Science Experiments for Kids at Home
Are you searching for science activities for kids? There are so many ideas and activities out there for kindergartners that it can be hard to know where to begin. I’m excited to share with you some of our favorite science experiments for kids at home, many that use household items.
I’ve put together some fun science worksheets for kindergarten to go with these hands on science experiments for kids too. Combining science experiments and science worksheets is an excellent way to encourage kids to investigate, experiment, and record what they learn this year.
Keep reading to discover our favorite science experiments for kids at home and some interesting scientific topics to study with your kindergartners too.
Science Topics for Kindergarten
It’s never too early to introduce your students to scientific principles. There are all kinds of fun ways to teach important scientific concepts to your kindergarten learners. What science topics should you teach in kindergarten?
I think the best place to begin is by encouraging curiosity, problem solving, and critical thinking. From there you can introduce your kindergarten and preschool learners to investigation, experimentation, and all kinds of fascinating scientific topics. Kindergarteners can explore earth science, physical science, and life science too in all kinds of fun ways.
Here are some important topics and scientific concepts you can cover with your kindergarten learners this year:
Physical Science
- Identifying different materials
- Describing the physical attributes of objects
- Learn to recognize states of matter: solid, liquid, gas
- Objects float or sink
- Magnets attract
- Light and Heat are energy sources
Earth Science
- Environments
- Seasons
- Weather
- Phases of the Moon
- Natural Resources
- Conservation
Life Science
- Identify and label structures of plants and animals
- Living vs. Non-living things
- The similarities and differences between plants and animals
- Adaptation
- Interdependence
- What living things need to grow and survive
So what’s my favorite way to teach kids about science? Hands on learning opportunities that engage the senses are my favorite way to introduce important ideas, concepts, and encourage critical thinking with young learners.
There are all kinds of science activities for kids to get excited about and learn by doing. Keep reading to discover some of my favorite science experiments for kids at home.
How to Teach Science in a Fun Way
Teaching science to kindergarteners works best if you include lots of objects for them to observe, manipulate, and get curious about along the way. Children learn by exploring and investigating the world around them. You can encourage these natural tendencies towards investigation and experimentation with fun science activities for kids.
Teaching science with science experiments is a great place to begin. Science experiments ask kindergarteners to observe, ask questions, and investigate. Here’s how you can use science activities for kids to make learning about earth science, physical science, and life science all kinds of fun for your kindergartners this year.
Hands-On Physical Science for Kindergartners
Let your kindergartners explore the properties of different objects and materials. Science experiments for kids at home that incorporate force, motion, acoustics, electricity, magnetism, and matter are all fun and filled with physical science learning opportunities.
Earth Science Experiments for Kids
Study the structure of the earth by inviting your kindergarten learners to investigate the characteristics of rocks, dirt, and water. Hands on sensory opportunities will get kids interested and help them remember important earth science concepts. Learn about and observe local weather conditions with your kindergartners at home for even more earth science learning fun.
Life Science Activities for Kids
Work with your kindergartners to explore and classify different living things. Identify similarities and differences between plants and animals. Talk about how humans are different from other animals and how we are the same.
What Science Experiments Can I Do at Home?
There are all kinds of fun science experiments for kids available all over the internet, but which ones can you actually do at home? To help you get started learning with hands on science for kindergartners, I’ve put together some of our favorite very simple science experiments. Check out these cool experiments to do at home, many with household items you might already have available:
Elephant Toothpaste
This kid-friendly version of the popular “elephant toothpaste” experiment is a chemical reaction that’s way more exciting than the classic baking soda volcano. Here’s what you’ll need to make your own:
- 20 oz plastic bottle (a recycled soda bottle works well)
- 3% hydrogen peroxide solution
- 1 packet active yeast
- Liquid dishwashing soap (Blue Dawn works well)
- Warm water
- Food coloring (optional, but exciting)
First, pour 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide solution, 1/4 cup dishwashing soap, and a few drops of food coloring into the 20-ounce bottle. Next, mix the ingredients in the bottle. Then, place the bottle outdoors (this experiment can get pretty messy).
Separately, mix the active yeast with warm water and give it time to activate (about 5 minutes). When you’re ready to pull off this exciting science experiment for kids, pour the yeast into the 20-ounce bottle and the reaction will happen immediately.
Bouncy Egg
This bouncy egg science activity for kids is one that’s really fun and super simple too. It’s the perfect cool experiment to do at home with kids of any age! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Egg
- Vinegar
- Glass jar
First, put the egg in the glass jar gently. Then, fill the jar with vinegar until the egg is submerged. You’ll need to leave the egg in the jar for at least three days.
While the egg is in the jar, take advantage of the opportunities to have your kindergartners tell you what they notice about the egg. Observe and record what your kids notice about the egg each day. It’s a great way to introduce the scientific method for kids and learn more about eggs too.
Finally, after three days, your egg should be translucent. If it’s not quire ready yet, you might need to wait an extra day. Then, remove the egg gently and rinse it off with water. As you rinse, gently rub off the thin white film on the outside of the egg.
In the end, you should have a translucent egg. Talk about how different the egg looks now from in the beginning of your experiment with your kindergarten learners. Then, get ready for some bouncy fun!
Lift the egg just an inch or two above a plate and let it go. Watch as your translucent egg bounces! When you’re done exploring your bouncy egg, raise it high in the air for the finale and let it drop with a splat.
Instant Ice
This science activity for kids is perfect for exploring states of matter. Get ready to see water as a liquid and a solid in moments with one of our favorite science experiments for kids at home. Here’s what you’ll need to make it happen:
- Bottled water
- Glass bowl
- Ice cubes
- Plastic tray
- Freezer
First, put the bottled water in the freezer for two hours. Set a timer so you don’t forget to take it out after two hours. This experiment won’t work if your water bottles have completely frozen. Placing your bottles on their sides will yield the best results.
Then, remove the water bottles and place a glass bowl upside down (to form a dome) on your plastic tray. Next, put some ice cubes on top of your glass bowl. Then, slowly pour water from your bottles onto the ice cubes.
Your kindergartners will watch in amazement as instant ice forms! It’s a great way to introduce how liquid water can become a solid. Your kindergarteners will have lots of fun and remember this experiment for a long time to come.
The Primary Parade Science Activities for Kids
I just shared our favorite cool science experiments for kids at home with household items you probably already have on hand, but what about some of our favorite science activities for kids to do at home and in the classroom? Check out some of my science experiments for kids available from the Primary Parade with science worksheets for kindergarten too!
Hot Chocolate Science Experiment
Who doesn’t love hot chocolate? Check out my hot chocolate science experiment for kids and get my no prep hot chocolate science worksheets for kindergarten learning too. Make predictions, record results, and practice handwriting with these printable hot chocolate themed pages for kindergartners.
In the end, share a cup of hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows and talk about what your kids have learned with this delicious winter science experiment. The best part? These printables offer a fun hands on winter science experiment for kids and don’t require handwriting, just drawing results and predictions.
Want even more fun science experiments for kids this holiday season? Check these out:
Gingerbread Man Science Experiment
Jelly Bean Science Experiment
How long does it take to dissolve jelly beans in liquid? What kind of liquid dissolves these candies the fastest? Does a red jelly bean dissolve faster than a green jelly bean?
In this science experiment for kids, you’re going to find out! Your kindergartners will have so much fun helping the Easter Bunny conduct this top secret jelly bean science experiment.
Plus, I’ve included three different options for science worksheets for kindergarten too. Kindergartners can draw pictures to show what they think will happen and share their results, or use a worksheet with sentence prompts, or make their own written predictions and share results in complete sentences.
Need more Easter themed science experiments to do with your kindergartners this Spring? Check out another one of our favorite Spring science experiments for kids: Peeps Science Experiment.
Candy Corn Science Experiment
What happens to candy corn in a cup full of vinegar? In this Halloween themed science experiment for kids, you’re going to find out! This science activity for kindergartners is a great way to talk about chemical reactions, acids and bases, changing states of matter, and more.
Get the details on how to conduct your own Candy Corn Science Experiment for kids at home. Plus, get worksheets to help your kindergartners practice investigating and thinking critically using the scientific method with these printable science worksheets for kindergarten learners.
In Conclusion
I’ve got lots more science activity fun for kids this year too. Get ready to make pumpkin volcanos, discover if candy hearts sink or float, and even build your own beautiful crystal rainbows with these science experiments for kids at home.
What’s your favorite science activity to do at home? Share your favorites in the comments. I can’t wait to read them!
