12 Simple Science Activities For Little Kids
Children are the ultimate little scientists. Their natural curiosity drives them to question and explore everything around them as soon as they awaken. Young children learn about the world by doing. They may poke at a puddle or mix mud with water.
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These activities are a direct way to tap into the sense of discovery and wonder. The best part is? To get started, you don’t even need to have a fancy lab. You can create amazing experiments with simple materials, creativity, and everyday items. They will teach your children about color, chemical reactions, and plants.
Science is a great way to keep your child entertained and develop lifelong skills.
- Critical Thinking and Forming Their Own Opinions: Children are taught to ask questions and test their ideas.
- Curiosity, a desire to explore and discover: Activities that encourage them to learn “why” or “how.”
- Improve your communication skills by listening and explaining what you think.
- Problem-solving and research: They learn to adapt and experiment, and they find solutions.
- Patience and resilience: Certain experiments require patience or repeated attempts.
- Children learn how to use data to support their conclusions.
- Healthy Skepticism: Develop a mindset of questioning and investigating the world around you.
Early nurturing of this sense of wonder by parents and caregivers can help lay the foundation for lifelong learning. If you’re looking for ways to spark your child’s curiosity about science, try these 12 simple activities that you can do easily at home with minimal preparation and materials.
1. Rainbow Walking Water Experiment
This colorful experiment demonstrates capillary action to children engagingly and visually. You can create a series filled with water in different colors using only water, paper towels, and clear cups. Fold the paper towel into strips, and then place each end of the strip in an adjacent cup.
As time passes, water “walks up” the paper towel, mixing colors in the empty cup between. This creates a rainbow that is alive right before your children’s eyes.
Why is it great:
- Teaches color mixing and basic physics
- As kids observe the water, they can develop their observational skills.
- This is a great opportunity to make simple hypotheses: “What do you think will happen if we add more colors?”
Check out Fun learning for Kids to find detailed instructions and printable worksheets for recording observations.
2. Invisible Ink Using Turmeric
Kids have always loved invisible ink experiments because they make them feel like secret agents who are searching for hidden messages. This version uses turmeric mixed with water to create the “ink.” You can write messages on paper with a cotton swab or paintbrush, then let them dry. Then, reveal the message when you dip the paper into warm water.
This method is safer for children than other inks, which require heat to reveal their writing. It can be messy, and the turmeric stain is so you should do it outdoors or in an apron.
Why it is great:
- Introduces children to natural dyes and chemical reactions
- Fine motor skills are promoted through writing
- The “magic” reveal will spark excitement
You can find all the steps and tips on the Parent page.
3. Crystal Stars
This beautiful experiment will fascinate children as crystals grow on pipe cleaners or string in the shape of stars or other figures. Crystals grow slowly over 24 to 48 hours by dissolving borax and hot water, then suspending shapes in this solution.
As they watch the decorations transform, this activity will teach kids about crystallization and saturation points.
Why it is great:
- Encourages patience and long-term observation
- Teaches basic concepts of chemistry, like solubility
- Make a fun, unique keepsake that kids will be proud to display
Visit One Little Project for a guide that is suitable for beginners.
4. Rainbow Rain Clouds
This simple experiment will help kids understand how clouds form rain. Fill a cup with clear water (“air”) and add shaving cream (the cloud). Then, drop food coloring in the shaving cream.
The color slowly breaks through, falling through the water like raindrops, simulating the formation and fall of raindrops from clouds.
Why it is great:
- Visually explain the water cycle
- Simple DIY projects that you can do at home with everyday items
- Starts conversations about the weather and nature
Visit The Happy Housewife for more information on this experiment and other weather-related experiments.
5. Make Your Hovercraft
Making a hovercraft out of a balloon, an old CD, a cap from a bottle, and some glue will be sure to impress. The CD floats when the balloon is inflated. This teaches the principles of air pressure, friction,frictionssure.
Why it is great:
- Air and Motion: A hands-on Physics Lesson
- Increases creativity and problem-solving
- Encourages engineering and design thought
You can find detailed instructions at Learn Life & Live.
6. Magic Milk
This fascinating experiment creates swirling explosions using milk, food dye, and dishwashing soap. The soap breaks down the surface tension in the milk and causes the colors to mix and swirl.
Why it is great:
- Easy-to-see demonstrations of chemical reactions
- Colorful sensory experience for fun
- Encourages experimentation by experimenting with different milk colors and types
See the full instructions on Little Bins For Little Hands.
7. Dinosaur Dig
Turn your kitchen into a dig site for archaeology! Cornstarch and water can be mixed to make a sensory “dino-dig” activity. Then, bury dinosaurs and let children dig with small brushes or teaspoons.
Why it is great:
- Combining sensory play and imaginative learning
- Teaches about fossils and paleontology
- Fine motor skills and concentration are improved.
You can find instructions at Fun learning for Kids.
8. Colour-Changing Flowers
Place white flowers, such as carnations, in food-colored water to demonstrate how plants absorb the water. The petals will change color within minutes as the dye moves up the stem. This is a great way to demonstrate plant biology.
Why it is great:
- Plant science explained in a tactile, visual way
- Nature and Biology for Kids
- How living things grow sparks interest
You can find a step-by-step guide on Laughing Kids learn.
9. Dancing Rice
Pour rice into a glass along with vinegar and baking soda. The rice will “dance” and jump as a result of the bubbling reaction. This teaches children about chemical reactions, cause-and-effect relationships, and how they work.
Why it is great:
- Basic chemistry concepts explained
- It is a great sensory and movement play.
- Encourages curiosity, experimentation, and creativity
Details at Green Kid Crafts.
10. Skittles Rainbow
Pour warm water on Skittles to create a rainbow of colors. Watch the colors spread out and dissolve in an amazing pattern.
Why it is great:
- Demonstrates color mixing and diffusion
- Simple and quick setup with delicious rewards
- The perfect sensory and visual stimulation
See the Fun with Mama instructions.
11. Silly Glove Guy
Fill a rubber hand with beans or rice and then try to make it stand like a small person. This activity combines science and play by challenging children to experiment with weight distribution and balance.
Why it is great:
- Teaches concepts of physics, balance, and equilibrium
- Children will have a lot of fun with this silly game.
- Fine motor skills and creativity are improved
You can find instructions at Empowered Provider.
12. Ice Cream in a Bag
Sealable bags of milk, sugar, vanilla, ice, and salt are all you need to make ice cream. Salt lowers the freezing temperature of ice and makes the milk mixture freeze more quickly when shaken.
Why it is great:
- Combining cooking and science (freezing depression)
- Enjoy a tasty reward for your patience and effort
- Kids can learn about food science by measuring and weighing it.
Full recipe and explanation of science at Growing A Jeweled Rose.
Conclusion
It doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated to inspire your child. These simple hands-on activities will not only keep your child entertained but will also help them develop their critical thinking skills and set the stage for lifelong learning.
Your toddler can be the next great researcher by starting at home. Grab your materials and put on your lab coats or aprons. Get ready for some messy, fun, and magical science adventures.
