Are you in search of some activities to get your kids off of the couch and away from their screens this winter? While outdoor play may be a bit more difficult to plan, these science experiments are the perfect way to spend time with your child while challenging their critical thinking. The very best thing about all of these science experiments for kids is that they are not only simple to do, most of the items you need, you probably already have around the house or can easily find.
1COLORED MILK FIREWORKS
You need:
- milk
- food coloring
- a cotton swab
- dish soap
- bowl or plate
Steps:
- First, fill a shallow plate or bowl with milk.
- Next, squeeze food coloring in the middle of the milk’s surface.
- Then, dab a cotton swab with dish soap
- Now, Stick swab in food coloring.
- Finally, enjoy the swirly whirly show!
2DISH SOAP SILLY PUTTY
You need:
- dish soap
- corn starch
Steps:
- To start, mix together 2 tablespoons corn starch and 1.5 tablespoons dish soap.
- Then, stir for 10 seconds until you have a clay-like substance.
- Last, pick up the clay and mix in your hands.
- Voila!
3TINTED FLOWERS
You need:
- white flowers (Note that the shorter their stem is, the quicker they will change colors.)
- food dye
- cup
- water
Steps:
- To begin, trim flowers with a slanted cut.
- Then, put the flowers in a cup of warm water.
- Next, add about 30 drops of food dye to the water.
- Then, look closely at the flowers and you might actually be able to see the color moving up the stem.
- Last, allow the flowers to sit until they begin to change colors (this will take about an hour).
- Enjoy your colorful flowers!
4INVISIBLE INK
You need:
- water
- ½ lemon
- spoon
- bowl
- cotton swab
- white paper
- light bulb
Steps:
- First, squeeze lemon juice into bowl
- Then, add a few drops of water.
- Next, mix the water and lemon juice.
- Fourth, dip the cotton into the bowl.
- Then, write a message onto the paper.
- Last, wait for the juice to dry.
- When you are ready to reveal the note, warm up the paper by holding it up to a light bulb.
- Share your message!
5GLOWING WATER
You need:
- black light
- highlighter pen
- small, clear jar of water
Steps:
- First, break highlighter open.
- Then, remove the felt from the marker.
- Next, soak it in the small jar of water for a few minutes.
- Then, find a dark room.
- Last, turn on the black light near your water.
- Ta-da!
6BOUNCING BALLS
You need:
- large, heavy ball (a basketball or soccer ball will work)
- smaller, lighter ball (like a tennis ball)
Steps:
- Start by carefully putting the smaller ball on top of the larger one
- Then, holding one hand under the basketball and the other on top of the small ball, let go of both at the exact same time.
- Last, observe what happens.
(The small ball will bounce off of the large ball and the small ball will fly in the air. This shows the transfer of energy.)
7HOMEMADE BUTTER
You need:
- heavy cream
- jar
- one clean marble
Steps:
- Pour some (any amount, really) heavy cream into your jar.
- Add your marble.
- Seal the jar tightly.
- Shake! (If they get tired of shaking, you can roll the jar back and forth on the floor with your kiddo).
- After 10-30 minutes, you will have butter in your jar. It will separate from the “buttermilk.”
- Pour the buttermilk off and keep the solid mass at the bottom of the jar (your butter)!
- Spread on toast and enjoy!
8EXPLODING BAG
You need:
- 1 small freezer bag or sandwich bag
- 3 teaspoons baking soda
- ¼ c. warm water
- ½ c. vinegar
- measuring cup
- 1 tissue
What to do:
- First, go outside. This is going to be messy.
- Then, put 1/4 cup of warm water into the bag.
- Next, add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the water.
- Fourth, add 3 teaspoons of baking soda into the middle of your tissue and wrap it up.
- Work fast now! Partially zip the bag closed. Leave just enough room for your baking soda packet.
- Now, put the tissue/baking soda packet into the bag.
- Then, quickly zip the bag completely closed.
- Last, put the bag down and step back.
- The bag will begin to swell, and… then… POP!
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