixing, or find a way to mix the two substances. This experiment is a perfect outdoor activity for preschoolers!

Learn More: STEAM-Powered Family

21. Air Compression Cloud

This is a very simple experiment that only requires one disposable plastic water bottle. Make sure it’s clean, empty, and dry. Close the cap and twist the bottle very tightly- forcing the air molecules together. As the cap is opened there will be a pressure release. The expansion of the compressed molecules will create a cloud.

Learn More:  Raising Da Vinci

22. Balloon Magic

Take a clean and dry bottle. Add some baking soda and vinegar to it. Immediately cover the mouth with a balloon. When the two liquids react, a harmless gas will be formed. This gas will not be able to escape the bottle because of the balloon and will inflate it instead.

Learn More:  Simple Play Ideas

23. Bending Water

Blow a balloon. Now add some static charge to it by rubbing it over your hair or your shirt. Place the charged balloon close to the running water. The stream of water will bend because of the electric charge, leading to a fun activity.

Learn More:  STEM Newcastle

24. Bouncing Ball Experiment

Take equal parts of warm water and borax and mix well. In another cup, take equal parts of glue and cornstarch and add a little food color to it. Combine both mixtures and knead them into a ball. Now watch the mixture bounce before your eyes!

Learn More:  The STEM Laboratory

25. Bouncy Egg

Take an egg and cover it in vinegar. Let it sit for 24 hours. After 24 hours have passed, remove the egg and rub off the shell. That’s it! Now you have a bouncy egg. You can add cool effects by shining a light under it to make it appear even more mesmerizing.

Learn More:  Cool Science Experiments

26. Color-Changing Flowers

Take 2-3 cups of water and add a different color dye into each. Place one white carnation flower with the stem in each cup. Observe the change in color as the plants “drink” the water. Explain that this is how they absorb vital nutrients and food from the soil.

Learn More:  Mott Children

27. Dancing Raisins

Pour any clear carbonated beverage into a glass and add raisins to it. The escaping gas will make the raisins move up and down in the liquid, making them “dance.” Kids will learn about gas evaporation in this fun science activity.

Learn More:  Buggy And Buddy

28. Elephant Toothpaste

Take ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide in a bottle and add 10 drops of food color to it. Now add 1 tablespoon of dish soap and mix the solution thoroughly. Set aside. Combine water and yeast in another glass and let it sit for 30 seconds. Now transfer the solution from the glass into the bottle and watch it explode.

29. Exploding Pumpkin

This is one of the easiest STEM activities you can do with your kids. Carve the inside of a small pumpkin and draw a horror face on the outside with a permanent marker. Take ¼ cup vinegar and add two drops of coloring agent to it. Mix and pour the liquid inside the pumpkin. Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda, stand back, and watch colored foam spray out of the pumpkin head.

Learn More: Our Family Code

30. Fire Snake

Looking for a STEM activity that your kids will remember for a long time? Try the fire snake! Mix baking soda and sugar in 1:4 proportion. In another container, take some sand and add some type of fuel to it. Place the baking soda and sugar mixture on it and light the fuel. Now have fun observing the black snake this concoction makes.

Learn More: Wonder How To

31. Green Money

Place a kitchen towel on a plate and place pennies on top of it. Pour vinegar over the coins and observe the color change for the next few hours and days. The coins will turn green as they are made of copper. On exposure to oxygen, this copper will turn into copper oxide.

Learn More:  WLTX

32. Invisible Ink

Mix equal parts of baking soda and water. Use this solution as ink and write on paper. Paint the paper with grape juice to reveal the message. It is one of the more fun activities for kids where they learn and play at the same time. Leave them a secret message using this technique.

Learn More:  Children’s Museum

33. Surface Tension Challenge

Take a coin and place it on any flat surface, like a table. Now gradually add drops of water to it using a syringe or dropper. You will soon notice a dome of water forming on top of the coin. This happens because of the surface tension of the water molecules.

Learn More:  Scientific American

34. Jelly Bean

This Jelly Bean science experiment is one of those STEM activities that most kids love. Just arrange the jelly beans in a circle on a plate. Now add warm water slowly so that you do not disturb the arrangement of the beans. As the water comes into contact with the beans it will dissolve the dyed sugar coat on the jelly beans- forming a beautiful rainbow.

Learn More:  Super Teacher Worksheets

35. Lava Lamp

Take a glass of water and add any dye to it. Now take a jar and add a cup of oil to it. Pour the colored water into the jar and add a fizzing tablet. The tablet will create carbon dioxide and form supercool bubbles which will move up and down in the jar.

