simple kitchen science experiments

15 Easy Kitchen Science Experiments (With Ingredients You Already Have)

Krystal DeVille

September 19, 2023

Kitchens aren’t just for parents and making meals!

Kids can use kitchen ingredients and tools to learn from kitchen science experiments. Check out the following ideas for fun kitchen science.

—–You can download our FREE ebook with 25 STEM Activities here——

Table of Contents

1. Rubber Egg Experiment

• White vinegar
• Glass or jar

Cover an egg in a container with vinegar to see the shell disappear and the resulting egg that feels like rubber. Children learn about the chemical reaction between the eggshell (calcium carbonate) and the vinegar (acetic acid). Bubbles on the egg and on top of the water are from carbon dioxide. 

2.  Shaking for Butter

• Heavy whipping cream
• Jar with lid
• Sealable plastic bags

Using heavy whipping cream at various temperatures, kids shake the cream in a jar to observe changes in color and texture. They learn about emulsification and the butter-making process of churning, in which cream is agitated and fat particles begin clumping together. They can see whipped cream form first, followed by butter, when the air is no longer held by the cream.

3.   Bread in a Bag

• Plain flour
• Granulated sugar
• Rapid rise yeast

Your children mix ingredients to make dough in the plastic bag, then knead the dough to bake. They discover how yeast is a dormant fungus that can be awakened with warm water and sugar as a food source for fermentation. Children also observe bubbles that form when the yeast eats the sugar and gives off carbon dioxide.

4. Growing Plants from Food Scraps

• Pineapple top
• Green onion white root sections
• Avocado pit
• Wide-mouthed, clear jars or glasses

Kids poke toothpicks into a pineapple top and avocado pit and prop over jars filled with water, while the white (root) ends of the onions are placed directly in water. They can see how roots grow on the pineapple and avocado and how the green ends of the onions poke from the top as the roots in the water continue to grow. 

5. Lemon Volcano

• Craft sticks
• Food coloring
• Baking soda

Your kids place cut lemons in the bowl with dish soap, food coloring, and baking soda poked in with craft sticks. They observe the reaction between the acid (lemon) and base (baking soda). Carbon dioxide is released and appears in the bubbles, made even more visible with the help of the dish soap that captures the gas.

6. Rock Candy

• Bamboo skewers or wooden sticks
• Large glass jar

Children squirt colors into the water you’ve heated and added sugar to melt. They roll moistened sticks in dry sugar to make the seed crystals, then place those in the jar of the cooled mixture. See how a saturated solution allows the sugar molecules to bump into each other and start sticking together.

7. Baked Potato Science

• Large potatoes
• Plastic wrap
• Baked potato pins

Kids predict which method of cooking a potato will be the fastest in the regular oven: plain potato, in foil, with baking pin, in foil with baking pin OR in the microwave plain or in plastic wrap. They explore how the wrappings may hold heat within to steam, whether the pin helps heat enter the potato sooner, and if a microwave is faster than a traditional oven.

8. Magic Milk

• Milk (whole or 2%)
• Cotton swabs

Your children squeeze colors into a shallow dish of milk and then touch the milk with a swab soaked with dish soap, to see the various colors of milk shoot away from each other. They learn that fat in milk is a nonpolar molecule, which doesn’t dissolve in water. The soap makes the fat separates from the water.

9. Solar S’Mores

• Small, low boxes, such as pizza boxes
• Black construction paper
• Foil & plastic wrap
• Long wooden skewers
• Graham crackers
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate bars

Kids make their own solar ovens with the first 4 items and then build s’mores with the food ingredients. On a sunny day, they observe the effects of solar energy to melt the chocolate and make the marshmallows puff. Discuss the purpose of the foil (reflection) black paper (heat absorption) and plastic wrap (heat retention).

10. Walking Water

• Test tubes with rack OR clear plastic cups/jars
• Paper towels cut into thin strips

Children add water and different colors to the containers and stir, then place the paper towel strips into the containers, with two ends in each. They can see how the colored water “walks” through the fibers and spreads to meet and mix. This is a capillary action, which is the same way that plants, such as celery, take in water.

 11. Cake Experiment

• Baking powder
• Cooking oil
• Ramekins OR other small baking dishes

Bake four different cakes with the kids, leaving one important ingredient out of three: oil, egg, or baking powder. Kids predict the various effects in looks and flavor related to each missing ingredient. They learn that eggs add color, flavor, and structure; oil adds moisture and tenderness; and baking powder makes the cakes rise with its release of carbon dioxide.

12. How Does Salt Affect Ice?

• 5 clean tin cans
• Coarse rock salt
• Measuring spoons
• Digital thermometer (no-contact type)

Have children add the same number of ice cubes to each can and then add a teaspoon or 2 tablespoons of either table salt or rock salt into each, shaking them a bit to spread the salt. They observe condensation on the bottoms of the cans as the reactions begin. Help them take temperature readings to compare the effects in each can.

13. Sandwich Bag Compost

• Food waste in small pieces (veggies are best)
• Cardboard egg carton pieces
• Sandwich bags

Kids add the first two items with a bit of water to individual bags with the tops zipped most of the way and a straw inserted into a gap for air. Mush it up a bit each day and add more water, if needed for moisture. They observe on a small scale how composting turns food waste into soil.

14. Explore the Density of Liquids with Salt

• Clear glass
• Vegetable oil

Children pour oil into water to observe what happens, adding a drop of color on top, followed by larger and larger sprinkles of salt. They offer ideas of why the various movements take place. They learn water is denser than oil and salt are denser than the liquids.

15. Ice Cream in a Bag

• Small zipper sandwich bag
• Gallon-sized zipper bag 

In the small zipper bag, your child adds the first 3 ingredients and zips closed. Add salt and ice to the large bag and place the small bag inside the larger one and seal. They shake to make ice cream! Children can learn that salt (sodium chloride) lowers the freezing point of water so it can become even colder .

These kitchen science experiments are easy and require little planning! They’re great activities to learn the scientific method and for some of these food experiments, you can enjoy a tasty treat afterward too!

1 thought on “15 Easy Kitchen Science Experiments (With Ingredients You Already Have)”

Krystal, once again felt like I was back in a simpler time of my youth. That’s when I first saw some of these golden oldies in science class at school. Arthur B

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30 Simple Kitchen Science Experiments for Curious Kids

February 13, 2022 by Ana Dziengel 2 Comments

Try these simple kitchen science experiments that utilize basic materials from the pantry! Yes, science for kids is THAT easy.

Of all the science secrets I have learned over the years, utilizing my pantry is probably the most important one. There’s a simple reason why: Cooking is chemistry. Think about it, when you cook (especially when baking ) you combine different ingredients, add heat, and create a new substance. That’s chemistry.

After years of working with children on science experiments, I realized that introducing science to kids really is as easy as a trip to your pantry/refrigerator. In fact, with 10 common household ingredients you can do a whole host of science projects. In this post I’ll share 20 kitchen science experiments to try with our Top 10 ingredients. And then I’ll share some bonus experiments using additional pantry ingredients.

This post contains affiliate links.

Top 10 Kitchen Science Experiment Ingredients

• Food Coloring
• Baking Soda

Why are these ingredients perfect for science experiments?

Before we get to the kitchen science experiments, let’s talk about why each of these substances are so magical!

1. Food Coloring

A couple drops of food coloring make experiments come to life for kids. Not only does color make reactions easier to see, it also gets kids excited about trying an experiment. I always give kids a choice of colors when they do their experiments and they love any opportunity for personalization. If you will be doing a lot of experiments at home or with students in the classroom, I highly recommend you buy large bottles of food coloring at a restaurant supply store or invest in liquid watercolors . A little goes a long way.

2. Corn Syrup

Corn syrup is the perfect ingredient to illustrate the concept of viscosity to kids. Viscosity is the measure of friction in a liquid. This determines how fast or slow a liquid flows when poured. Corn syrup has high viscosity and moves slowly while water has a low viscosity and flows quickly. Corn syrup is also an inexpensive, clear alternative to ingredients like glycerin, honey, or maple syrup. Psst…it can even be used to make DIY paint!

Vinegar has so many uses in science it’s almost impossible to touch on all of them. But here is why vinegar is so versatile: Vinegar is a taste safe, touch safe acid. Acids and bases are a cornerstone of chemistry projects and the acid most of us have on hand in some form at all times is vinegar. For kitchen science experiments I use white distilled vinegar because it is inexpensive and clear (save the balsamic and apple cider vinegar for cooking!). You can buy distilled white vinegar in gallon size jugs.

Other acids you might find in the kitchen are citric acid (lemon juice and Kool-aid), yogurt, molasses, apple sauce, and buttermilk.

Pro-tip: Vinegar is the best substance to use to clean up slime!

4. Baking Soda

If you want to experiment with acids (like vinegar) and bases you need a base, enter baking soda! Baking soda AKA sodium bicarbonate is considered a base , a substance that releases hydroxide ions in aqueous solutions. Bases are often bitter tasting and when they come into contact with acids they can form salts. For an in-depth look at bases hop over here.

Baking soda is utilized in baking because when it reacts with an acid it produces carbon dioxide gas which helps baked good rise and become light and fluffy. Wondering what the acidic ingredient is in baked goods that baking soda reacts with? It’s often brown sugar! That’s a surprise to even me!

I love baking soda so much I actually partnered with Arm and Hammer to do 5 science projects featuring baking soda.

Oil is a lipid , an organic compound that is hydrophobic, meaning it will not dissolve in water. Lipids include fats and waxes. Natural oils are created by plants and animals through metabolic processes so that living organisms can store energy for future use. Here’s a kid-friendly, in-depth look at lipids .

For kitchen science experiments, buy an inexpensive basic cooking oil like canola or vegetable oil. Save your nice olive oils for recipes!

Pro-Tip: Cooking oils can be used to clean and dissolve oil based materials. I’ve used it to clean oil pastels off plastic and beach tar off feet!

In chemistry a salt is a substance created by a chemical reaction between an acid and a base. Sodium chloride AKA table salt is the salt most of us use every day to enhance the flavor of food. Salts have some properties that make it perfect for use in kitchen science experiments: It dissolves in water and can be used to make crystals, it’s a wonderful conductor of electricity, and it can be used to make a super saturated liquid called brine which you can use for a variety of projects. Brine is used for pickling and preserving foods as well as to dissolve ice! Brine is also a favorite substance to use demonstrate buoyancy.

Bonus: Salt is also really fun to use in art projects like raised salt art and salt and watercolors .

Milk is an emulsion made up of fat and protein in water. An emulsion is an immiscible mixture of two liquids, meaning the materials cannot be blended together. Milk may seem like one substance but on a microscopic level the proteins and fats in it are separated. Because it’s an emulsion, when a substance like soap is introduced the fat molecules in milk are disturbed and move around.

