5 Easy Science Experiments for Kids: Hands On Science

Today we’d like to share with you 5 easy science experiments for young children. Kids love hands on science and these ideas will help them explore and investigate science while having fun too.

Kids Activities Blog hopes to encourage your child to love learning about science and how their world works.

Easy Science Experiments

Young children, especially, need hands on learning with easy science experiments. They need to move their bodies, do the work, observe the results, inquire and then experiment with what to do next. Questions to always ask a child:

What do you see? (observe)
What do you wonder? (reflect)
What do you think? (infer)
What do you want to do next? (experiment)

Related: Easy Sunscreen Experiment Perfect for Preschoolers.

Density Column

This activity is one of my all time favorites and it doesn’t seem to ever get old. A wonder for even adults to watch as the liquids pour and settle into the jar or bottle.

Materials Needed for Your Density Column

Definitely encourage your children to experiment with different liquids. We used honey, karo syrup, maple syrup, milk, dish soap, water and vegetable oil. You’ll need a tray, a few jars and a small pitcher for optimal pouring for you and your child. Do this activity in steps:

Steps to Creating Your Density Column

Present it to the child by bringing out, pouring and observing each liquid with them

A great extension to the density column is to add items and predict and observe whether the items sink or float and into which layers.

Rock Garden

This activity you will want to start early in the day. To grow your crystal garden, you will need all day. Invite the children to add their own items to the garden and then together observe what materials work best to grow crystals and what materials do not work well.

Materials Needed to Build Your Rock Garden

Ammonia
Liquid Bluing
Salt
Water
A Pyrex Pan (we used a clear pie shape)

Easy science experiments for kids with hands on science

Steps to Growing Your Garden

Create the “solution” of equal parts Salt, Ammonia, Liquid bluing and Water
Encourage your child to chose various items to add to the solution: paper towels, rocks, wooden blocks, food, metal objects, etc.
Observe throughout the day. Take pictures as your garden progresses along.

M&M Experiment

Materials Needed

M&Ms
A Small Bowl
Water

Hands on science makes learning fun for kids {Easy science experiments}

Steps in the M&M Experiment

Pour a small amount of water in a bowl
Add the M&Ms, whatever colors you wish although adding two that will create a new one is very engaging for younger children
Observe what happens as the sugar dissolves off the M&Ms and creates a solid line when the colors meet

Milk Commotion

Materials Needed to Make Commotion

Milk at Room Temperature (also try Buttermilk for a comparison)
Food Coloring
Small Paper Plate
Dish washing Liquid
Toothpick

Easy science experiments to make learning fun for kids {Hands on Science}

Steps to Making Milk Commotion

Pour milk onto small plate
Squeeze four or so dots of food coloring onto the plate
Add dish soap by dropping a small amount into the solution

Cork Boat

Materials Needed for Your Cork Boat

Cork
Needle
A bowl or bin
A magnet wand

5 easy science experiments for kids: Learning with Hands on Science

Steps Taken in Creating Your Cork Boat

Stick the needle into the end on the cork
Fill the bowl halfway with water
Use your magnet wand to move the cork

I hope you enjoyed these simple preschool science experiments. You can find most of these items in your home. Observation, inquiry and experimentation are key with young children. We adults don’t have to have all the answers to put these activities together. That is the best part. We observe, inquire and experiment too.

Marnie

More Kids Activities

We love these science experiments for kids. Hands on science certainly makes learning fun. For more science-related kids activities, we hope you enjoy these ideas: