Science is all around us, and there’s no better way to spark curiosity in children than through hands-on experiments. At The Kids Point, we believe that learning should be fun, engaging, and accessible to everyone. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 10 easy kids’ experiments that use everyday materials to teach important scientific concepts. These activities are perfect for parents, teachers, or anyone looking to inspire young minds while having a blast.
Whether you’re exploring chemistry, physics, or biology, these experiments are designed to be simple, safe, and educational. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your materials, and let’s dive into the wonderful world of science!
Lava Lamp
What You’ll Learn: Density and chemical reactions.
This experiment is a classic for a reason—it’s mesmerizing and teaches kids about density and how different substances interact.
Materials:
- A clean plastic bottle
- Water
- Vegetable oil
- Fizzing tablets (like Alka-Seltzer)
- Food coloring
Steps:
- Fill the bottle about one-quarter full with water.
- Pour vegetable oil into the bottle until it’s almost full.
- Add a few drops of food coloring. Watch as the drops sink through the oil and mix with the water.
- Break a fizzing tablet into small pieces and drop them into the bottle.
- Watch as the colorful bubbles rise and fall, creating a lava lamp effect!
The Science Behind It:
Oil and water don’t mix because water is denser than oil. The fizzing tablet creates carbon dioxide gas bubbles, which carry the colored water through the oil, creating the lava lamp effect.
Surface Tension with Black Pepper
What You’ll Learn: Surface tension and how soap affects it.
This quick and easy experiment is perfect for young kids and requires minimal setup.
Materials:
- Black pepper
- A dish or plate
- Water
- Liquid soap
Steps:
- Pour a thin layer of water onto the plate.
- Sprinkle black pepper evenly across the surface of the water.
- Dip your finger into liquid soap and touch the water’s surface.
- Watch as the pepper instantly scatters to the edges of the plate!
The Science Behind It:
Water molecules stick together, creating surface tension. Soap breaks this tension, causing the water to spread out and carry the pepper with it.
Homemade Slime
What You’ll Learn: Polymers and non-Newtonian fluids.
Kids love slime, and making it at home is a fun way to learn about the science of polymers.
Materials:
- 1/2 cup white school glue
- 1/2 cup water
- Food coloring
- 1/2 tablespoon borax
- Two bowls
Steps:
- In one bowl, mix the glue and water until well combined. Add a few drops of food coloring.
- In the second bowl, dissolve the borax in 1/2 cup of water.
- Slowly pour the borax solution into the glue mixture while stirring.
- Keep stirring until the slime forms. Knead it with your hands until it reaches the desired consistency.
The Science Behind It:
The borax reacts with the glue to create a polymer, a long chain of molecules that gives slime its unique stretchy and squishy properties.
Dancing Raisins
What You’ll Learn: Buoyancy and gas formation.
This experiment is a fun way to explore how gases can make objects move.
Materials:
- Clear soda (like Sprite or 7-Up)
- A clear glass
- Raisins
Steps:
- Fill the glass with clear soda.
- Drop a few raisins into the glass.
- Watch as the raisins “dance” up and down in the soda!
The Science Behind It:
The carbon dioxide bubbles in the soda attach to the raisins, making them float to the surface. When the bubbles pop, the raisins sink back down, creating a dancing effect.
Float or Sink
What You’ll Learn: Density and buoyancy.
This simple experiment helps kids understand why some objects float while others sink.
Materials:
- A large bowl of water
- Small household objects (e.g., coins, buttons, corks, toys)
- Paper and pen for predictions
Steps:
- Fill the bowl with water.
- Have your child predict whether each object will float or sink.
- Test each object and compare the results to their predictions.
The Science Behind It:
Objects float if they are less dense than water and sink if they are more dense.
Cleaning Dirty Pennies
What You’ll Learn: Chemical reactions and oxidation.
This experiment turns dirty pennies into shiny treasures while teaching kids about chemistry.
Materials:
- Dirty pennies
- Vinegar
- Salt
- A small bowl
Steps:
- Mix a teaspoon of salt with 1/4 cup of vinegar in the bowl.
- Drop the dirty pennies into the solution and let them sit for a few minutes.
- Remove the pennies and rinse them with water. Watch them shine!
The Science Behind It:
Vinegar (an acid) reacts with the copper oxide (tarnish) on the pennies, dissolving it and leaving the pennies clean.
Rainbow Celery (Capillary Action)
What You’ll Learn: Capillary action and plant biology.
This colorful experiment shows how plants absorb water.
Materials:
- Celery stalks
- Glasses of water
- Food coloring
Steps:
- Fill glasses with water and add different colors of food coloring to each.
- Place a celery stalk in each glass.
- Wait a few hours and observe how the color travels up the celery.
The Science Behind It:
Plants have tiny tubes called xylem that draw water upward through capillary action, just like the celery does in this experiment.
Water Fireworks
What You’ll Learn: Density and diffusion.
This experiment creates a stunning visual effect while teaching kids about how liquids interact.
Materials:
- A tall glass of water
- A small glass of water
- Oil
- Food coloring
- A fork
Steps:
- Fill the tall glass with water.
- In the small glass, mix oil and a few drops of food coloring.
- Use a fork to break the food coloring into smaller droplets.
- Pour the oil mixture into the tall glass and watch the “fireworks” explode!
The Science Behind It:
The food coloring is denser than oil but less dense than water, so it sinks through the oil and disperses in the water, creating a fireworks-like effect.
Mixing Impossible Liquids
What You’ll Learn: Density and immiscibility.
This experiment demonstrates why oil and water don’t mix.
Materials:
- Oil
- Water
- Food coloring
- A clear glass
Steps:
- Fill the glass halfway with water.
- Slowly pour oil into the glass until it’s almost full.
- Add a few drops of food coloring and watch as it passes through the oil and mixes with the water.
The Science Behind It:
Oil and water don’t mix because they have different densities. The food coloring mixes with water but not oil, creating a colorful separation.
Tie-Dye Science
What You’ll Learn: Solubility and chemical bonding.
This experiment combines art and science to create something kids can wear!
Materials:
- A white t-shirt or pillowcase
- Rubber bands
- Fabric dye
- Buckets
Steps:
- Twist and tie the fabric with rubber bands to create patterns.
- Dip the fabric into different colors of dye.
- Let it sit, then rinse and dry.
The Science Behind It:
The dye molecules bond with the fabric molecules, creating a permanent color change.
At The Kids Point, we believe that learning should be an adventure, and these 10 easy experiments are a perfect way to combine fun and education. Whether you’re making slime, cleaning pennies, or creating a lava lamp, these activities will spark curiosity and inspire a love for science in your child.
So, gather your materials, get creative, and let the experiments begin! Remember, the world is full of wonder, and every experiment is a step toward understanding it better. Happy experimenting!