10 Easy Summer Science Experiments
Exploring science with kids doesn’t have to be messy or time consuming! These easy summer science experiments are opportunities to explore scientific concepts in the early years that will get kids thinking critically. There are so many benefits to introducing the concepts of experimentation and scientific thinking in the early years.
Science experiments will:
- Nurture children’s sense of curiosity.
- Encourage problem solving and critical thinking skills.
- Develop an understanding of how the world works.
- Introduce scientific concepts such as predicting, testing and evaluating.
You don’t need to have a degree in science to help your children become better scientific thinkers. Start by modelling your own curiosity by observing the world around you and verbalizing this in simple terms to your children:
“I wonder why the roots of the plant are so long? What do you think?”
Asking questions and trying to figure out “why” is part of childhood curiosity — we need to harness the idea of not only asking questions but finding out the answers as well.
Use the correct vocabulary with simple and straightforward explanations and your child will soon catch on to the idea of scientific thinking. Introduce the concepts of:
- PREDICTING (what do we think will happen)
- OBSERVING (what do we see)
- CONCLUDING (what did we find out)
Click on each of the easy summer science experiments below to find out just how simple and fun science can be at home!
1. Orange Buoyancy Experiment
Explore STEM and the concept of buoyancy with this simple science experiment, all you need are two oranges and a jug of water.
2. Sink or Float Experiment
In this simple science experiment, ask children to predict whether an object will sink or float. Drop the items into water. Are they sinkers or floaters? Why?
3. Dissolving Skittles Experiment
Explore the power of dissolving with this fun and simple science experiment using Skittles and warm water.
4. Flower Food Colouring Experiment
This is an easy and effective science experiment for kids that demonstrates how water moves through a plant. After adding food colouring to the water of a white flower, watch it slowly change colour.
5. Dancing Raisins Experiment
This dancing raisins science experiment is a fun and easy way to explore gases and how they differ from liquids and solids.
6. Making Rain Experiment
In this simple science experiment, introduce children to the water cycle. Demonstrate the basic concept of how rain is formed with this hands-on activity.
7. Fizzy Lemonade Experiment
This experiment explores the chemical reaction that occurs when you combine acid and base compounds. When these two substances are combined, they produce carbon dioxide, creating bubbles.
8. Ice Melting Experiment
Easy STEM experiments at home make science fun! This simple experiment investigating the melting of ice will get your kids thinking scientifically.
9. Magnetic or Non-Magnetic Experiment
Explore the power of magnets this spring using plastic eggs and a variety of materials with this easy science experiment for kids.
10. Float or Sink Egg Experiment
This simple science experiment investigates the laws of density and children can discover just how easy it is to make make an egg float!