The proteins in milk is called casein and is a polymer, whose properties can be used to turn milk into plastic!

8. Dishsoap

We know that oil and water don’t mix but what if there was a compound that attracted both water and oil? Lucky for the us there is, it’s called soap. Soap molecules have properties of both water and oil , and when you add them to a tub full of dirty dishes the soap molecules attract the fatty oil molecules on the dishes and then suspend that oil in water, helping remove the food from the dish. A simple science experiment would be to try to clean two oily dishes, one in a tub of water only, and one in a tub of soapy water. It will be very apparent how powerful that molecular attraction is! This is a fun article explaining the science at work doing dishes.

Detergent is considered a surfactant, a compound that reduces the surface tension between two liquids or between liquid and a solid. Soap also acts as an inhibitor in chemical reactions, slowing them down.

If you have ever baked bread you have seen (and eaten) a wonderful chemistry project! Baker’s yeast AKA Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a single cell fungi that converts starch and sugar into carbon dioxide and alcohol through process called fermentation. Fermentation is responsible for baking bread that rises and making wine! You can read about yeast and the many ways it’s used in baking here. And for all my fellow nerdy adults (and teens) out there check out this fantastic explantation of the chemistry of baking bread!

In kitchen science experiments we typically use yeast to generate carbon dioxide gas which can be harnessed to blow up balloons or create seemingly endless eruptions like Elephant Toothpaste

10. Cornstarch

Last but definitely not least is the ingredient I stock up on every time I go to the restaurant supply store: Cornstarch. Cornstarch is made from the endosperm of corn. It is similar to flour but unlike flour is has been refined to the point that is contains only carbohydrates and no proteins. In cooking it is used to thicken sauces and batter some fried foods.

But the best thing about cornstarch is the substance you get when you add water to it. Cornstarch does not dissolve in water, instead it forms a colloid, a mixture in which a small particles of a substance are suspended throughout another substance but not chemically bonded. For this reason oobleck, AKA gak, goop, or slime (the combination of water + cornstarch) acts as solid when you add pressure to it, and a liquid when it’s left untouched.

If you only had to buy one ingredient and do one kitchen science experiment my top suggestion would be oobleck.

Kitchen Science Experiments for Kids

The science experiments below utilize our top 10 ingredients. You will be amazed at how many different experiments you can do with combinations of these versatile ingredients!

With these 10 ingredients you can do the following experiments:

Wizard's Brew

Baking Soda + Vinegar + Dishsoap

Ice Sculptures

Water + Food Coloring + Salt

DIY Lava Lamp 

Baking Soda + Water + Oil+ Food Coloring + Vinegar

Fizzing Hands

Diy bubble solution.

Water + Dish Soap + Corn Syrup

Layered Liquids

Water + Oil + Food Coloring+ Corn Syrup

How to Make Oobleck

Cornstarch + Water

Frozen Goop

Dish soap silly putty.

Dish Soap + Cornstarch

Shiny Pennies

Magic milk .

Milk + Food Coloring + Dish Soap

Fizzing Dino Eggs

Baking Soda + Vinegar

Hot Ice Science Experiment

Color mixing.

Water + Food Coloring

Tornado in a Jar  

Water + Dish Soap + Vinegar

Exploding Baggies

Vinegar + Baking Soda

Make Milk Plastic

Milk + Vinegar

Fireworks In A Jar

Food Coloring + Oil + Water

Blow Up a Balloon with Yeast

Yeast + Water + Sugar

How to Make Elephant Toothpaste

Yeast + Hydrogen Peroxide + Dish Soap

Ice Cube Rope | Science Experiment

Water + Salt

Walking Water Experiment

Food Coloring + Water

More Kitchen Ingredients for Science Experiments

Once you get started raiding the pantry for science experiment materials you won’t be able to stop! Here are more pantry and kitchen staples that can be used for science projects and some projects to try with them:

Dissolve egg shells in vinegar to make rubber eggs or make eggs float in brine !

Lemon Juice

Everyone’s favorite natural acid can be turned into Lemon Volcanoes , Lemon Batteries , and Invisible Ink .

Kool Aid contains citric acid which, like lemon juice, and vinegar, reacts with bases to create carbon dioxide. It’s also delicious. Try making a Harry Potter themed chemical reaction you can drink called Amortencia.

There is no cooler colloid to dig your fingers into than gelatin. This wobbly weird substance is impossible not to touch. This project is always a hit with our students!

Everyone loves a science experiment you can eat as dessert…like rock candy !

Combine pepper and soap in this classic experiment or watch static electricity in action with this one .

Make a pH indicator using red cabbage!

Whipping Cream

Turning whipping cream into butter and ice cream are two of the tastiest science experiments you can do at home!

No kid will turn down this Skittles science experiment or watching the Growing Gummy Bear experiment!

More Kitchen Science Experiments

Here are a few of our favorite books for more fun science experiments you can do at home:

And for more art and science project materials you can purchase at the grocery store head over here:

Spread creative ideas like wildfire: pin them.

June 10, 2013 at 9:15 am

What a great post, and thanks for the link love! I love the graphic of ingredients!

Ana Dziengel says

June 11, 2013 at 5:19 am

Thanks Marie! I love Make and Takes so I was thrilled to see you stopped by my little ‘ole blog 🙂

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40 Genius Kitchen Science Lab Projects For Kids

Playing with food, it’s something kids love to do. What’s better than playing with food? Using food to learn! Kitchen Science Lab for Kids is a fantastic way to get kids exploring with food and learning valuable science lessons. Plus, many of these activities teach healthy living principles that will help kids live healthier lives!

Kitchen Science Lab for Kids

What you will discover in this article!

Disclaimer: This article may contain commission or affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer I earn from qualifying purchases. Not seeing our videos? Turn off any adblockers to ensure our video feed can be seen. Or visit our YouTube channel to see if the video has been uploaded there. We are slowly uploading our archives. Thanks!

So how does one get started doing science labs with kids in the kitchen? The best way is to start by letting kids explore with their food. Have them make observations and talk about items in the kitchen. Cut open various foods to explore them, inside and out. Use a magnifying glass or microscope to examine items up close. Invite them to help you bake and cook. Let them see up close the transformations food can undergo in the kitchen. Let them get hands on and explore. It’s amazing the amount of learning that can happen when we let kids follow their interests.

Once you are ready to start some more structured lessons, here are some genius kitchen science lab activities for kids . Let these inspire your own kitchen science experiments !

MAKING FOOD SCIENCE LABS

Sweet Slurpee – In this science lab kids will learn how to use a little ice and salt to make themselves a sweet slurpee treat. This heat transfer activity takes a bit of time but the results are a hit every time.

How to Make Ice Cream in a Bag – A classic summer favourite, learn how to make delicious Ice Cream in a Bag using a little bit of science and a little bit of energy. Regular and dairy free recipes included.

Making Butter – Need an arm workout? Get your busy kids putting that energy to good use as they shake, shake, shake their way to some delicious, homemade butter.

Bread Science – After making butter it’s time to bake some homemade bread to pair with your delicious butter. We have made bread so many different ways, just pick the one that’s perfect for you and learn math, chemistry and more. Plus fresh baked bread tastes incredible!

USING CANDY FOR SCIENCE LABS IN THE KITCHEN

Skittles Experiment – This gorgeous experiment brings out the creative juices in kids! So easy to set up and the result is the most stunning pieces of science art. A definitely must do!

Gummy Mummies – We love making our own gummies and it wasn’t long before the kids were wondering what kind of science we could do with our gummies. This activity has a wonderful history tie in, to help broaden your lesson.

Growing Gummy Bears – A fantastic partner activity to Gummy Mummies, is to do this growing gummies experiment. Do these two activities together for even more studies and learning.

Edible Marshmallow Play Dough  – For your slime and play dough obsessed kids, this is a fun way to make an edible alternative using items in the kitchen. It’s super fast and easy to do, and kids can’t resist having a little taste. For another recipe alternative, try this  Edible Silly Putty .

Layered Lollipops – This activity smells amazing and kids are fascinated by the results. It takes a steady hand, but once you have layered your lollipops, the results are mesmerizing.

Want to do more science studies with sweets and candies?

Check out this Marshmallow Unit Study that will really help your students dive in and explore these soft, tasty treats.

I LOVE Chocolate. Like, love, love, love chocolate! So whenever the opportunity arises to use chocolate in our studies, I’m all over it! Especially when it results in delicious truffles. This Chocolate Unit Study is sure to keep your chocolate lovers happy.

If you have older kids and want to really challenge them, why not start make your own candies? We went deep, really deep, with this very in depth candy science study where we explored many facets of candy making, and even made a whole lot of candy. It was a fascinating study that we did over many months, and boy did we learn a lot!

SCIENCE LABS USING EGGS

Bouncy Egg Science Lab – The kids actually call this the naked egg experiment or dragon eggs, but when I came across this version that called it a Bouncy Egg Science Experiment , which I thought was a much more fitting name. No matter what you call it though, this is a fun activity, that can get a little messy, but has some great chemistry lessons.

The Egg Drop Challenge Kitchen Style – The classic egg drop challenge is an engineering lab that encourages kids to get really creative building things. But for our Kitchen Science Egg Drop Challenge we use simple items from the pantry to keep our eggs from breaking when dropped.

Egg Geodes – Create stunning crystals with this Geode making project that uses an egg shell to seed the crystals. The result is a plethora of glittery crystals that will make your kids say WOW!

CHEMICAL REACTIONS IN THE KITCHEN SCIENCE LAB

Milk Plastic – Making casein plastic is by far one of our favourite kitchen chemistry labs. The results are mind boggling and what you could create with your milk plastic is endless. We have made everything from Christmas ornaments to spooky glow in the dark pieces for Halloween . Simple, yet so much fun, this is one activity every kid should try.

Magic Milk – Don’t put away the milk yet! This experiment is magical in the way colours erupt and spread through the milk. It’s an easy experiment, that has appeal for all ages.

Lemon Volcanoes – This rainbow eruption smells incredible. An easy and fun activity that encourages exploration of chemical reactions in a safe way using natural foods.

Dino Eggs – One of the most popular acid-base reactions in the kitchen is vinegar and baking soda. It’s exciting, easy and there are so many different ways you can use this reaction to create exciting activities. Dino Eggs are a very popular version of this reaction that can be used by any age. It’s a great way to give out little gifts too!

Bottle Rockets – You can take your baking soda and vinegar reactions outside for this STEM activity that is a blast every single time! My kids especially love it when we powered up our reaction . The heights we reached were incredible!

