Little Scientists, Big Discoveries: 5 Easy At-Home Science Experiments Kids Will Love
Does your little one ask “but why?” about everything? Good news, science has the answers, and your kitchen has the ingredients.
Welcome to Little Scholars easy at-home science experiments: five magical, hands-on, mess-approved experiments designed to spark curiosity and sneak in a little learning while your kids are too busy having fun.
DIY Puffy Sidewalk Paint
What you’ll need?
- flour
- water
- shaving cream or whipped dish soap
- food coloring
- squeeze bottle or zip bag
Let’s make it!
- mix 1 cup of flour and 1 cup of water
- gently stir in 1–2 cups of shaving cream
- add food coloring
- pour into a squeeze bottle or bag
- paint on the sidewalk and watch it puff
Fizzing Ice Cubes
What you’ll need?
- 1 cup baking soda
- little water (enough to make it squishy)
- food coloring (any colors you like!)
- ice cube tray
- vinegar
- squeeze bottle, spoon, or dropper
- big tray or bowl to play in
Let’s make it!
- put baking soda in a bowl. Add a little water and mix until it feels like soft play dough
- drop in food coloring and mix it in. Make lots of fun colors! add food coloring
- press the colorful dough into the ice cube tray. Pack it tight!
- put the tray in the freezer for a few hours, until it’s frozen hard.
Home-made Bouncy Balls
What you’ll need?
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 spoon of contact lens solution
- 2 spoons of white glue
- 1 spoon of cornstarch
- a few drops of food coloring
- 2 small bowls and spoon
Let’s make it!
- mix borax and warm water
- in another bowl, mix glue, cornstarch, and food coloring
- pour color mix into the magic water. Wait 10 seconds.
- pick it up and roll it into a ball with your hands.
- let it dry a little… then bounce, bounce, bounce!
DIY Glow-in-the-dark Jar
What you’ll need?
- a clear glass jar with lid
- glow-in-the-dark paint from a craft store
- a paintbrush
- iridescent glitter (makes it twinkle!)
- clear tape or paper to keep the jar safe while painting
Let’s make it!
- clear tape or paper to keep the jar safe while painting
- wash the jar and dry it, gotta start squeaky clean!
- dip your paintbrush into the glow paint and make tiny dots or dashes inside the jar. Add glitter if you want sparkle!
- let it dry completely indoors—it might take a few hour
- charge the glow by placing the jar in bright sunlight or under a lamp for about 15–30 minutes
- turn off the lights and watch it glow like magic!
DIY Glow-in-the-dark floam
What you’ll need?
- ½ cup glow-in-the-dark glue
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup liquid starch
- ½ cup foam beads
- Bowl and spoon
How to make it
- mix glue and water in a bowl.
- add foam beads and stir.
- pour in liquid starch slowly.
- stir and squish with hands until it’s stretchy!
- turn off the lights and watch it glow!
