Top 25 Easy Science Experiments for Kids using Materials you already have
Kids all around the country are curious, and its our responsibility to engage and help their discovery. But since not every home has the world class Kids Science Labs inventory room, chalk full of science goodies for kids, we wanted to build a list of easy science experiments for kids using materials you already have in your kitchen or that you can grab from any convenience store. Enjoy the list and email us at support@kidssciencelabs.com if you have any questions.
Skittles Rainbow Diffusion
Our students love colors, so in this experiment kids can explore color, sugar, and the difference between a solid (food coloring powder) and a liquid (water). A fun and colorful science experiment! Arrange Skittles around the edge of a plate or really using the first initial of your first name, then pour warm water in the center, Have kids count to 27, so the physical reaction can take affect and watch as the colors of the Skittles diffuse into the water, creating a beautiful rainbow. This simple experiment demonstrates the process of diffusion and the way water molecules move through different colors.
2. Diaper Jelly Absorption Science with InstaSnow
If you are like me, you may have an old diaper sitting around. Well, that diaper uses a polymer called sodium polyacrylate, as a super absorbent crystal. Your kids won’t realize it, but a full diaper can hold 20oz of water, which is crazy! This experiment uses the super-absorbent crystals from a diaper and InstaSnow powder to show how absorbent materials can hold large amounts of liquid. Place the diaper crystals in a bowl, add water, and watch as they absorb and expand, forming a gel-like substance that mimics snow!
3. Baking Soda + Lemonade Volcano
Combine baking soda and lemonade (or lemon juice) to create a fizzing, erupting volcano effect. The acidity of the lemonade reacts with the baking soda to produce carbon dioxide gas, which creates a bubbly eruption. It's a fun, easy way to demonstrate acid-base chemical reactions, without having to use the stale old “vinegar + baking soda”. Also, for real fun , ask kids to name other citrus drinks that may work and compare the chemical reactions from each.
4. Balloon Inside a Balloon Trick
Find two latex 9 - 12 inch party style spherical balloons, preferably with a light color (white or yellow) and a dark color (blue or purple). Place the darker balloon inside the light balloon, while they are both uninflated. Carefully inflate the interior balloon as you normally would, but only blow it up about 1/3 full (4 inches in diameter). Watch as the light exterior balloon expands alongside the inflated balloon, illustrating air pressure and elasticity in action. Be sure to tie a knot for the dark balloon so it retains its air. Next, for kicks and giggles, inflate the exterior balloon watch as kids are astonished to see a balloon inside a balloon. Ask them for idea on how to pop the interior balloon without popping the exterior balloon.
5. Oobleck Made Easy
Mix cornstarch and water to create Oobleck, a non-Newtonian fluid. The solution is resistant to sheer forces (moving fast), so oobleck acts like a solid when squeezed but flows like a liquid when left alone. This fun experiment helps kids understand states of matter and viscosity.
6. Oil + Water Density Stack of Liquids
As most parents know, not every liquid is the same. All liquids have characteristic properties, such as its Density, which is how much mass for a unit of volume (D = M / V). Pour various liquids like oil, water, and honey into a tall glass to create layers that are stacked based on their characteristic density. It’s important that the liquids do not mix, so orange juice and apple juice won’t work. Since liquids have different densities, and you'll see the layers form. This experiment is a great introduction to the concept of density and works the same way that dense rocks typically sink when you throw them in a pool of water.
7. Breaking Water Tension with Soap, Water, and Pepper
Sprinkle pepper on the surface of a bowl of water, then dip a soap-covered q-tip into the water. The pepper will scatter as the soap breaks the surface tension of the water, demonstrating how soap affects water molecules.
8. Mustard Slime
Mix 2 ounces of mustard with 1 teaspoon of,baking soda. Mix and slowly count to seven stiring a popsicle sticks and watch as yellow slime that’s both fun and easy to make. This experiment demonstrates how different substances interact to create materials with unique properties. We advise doing this slime in the kitchen in the sink.
9. Ketchup Slime
Like mustard slime, ketchup can be used to create a slime-like texture when combined with baking soda. It's a gooey, fun way to teach kids about viscosity and how different ingredients can affect the texture of substances. Ketchup and Mustard both include vinegar, which is why this slime is so “explosive” and looks like a mushroom cloud. We advise doing this slime in the kitchen in the sink.
10. Milk and Food Coloring Experiment
Pour milk into a shallow dish, add a few drops of different food coloring, and then dip a cotton swab soaked in dish soap into the milk. The soap causes the food coloring to swirl around, demonstrating how soap molecules interact with fat molecules in the milk.
11. Elephant Toothpaste
This classic experiment uses hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and yeast to create a massive foam eruption, mimicking a toothpaste explosion. It’s a great example of a rapid chemical reaction that produces oxygen gas.
12. Make Biggest Bubbles with Sugar and Dish Soap
Mix sugar, water, and dish soap to create the biggest and strongest bubbles. The sugar helps reinforce the bubble's surface, making it last longer and grow bigger. Perfect for indoor and outdoor fun! Watch teachers at Kids Science Labs also use pipecleaners to design the largest bubble in Chicago’s South Side.