Erupting Slime – For the slime lovers in your life, this twist on the traditional volcano science lab is sure to be a big hit. Once again it uses our baking soda and vinegar reaction, but in a unique way that is sure to wow!

Colour changing chemical reactions – Did you know you can create PH indicators with items in your kitchen? It’s simple but the results will have kids testing the PH of everything. Plus they will feel like a true scientist in the laboratory!

Colour changing lemonade – This gorgeous twist on natural PH indicators will have your kids asking for lemonade over and over again this summer.

EXPLORING DENSITY SCIENCE LAB

Lava Lamp – The homemade lava lamp activity is such a fun project to do with this. This version glows in the dark, which created some unique learning moments.

Exploring the density of sweeteners – Kids love water balloons, so when we have the chance to use them in a little science my kids get really excited! With this study we are exploring the phenomenon of the traditional Does It Float Soda Pop Can experiment . But this time we dive deeper into the science in order to use scientific principles to provide proof of concept.

WATER SCIENCE LABS AND PROJECTS FOR KIDS

Desalinization Experiment – How do you remove salt from saltwater? How does salt in water affect the buoyancy of an object? Does the amount of salt in water affect it’s density? These are just a few questions that are answered with this genius science lab that will have kids feeling like true scientists.

How Does Salt Affect Ice – Not only does salt have some significant affects when mixed with water, but it also causes some exciting and interesting things to happen when added to ice. In this STEM lab for kids, they explore how salt affects ice using some very insightful measurements.

Water Lab – Safe drinking water experiment – Water safety is a huge issue in many parts of the world. Understanding what is in our water is important for keeping kids safe. Especially when they are exploring the great outdoors. In this lab we test water from various local sources to see what is lurking beyond what we can see.

Want to find more Genius Water Projects for Kids ? Make sure you check out this resource that is packed full of exciting science labs and experiments.

Build a Battery

Build a Food Battery – This kitchen science lab is for your older kids that want a true challenge. Create a potato, lemon or pumpkin battery that generates enough energy to power an LED light bulb. A fantastic activity for your older kids learning about circuits and also energy in food sources. Click the images here for more details.

Happy learning in the kitchen with these genius science lab projects for kids!

5 Days of Smart STEM Ideas for Kids

Get started in STEM with easy, engaging activities.

Kitchen Science Experiments for Kids

• Activities for Kids
• Chemical Laws
• Periodic Table
• Projects & Experiments
• Scientific Method
• Biochemistry
• Physical Chemistry
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• Chemistry In Everyday Life
• Famous Chemists
• Abbreviations & Acronyms
• Weather & Climate
• Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

 Not all science requires expensive and hard to find chemicals or fancy laboratories. You can explore the fun of science in your own kitchen. Here are some science  experiments  and projects you can do that use common kitchen chemicals.

Click through the images for a collection of easy kitchen science experiments, along with a list of the ingredients you will need for each project.

Rainbow Density Column Kitchen Chemistry

Make a rainbow-colored liquid density column. This project is very pretty, plus it's safe enough to drink. Experiment Materials: sugar, water, food coloring, a glass

Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano Kitchen Experiment

 This is the classic science fair demonstration in which you simulate a volcanic eruption using kitchen chemicals. Experiment Materials: baking soda, vinegar, water, detergent, food coloring and either a bottle or else you can build a dough volcano.

Invisible Ink Experiments Using Kitchen Chemicals

Write a secret message, which becomes invisible when the paper is dry. Reveal the secret! Experiment Materials: paper and just about any chemical in your house

Make Rock Candy Crystals Using Ordinary Sugar

Grow edible rock candy or sugar crystals. You can make them any color you want. Experiment Materials: sugar, water, food coloring, a glass, a string or stick

Make pH Indicator in your Ktchen

Make your own pH indicator solution from red cabbage or another pH-sensitive food then use the indicator solution to experiment with the acidity of common household chemicals. Experiment Materials: red cabbage

Make Oobleck Slime in the Kitchen

Oobleck is an interesting type of slime with properties of both solids and liquids. It normally behaves like a liquid or jelly, but if you squeeze it in your hand, it will seem like a solid. Experiment Materials: cornstarch, water, food coloring (optional)

Make Rubber Eggs and Chicken Bones Using Household Ingredients

Turn a raw egg in its shell into a soft and rubbery egg. If you're daring you even bounce these eggs as balls. The same principle can be used to make rubber chicken bones. Experiment Materials: egg or chicken bones, vinegar

Make Water Fireworks in a Glass from Water and Dye

Don't worry - there is no explosion or danger involved in this project! The 'fireworks' take place in a glass of water. You can learn about diffusion and liquids. Experiment Materials: water, oil, food coloring

Magic Colored Milk Experiment Using Kitchen Chemicals

Nothing happens if you add food coloring to milk, but it only takes one simple ingredient to turn the milk into a swirling color wheel. Experiment Materials: milk, dishwashing liquid, food coloring

Make Ice Cream in a Plastic Bag in the Kitchen

You can learn how freezing point depression works while making a tasty treat. You don't need an ice cream maker to make this ice cream, just some ice. Experiment Materials: milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, ice, salt, baggies

Let Kids Make Glue from Milk

Do you need glue for a project, but just can't seem to find any? You can use kitchen ingredients to make your own. Experiment Materials: milk, baking soda, vinegar, water

Show Kids How To Make a Mentos Candy and Soda Fountain

Explore the science of bubbles and pressure using Mentos candies and a bottle of soda. As the candies dissolve in soda, the tiny pits formed on their surface allow carbon dioxide bubbles to grow. The process occurs quickly, producing a sudden burst of foam from the narrow neck of the bottle. Experiment Materials: Mentos candies, soda

Make Hot Ice Using Vinegar and Baking Soda

 Getty Images

You can make 'hot ice' or sodium acetate at home using baking soda and vinegar and then cause it to instantly crystallize from a liquid in 'ice'. The reaction generates heat, so the ice is hot. It happens so quickly, you can form crystal towers as you pour the liquid into a dish. Note: The classic chemical volcano also produces sodium acetate, but there is too much water present for the hot ice to solidify! Experiment Materials: vinegar, baking soda

Fun Pepper and Water Science Experiment

Pepper floats on water. If you dip your finger into a water and pepper, nothing much happens. You can dip your finger into a common kitchen chemical first and get a dramatic result. Experiment Materials: pepper, water, dishwashing liquid

Cloud in a Bottle Science Experiment

Capture your own cloud in a plastic bottle. This experiment illustrates many principles of gases and phase changes. Experiment Materials: water, plastic bottle, match

Make Flubber from Kitchen Ingredients

Flubber is a non-sticky slime. It's easy to make and non-toxic. In fact, you can even eat it. Experiment Materials: Metamucil, water

Make a Ketchup Packet Cartesian Diver

Explore the concepts of density and buoyancy with this easy kitchen project. Experiment Materials: ketchup packet, water, plastic bottle

Easy Baking Soda Stalactites

You can grow baking soda crystals along a piece of string to make stalactites similar to those you might find in a cave. Experiment Materials: baking soda, water, string

Easy Egg in a Bottle Science Experiment

An egg doesn't fall into a bottle if you set it on top. Apply your science know-how to get the egg to drop inside. Experiment Materials: egg, bottle

More Kitchen Science Experiments To Try

Here are more fun and interesting kitchen science experiments you can try.

Candy Chromatography

Separate the pigments in colored candies using a saltwater solution and a coffee filter. Experiment Materials: colored candies, salt, water, coffee filter 

Make Honeycomb Candy

Honeycomb candy is an easy-to-make candy that has an interesting texture caused by carbon dioxide bubbles that you cause to form and get trapped within the candy. Experiment Materials: sugar, baking soda, honey, water

Lemon Fizz Kitchen Science Experiment

This kitchen science project involves making a fizzy volcano using baking soda and lemon juice. Experiment Materials: lemon juice, baking soda, dishwashing liquid, food coloring

Powdered Olive Oil

This is a simple molecular gastronomy project to turn liquid olive oil into a powdered form that melts in your mouth. Experiment Materials: olive oil, maltodextrin

Alum Crystal

Alum is sold with spices. You can use it to grow a large, clear crystal or a mass of smaller ones overnight. Experiment Materials: alum, water

Supercool Water

Make water freeze on command. There are two easy methods you can try. Experiment Materials: bottle of water

Edible Water Bottle

Make a ball of water with an edible shell.

This content is provided in partnership with National 4-H Council. 4-H science programs provide youth the opportunity to learn about STEM through fun, hands-on activities, and projects. Learn more by visiting  their website .

• Safe Science Experiments
• Science Experiments and Activities for Preschoolers
• Easy Chemistry Experiments to Do at Home
• Easy Science Projects
• Science Projects Photo Gallery
• Second Grade Science Fair Projects
• Melting Ice Science Experiment
• Top Chemistry Projects for Bored Kids
• Modeling Clay Recipes Using Home Ingredients
• Edible Slime Recipes
• Mad Scientist Halloween Costumes
• Middle School Science Experiments
• Mad Scientist Party Theme
• 18+ Slime Recipes
• Frankenworms Dancing Gummy Worms Science Experiment
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Fun Kitchen Science Experiments

We love learning and playing with simple kitchen science experiments . These fun at home science experiments will develop a love for learning and science with your kids! We love simple science experiments for kids!

Edible At Home Science Experiments To Try

We love simple science experiments that are also edible. Let’s whip up a little kitchen chemistry wth food science, including plenty of edible slime recipes , homemade ice cream in a bag, and fizzy lemonade!

Bread in a Bag

Baking is fantastic science, and this bread in a bag experiment is perfect for learning about yeast and chemical changes while making a tasty snack.

Ice Cream in a Bag

Grab the gloves because this gets chilly even if it’s a 100 degrees outside. Homemade ice cream in a bag is an excellent way to enjoy kitchen science and learn about freezing point.

Butter in a Jar

Shake it up! Keep shaking, and eventually, you can turn cream into a rich, delicious butter that doubles as kitchen science.

Fizzy Lemonade

Science you can drink while learning about acids and bases! Try making fizzing lemonade for fun kitchen chemistry.

Rock Cycle Bars

How do sedimentary rocks form? Demonstrate the rock cycle with this completely edible rock cycle snack bar.

Popcorn Science

Turn your next movie time into a little bit of science time, too, with popcorn in a bag.

Slushie in a Bag

Homemade slushie or sorbet in a bag you can make in a bag for chilly kitchen science and a great alternative to our homemade ice cream in a bag.

Snow Ice Cream

If you’ve just had a snowstorm or have plenty of white stuff hanging around, snow ice cream is a gun treat to try. You can also try snow candy !

