Inside: The best science experiments for kids that have been loved for generations.

What are the easiest science experiments for kids?

There are certain science projects that are absolute classics. Our parents did them. We did them. Now our children take on this science learning. These are the science experiments for kids that have stood the test of time and for good reasons.

Science is magical.

Experiments make that magic come to life.

Are these kid friendly science experiments?

YES! The science experiments for kids in this blog post are as easy as they come. That’s part of the reason these activities have been passed down from generation to generation.

Introducing children to science that they can relate to and engage with is an important step on the STEM development journey.

How can you help kids with their science education?

Remember the scientific method? You learned it at some point – middle school? High school chemistry?

Kids can start learning parts of the scientific method and scaffold a version of it with these experiments.

As you walk your children through the experiment, keep in mind the steps of the scientific method and look for chances to add this into your discussions:

• Gather supplies
• Make a hypothesis (prediction, guess)
• Do the experiment
• Write down results
• Talk about the results
• State the conclusion/what you found out
• Report results (to anyone!)

Using kid-friendly language and thinking of your child’s development, hit whichever parts of the scientific method you can in each experiment. The goal is not that children memorize each step of the method, but rather they get familiar with science terms (hypothesis, experiment, results, conclusion). This will support their future learning.

Take a walk down science experiment memory lane

I know you’ll recognize some of these experiments from your childhood and I hope this inspires you to try them at your house.

There’s magic to be found in science experiments.

Remember to use fantastic supervision and parental judgment with these science experiments.

One of our favorites: drops of colorful water into vegetable oil. It is really incredible – and the directions are here on Busy Toddler.

All you need is milk, food coloring and dish soap for this absolutely memorable experiment Magic Milk Experiment from Mombrite. Watch as the food coloring dances and swirls across the milk (it’s one of my personal favorites).

Ever wonder how animals in the arctic stay warm? Instead of *only* reading the answer from a book, try this experiment along with your learning. Show kids in a hands-on way HOW and WHY animals are able to survive in cold temperatures with this activity from I Can Teach My Child.

Want to grow a rainbow AND learn about chromatography? Try this activity from The Best Ideas for Kids – it’s a huge WOW factor.

Have you made Oobleck? Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid (it’s a liquid AND a solid), and needs just cornstarch and water to make. It’s a must try experiment.

Do you remember dropping Mentos in Diet Coke when you were in middle school? Only me? Here’s a great tutorial from Taming Little Monsters.

My only suggestion is to pair this experiment with a Mentos geyser tube to help with dropping the Mentos into Diet coke. It’s sold on Amazon.

Help kids learn the importance of soap in this very simple (but super impactful) experiment from Kelly’s Classroom Online. This experiment is great at the start of potty training, the beginning of a school year, or as flu season begins.

I could do the baking soda and vinegar experiment on repeat, and I love the way Preschool Inspirations sets up this activity outside.

Elephant Toothpaste is the COOLEST. Full disclosure: it does need a special ingredient (high strength hydrogen peroxide) but it’s worth it. Directions are from Fun With Mama.

What happens when you soak an egg in vinegar? It’s actually so cool. Check out the how to for the bouncing egg experiment at From Engineer to Stay at Home Mom.

Mix colors AND watch them separate again? Yes, please. These color changing sensory bottles from Preschool Inspirations are way cool.

Did you ever try this experiment as a kid? Color changing flowers (directions from The Best Ideas for Kids) is like the quintessential childhood science experiment.

You’ve got to see this Lava Lamp Experiment from Finding Myself Young. Grab your Alka-Seltzer (I know, right!) because kids (and you) will love it.

Trying to explain gases to kids? It’s hard when you can’t see them. Try this experiment from Fun With Mama where gas pressure builds inside a bag and explodes it.

Want to show your child how a rain cloud works? Have them make this rain cloud in a jar from Hello, Wonderful.

The Skittles rainbow experiment is the COOLEST – so grab a pack of candy and try this activity with the directions from Fun Learning for Kids.

This is experiment on air pressure (where a hard boiled egg is sucked into a glass jar) is so cool. Read the directions at Raising Dragons.

One of our favorites: you can grow a bean in a bag! Watch the roots and stem develop right before your eyes. Use these directions from Fun With Mama.

Fill a balloon magically (with gasses) in this experiment from Crafts by Amanda. Lots of wow-factor with this one!

This is a simple must-do: make raisins dance in soda. Directions from Fun Learning for Kids are perfect.

These at-home science experiments are easy

…but memorable. Science exploration in early childhood is worth promoting. Kids need this valuable introduction into science – and we don’t have to wait for school to show them.

Make plans at-home to do a science experiment each week or even just once a month. Science nights at my house are so popular, and it doesn’t take much.

Try these science experiments for kids with your family

Comment below. Which experiments have you tried so far? Share any additional details OR share other easy, classic science experiments that weren’t featured in this post.