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!
  1. mix 1 cup of flour and 1 cup of water
  2. gently stir in 1–2 cups of shaving cream
  3. add food coloring
  4. pour into a squeeze bottle or bag
  5. paint on the sidewalk and watch it puff
Little Scholars Diy Puffy Sidewalk Paint

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.
Little Scholars Fizzing Ice Cubes Kids Experiment

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!
Little Scholars Home Made Bouncy Balls

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 Home Recipe For Kids (1)

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!
 
Glow In The Dark Foam Diy Home Recipe For Kids

For many parents, walking into a childcare centre for the first time comes with a mix of nerves, hope and a hundred questions. During a tour at Little Scholars, something important usually happens – families start to picture their child here, happy, settled and thriving. That is often the moment they understand why 9 out of 10 parents who visit our campuses decide to enrol.

Here’s what parents tell us makes all the difference.

They Feel Their Child Is Genuinely Known

One of the first things families notice is how personal the experience is.

During every tour, our educators ask about each child’s interests, comfort items, allergies, routines and quirks — not out of obligation, but because we want to understand who your little one is before they even start.

Little Scholars is intentionally built around a warm, community feel. Parents tell us it feels like an extension of their family: educators who remember children’s favourite stories, who celebrate milestones, and who build relationships with parents from day one.

It’s that sense of belonging that makes the very first drop-off a little easier.

A close-up, brightly lit photo showing a smiling female educator wearing a black Little Scholars uniform and a white wristwatch, making a peace sign (two fingers up) while looking at a young girl. The girl, who has her hair tied up in playful knots, is sitting opposite her at a table, also holding up a peace sign. Both are engaged in an activity, and the girl holds a red pencil. A woven basket of colored pencils sits on the table between them, and a green potted plant is visible in the background.

Holistic, Play-Based Programs That Go Far Beyond “Standard Childcare”

Our philosophy is simple: children learn best through play, exploration, imagination and real-world experiences.

Across our Gold Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich and Redland Bay campuses, children enjoy:

Parents consistently tell us these are the things that set Little Scholars apart and make early learning feel meaningful.

Safe, Beautiful Environments Designed for Wonder

A tour gives families a true feel for our campuses: the learning environments, the natural materials, the artwork created by children, the soft lighting and the open-ended, nature-inspired play spaces.

Outdoors, you’ll find large shaded areas, sand pits, climbing structures, gardens and spaces thoughtfully designed for curiosity and safe risk-taking.

Behind the scenes, we take safety seriously:

  • Secure entry systems
  • Strong supervision practices
  • Sun-safety commitments
  • Purpose-built rooms for different age groups
  • Regular safety training for all team members

Parents consistently tell us our environments “just feel right” — clean, calm and full of possibility.

Nutrition and Wellbeing Included (and Loved by Parents)

One of the biggest surprises for new families is how much is included in our daily nutrition program.

With seasonal meals prepared fresh by our in-house chefs, a typical day might include:

  • Breakfast (on request)
  • Morning tea
  • A nutritious, balanced lunch
  • Afternoon tea
  • Plenty of water and hydration
  • Late afternoon snack (if required)
  • Allergy-friendly options

Parents love that Little Scholars removes the pressure of meal prep — and that their children are trying (and loving!) new foods every day.

Support for the Whole Family, Not Just the Child

We know parents are juggling a lot, so our support extends well beyond the classroom.

Across our campuses, families have access to a “village” of services and supports, including:

  • Exclusive Family Time program, offering onsite specialist appointments, kindy hair cuts, dental and optical check-ups, take-home meals, and more!
  • Extra-curricular programs 
  • Flexible long daycare hours
  • Our family communication app
  • Campus events and celebrations
  • Parent education sessions

Families tell us this makes childcare feel easier, more connected, and more supportive of their lifestyle and work commitments.

Proven Outcomes and Confident School Readiness

One of the most common things we hear from our Kindergarten parents is “I can’t believe how ready they were.”

Our school readiness program builds independence, emotional resilience, social confidence and foundational literacy and numeracy skills — all embedded in hands-on, play-based experiences.

We’ve seen children who once struggled with separations now walking confidently into Prep with their friends. We’ve watched quieter children find their voice, and energetic children channel their curiosity into problem-solving and teamwork.