Marshmallow Slime

Edible slime starts with the best marshmallow slime! You can either use jumbo marshmallows (microwave needed) or you can use marshmallow fluff (no cook).

Regrow Lettuce

Grow your own food on the kitchen counter from the leftovers!

Salad Dressing

Oil and vinegar don’t normally mix! Find out how to make a homemade oil and vinegar salad dressing with one special ingredient.

Starburst Rock Cycle

Try this fun Starburst rock cycle activity where you can explore all the stages with one simple ingredient.

FREE Printable Science at Home Guide!

More Fun Kitchen Science Experiments

These science experiments below use ingredients you will commonly find in your kitchen. But most of them you would not want to eat!

TIP: Many of these kitchen science experiments include free printable instructions!

Browning Apples

Why do apples turn brown? Find out why with this fun kitchen science experiment.

Blow Up A Balloon

Combine quick science and balloon play with our easy-to-set-up kitchen chemistry for kids! Can you inflate a balloon without blowing into it?

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar eruptions are always a hit, and we have a ton of baking soda experiments for you to try. From pumpkin-cano to erupting watermelons and more.

Bubble Science

Investigate the science of bubbles and have fun at the same time.

Candy DNA Model

Learn all about DNA with this easy-to-make candy model. You might want to sample it too!

Cloud In A Jar

Three things are needed to make a cloud. Warm moist air, a cooling process and a cloud condensation nucleus or something to start the cloud.

Cranberry Secret Messages

Are you a fan of cranberry sauce? I’m not a huge fan, but it’s great for science! Explore acids and bases with the kids and of course, see if you can write a secret message or two.

Dancing Corn

Can you make corn dance? This bubbling corn experiment appears almost magical but it really just uses baking soda and vinegar for a classic kitchen science activity.

Dancing Raisins

Can you make raisins dance? All you need are a few simple kitchen ingredients for this fun science experiment.

Egg In A Bottle

This egg in a bottle project is a fun way to learn about how changes in air pressure can result in a fascinating outcome. Watch a boiled egg get sucked into a bottle without even touching it!

Egg In Vinegar

Rubber egg, naked egg, bouncing egg, whatever you call it, this is a pretty cool science experiment for everyone. All you need is an egg and vinegar.

Electric Cornstarch

Learn about static electricity with a simple kitchen ingredient, cornstarch and a balloon.

Elephant Toothpaste

Grab some peroxide and yeast to make this foaming chemical reaction that some say looks like elephant toothpaste!

Floating Orange

Investigate whether an orange floats or sinks in water. Learn about buoyancy and density with a simple ingredient from the kitchen, an orange.

Floating Rice

Explore friction with a fun and simple activity that uses classic household supplies.

Germ Experiment

Here’s a kitchen science experiment you definitely won’t want to eat! Grab some bread and investigate which surface will grow the most germs.

Glowing Spinach

Transform ordinary spinach that you eat into a glowing green mixture under ultraviolet light!

Grow Salt Crystals

Simple to grow and taste safe, this salt crystals experiment is more manageable for younger kids, but you can also try growing borax crystals  for older kids.

Invisible Ink

What is the best invisible ink? Find out how to create secret messages with invisible ink made from lemon juice.

Kitchen Sink or Float

What sinks and what floats? Grab some everyday items you have in your kitchen to test out. You might find our choices to be eye-opening for little scientists!

Lava Lamp Experiment

Every kid loves this classic experiment that is two activities in one! Do oil and water mix? What is the chemical reaction? So many great questions…

Make colorful art with milk, dish soap and food coloring for fascinating kitchen science.

M&M Experiment

Science and candy all in one perfectly simple science activity for kiddos to try. Do the colors mix? You will want also to try this awesome floating m experiment !

Milk and Vinegar

Kids will be amazed by the transformation of a couple of household ingredients, milk and vinegar, into a moldable, durable piece of a plastic-like substance.

Easy to make and even more fun to play with. Just 2 ingredients, and learn about non-Newtonian fluids with this simple kitchen science activity.

Pop Rocks and Soda

A fun candy to eat, and now you can turn it into an easy Pop Rocks science experiment too! Find out what happens when you mix soda with pop rocks!

Soda Experiment

Love fizzing and exploding experiments? YES!! Well here’s a another one the kids are sure to love! All you need are Mentos and coke. Here is an even more explosive version of it!

Sugar Water Density

Check out the density of liquids and try to make a rainbow too.

Walking Water

Get out the roll of paper towels for this kitchen science experiment!

Water Absorption

Simple to set up and fun to experiment with, kids can test everyday materials to see if they absorb or repel liquids.

Using The Scientific Method With Kids

The scientific method is a process or method of research. A problem is identified, information about the problem is gathered, a hypothesis or question is formulated from the information, and the hypothesis is tested with an experiment to prove or disprove its validity.

Sounds heavy… What in the world does that mean?!?

The scientific method can be used as a guide to help lead the discovery process. You don’t need to try and solve the world’s biggest science questions! The scientific method is all about studying and learning things right around you.

As kids develop practices that involve creating, gathering data, evaluating, analyzing, and communicating, they can apply these critical thinking skills to any situation.

Even though the scientific method seems like it is just for big kids, it can be used with kids of all ages! You can have a casual conversation with younger kiddos or do a more formal notebook entry with older kiddos (free printable below).

💡 Click here to learn more about the scientific method for kids with examples . Includes information on developing a hypothesis with kids, variables , and more.

Helpful Science Resources

Here are a few resources to help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

• Best Science Practices (as it relates to the scientific method)
• Science Vocabulary
• 8 Science Books for Kids
• All About Scientists
• Science Supplies List
• Science Tools for Kids
• 50 Easy Science experiments for kids

Printable Science Projects For Kids

If you’re looking to grab all of the printable science projects in one convenient place, plus exclusive worksheets and bonuses, our Science Project Pack is what you need!

12 Comments

Love the cookie cutter idea. My little preschooler loves this mini science experiment: milk in bowl, food coloring drops and swirl with toothpick. Entertains for a good 20-30 minutes every time.

it’s never too late to share this on #kidsinthekitchen 🙂 http://lookwhatmomfound.com/2014/05/peanut-butter-oatmeal-power-bites-kidsinthekitchen.html

These are so cute and fun! Science experiments are always a hit with the kids. Thank you for sharing!

I am always intimidated by doing science experiments with my boys. I know they’d love them… but science was not my thing. So I shy away from them. These look so easy though, we may have to give ’em a try! Thanks for sharing on Makeovers & Motherhood’s Welcome Party Wednesday Link-Up! I am featuring you this week!

It is great when we can use items we already have at home to help our children have fun learning! These are wonderful ideas that are easy to prepare. And I love that you contained each on a separate tray, should make clean-up a bit easier. Thanks for sharing at the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop!

Everyone loves what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and exposure! Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve added you guys to my blogroll.

• Pingback: Science Experiments You Can Do At Home | Coffee Cups and Crayons
• Pingback: 21 Experiments for Summer Science Learning Activities for Kids | MilKids Education Consulting
• Pingback: Walking Water Science Experiment for Kids STEM and Rainbow Science

Making sugar crystals in the kitchen is another great one! We can’t wait to do some edible engineering ourselves!

• Pingback: Fun Montessori Science Activities – Happenings in Education
• Pingback: Bread In A Bag Recipe | Little Bins for Little Hands

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~ projects to try now ~.

Kitchen science

These activities contain step-by-step instructions for science activities and experiments that are safe and easy to do in the classroom or at home.

Tablecloth trick

Can you pull out a tablecloth without sending cups and saucers flying?

Liquid Lava Layers

What happens if you try to mix oil and water?

Bubble Fun!

Can you make giant bubbles?

Can you make an egg bounce?

Blow-up balloon

Can you blow up a balloon without using your mouth?

Can you make milk move without touching it?

Oozing oobleck

Oobleck: solid or liquid?

Gravity-defying water

Can you make water defy gravity?

Fizzy fountain

Can you make a fizzy fountain?

Egg-drop trick

Can you use science to pull off a cool trick?

Downloadable resources

SMG Learning Activities – Kitchen Science – Blow Up Balloon (PDF Document)

SMG Learning Activities – Kitchen Science – Tablecloth Trick (PDF Document)

SMG Learning Activities – Kitchen Science – Milk Magic (PDF Document)

SMG Learning Activities – Kitchen Science – Gravity Defying Water (PDF Document)

SMG Learning Activities – Kitchen Science – Fizzy Fountain (PDF Document)

SMG Learning Activities – Kitchen Science – Egg Drop Trick (PDF Document)

SMG Learning Activities – Kitchen Science – Bouncy Egg (PDF Document)

SMG Learning Activities – Kitchen Science – Liquid Lava (PDF Document)

SMG Learning Activities – Kitchen Science – Bubble Fun (PDF Document)

Related resources

Pinball machine

Build your own pinball machine and use it to explore Newton’s Laws of Motion while challenging your friends!

Instant Ice Cream

Explore states of matter in the tastiest way – by turning milk into ice cream instantly!

Science Fun

Kitchen Science Experiments

Easy kitchen science experiments you can do at home! Click on the experiment image or the view experiment link below for each experiment on this page to see the materials needed and procedure. Have fun trying these experiments at home or use them for SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT IDEAS.

Turn Milk Into Plastic:

Orange Splash:

Explore High Diving Fruit And Physics

Rotten Banana:

Dirty Pennies:

Baking Soda And Vinegar Volcano:

Apples And Lemons:

How Do You Like Them Apples?

Smashing Seashells:

Foam At The Mouth:

Lemon Science Soda:

Can An Egg Float?:

Use Science To Float An Egg

Fat Food Test:

Secret Code On An Egg:

Sugar Rush:

Red Cabbage Litmus Paper:

Make Litmus Paper In Your Kitchen

Lemon Electricity:

Create Curds And Whey:

Panicked Pepper:

Watch Pepper Run Scared

Burp In A Bag:

Mini Marshmallow Launcher:

Kitchen Science Experiments to Try at Home

• Electricity

Kitchen Science Experiments

Safe, easy, fun kitchen science experiments for kids and adults to do at home...

How useless is a Chocolate Teapot?

Is a chocolate teapot really useless? We built one to find out!

Kitchen Chemistry for Kids

March 29, 2022 By Emma Vanstone 3 Comments

The kitchen is a great place to try some science! Kitchen chemistry experiments are some of the easiest and most fascinating activities you can try at home. They also use products you probably already have and sometimes you can even eat the result!

Kitchen Chemistry Experiments

Chill with salt.

Use the ice and salt to make ice cream from milk or to cool a drink very quickly!

