Being at home more doesn’t have to mean missing out on the fun! Most classic kids’ science experiences can be done with simple materials you have right at home! Below are some great experiments to try as a family. Whether you’re interested in cooking, something quick and simple, or something messy, there’s an experiment your child will just love.
Cooking Experiments for Toddlers and Pre-schoolers
Homemade ice cream in a bag is a workout with a delicious reward at the end. Share the load and get everyone in the house shaking the bag, and your ice cream will be frozen in minutes!
Baking is full of science lessons. Try experimenting with leavening agents like baking soda and yeast. Bake a loaf of Irish soda bread and then try a simple yeast bread and talk about the difference between the two.
Butter in a jar is another fun experiment that has a delicious product. Enjoy your homemade butter with the fresh bread you made.
Messy Experiments that your kids will love!
Make slime! There are tons of recipes for slime online, from fluffy slime to glitter slime. Try this simple three-ingredient slime recipe for an afternoon of messy fun.
Soap silly putty is messy to make but once it’s mixed, it’s not sticky, making it a great sensory toy to play with.
The classic baking soda and vinegar volcano is a rite of passage for every kid. Try this one outside so clean-up is easy.
Quick and Easy kid-friendly experiments
Dancing pepper is a surface tension experiment that’s super simple to set up. You can do this experiment in 5 minutes.
Making a walking rainbow is really simple but creates a beautiful, fascinating project. Using cups of water, food coloring, and paper towels, you and your child can build a beautiful rainbow.
Make a kaleidoscope out of a Pringles can. This tutorial only requires a few supplies and can be put together easily. Children can choose the tissue paper or sequins to put inside to make their kaleidoscope special.
Magical overnight experiments
Growing mold on bread might sound gross, but kids will love exploring how this fungus grows! This is a simple experiment that requires some time to see great results, so plan to check in on your bread slices each day and see how your mold has grown.
Dyed flowers are a classic experiment that shows how xylem tissue in plants moves water and nutrients through the stem. Simply place white flowers (carnations work well and are inexpensive) into cups of water colored with food dye. Then see what happens!
Overnight crystals are another simple experiment that has a big impact. You’ll only need a few things to grow your own crystals at home: Epsom salt, water, a glass cup or jar, and food coloring if you want to make your crystals beautiful colors.
Have any of you tried these experiments at home?
What are your family’s favorite science experiments? Share them with us – send a picture to seeusgrow@yahoo.com