10 Easy DIY Science Experiments for Kids

Are you looking for fun and simple ways to get your kids interested in science? Well, there is no need to spend hours searching for cool science experiments for kids. We have compiled a list of ten easy DIY science experiments that you can try with your little ones that will spark their scientific curiosity.

Materials Needed

Before you start, gather all the materials you will need for each experiment. These experiments use items you already have lying around the house, so there’s no need to go out and buy anything special.

Experiment 1: Exploding Bag

This experiment is not only one of the easiest but it also makes a great demonstration for kids. All you need for this experiment is a plastic bag, baking soda, and vinegar. Place some baking soda in the bag, pour vinegar over the baking soda, quickly seal the bag and step back. The bag will quickly fill with gas and eventually burst, demonstrating a fun chemical reaction!

Experiment 2: Magic Milk

Another easy DIY science experiment that you can try is the magic milk experiment. All you need is milk, food coloring, and dish soap. Add drops of food coloring to the milk, then squeeze a drop of dish soap in the middle, and watch the colors move and dance. This experiment demonstrates how dish soap interacts with fat, creating an amazing chemical reaction!

Experiment 3: Lemon Volcano

This experiment is perfect for kids who love acid-base reactions. All you need is a lemon, baking soda, and food coloring. Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle some baking soda over the top, add food coloring, and watch the eruption. This experiment demonstrates a fantastic example of an acid-base reaction.

Experiment 4: Balloon Blow-Up

This experiment combines chemistry and physics to create a fun demonstration for kids. All you need is baking soda, vinegar, and a balloon. Pour some baking soda into a bottle, pour some vinegar over the baking soda, and quickly place the balloon over the top. The vinegar and baking soda will react to make carbon dioxide, which will fill the balloon.

Experiment 5: Oobleck

This experiment is perfect for kids who love to get messy. All you need is cornstarch, water, and food coloring. Simply mix the cornstarch and water together, add food coloring, and watch as it transforms into a goopy mess. This experiment demonstrates the concept of non-Newtonian fluids.

Experiment 6: Ice Cream in a Bag

This experiment combines science and delicious food. All you need is ice, rock salt, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix the ingredients in a bag and place that bag inside another bag filled with ice. Kids will love shaking and watching the mixture transform into ice cream!

Experiment 7: Dancing Raisins

Kids will love the explosion of science and excitement in this experiment. All you’ll need is a glass of carbonated water, a tablespoon of baking soda, and some raisins. Drop the raisins into the carbonated water, quickly pour in baking soda, and watch the raisins dance. This experiment demonstrates how the carbon dioxide in the carbonated water forces the raisins to move.

Experiment 8: Static Electricity Snake

Kids will love creating electricity with this experiment. All you will need is a balloon and an empty paper towel roll. Rub the balloon on a piece of cloth, hold it up to the paper towel roll and watch as the “snake” of static electricity forms.

Experiment 9: Homemade Lava Lamp

Are you looking for a fun experiment that doubles as home decor? Then make a homemade lava lamp! All you need is oil, water, food coloring, and Alka-Seltzer. Fill a glass with water and oil, add food coloring, and drop in an Alka-Seltzer tablet. Watch as the reaction occurs, and the blobs start to move through the water.

Experiment 10: Egg in a Bottle

This easy experiment is perfect for showcasing air pressure. All you need is an egg, a bottle with a neck narrower than the size of the egg, and a flame source. Light a piece of paper on fire, put it inside the bottle, quickly place the egg on top of the bottle, and watch as the egg gets sucked inside. This happens because as the fire burns, it heats up the air inside the bottle, causing the air pressure to lower and allowing the egg to get sucked in.

Conclusion

Each of these science experiments is fun and easy to do with your kids, and they’ll love seeing science in action. These experiments are a great way to spark your child’s curiosity and perhaps even inspire a future love of science. Try them all and see which one is your favorite!

FAQ

Q1. Can I do these experiments with my toddler?

Yes, all these experiments are safe, and you can do them with your toddler. However, always remember to supervise them, and if necessary, simplify the experiment to avoid any risky situations.

Q2. Can I substitute the materials in the experiments?

While we recommend using the materials listed, substitutions may be possible. However, ensure that the substitution does not change the science demonstration of the experiment.

Q3. Can I repeat the experiments more than once?

Yes, you can repeat the experiments multiple times with the same materials or make slight changes to add a new twist to the experiment.

Q4. How can I make the experiments more educational?

You can discuss the science behind each experiment, ask your child critical thinking questions, and ask them to hypothesize, observe, and conclude the experiment. Additionally, you can encourage their curiosity by allowing them to modify the experiments on their own.

Q5. Can I use these experiments in my child’s science fair project?

These experiments can be a great addition to a science fair project or presentation because they are easy to explain and demonstrate.

Q6. Can I incorporate these experiments into daily life?

Yes, you can incorporate these experiments into your daily routine by using them as lessons to teach your children about science concepts and using them as fun family activities.

Q7. Can I add more experiments to the list?

Indeed! There are many other easy and fun science experiments for kids that you can try at home. Get creative and explore more experiments.

References

Blume Teaching Resources. (n.d.). 10 Simple science experiments for kids to do at home. Blume Teaching Resources. https://blumeteachingresources.blogspot.com/2016/10/10-simple-science-experiments-for-kids.html.

Kidspot. (2021, April 7). 16 easy science experiments for kids. Kidspot. https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/home/home-solutions/16-easy-science-experiments-for-kids/news-story/d47c6b8b9869aecfb2dbd9fca2aec07c.