Fizzing Rocks

These fizzing rocks are made from baking soda, water and a little food colouring. Just leave them to harden in the fridge and then drop a little vinegar on the top for a fun, fizzy activity.

Emulsions and Milk

Create a colourful milk display with food colouring, milk and a bit of washing up liquid ( dish soap ).

This is a great activity for learning about emulsions .

Red Cabbage Indicator

Find out whether substances are acids or alkalis with a red cabbage indicator !

Chromatography with sweets

Try out this separation technique using candy sweets and kitchen towel. You might be surprised at how many different colours are in your sweets! Dark colours tend to separate out the best.

Edible Rocks

Learn about different types of rocks and how they form with chocolate rocks ! These are delicious and a great way to learn about rock formations.

Blow up a balloon with yeast and water

Did you know you can trap the carbon dioxide released by yeast as it respires and use it to blow up a balloon?

This activity can be turned into an experiment by investigating with different temperatures of water to find out if yeast respires faster in warm or cold water.

Homemade Slushy Drinks

Learn about changes of state with these delicious and healthy homemade slushy drinks .

Remember to be careful when experimenting in the kitchen. Wash your hands when you finish and take care not to get anything in your eyes.

More Kitchen Chemistry for Kids

If you enjoyed these science activities, you’ll love my edible experiments for kids!

Challenge and Discover Kitchen Chemistry is in association with   Inspiration Laboratories  .

Last Updated on July 18, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

May 13, 2013 at 2:19 am

I think this month’s challenge is great! I love your list of 50 kitchen science activities – it’s the perfect place to look for ideas.

May 17, 2013 at 12:04 am

I’m so excited! I’m linking up some old posts, and definitely am trying out some new ones as well. My boys are already asking to make ooblek dance again, as well as making egg geodes and rock crystals. I love these monthly inspiration themes! 🙂 Thank you so much for hosting!

May 23, 2013 at 12:01 pm

Thanks for hosting (glad I found it)! Sorry i liked up so many posts; I really did try to limit it!

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See our latest activities and ideas first!

30+ Kitchen Science Experiments for Kids

These Easy Kitchen Science Experiments are so much fun! Showing your preschooler or kindergarten-aged child that hands-on learning can be done easily at home and it opens up their mind to critical thinking and experimental processes.

If you have older children don’t worry because these kitchen chemistry reactions are just as good for your teens.

Easy Science Experiments

Kitchen Science Experiments

Who says that you can’t create a learning environment at home? These simple and age-appropriate experiments show your child that learning is so much fun. Pull up a chair and get ready to dive right in with them. You won’t want to miss out on this fun!

Your child is certain to enjoy these homemade kitchen science experiments!

Kitchen Chemistry Reactions

Mixing Ingredients to get the desired result. All of your ingredients play an important role in getting a reaction. A kitchen chemical reaction can be a process in which one or more substances, the reactants, are converted to one or more different substances, the products.

Science Activities for Kids

Magic milk chemistry experiment.

Ocean Activities for Preschoolers in Science

And if you love those fun experiments, don’t miss out on this one!

Edible Taffy Slime Recipe – Science

Watermelon Science Activities – Baking Soda and Vinegar Science Experiment

Have a leftover watermelon just sitting around? This is one science activity that is certain to yield big results!

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Homemade Kitchen Science Experiments

Click on the links below for more Simple Science Experiments.

• Fizzing Colours! A Baking Soda And Vinegar Experiment For Kids from happyhooligans.ca
• Egg Planting Botany Experiment from sugarspiceandglitter.com
• How To Make Sherbet from laughingkidslearn.com
• Exploring The Density Of Liquids With Salt from buggyandbuddy.com
• Baked Potato Science Fair Project from leftbraincraftbrain.com
• Rubber Egg Science Experiment from coffeecupsandcrayons.com
• Fizzy Lemonade Science from simpleplayideas.com
• Paper Towel Chromatography Experiment To Do With Kids from rainydaymum.co.uk
• Hot Chocolate Surprise Science For Kids from fantasticfunandlearning.com
• Science Experiment: Ice, Water, Vapor from handsonaswegrow.com
• Valentine Kitchen STEAM Heart Lollipops from schoolingamonkey.com
• Dissect A Bean Seed Science For Kids from raisinglifelonglearners.com
• Celery Science Experiment For Kids from coffeecupsandcrayons.com
• Yeast Science Experiment For Kids  from sugarspiceandglitter.com
• Glitter Science Experiment  from lifeovercs.com
• Frozen Jello Sensory Play from theimaginationtree.com
• Egg Experiment Showing Mirror Illusion Magic Trick from igamemom.com
• Oobleck Dough from leftbraincraftbrain.com

Very Simple Science Experiments

Montessori Science

Studies have shown that if you like this, you will also love the following articles. I have pulled them together for you right here:

FOR THE BEST ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS FOLLOW US ON PINTEREST

• DIY lists /

Kitchen Science Experiments for Kids Ages 3 to 8

Keep your kids’ brains busy and inspire innovation with simple STEAM projects you can do with the materials you have at home!

(Ages 5-11 )

If you’ve ever wondered why it might be hard to get out of quicksand, it’s because it can act like both a liquid and a solid. Cornstarch slime is a fun substance that does this too! When a substance like this has properties of both liquids and solids, they are called non-Newtonian fluids, which you’ll learn more about in this experiment. You’ll also explore what interactions make it go from one state to another. When you slowly press your fingers into cornstarch slime —stored in a Ziploc bag —it’ll feel like a liquid. But when you quickly press your fingers into it, it becomes as hard as a rock! Why do you think that is?

Want more slimey science fun without the hassle of gathering materials? Explore the science of thermochromism with Color Changing Slime from the KiwiCo Store !

(Ages 3-8 )

Try out this two-part water experiment! First--why can't you blow up a balloon in a bottle? And, second--what happens when you do...and then fill it with water?

(Ages 5-16 )

Discover non-newtonian fluids (substances that act as both a liquid and a solid) and liquids that glow under black light with this messy, but delightful activity!

Have you ever hit some water with a hammer? We’re not sure why you would have, but if you can imagine doing that, you can also imagine that the hammer would make a splash as it goes right into the water. The water doesn’t really push back on the hammer. But what if it did? What if you hit the water, and it stopped the hammer?

The mixture you’re going to make in this activity does just that. Oobleck is a type of mixture called a non-Newtonian fluid. If you push hard on it (no need to use hammers for this part), it hardens up and pushes back against you. If you push lightly on the oobleck, though, it stays liquidy and your hand will easily go into it.

My silly scientists had a blast with this hands-on experiment! We used mason jars and plastic water bottles to make our own mini tornadoes. Then they spent the afternoon spinning their bottles and watching their tornadoes twirl! They fascinated everyone from our tiny tots to my big 4th graders!

(Ages 3-11 )

See how a drop of soap can create an explosion of color with this easy experiment!

Want to learn more about chemistry without the hassle of gathering materials? Explore 11 fun chemistry experiments with a Chemistry Play Lab from the KiwiCo Store !

Investigate the scientific process with ice! Our Kiwi Crate lab book has six awesome and easy experiments that will keep your kids busy while you get work done. The best part is you can download or print out all the activities!

(Ages 3-12 )

Turn your kitchen into a chemistry lab with this simple science experiment! You only need three ingredients: baking soda, food coloring, and vinegar.

(Ages 3-7 )

Primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) are the source of all other colors. Secondary colors (green, purple, and orange) are created when two primary colors mix. If you freeze up colored ice cubes, you can experiment with color mixing as they melt. Combine cubes to make secondary colors, and if you’re feeling really creative, see if you can make tertiary colors (yellow-orange, red-orange, red-violet, blue-violet, blue-green, and yellow-green)! Heads up: This project will dye your little ones’ hands. We recommend using gloves or putting the colored ice cubes in plastic bags for mixing.

When we think of slime, we think of a super-fun gooey experience. But with a handy bag, we can create an awesome rainbow project that lets us enjoy slime and learn at the same time! In this experiment, we make slime in the three primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and layer them up to produce secondary colors (orange, purple, and green).

(Ages 3-16 )

In our household, we're not afraid to get a little messy, after all, it's inevitable with two little ones running around! So we loved this idea of making homemade finger paint using simple ingredients from the pantry. It was great to know that the paints were non-toxic in case any wandering fingers made their way into mouths. We had so much fun making and playing with the vibrant colors. We will definitely be doing this project again!

It is time for these little bears to grow up...and out with this gummy bear science project! Watch as gummy bears grow and shrink in different liquids in this kid-friendly experiment. This project is open for exploration and discovery, so kick things off by asking your child what they will happen to a gummy bear in water. Will it dissolve? Will it shrink or grow? Will it fall apart? How long will it take? Don’t forget to grab a notebook to write down their ideas so you can compare what they predicted with what actually happens! You’ll start to see results in just a few hours, and you’ll definitely see big changes in size in just a day.

Want to explore more kitchen science experiments? Explore the tastier side of learning with Science of Cooking: Ice Cream from the KiwiCo Store !

Write secret messages to your friends and family and then let them decode it with any source of heat - like a candle or an incandescent light bulb!

Want to learn more about chemistry without the hassle of gathering materials? Explore the science of thermochromism with Color Changing Slime from the KiwiCo Store !

Learn how to make a handful of grains hop and dance with this simple kitchen experiment! Add in a splash of food coloring to create a cup that is mesmerizing to watch and enjoy.

(Ages 3-4 )

Have you ever noticed that if you slice an apple in the morning, it turns brown by lunch? This is actually a chemical reaction at work! In this experiment, you’ll learn more about how the oxygen in the air around us causes this reaction (also known as oxidation). With a little help from Ziploc bags, test different liquids to see if you can figure out a way to keep apples fresh from morning to noon.

Is a square egg possible? Not in nature - but you can re-shape a hard-boiled egg in just a few easy steps!

Discover everything that eggs have to offer with Eggsperiments from the KiwiCo Store ! Use the scientific method with a series of egg-based experiments that explore chemistry, physics, and biology.

Want to see a chemical reaction in action? With this egg in vinegar experiment, we observed and followed a regular egg through a transformation to become a bouncy egg. You can too with just a few repurposed ingredients you may have around the house for Easter!

This experiment allows you to see how two common household materials react — eggshell and vinegar. When these materials come in contact, a (safe) chemical reaction takes place and creates new compounds. This easy experiment is great for children to do on their own, and fun to observe how the egg changes over time.

Can you bounce an egg without breaking its shell? Try this simple chemistry experiment and make a large, luminescent rubbery egg.

Did you know you can grow your own sugar crystals at home? In this experiment you'll learn about crystal growing science while making edible sweet treats.