Learn More: TheDadLab

36. Melting Ice And Salt

Take a glass of water and add ice cubes to it. Sprinkle in ½ teaspoon of salt and lay a string over the ice cubes. The salt will melt the water on the ice and as the water refreezes, the string will get trapped in the ice. So, when you pull out the string, the ice cubes will appear like a necklace on it.

Learn More:  Little Passports

37. Magic Milk

Pour some milk into a flat dish. Add a few drops of different dyes or colors to it. Now take a cotton swab covered in soap and dip it in the middle of the colors. The reaction between the fat and protein in the mixture will make the colors “dance”.

Learn More: Steve Spangler Science

38. Rainbow Paper

Add a drop of clear nail polish to a bowl of water and dip black construction paper into it. Let it dry. Now take it out and tilt it at an angle under light to observe the rainbow patterns.

Learn More: Curiodyssey

39. Spiral Paper

Take a sheet of paper and cut it into a spiral. Attach the paper to a string and hang it. Place a lamp below the spiral and watch the spiral go round and round. This happens because the air around the lamp gets heated. As hot air is less dense than cold air, it moves upwards, pushing the spiral and making it dance.

Learn More: Fizzics Education

40. Tea Bag Ghost

You can make ghosts out of a tea bag. This cool experiment involves drawing a cute ghost on your tea bag, balancing it upright, and lighting the top; that’s it. Now watch the “ghost” fly away!

Learn More:  Netflix Jr.

41. Magic Jumping Coin

Lower the temperature of a coin and glass bottle by placing them in cold water. Place the coin on top of the bottle and wrap your hands around it. The heat in your hand will warm up the glass bottle. It will then warm up the air molecules inside the bottle. This will cause the coin to jump up.

Learn More: What Do We Do All Day

42. Unpoppable Balloon

One of the most fascinating and simple science activities is the unpoppable balloon experiment. All you need is an inflated balloon, a skewer, and dish soap. Dip the skewer into the dish soap and pierce the balloon carefully with it. The skewer will not pop the balloon.

Learn More: Sick Science!

43. Walking Water

Take 7 empty jars and add different colored water in all the odd-numbered ones. Keep the even-numbered jars empty. Roll a sheet of paper towel and bend it in the middle. Place one end in a water-filled glass and another in an empty one. Stare at the experimental setup and observe water “walking” from the water-filled cups to the empty ones. The mixing of the colors will also develop new hues in the even glasses.

Learn More:  The Best Ideas For Kids

44. Watch the Water Rise

Fix a lit candle on a plate. Pour water onto the plate. Add color to the water with a dye to improve visibility. Lower an upside-down glass over the candle to completely cover it. As the flame burns out, the water will rise in the glass.

Learn More:  Frugal Fun 4 Boys

45. Why Do Leaves Change Color?

In this simple experiment, kids will learn that there are many pigments present in leaves, but since chlorophyll is the most dominant, it imparts a green color. Take a leaf and break it into pieces. Place it in a jar containing alcohol. This will transfer all the pigments to the solution. Dip one edge of a coffee filter into the solution and observe the separation of colors as the liquid rises on the strip.

Learn More: How Wee Learn

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Elementary Science Experiments

Elementary science doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive! One of the best things about  science experiments for kids  has to be the ease with which you can set them up! Here are over 50 science experiments for elementary that are a super fun way to get kids engaged with easy-to-understand science concepts using simple materials.

Why Is Science So Important?

Elementary-age kids are curious and always looking to explore, discover, investigate, and experiment to find out why things do what they do, move as they move, or change.

At this age level, kiddos in 3rd-5th grade are ready to:

• ask questions
• define problems
• make models
• plan and do investigations or experiments ( best science practices here )
• make observations (both concrete and abstract)
• analyze data
• share data or findings
• draw conclusions
• use science vocabulary ( free printable words here )

Indoors or outdoors, science is definitely amazing! Holidays or special occasions just make science all the more fun to try! Science surrounds us, inside and out. Kids love checking things out with magnifying glasses, creating chemical reactions with kitchen ingredients, and of course, exploring stored energy for physics!

Check out  50+ AMAZING science experiments  to get started any time of the year.

Science starts early, and you can be a part of that by setting up science at home with everyday materials. Or you can bring easy science to a group of kids in the classroom!

We find a ton of value in cheap science activities and experiments. Check out our homemade science kit for a full list of supplies and materials you will want to have on hand. Plus, our free printable science worksheets!

Elementary Science Activities

The elementary years are the perfect time to get young kids excited about science! Kids are asking all sorts of questions about different areas of science, and they also are developing reading skills and a vocabulary that make recording beginning experiments so much fun!