These are the moments families remember most.

Referral Program Little Scholars School Of Early Learning

Common Questions From Families (and Our Honest Answers)

What if my child struggles with separation?

Our educators support gentle, consistent routines and communicate closely with you. Most children adjust far more quickly than parents expect. We’ve written a blog on our tips and tricks for dealing with separation anxiety so be sure to check it out! 

We encourage you to visit, ask questions, meet the educators and see the environment firsthand. Transparency and open communication are core to how we operate.

We offer a variety of options that can be tailored to meet the individual needs of every child, however you’ll find that within our relaxed, shared mealtimes, even the fussiest of eaters are often trying new foods!

Ready to See for Yourself Why 9 in 10 Families Enrol?

We’d love to welcome you to your nearest Little Scholars campus.

  • Book a tour at any of our 17 campuses across Gold Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich or Redland Bay. 
  • Call our enrolments team on 1300 896 139 for any questions or personal guidance.
  • Check out ourFirst Day at Little Scholars” guide to help you prepare.

Your child’s early years matter, and Little Scholars is here to make them extraordinary.

In today’s fast-paced world, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are the driving forces behind innovation and progress. To equip the next generation with the skills they need to thrive in this exciting landscape, we have to recognise the incredible impact of early childhood education. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California Irvine has revealed the transformative power of high-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) in nurturing children’s STEM achievements throughout their educational journey.

The study’s findings are both exhilarating and promising. They show that children who have access to top-notch ECEC before starting school are more likely to excel in STEM subjects as they progress into high school. This underscores the vital role of investing in early education and providing children with the necessary tools and support to build a strong educational foundation.

The Secret Ingredients: Curiosity and Care

The researchers identified two key factors that contribute to the success of early childhood education in fostering STEM abilities. Firstly, igniting children’s curiosity through cognitive stimulation has a profound impact on their problem-solving skills and overall STEM performance. Early childhood educators who create engaging learning environments and incorporate hands-on experiences play a pivotal role in nurturing children’s passion for STEM. Secondly, the study emphasised the crucial role of educator sensitivity and responsiveness. When educators demonstrate empathy, attentiveness, and genuine care for children’s needs, it not only supports their overall development but also significantly influences their STEM achievements. The emotional connection established during these early years lays the foundation for children’s social-emotional skills, which are closely intertwined with cognitive development.

Promoting STEM Equity and Inclusion

Interestingly, the study also revealed that sensitive and responsive caregiving in early childhood has an even greater impact on STEM performance for children from low-income families compared to their peers from higher-income backgrounds. This finding highlights the importance of addressing equity in early education and ensuring that all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have equal access to high-quality early learning that fosters STEM engagement. Speaking of STEM, did you know that Little Scholars offers an exciting STEM program for our kindergarten children? In collaboration with our friends at Lab Kids, we provide an incredible educational STEM program that aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework and the Australian National Curriculum. From exploring motion and states of matter to learning about light, sound, and chemical reactions, our curious little scholars embark on an exciting journey of STEM discovery!

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Finally, the University of California Irvine study reinforces the immense value of early childhood education in nurturing STEM success. By providing high-quality early learning that fosters curiosity, responsive caregiving, and an inclusive learning environment, we begin to realise the full potential of our Little Scholars.  Book a tour at Little Scholars.

Our recently created nature walk at Yatala is a hit for all classes to engage in group time, gatherings and exploration.

The natural environment is an integral part of our program at Little Scholars, our educators plan a wide range of experiences outdoors to allow children to explore nature and the environment.

 

Did you know that Little Scholars School of Early Learning has over 900 square metres of real manicured grass for Children to enjoy?

Gross Motor development and engage with nature and the environment. Here are some pics without any equipment set up so you can see just how much space we have…

Not many centres on the Gold Coast offer this much natural play space. To book a Centre Tour call Tayla on 3287 4466.

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Come and see the Little Scholars difference

Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and we’ll be in contact to arrange a time for a ‘Campus Tour’ and we will answer any questions you might have!

Come and see the Little Scholars difference

Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and we’ll be in contact to arrange a time for a ‘Campus Tour’ and we will answer any questions you might have!

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