Has your child ever wondered how plants get water from their roots all the way to their leaves? This simple celery experiment shows how colored water travels up a celery stalk!

Looking for more kitchen learning projects to do with your young scientist? Roll and stamp your way to early math exploration with a Fun Dough Pasta Maker from the KiwiCo Store !

(Ages 5-8 )

Pull a couple of cereal boxes from the shelf and test their iron content with this simple experiment. It's fun to see your breakfast whiz across the surface of milk using a magnet!

Try this spicy science trick at home!

My son has always had an interest for the kitchen. Whether I'm cooking dinner or baking cookies, you can be sure that he'll come running when he gets a whiff of something delicious. I loved the idea of encouraging his curiosity in the kitchen and introducing him to some herbs and spices we use in our everyday cooking. We created our very own mini sensory lab and my son loved exploring all the different ingredients we use in our home cooked meals!

Is there anything more fun for kids than bubbles? Not in my house!--well, at least on this afternoon with with this particular bubble bottle. My kids and I had a great time making our one-of-a-kind bottle...then we had a blast blowing a GAZILLION bubble suds!

With your kitchen as your lab and baking supplies as your ingredients, create your own underwater firework spectacular! These underwater fireworks go off because of density. Density means how much something weighs for a given volume of it. Denser things like iron and stone sink. Less dense things like wood and rubber float.

In this experiment, you use four different liquids with four different densities: oil, water, food coloring, and saltwater. The oil sits on top of the water because it’s less dense than water. The water sits on top of the saltwater for the same reason. Food coloring is denser than oil and a little bit denser than water, but it isn’t as dense as saltwater. When the drops of food coloring hit the dense saltwater, they disperse like exploding fireworks!

Eager to learn more about the world around us? Explore the science of volcanic eruptions with a Geologist Starter Kit from the KiwiCo Store !

In our part of California, we don't get any snow. While we try to make at least one trip to Tahoe every winter for a weekend of skiing and sledding, sometimes it's still not enough snow to satisfy my kids.

To recreate some of that fun winter magic, we decided to make our own snow! It was a great way to have fun with sensory play.

Looking for more crafts to decorate for the holidays? Create awesome decorations and have hands-on fun with a Rainbow Air Dry Clay set from the KiwiCo Store !

Did you know you can make your own bouncy balls at home? You can with this project that's also a quick chemistry exploration in polymers. You'll be jumping for joy right alongside your super awesome bouncy balls at the end of this experiment.

(Ages 7-16 )

Fizz, fizz, zoom! This baking soda experiment boat is easy to build and fun to race.

Discover more about the science of pressure with a Bottle Rocket kit from the KiwiCo Store ! Assemble a launcher, rocket, funnel, and launch mixture to experience some extremely fizzy fun.

Can you make a balloon inflate without using air? Sure you can! You just need to make carbon dioxide gas, which is easier than you think. When your vinegar and baking soda touch, get ready to watch the bubbly reaction!

Want to explore more hands-on science experiments without the hassle of gathering materials? Learn about chemistry and design out-of-this-world bath bombs with Planet Bath Bombs from the KiwiCo Store !

These little eggheads are an adorable project! Just plant the grass seeds and watch the hair grow. You can even use these eggheads as seed-starter pots because they are biodegradable and full of calcium for your plants!

If you wanted to pour water out of a Ziploc® brand bag into a bowl, where would you put the bowl? Directly under the opening of the bag, of course. (Thanks, gravity!) But if you had a piece of string, you could pour the water from a few inches off to the side of the bowl, over the table, and still get the water to flow into the bowl —all thanks to the adhesive and cohesive properties of water.

(Ages 1-8 )

Show off your patriotic spirit with this simple yet satisfying star project. Watch as five broken toothpicks transform their shape with just a few drops of water.

Will your toy sink or float? This experiment is fun for all ages.

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10 Kitchen Science Experiments for Kids

My girls love cooking and doing experiments, so kitchen  science experiments are like the best of both worlds for them. Plus they are educational. It is amazing how many different experiments you can do with a few simple pantry items and foods from the fridge. You probably already have most of these supplies in your kitchen right now. I asked my girls to help me round-up some of our favorite kitchen science experiments  for this post. There are a few of these experiments that you can even eat- yummy! That sounds like a good time to me.

Spend some time in the kitchen exploring these 10 fun and easy food science experiments! Read on for the details.

1. Dancing Raisins : Your kiddos will be mesmerized by this experiment. Head over to Buggy and Buddy for the tutorial.

2. Invisible Ink: Painting with Citrus : Use extra lemons and limes to make invisible ink.  Tinkerlab has the instructions for this experiment.

3. Ice Cream in a Bag : Who knew you could make ice cream in a bag? Love this one! Check it out over on  I Can Teach My Child .

4. Cabbage Leaves and Food Coloring : Kids will love watching the leaves absorb all of the different colors.  Paging Fun Mums has the step-by-step instructions.

5. Can You Sink a Marshmallow? : Find out how to sink a marshmallow with this fun experiment. Visit  Steve Spangler’s Blog for the full tutorial.

7. Kool Aid Puffy Paint : Create your own puffy paint to craft with! Loving this kitchen experiment from Learn Play Imagine .

8. Science on a Stick: Rock Candy : Super fun and super YUMMY kitchen experiment. Read all the details from  The Kitchen Pantry Scientist

9. Two Toothy Eggsperiments : Get out your eggs for this cool experiment from  Luv Pre-K .

10. Gummy Bear Science : Gummy bears would be so fun to experiment with! Head over to  Science for Kids to see what this experiment is all about.

Don’t these experiments sound exciting? Try these out for an afternoon of boredom busting, a snow day at home, or even make great ideas for a birthday party. I love that these kitchen experiments are perfect for kids of all ages. Which one is your favorite?

If you have done any kitchen experiments before, we’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!

Amy is happiest surrounded by her husband, her three amazing kids, stacks of books, and craft supplies. With a background in psychology, early childhood education, and elementary teaching, Amy is a supporter of playing dress-up, digging in the dirt, and squeezing out puddles of glue. At her blog, Let’s Explore , Amy shares her family’s experiences creating, imagining, and playing together.

Awesome roundup of ideas, Amy! I’m adding that kool-aid paint to my shopping list. And thank you for including us in this post.

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72 Easy Science Experiments Using Materials You Already Have On Hand

Because science doesn’t have to be complicated.

If there is one thing that is guaranteed to get your students excited, it’s a good science experiment! While some experiments require expensive lab equipment or dangerous chemicals, there are plenty of cool projects you can do with regular household items. We’ve rounded up a big collection of easy science experiments that anybody can try, and kids are going to love them!

Easy Chemistry Science Experiments

Easy physics science experiments, easy biology and environmental science experiments, easy engineering experiments and stem challenges.

1. Taste the Rainbow

Teach your students about diffusion while creating a beautiful and tasty rainbow! Tip: Have extra Skittles on hand so your class can eat a few!

Learn more: Skittles Diffusion

2. Crystallize sweet treats

Crystal science experiments teach kids about supersaturated solutions. This one is easy to do at home, and the results are absolutely delicious!

Learn more: Candy Crystals

3. Make a volcano erupt

This classic experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid), which produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate.

Learn more: Best Volcano Experiments

4. Make elephant toothpaste

This fun project uses yeast and a hydrogen peroxide solution to create overflowing “elephant toothpaste.” Tip: Add an extra fun layer by having kids create toothpaste wrappers for plastic bottles.

5. Blow the biggest bubbles you can

Add a few simple ingredients to dish soap solution to create the largest bubbles you’ve ever seen! Kids learn about surface tension as they engineer these bubble-blowing wands.

Learn more: Giant Soap Bubbles

6. Demonstrate the “magic” leakproof bag

All you need is a zip-top plastic bag, sharp pencils, and water to blow your kids’ minds. Once they’re suitably impressed, teach them how the “trick” works by explaining the chemistry of polymers.

Learn more: Leakproof Bag

7. Use apple slices to learn about oxidation

Have students make predictions about what will happen to apple slices when immersed in different liquids, then put those predictions to the test. Have them record their observations.

Learn more: Apple Oxidation

8. Float a marker man

Their eyes will pop out of their heads when you “levitate” a stick figure right off the table! This experiment works due to the insolubility of dry-erase marker ink in water, combined with the lighter density of the ink.

Learn more: Floating Marker Man

9. Discover density with hot and cold water

There are a lot of easy science experiments you can do with density. This one is extremely simple, involving only hot and cold water and food coloring, but the visuals make it appealing and fun.

Learn more: Layered Water

10. Layer more liquids

This density demo is a little more complicated, but the effects are spectacular. Slowly layer liquids like honey, dish soap, water, and rubbing alcohol in a glass. Kids will be amazed when the liquids float one on top of the other like magic (except it is really science).

Learn more: Layered Liquids

11. Grow a carbon sugar snake

Easy science experiments can still have impressive results! This eye-popping chemical reaction demonstration only requires simple supplies like sugar, baking soda, and sand.

Learn more: Carbon Sugar Snake

12. Mix up some slime

Tell kids you’re going to make slime at home, and watch their eyes light up! There are a variety of ways to make slime, so try a few different recipes to find the one you like best.

13. Make homemade bouncy balls

These homemade bouncy balls are easy to make since all you need is glue, food coloring, borax powder, cornstarch, and warm water. You’ll want to store them inside a container like a plastic egg because they will flatten out over time.

Learn more: Make Your Own Bouncy Balls

14. Create eggshell chalk

Eggshells contain calcium, the same material that makes chalk. Grind them up and mix them with flour, water, and food coloring to make your very own sidewalk chalk.

Learn more: Eggshell Chalk

15. Make naked eggs

This is so cool! Use vinegar to dissolve the calcium carbonate in an eggshell to discover the membrane underneath that holds the egg together. Then, use the “naked” egg for another easy science experiment that demonstrates osmosis .

Learn more: Naked Egg Experiment

16. Turn milk into plastic

This sounds a lot more complicated than it is, but don’t be afraid to give it a try. Use simple kitchen supplies to create plastic polymers from plain old milk. Sculpt them into cool shapes when you’re done!

17. Test pH using cabbage

Teach kids about acids and bases without needing pH test strips! Simply boil some red cabbage and use the resulting water to test various substances—acids turn red and bases turn green.

Learn more: Cabbage pH

18. Clean some old coins

Use common household items to make old oxidized coins clean and shiny again in this simple chemistry experiment. Ask kids to predict (hypothesize) which will work best, then expand the learning by doing some research to explain the results.

Learn more: Cleaning Coins

19. Pull an egg into a bottle

This classic easy science experiment never fails to delight. Use the power of air pressure to suck a hard-boiled egg into a jar, no hands required.

