There are plenty of fun experiments for kids to enjoy at home (with the help of their parents, of course). With just a few simple ingredients, kids can have a blast while learning a thing or two as well.
Learn about density with this fun activity from Coffee Cups and Crayons. Put raisins in different sodas and watch them "dance around" in the liquid. Check it out and wow the kids!
Dry Ice Bubble
Kids get to watch a giant bubble explode with dry ice while learning about surface tension and the states of different matter in this experiments (see dry ice bubble). Even if you don’t want to create a whole lesson plan and explain this experiment, it will have your kids entertained and excited about school projects to come. Enjoy this bubble-watching experiment found on Scholastic.
For this experiment, you're going to need a black light (hopefully you have one left over from the 90’s to bust out). Oobleck is an interesting material that’s drippy when you're gentle with it and tough when you're forceful. It’s a fascinating thing for kids to play with, and now, with Fun at Home with Kids, it glows!
Smoke machines always make for a cool atmosphere, but they're not exactly cheap. So here's an experiment for the kids that's much more cost-effective while providing the same level of entertainment. First, buy a cylindrical trash can and cut a hole in the bottom. Then get a bucket and a smoke bomb that creates colored smoke and launch away! Check it out in this video from Steve Spangler Science for full instructions.
Teach your kids about how germs spread with this idea from I Can Teach My Child. As they're getting ready to go back to school, this may be a good topic to hit on. With some hand sanitizer and glitter, you can show your kids how germs move around the room and from person to person. I will warn you , however, that glitter will be everywhere--just like germs--so be prepared to clean up.
This classic experiment comes from HeyThatsHolly’s YouTube channel. "Flubber" is similar to clay, but wetter and more like pliable plastic. Borax, one of the ingredients, can be hard to find, so here is another video from Sarah Aragon that doesn’t use borax if you're having trouble finding it.
Erupting Sidewalk Chalk
This activity mixes both creative juices and science juices, so to speak. Create a painting on the driveway and watch it explode as it reacts to the added vinegar. Find the recipe on Learn Play Imagine.
This cool experiment from WhizKid8881’s science experiments takes blowing balloons up to the next level. If you have a birthday or a summer party coming up, this is the perfect way to entertain the masses while demonstrating basic chemistry.
Rubber Chicken Bone
This experiment will make your kids feel as strong as the Incredible Hulk with two simple ingredients: vinegar and chicken bones. Just soak the bone for three days in a jar and then, like magic, you can twist and bend it! See the full instructions here: Bob’s science experiments.
Make a Cup-Cake
Show your kids what changing the ingredients in a recipe does. You can deviate from the standard and see the reaction with help from Inspiration Laboratories. Microwave your mixed ingredients in mugs and discuss what went wrong until you have the perfect mug cake! The best experiments are the ones you can eat after.
Don’t let your kids forget about the wonders of science. These experiments incorporate both playing and learning, so they’re an excellent way to introduce basic scientific principles to your kids.