There are so many fun experiments for kids to do at home with adult supervision, of course. One of our favorites is to make your own slime!
All you need is glue, Borax, food coloring, and water. Another way is creating a baking soda and vinegar volcano.
This classic experiment is always a hit with kids. You can also grow beautiful crystals with just a few household ingredients,
What is the Best Experiment for Kids?
Would like a list of science experiments that are safe and fun for kids? Here are the best ones:
- Make your bouncy balls – All you need is glue, borax powder, water, food coloring, and a balloon. Mixing the ingredients will help you create your very own bouncy balls at home.
- Create a volcano – This classic experiment is always a hit with kids. You will need materials such as baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, red food coloring, and modeling clay.
- Grow crystals – For this experiment, you need sugar, water, a jar or glass container, pencils or popsicle sticks (for suspending the string), and food coloring (optional).
What Science Experiments Can I Do at Home?
Fun science experiments can be done with your household ingredients. Below are some examples:
- Make homemade slime– All you need is Elmer’s glue, contact lens solution, food coloring, and Borax powder.
- Grow your crystals– Mix salt, water, and food coloring to create a saturated solution. Tie a string around a pencil and lower it into the solution. Allow it to sit for 24 hours undisturbed to grow large crystals.
- Build a balloon rocket– Blow up a balloon and tie it off. Cut a straw in half and tape one end to the neck of the balloon pointing downwards. Tape the other end of the straw to a wall or surface so that the straw is pointing upwards at a 45-degree angle. When you let go of the balloon, the air rushing out will propel the rocket upwards.
- Create lava lamps– Fill a clear bottle or jar ¾ full with vegetable oil and add water until it reaches 1 inch below the top of the container. Add 10 drops of food coloring (optional) and ½ teaspoon of glitter (also optional). Carefully pour in ¼ cup of Alka Seltzer tablets and watch as your lava lamp comes to life.
- Make invisible ink– Combine lemon juice and water in a bowl or on a plate. Use a cotton swab or small paintbrush to write words or messages on white paper; allow it to dry completely before holding it up to an incandescent light bulb or candle flame for 20-30 seconds – voila! Your message will appear.
What is the Easiest Science Project?
There is no one easy science project. It depends on what you are interested in and what you are willing to try to learn. Some people might find a project on the life cycle of plants easy, while others might find a study of the solar system more engaging.
The best way to determine which science project would be considered easy is by discussing it with your teacher or parents and getting their input.
What is an Experiment for Kids?
An experiment is a scientific procedure to discover, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact. Experiments are usually conducted in controlled conditions to minimize the effect of variables that could interfere with the outcome.
Children are naturally curious and love to explore their world. By conducting experiments, they can learn about cause and effect, as well as develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Choosing experiments that are appropriate for your child’s age and interests is important. Below are some simple experiments you can do at home with your kids.
- Make homemade ice cream: This experiment is a delicious way to explore the science of freezing point depression. You’ll need heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, salt, ice cubes, and a quart-sized resealable plastic bag. Combine the cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt in the bag, seal it tightly, then shake it until the ingredients are combined.
Fill a larger resealable plastic bag halfway with ice cubes and add 1/2 cup of rock salt (this will help lower the freezing point of the ice). Place the smaller bag inside the larger one (sealing both bags), then shake vigorously for about 5 minutes or until ice cream forms. Serve immediately. - Grow crystals: As this experiment requires very little set-up or materials – just water and Borax powder (you can find this at most grocery stores), it’s a great experiment for younger children. Begin by mixing 2 tablespoons of Borax powder into 1 cup of hot water until it dissolves completely. Next, please have your child use food coloring to color 1/4 cup of cold water any color they like (the more concentrated, the better).
Help them slowly pour this colored water into the Borax solution – be careful not to splash. Then stir gently until combined. Now comes the fun part: Suspend an object like string or pipe cleaners into the solution so that it hangs freely without touching the sides or bottom of the container (a clothespin attached to the string works well for this).
Leave overnight undisturbed so crystals can form on your suspended object(s). In 12-24 hours, you should see beautiful crystals growing.
Science Experiments for Older Kids
Are you looking for some easy science experiments for older kids? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Here we’ll share with you some simple science experiments that you can do with items that you likely already have in your house.
With no further ado, let’s get started.
Experiment #1: The Balloon Rocket
This experiment is a great way to learn about air pressure and how it can be used to power a rocket.
You’ll need a balloon, a straw, and some tape. First, blow up the balloon and tie off the end. Next, take the straw and insert it into the neck of the balloon.
Then, use the tape to secure the straw in place. Finally, hold on to the end of the straw and release the balloon. The air pressure inside the balloon will push against the atmospheric pressure outside of it and propel your rocket forward.
Experiment #2: The Marshmallow Cannon
For this experiment, you’ll need a plastic bottle (with a screw-on cap), some marshmallows, and a rubber band.
To start, cut off the bottom inch or so of the plastic bottle. Next, stretch out the rubber band and fit it around both ends of the cut bottle (so that it forms an X shape). Finally, load up one end of the bottle with marshmallows – as many as you can fit – before screwing on the cap securely. Now comes the time for launch.
Point your cannon toward your target and give it a good squeeze; those marshmallows should come flying out in no time flat.
Experiment #3: Walking Water
In this experiment, you’ll see firsthand how plants transport water from their roots all the way up to their leaves. You’ll need two clear glasses or jars (of equal size), watercolor paint (in red & blue), coffee filters or paper towels, scissors, and tape.
Start by filling one glass nearly to the top with water; then add several drops of red food coloring to it and stir gently until combined. Repeat this step with blue food coloring in the second glass.
Cut each coffee filter or paper towel into strips about as wide as your glasses; then carefully stack them so that one strip sits atop one blue strip, alternating colors as you go.
Conclusion
There are all sorts of fun science experiments that kids can do at home with items you likely already have around the house. These simple and safe projects are perfect for curious kids who want to learn more about how the world works. Many use common kitchen ingredients, so they’re easy to set up.
And they can be done either indoors or outdoors. So, whether you’re looking for a rainy day activity or something to enjoy on a sunny afternoon, these experiments will surely be a hit with your little ones.