Learn more: Egg in a Bottle

20. Blow up a balloon (without blowing)

Chances are good you probably did easy science experiments like this when you were in school. The baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment demonstrates the reactions between acids and bases when you fill a bottle with vinegar and a balloon with baking soda.

21 Assemble a DIY lava lamp

This 1970s trend is back—as an easy science experiment! This activity combines acid-base reactions with density for a totally groovy result.

22. Explore how sugary drinks affect teeth

The calcium content of eggshells makes them a great stand-in for teeth. Use eggs to explore how soda and juice can stain teeth and wear down the enamel. Expand your learning by trying different toothpaste-and-toothbrush combinations to see how effective they are.

Learn more: Sugar and Teeth Experiment

23. Mummify a hot dog

If your kids are fascinated by the Egyptians, they’ll love learning to mummify a hot dog! No need for canopic jars , just grab some baking soda and get started.

24. Extinguish flames with carbon dioxide

This is a fiery twist on acid-base experiments. Light a candle and talk about what fire needs in order to survive. Then, create an acid-base reaction and “pour” the carbon dioxide to extinguish the flame. The CO2 gas acts like a liquid, suffocating the fire.

25. Send secret messages with invisible ink

Turn your kids into secret agents! Write messages with a paintbrush dipped in lemon juice, then hold the paper over a heat source and watch the invisible become visible as oxidation goes to work.

Learn more: Invisible Ink

26. Create dancing popcorn

This is a fun version of the classic baking soda and vinegar experiment, perfect for the younger crowd. The bubbly mixture causes popcorn to dance around in the water.

27. Shoot a soda geyser sky-high

You’ve always wondered if this really works, so it’s time to find out for yourself! Kids will marvel at the chemical reaction that sends diet soda shooting high in the air when Mentos are added.

Learn more: Soda Explosion

28. Send a teabag flying

Hot air rises, and this experiment can prove it! You’ll want to supervise kids with fire, of course. For more safety, try this one outside.

Learn more: Flying Tea Bags

29. Create magic milk

This fun and easy science experiment demonstrates principles related to surface tension, molecular interactions, and fluid dynamics.

Learn more: Magic Milk Experiment

30. Watch the water rise

Learn about Charles’s Law with this simple experiment. As the candle burns, using up oxygen and heating the air in the glass, the water rises as if by magic.

Learn more: Rising Water

31. Learn about capillary action

Kids will be amazed as they watch the colored water move from glass to glass, and you’ll love the easy and inexpensive setup. Gather some water, paper towels, and food coloring to teach the scientific magic of capillary action.

Learn more: Capillary Action

32. Give a balloon a beard

Equally educational and fun, this experiment will teach kids about static electricity using everyday materials. Kids will undoubtedly get a kick out of creating beards on their balloon person!

Learn more: Static Electricity

33. Find your way with a DIY compass

Here’s an old classic that never fails to impress. Magnetize a needle, float it on the water’s surface, and it will always point north.

Learn more: DIY Compass

34. Crush a can using air pressure

Sure, it’s easy to crush a soda can with your bare hands, but what if you could do it without touching it at all? That’s the power of air pressure!

35. Tell time using the sun

While people use clocks or even phones to tell time today, there was a time when a sundial was the best means to do that. Kids will certainly get a kick out of creating their own sundials using everyday materials like cardboard and pencils.

Learn more: Make Your Own Sundial

36. Launch a balloon rocket

Grab balloons, string, straws, and tape, and launch rockets to learn about the laws of motion.

37. Make sparks with steel wool

All you need is steel wool and a 9-volt battery to perform this science demo that’s bound to make their eyes light up! Kids learn about chain reactions, chemical changes, and more.

Learn more: Steel Wool Electricity

38. Levitate a Ping-Pong ball

Kids will get a kick out of this experiment, which is really all about Bernoulli’s principle. You only need plastic bottles, bendy straws, and Ping-Pong balls to make the science magic happen.

39. Whip up a tornado in a bottle

There are plenty of versions of this classic experiment out there, but we love this one because it sparkles! Kids learn about a vortex and what it takes to create one.

Learn more: Tornado in a Bottle

40. Monitor air pressure with a DIY barometer

This simple but effective DIY science project teaches kids about air pressure and meteorology. They’ll have fun tracking and predicting the weather with their very own barometer.

Learn more: DIY Barometer

41. Peer through an ice magnifying glass

Students will certainly get a thrill out of seeing how an everyday object like a piece of ice can be used as a magnifying glass. Be sure to use purified or distilled water since tap water will have impurities in it that will cause distortion.

Learn more: Ice Magnifying Glass

42. String up some sticky ice

Can you lift an ice cube using just a piece of string? This quick experiment teaches you how. Use a little salt to melt the ice and then refreeze the ice with the string attached.

Learn more: Sticky Ice

43. “Flip” a drawing with water

Light refraction causes some really cool effects, and there are multiple easy science experiments you can do with it. This one uses refraction to “flip” a drawing; you can also try the famous “disappearing penny” trick .

Learn more: Light Refraction With Water

44. Color some flowers

We love how simple this project is to re-create since all you’ll need are some white carnations, food coloring, glasses, and water. The end result is just so beautiful!

45. Use glitter to fight germs

Everyone knows that glitter is just like germs—it gets everywhere and is so hard to get rid of! Use that to your advantage and show kids how soap fights glitter and germs.

Learn more: Glitter Germs

46. Re-create the water cycle in a bag

You can do so many easy science experiments with a simple zip-top bag. Fill one partway with water and set it on a sunny windowsill to see how the water evaporates up and eventually “rains” down.

Learn more: Water Cycle

47. Learn about plant transpiration

Your backyard is a terrific place for easy science experiments. Grab a plastic bag and rubber band to learn how plants get rid of excess water they don’t need, a process known as transpiration.

Learn more: Plant Transpiration

48. Clean up an oil spill

Before conducting this experiment, teach your students about engineers who solve environmental problems like oil spills. Then, have your students use provided materials to clean the oil spill from their oceans.

Learn more: Oil Spill

49. Construct a pair of model lungs

Kids get a better understanding of the respiratory system when they build model lungs using a plastic water bottle and some balloons. You can modify the experiment to demonstrate the effects of smoking too.

Learn more: Model Lungs

50. Experiment with limestone rocks

Kids  love to collect rocks, and there are plenty of easy science experiments you can do with them. In this one, pour vinegar over a rock to see if it bubbles. If it does, you’ve found limestone!

Learn more: Limestone Experiments

51. Turn a bottle into a rain gauge

All you need is a plastic bottle, a ruler, and a permanent marker to make your own rain gauge. Monitor your measurements and see how they stack up against meteorology reports in your area.

Learn more: DIY Rain Gauge

52. Build up towel mountains

This clever demonstration helps kids understand how some landforms are created. Use layers of towels to represent rock layers and boxes for continents. Then pu-u-u-sh and see what happens!

Learn more: Towel Mountains

53. Take a play dough core sample

Learn about the layers of the earth by building them out of Play-Doh, then take a core sample with a straw. ( Love Play-Doh? Get more learning ideas here. )

Learn more: Play Dough Core Sampling

54. Project the stars on your ceiling

Use the video lesson in the link below to learn why stars are only visible at night. Then create a DIY star projector to explore the concept hands-on.

Learn more: DIY Star Projector

55. Make it rain

Use shaving cream and food coloring to simulate clouds and rain. This is an easy science experiment little ones will beg to do over and over.

Learn more: Shaving Cream Rain

56. Blow up your fingerprint

This is such a cool (and easy!) way to look at fingerprint patterns. Inflate a balloon a bit, use some ink to put a fingerprint on it, then blow it up big to see your fingerprint in detail.

57. Snack on a DNA model

Twizzlers, gumdrops, and a few toothpicks are all you need to make this super-fun (and yummy!) DNA model.

Learn more: Edible DNA Model

58. Dissect a flower

Take a nature walk and find a flower or two. Then bring them home and take them apart to discover all the different parts of flowers.

59. Craft smartphone speakers

No Bluetooth speaker? No problem! Put together your own from paper cups and toilet paper tubes.

Learn more: Smartphone Speakers

60. Race a balloon-powered car

Kids will be amazed when they learn they can put together this awesome racer using cardboard and bottle-cap wheels. The balloon-powered “engine” is so much fun too.

Learn more: Balloon-Powered Car

61. Build a Ferris wheel

You’ve probably ridden on a Ferris wheel, but can you build one? Stock up on wood craft sticks and find out! Play around with different designs to see which one works best.

Learn more: Craft Stick Ferris Wheel

62. Design a phone stand

There are lots of ways to craft a DIY phone stand, which makes this a perfect creative-thinking STEM challenge.

63. Conduct an egg drop

Put all their engineering skills to the test with an egg drop! Challenge kids to build a container from stuff they find around the house that will protect an egg from a long fall (this is especially fun to do from upper-story windows).

Learn more: Egg Drop Challenge Ideas

64. Engineer a drinking-straw roller coaster

STEM challenges are always a hit with kids. We love this one, which only requires basic supplies like drinking straws.

Learn more: Straw Roller Coaster

65. Build a solar oven

Explore the power of the sun when you build your own solar ovens and use them to cook some yummy treats. This experiment takes a little more time and effort, but the results are always impressive. The link below has complete instructions.

Learn more: Solar Oven

66. Build a Da Vinci bridge

There are plenty of bridge-building experiments out there, but this one is unique. It’s inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s 500-year-old self-supporting wooden bridge. Learn how to build it at the link, and expand your learning by exploring more about Da Vinci himself.

Learn more: Da Vinci Bridge

67. Step through an index card

This is one easy science experiment that never fails to astonish. With carefully placed scissor cuts on an index card, you can make a loop large enough to fit a (small) human body through! Kids will be wowed as they learn about surface area.

68. Stand on a pile of paper cups

Combine physics and engineering and challenge kids to create a paper cup structure that can support their weight. This is a cool project for aspiring architects.

Learn more: Paper Cup Stack

69. Test out parachutes

Gather a variety of materials (try tissues, handkerchiefs, plastic bags, etc.) and see which ones make the best parachutes. You can also find out how they’re affected by windy days or find out which ones work in the rain.

Learn more: Parachute Drop

70. Recycle newspapers into an engineering challenge

It’s amazing how a stack of newspapers can spark such creative engineering. Challenge kids to build a tower, support a book, or even build a chair using only newspaper and tape!

Learn more: Newspaper STEM Challenge

71. Use rubber bands to sound out acoustics

Explore the ways that sound waves are affected by what’s around them using a simple rubber band “guitar.” (Kids absolutely love playing with these!)

