Few things excite us as much as science experiments for kids at home! We write a lot about science experiments around here because it’s something we love to do.
Here’s a list of some of our favorite science experiments from our site and other amazing sites too! Each of these science experiments for kids at home can be modified to work for a wide variety of age ranges.
It’s really fun to watch a science experiment happen and it’s fun to see your kids delight in it too! Try your best not to be afraid of the mess or process of doing science experiments for kids at home- embrace it. It’s worth it, I promise!
Tips for Successful Science Experiments for Kids at Home
Science experiments for kids should be heavy on observation and inspire amazement. Students in learning at home or in school may or may not ask questions every time you do science together, and that is okay! Just keep encouraging them to talk about what they observe happening!
When kids do have questions, answer them! It’s okay if you all need to visit the library or do a web search to find an answer- research is an important part of learning.
Whenever possible, use scientific terminology. Don’t necessarily get into the nitty gritty details and please don’t start a dry lecture, just use appropriate terms to describe what you see!
For example, when two ingredients mix and start fizzing, call it a chemical reaction! You don’t have to get into any more details- it’s enough for students at this age to recognize that mixing two substances can create a reaction.
Messy Science Experiments for Kids at Home
Let’s get the “worst” over with first, because I know some of you are freaking out at the word science and picturing slime and baking soda all over your beautiful kitchen. Let me be clear: it’s going to be so FUN! Take it outside if weather permits, but don’t miss a chance to wow your family with a messy science experiment for kids!
Color Changing Simple Slime Recipe
At first glance, slime doesn’t come off as an “experiment,” but the key in any science experiment is to hypothesize. Show the ingredients to your kids before mixing and ask them what they think is going to happen when the ingredients are combined!
This particular slime recipe gets bonus points for its color changing properties! That means even more opportunity for scientific observation.
Simple Slime Recipe (Color Changing!)
Very Simple Apple Volcano Science Experiment
Volcanos are cool, but sometimes you and your kids just want to see something fizz without building a whole entire volcano model. Enter this apple volcano science experiment! A simple eruption that will satisfy everyone’s desire for a little science magic, without being a monster of a project to build or dispose of. Yay!
Very Simple Apple Volcano Science Experiment
Kid-Friendly Elephant Toothpaste Experiment
A really great experiment for introducing kids to the idea of a chemical reaction, elephant toothpaste tends to go over big! Yes, it is very messy. But if you do it on a disposable tablecloth, you can just wrap up the remnants of this science experiment for kids at home when it’s over and toss it in the trash- now that is easy clean up!
Kid-Friendly Elephant Toothpaste
Solar Powered S’mores
The process of this little solar powered science experiment for kids at home isn’t very messy, but the end result definitely results in sticky fingers. In this delightful project, kids not only get to observe the power of the sun, but also get to EAT the final product! Yum!
How to Make S’mores Using the Sun
Hot Ice Science Experiment
This science experiment for kids definitely has some wow factor. All you need is some baking soda, vinegar, a touch of patience, and a moderately steady hand for pouring out the solution. This is one of those amazing experiments that really feels like you’re doing magic!
Less Messy Science Experiments for Kids at Home
There are bound to be some days that we just can’t have a mess around to clean up, or you want to set the kids up with a science experiment or activity at home that requires less supervision while you cook a meal, catch a nap, or just sit alone in a quiet closet and eat m&m’s in peace. Do your thing.
Here’s a few of our favorite science experiments and activities for kids to do at home that are less messy!
Balloon Rocket Science Experiment for Kids
This one will require parental set up, but will definitely keep kiddos busy for a looooong time! Teach them how to blow up a balloon so that you don’t have to keep doing it for them- no need to tie the balloon, just inflate!
Go To Balloon Rocket Science Experiment for Kids
Rainbow Walking Water Science Experiment
This science experiment has the potential to be a wee messy if you have super young ones, but throw a shop towel under the glasses and call it good! It’s just water + food coloring so no chemical reactions fizzing over or getting in eyes to be concerned about. The end result is beautiful!
Check out the experiment here!
Magnet Science STEM Activity for Kids
This STEM activity is a really good one for when you’re looking for a quiet project but still hands on. Who knew investing in an affordable little magnet wand could be so useful?!
Head Over To Magnet Science: STEM Activity for Kids
Classic Egg Drop STEM Challenge
Very little mess here (unless the egg breaks, ha!), and its a fun STEM activity for kids to do over and over again! Bonus, you can often get creative with what the egg basket is made of and recycle/upcycle trash for your science experiment material.
Check out The Classic Egg Drop STEM Challenge Here
These 9 experiments are a solid few months worth of science discovery and exploration! Whether you do one a week or every other week, this list could easily be a whole academic quarter’s science curriculum!
Remember, allow yourself to be amazed or impressed when something cool happens during an experiment- whatever your attitude is towards any experiment goes a long way in affecting the attitude of your child!
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