We love to plan science activities seasonally, so students have a wealth of experiences. Here are some elementary science activities for the school year !

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE SCIENCE CHALLENGE CALENDAR!

Fall is a perfect time to study chemistry and this age is not too young to explore chemistry. In fact, our favorite erupting apple experiment is hands-down one of our favorite fall elementary science experiments. Using baking soda, vinegar, and apple, your students can see a chemical reaction with a fall fruit!

Apple Volcano

Apple Browning Experiment

Dancing Corn Experiment

Leaf Chromatography

Popcorn In A Bag

Pumpkin Clock

Pumpkin Volcano

When I think of Halloween elementary science experiments, I think of zombies, and when I think of zombies, I think of brains ! Don’t shy away from creepy, gooey activities this time of year!

Try making creepy frozen brains with your kids. This activity takes a brain mold, water, food coloring, eye-droppers, a tray, and a bowl of warm water.

Freezing a brain (and then melting it) will allow your students to explore melting ice and reversible change. Buy a couple of molds and have students work in groups if you have multiple students in a class.

Frozen Brain

Zombie Slime

Dissolving Candy Corn Experiment

Ghostly Structures

Halloween Density Experiment

Halloween Lava Lamp Experiment

Halloween Slime

Puking Pumpkin

Rotting Pumpkin Experiment

Thanksgiving

One of the most accessible fruits during Thanksgiving are cranberries! Using cranberries to build structures for STEM is also a great way to incorporate engineering into your classroom. Your students’ imaginations are the only limit to the structures they can create.

Cranberry Structures

Butter In A Jar

Cranberry Sink or Float

Dancing Cranberries

Cranberry Secret Messages

Fizzing Cranberry Experiment

Winter may be chilly in some parts of the country, but there are a lot of indoor activities for your elementary age kids to enjoy. Using printable STEM cards to let students solve different winter-related problems is so much fun!

From designing a fort to building a 3D snowman, there’s something for every child to do with STEM. STEM activities encourage collaboration and community. Kids work together in pairs or groups to solve mini problems or challenges.

Frost on a Can

Freezing Water Experiment

Ice Fishing

Blubber Experiment

Snow Ice Cream

Snow Storm in a Jar

Ice Melting Experiments

DIY Thermometer

Tis’ the season for science activities! Why not integrate the popular Elf on the Shelf into your classroom science activities?

Make some Elf themed slime to teach mixtures, substances, polymers, cross-linking, states of matter, elasticity, and viscosity in a beginning chemistry lesson!

This means you can use the other things that come with the “Elf” like welcoming messages, little notes to tell your kids to be on their best behaviors, and messages to deliver back to “Santa”!

Elf on the Shelf Slime

Fizzing Christmas Trees

Crystal Candy Canes

Bending Candy Cane Experiment

Santa’s Magic Milk

Scientific Christmas Ornaments

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is our latest official winter holiday, but we have a lot of love for it! Study chocolate! This is another great way to study reversible change.

Have your students observe what happens when chocolate is heated up and figure out whether or not it can be reversed. Make sure to leave some chocolates untouched for a quick and yummy taste test!

Melting Chocolate

Crystal Hearts

Candy Hearts Oobleck

Heart Lava Lamp

Oil and Water Science

Valentine Slime

Try a BIG spring project with your students by building a DIY bug hotel! This insect habitat will give you a chance to get outside, learn about insects and their natural surroundings.

This project could incorporate journaling, research, as well as engineering and design. When you introduce your students to bugs in a scientific way, they are less likely to scream at spiders and all things creepy-crawly at recess time!

DIY Bug Hotel

Color Changing Flowers

Making Rainbows

Regrow Lettuce

Seed Germination Experiment

Cloud Viewer

Water Cycle in a Bag

Easter activities mean jelly beans! Dissolving jelly beans or making engineering marvels with jelly beans, toothpicks, and peeps (for glue) will bring a fun candy treat into your spring science study. Just like the chocolate, make sure there are extras for treats!

Dissolving Jelly Beans

Jelly Bean Structures

Dying Eggs with Vinegar

Egg Catapults

Marbled Easter Eggs

Peeps Science Experiments

Earth Day is one of my favorite times of the year for science activities in elementary. Our kids care deeply about their environment and are highly motivated to make a difference. Why not make this a school-wide activity.

Have your kids do some fundraising with penny wars or another easy to do fundraiser and buy a tree to plant at your school. This Earth Day activity brings communities together!