Learn more: Rubber Band Guitar

72. Assemble a better umbrella

Challenge students to engineer the best possible umbrella from various household supplies. Encourage them to plan, draw blueprints, and test their creations using the scientific method.

Learn more: Umbrella STEM Challenge

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16 Red-Hot Volcano Science Experiments and Kits For Classrooms or Science Fairs

Kids will erupt with excitement! Continue Reading

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How to Make a Lemon Volcano Science Experiment

This post may contain affiliate links.

A lemon volcano is a fantastic hands-on science experiment that brings a little zest to learning! This activity combines a simple chemical reaction with sensory play!  It will excite and engage young learners while introducing them to some basic scientific principles. I love that you can bring science to life with everyday materials like lemons!

Whether you’re homeschooling, teaching in the classroom, or simply looking for a fun educational activity at home, lemon volcanoes are popular with kids of all ages. In this post, I am going to dive into the science behind it, give you some step-by-step instructions, and tell you the educational benefits of this extra fun science experiment.

The Science Behind Lemon Volcanoes

The lemon volcano is an acid-base reaction. Lemons contain citric acid, a naturally occurring weak acid. When you mix this with a base, like baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), a chemical reaction occurs. This reaction produces carbon dioxide gas, which creates the fun fizzing and bubbling effect that looks like a mini volcano erupting.

As the lemony citric acid reacts with the baking soda, carbon dioxide bubbles form and create a foamy eruption. Food coloring can be added to enhance the visual effect, making the reaction even more exciting.  Add a little dish soap for an even foamier reaction! 

How to Make a Lemon Volcano

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Add Food Coloring (Optional): For a colorful volcano, drop a few drops of food coloring inside the lemon. Red, orange, or yellow work well to mimic a real volcanic eruption! We used blue because I loved the cool contrast! Use all of the colors in different sections and make a rainbow of volcanoes!
• Add Dish Soap (Also optional): To make the reaction frothier, squeeze a little dribble of dish soap on top of the lemon pulp.

Volcano Variations:

Try the experiment with a different type of citrus fruit such as limes, or grapefruit.  Make an apple volcano or pumpkin volcano using baking soda and vinegar. 

Educational Benefits of the Lemon Volcano Experiment

Intro to Chemical Reactions: Lemon volcanoes are a fun and easy way to introduce kids to chemical reactions. They can observe how acids (citric acid) and bases (baking soda) react to form new substances, such as carbon dioxide. This can give a foundation for understanding more complex chemistry later on.

Sensory and Hands-on Learning: We love all kinds of hands-on learning here! This activity engages many senses—sight, smell, touch, and even hearing (bubbling sounds). Involving many senses increase the learning. 

Critical Thinking: You can encourage children to come up with a hypothesis and make predictions about what will happen when baking soda is added to the lemon. Will it fizz right away? Will more soap create bigger bubbles? Asking questions like this get kids thinking and helps them develop a scientist mindset! Turn it into a science fair project. 

Fine Motor Skills: Working with the lemons, squeezing juice, and stirring the mixture helps young children develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Encourages Curiosity and Exploration: Once children see their first fizzy eruption, they’re going to want to try it again. This curiosity can lead to more questions and experimentation (like with other citrus fruits!). It can really help kids develop a love for science and exploration.

Simple STEM Learning : This activity is a great introduction to basic STEM principles. It allows children to explore cause and effect, make observations, and apply basic math concepts (like measuring ingredients).

I hope you’ll give these lemon volcanoes  a try!  They combine science and fun, making them the perfect activity to spark curiosity and excitement in children. Whether you’re looking to enrich your homeschool curriculum or just want a fun activity for a rainy afternoon, lemon volcanoes will definitely bring some amazing smelling excitement to your day!

See More Sensory Rich Science Experiments:

Erupting Volcano Slime

Lemon Battery Experiment

How to Make an Awesome Volcano Science Project

Tapioca Pearl Sensory Play

Five Senses Activities for Kids

Former school teacher turned homeschool mom of 4 kids. Loves creating awesome hands-on creative learning ideas to make learning engaging and memorable for all kids!

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Easy at-home science experiments for kids

• by Team Varthana
• Posted on September 17, 2024
• in Activities

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how a volcano erupts or why rainbows appear? Science is full of amazing phenomena that spark curiosity and wonder in children. Fortunately, you don’t need a fully equipped lab to explore these wonders. With everyday items found at home, you can transform your kitchen into a fun and exciting science lab. Let’s dive into some easy at-home science experiments that will engage and educate young minds!

What is a Kitchen Science Lab?

Imagine turning your kitchen into a science lab, where each experiment is a new adventure waiting to be discovered. The following science experiments for kids are not only easy to set up but also provide a hands-on learning experience for kids. So, grab your lab coats (or aprons) and safety goggles, and get ready to explore the fascinating world of science!

Fizzing Fun

Experiment 1: The Baking Soda Volcano

Materials Needed:Baking soda, Vinegar, Dish soap, Tray or baking sheet, Food coloring (optional) and Small plastic bottle or container

Instructions:

• Place the small plastic bottle or container in the center of the tray.
• Fill the container halfway with baking soda.
• Add a few drops of dish soap to the baking soda.
• (Optional) Add a few drops of food coloring for a colorful eruption.
• Pour vinegar into the container and watch the eruption!

Science Explanation:

The reaction between baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) produces carbon dioxide gas. The dish soap traps the gas, creating bubbles and foam that mimic a volcanic eruption.

Experiment 2: Dancing Raisins

Materials Needed: Raisins, Soda water (carbonated water, Clear glass and Dish soap (optional)

• Fill a clear glass with soda water.
• Drop a few raisins into the glass.
• Observe the raisins as they rise and fall in the glass.
• (Optional) Add a few drops of dish soap to see how it affects the movement.

The carbon dioxide bubbles in the soda water attach to the rough surface of the raisins, causing them to float to the top. When the bubbles pop, the raisins sink again. This creates a continuous dancing effect.

Colorful Creations

Experiment 3: Skittles Rainbow

Materials Needed:

Skittles candies, Plate and Water

• Arrange Skittles in a circle around the edge of the plate.
• Pour enough water in the center of the plate to touch the candies.
• Watch as the colors from the Skittles slowly spread and create a rainbow pattern.

The sugar and color molecules in the Skittles dissolve in the water and diffuse towards the center of the plate. This process creates a beautiful, colorful display.

Experiment 4: Rainbow Milk

Materials Needed:Milk (whole or 2%), Dish soap, Food coloring, Cotton swabs and Plate

• Pour enough milk onto the plate to cover the bottom.
• Add a few drops of different food coloring in the center of the plate.
• Dip a cotton swab into the dish soap.
• Touch the soapy end of the cotton swab to the center of the milk and watch the colors dance.

Milk contains fat molecules, and when dish soap is added, it breaks up the fat molecules. This creates movement in the milk, causing the food coloring to spread and create a swirling rainbow effect.

Experiment 5: Growing Crystals

Materials Needed: Borax (or sugar or salt for alternatives), Water, Food coloring (optional), Pipe cleaners, String, Pencil and Jar or glass

• Shape the pipe cleaner into a desired shape and tie it to a string.
• Fill a jar with hot water and add borax until it dissolves completely (about 3 tablespoons per cup of water).
• Add food coloring if desired.
• Hang the pipe cleaner shape in the solution, making sure it doesn’t touch the sides or bottom.
• Leave the jar undisturbed overnight and observe the crystal formation.

As the water cools, the solubility of the borax decreases, causing it to crystallize on the pipe cleaner. This forms beautiful crystal shapes that grow over time.

Learning Through Play!

Engaging and fun:.

Science experiments are a great way to make learning fun. Kids become more engaged and enthusiastic about science by turning simple activities into exciting experiments. This hands-on approach keeps them interested and eager to explore further.

Encourages Curiosity:

Through these science experiments , children are encouraged to ask questions and make predictions. This stimulates their natural Curiosity and helps them develop critical thinking skills. They learn to observe and think about why things happen the way they do.

Develops Scientific Understanding:

As kids perform science experiments , they gain a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. For example, they learn about chemical reactions, surface tension, and crystallization in a way that is easy to understand and remember. These activities lay the foundation for more complex scientific learning in the future.

Promotes Problem-Solving Skills:

By engaging in science experiments , children learn to solve problems and think creatively. They might need to tweak their approach if an experiment doesn’t work as expected, teaching them perseverance and adaptability. These skills are valuable not just in science but in everyday life.

Fosters Teamwork:

Many science experiments can be done in groups, promoting teamwork and collaboration. Kids learn to work together, share ideas, and help each other. This social aspect of learning through play enhances their communication skills and teaches them the value of cooperation.

Safety First: Ensuring a Fun and Secure Science Experience

While these science experiments for kids are designed to be safe and easy, it’s important to remind parents to supervise their children during the activities. Make sure to follow safety guidelines, such as wearing protective eyewear and handling chemicals with care. Adult supervision ensures that the science experiments are conducted safely and enhances the learning experience by guiding the kids through the scientific process.

Science is all around us, and exploring it at home can be a delightful and educational experience for kids. These easy at-home science experiments for kids offer a gateway to discovering the wonders of science using everyday items. Encourage children to keep exploring, experimenting, and asking questions. For more science experiment ideas, numerous resources are available online and in educational books. Embrace the joy of scientific discovery and watch your kids’ curiosity soar!

• What is a simple experiment for kids?

A simple experiment for kids is the classic baking soda and vinegar volcano, where mixing the two ingredients creates a fun and fizzy eruption, teaching kids about chemical reactions engagingly.

• How to make a science lab at home for kids?

To make a science lab at home for kids, designate a space with a sturdy table, gather basic supplies like beakers, measuring cups, and safety goggles, and provide a variety of safe, household materials for experiments, such as baking soda, vinegar, food coloring, and magnifying glasses.

• How to make a science kit at home?

To create a science kit at home, collect everyday items like test tubes, pipettes, magnifying glasses, baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring, then organize them in a box or container, labeling each item for easy use during experiments.

• What is a science kit box?

A science kit box is a curated collection of tools and materials designed to help kids explore scientific concepts through hands-on experiments, typically including items like test tubes, measuring spoons, safety goggles, and instructions for various activities.

• Why are science kits good for kids?

Science kits are suitable for kids because they make learning fun and interactive, encouraging curiosity and experimentation while helping to develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and a strong foundation in scientific principles.

Also Read: 

Beyond the Textbook: 7 Creative Ways to Spark Student Engagement

How is Project-Based Learning Helpful for Students?

Level Up Learning: Hacks to Enhance Your Students’ Memory

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