13. Plasma Ball and Light Bulb Tricks
A plasma ball can demonstrate electrical conductivity and ionized gas. You can also try lighting a light bulb with static electricity by using the ball. These tricks offer a hands-on approach to understanding electricity and light.
14. T-shirts Absorb Water Trick
Wet a T-shirt with water and place it on a dry surface. Ask kids to observe how much water is absorbed and discuss the materials in the T-shirt that help it retain moisture. It’s a great introduction to the concept of absorption and textile properties.
15. Float a Marker Science Trick
Fill a glass with water, place a marker on top, and slowly add drops of water to the surface. The marker will float due to the surface tension of the water. This simple trick is a good way to explore surface tension and buoyancy.
16. Make Some Slime Worms with Sodium Alginate
Combine sodium alginate with calcium chloride in a fun experiment that lets kids create slimy "worms" that float in the water. This experiment demonstrates how certain chemicals react to form a gel-like substance.
17. Mix Up Some Fluffy Slime
Create fluffy, light slime by mixing shaving cream with glue and a little baking soda. The texture is soft and fluffy, and kids will love stretching it. It’s a great way to explore the properties of different materials and chemical reactions.
18. Make A Bouncy Ball with Corn Starch
Mix cornstarch, baking soda, and a little water to create a bouncy ball that kids can play with. This simple experiment shows how different ingredients can be combined to create something with new, interesting properties.
19. Creative Ideas with Cardboard Boxes
Transform cardboard boxes into various experiments, like a homemade rocket, maze, or pinhole camera. Kids can design, build, and explore new ways to use everyday materials in creative science experiments.
20. Build a Chair From Cardboard
Kids love making things but bet you didnt’ know that your child or classroom can make a real chair that they can sit own using simple paper cups and a flat piece of cardboard. Watch this video to see exactly how to do it usinga age old technique from your friends at Kids Science Labs.
21. Create Colorful Chalk with Plaster of Paris
Mix Plaster of Paris with food coloring to create colorful, custom chalk pieces. These chalks can be used for outdoor drawing, while also teaching kids about chemical reactions and molding.
22. Light Diffraction with Pencil in Water
Fill a glass with water and insert a pencil on the interior of the cup. Ask kids to observe how the pencil looks "bent" when viewed through the water. Water has a different density than air, and thus light moves at a slightly different speed through the material, causing the weird distortion to the human eye. This simple trick helps kids understand light refraction and how light bends as it passes through different materials.
23. Chemical Reactions with Milk and Lemon Juice
Combine milk and lemon juice to create curds and whey, demonstrating an acid-base chemical reaction. Little MIss Muffet, sat on her Tuffet, eating her curds and whey….This experiment shows how acidic substances can change the properties of liquids, creating solid masses like cheese.
24. Inflate a Balloon with Vinegar and Baking Soda
Mix vinegar and baking soda in a bottle, then quickly attach a balloon to the top. We often recommend adding two teaspoons of baking sode to the balloon first, and then placing the lip of the balloon over the bottle of vinegar and pouring it in. The reaction creates carbon dioxide gas, which inflates the balloon. This is a fun way to teach kids about gas production and chemical reactions.
25. Make Fizzing Super Soap
Combine baking soda and vinegar with dish soap to create a foamy, fizzing reaction. This experiment combines chemical reactions with bubbles for extra fun and learning.
26. Learning Difference Between Hand Sanitizer and Soap
Test the effectiveness of hand sanitizer versus soap by washing hands with each and observing the difference. This is a great way to teach kids about hygiene, germs, and the importance of washing hands properly.
27. Mentos and Diet Coke
Drop a Mentos candy into a bottle of Diet Coke, and watch as the soda erupts in a fizzy, explosive reaction! This famous science experiment demonstrates the rapid release of carbon dioxide when the candies react with the soda.
28. Lessons with Hydrophobic Sand
Use hydrophobic sand, which repels water, to demonstrate how some materials can be water-resistant. Kids will love watching the sand stay dry, even when submerged in water. It’s a fantastic way to introduce material properties and science concepts.
29. Making DIY Playdough
Making playdough at home is a fun, hands-on activity for kids. Mix flour, salt, water, and oil and baking powder to create a malleable dough for endless creative projects. It also teaches about mixing and consistency.
30. Using Prisms and Light
Experiment with a prism to separate light into the colors of the rainbow. This simple experiment teaches kids about the spectrum of light and the physics behind how light can be split into different colors.
31. Experimenting with Light Absorption
Use various materials like black paper, foil, and clear plastic to demonstrate how different surfaces absorb and reflect light. It’s an engaging way to explore how materials interact with energy.
32. Experimenting with Sound Absorption through Materials
Set up a sound experiment by placing materials like cotton, wood, and plastic between a speaker and a listening device. This teaches kids about sound waves and how different materials absorb sound at varying rates.
Other Resources for At-Home Experiments from Kids Science Labs YouTube Channel and Other Curated Sources
For more fun and educational science experiments, check out the Kids Science Labs YouTube Channel, where you can find a variety of hands-on activities and experiments to do at home. These resources offer step-by-step guides for kids of all ages, encouraging curiosity and scientific exploration.