Carbon Footprint

Oil Spill Experiment

Storm Water Runoff Project

DIY Bird Feeder

Plastic Milk Experiment

Science Experiments By Topic

• 100 STEM Projects For Kids
• Scientific Method For Kids
• Chemical Reaction Experiments
• Baking Soda Experiments
• Water Experiments
• States of Matter Experiments
• Physics Experiments
• Chemistry Experiments
• Kitchen Science Experiments

Science Activities By Age Group

• Science for Toddlers
• Science for Preschoolers
• Science for Kindergarten
• Science for 1st Grade
• Science for 2nd Grade
• Science for 3rd Grade
• Science for 4th Grade
• Science for 5th Grade
• Science for 6th Grade
• Science for Middle School

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 ~.

Summer holiday science: turn your home into a lab with these three easy experiments

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Audrey O'Grady receives funding from Science Foundation Ireland. She is affiliated with Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick.

University of Limerick provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.

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Many people think science is difficult and needs special equipment, but that’s not true.

Science can be explored at home using everyday materials. Everyone, especially children, naturally ask questions about the world around them, and science offers a structured way to find answers.

Misconceptions about the difficulty of science often stem from a lack of exposure to its fun and engaging side. Science can be as simple as observing nature, mixing ingredients or exploring the properties of objects. It’s not just for experts in white coats, but for everyone.

Don’t take my word for it. Below are three experiments that can be done at home with children who are primary school age and older.

Extract DNA from bananas

DNA is all the genetic information inside cells. Every living thing has DNA, including bananas.

Did you know you can extract DNA from banana cells?

What you need: ¼ ripe banana, Ziploc bag, salt, water, washing-up liquid, rubbing alcohol (from a pharmacy), coffee filter paper, stirrer.

What you do:

Place a pinch of salt into about 20ml of water in a cup.

Add the salty water to the Ziploc bag with a quarter of a banana and mash the banana up with the salty water inside the bag, using your hands. Mashing the banana separates out the banana cells. The salty water helps clump the DNA together.

Once the banana is mashed up well, pour the banana and salty water into a coffee filter (you can lay the filter in the cup you used to make the salty water). Filtering removes the big clumps of banana cells.

Once a few ml have filtered out, add a drop of washing-up liquid and swirl gently. Washing-up liquid breaks down the fats in the cell membranes which makes the DNA separate from the other parts of the cell.

Slowly add some rubbing alcohol (about 10ml) to the filtered solution. DNA is insoluble in alcohol, therefore the DNA will clump together away from the alcohol and float, making it easy to see.

DNA will start to precipitate out looking slightly cloudy and stringy. What you’re seeing is thousands of DNA strands – the strands are too small to be seen even with a normal microscope. Scientists use powerful equipment to see individual strands.

Learn how plants ‘drink’ water

What you need: celery stalks (with their leaves), glass or clear cup, water, food dye, camera.

• Fill the glass ¾ full with water and add 10 drops of food dye.
• Place a celery stalk into the glass of coloured water. Take a photograph of the celery.
• For two to three days, photograph the celery at the same time every day. Make sure you take a photograph at the very start of the experiment.

What happens and why?

All plants, such as celery, have vertical tubes that act like a transport system. These narrow tubes draw up water using a phenomenon known as capillarity.

Imagine you have a thin straw and you dip it into a glass of water. Have you ever noticed how the water climbs up the straw a little bit, even though you didn’t suck on it? This is because of capillarity.

In plants, capillarity helps move water from the roots to the leaves. Plants have tiny tubes inside them, like thin straws, called capillaries. The water sticks to the sides of these tubes and climbs up. In your experiment, you will see the food dye in the water make its way to the leaves.

Build a balloon-powered racecar

What you need: tape, scissors, two skewers, cardboard, four bottle caps, one straw, one balloon.

• Cut the cardboard to about 10cm long and 5cm wide. This will form the base of your car.
• Make holes in the centre of four bottle caps. These are your wheels.
• To make the axles insert the wooden skewers through the holes in the cap. You will need to cut the skewers to fit the width of the cardboard base, but leave room for the wheels.
• Secure the wheels to the skewers with tape.
• Attach the axles to the underside of the car base with tape, ensuring the wheels can spin freely.
• Insert a straw into the opening of a balloon and secure it with tape, ensuring there are no air leaks.
• Attach the other end of the straw to the top of the car base, positioning it so the balloon can inflate and deflate towards the back of the car. Secure the straw with tape.
• Inflate the balloon through the straw, pinch the straw to hold the air, place the car on a flat surface, then release the straw.

The inflated balloon stores potential energy when blown up. When the air is released, Newton’s third law of motion kicks into gear: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

As the air rushes out of the balloon (action), it pushes the car in the opposite direction (reaction). The escaping air propels the car forward, making it move across the surface.

• Science experiments

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