It’s never too early to excite young minds about science at home. At its core, science is all about understanding the why and how of the universe we live in. From the tiniest insects to the mysterious vastness of the stars, there’s boundless knowledge to be found, especially for kids.
Experiments don’t need billion-dollar Large Hadron Colliders or NASA-grade rockets. Sometimes, people can accomplish science with bits and pieces from around the household. Invest in your child’s future by making them interested in science through these easy yet captivating home experiments.
Gravity Tube
What You Need
- aluminum or copper tube
- strong magnets
Steps
- Hold the aluminum or copper tube vertically.
- Drop a strong magnet into the top of the tube and observe as it falls through the tube.
Scientific Explanation
When the magnet falls through the non-magnetic metal tube, it induces a current in the tube due to electromagnetic induction. This induced current creates a magnetic field that opposes the motion of the falling magnet (Lenz’s Law). This opposition slows the magnet’s fall, demonstrating the principles of electromagnetic induction and resistance.
Frozen Spinning Water
What You Need
- small bucket with a handle
- water
Steps
- Fill the small bucket with water and place it in the freezer until the water is completely frozen.
- Once frozen, take the bucket out and spin it by the handle.
Scientific Explanation
When you spin the bucket, the frozen water inside will demonstrate inertia and angular momentum. Inertia keeps the ice in motion, and angular momentum makes the ice move in a circular path. This activity shows how forces act on objects in motion and the properties of rotational dynamics.
Egg Drop
What You Need
- Egg
- foam
- cardboard
- anything you can use to protect the egg
Steps
- Design and build a structure to protect the egg using foam, cardboard, and any other materials around the house.
- Test your structure by dropping it from a height and observing whether the egg survives the fall.
Scientific Explanation
The goal is to minimize the impact force on the egg by utilizing foam, as it absorbs and distributes the energy from the fall. The experiment demonstrates the principles of impact resistance, energy absorption, and cushioning. The design encourages creative problem-solving and understanding of how different materials can protect fragile objects.
Match in a Glass
What You Need
- match
- glass cup
- deep plate
- water with food coloring
- small piece of styrofoam
Steps
- Fill a deep plate with water colored with food coloring.
- Float a small styrofoam piece on the water and place a match on top.
- Light the match and quickly cover it with an inverted glass cup.
Scientific Explanation
As the match burns, it heats the air inside the glass. When the match goes out, the air cools and contracts, creating a partial vacuum. This lower pressure inside the glass causes the water to be pushed up into the glass by the higher external air pressure. The experiment demonstrates the principles of air pressure and combustion.
Snowball Cookies
What You Need
- butter
- powdered sugar
- vanilla extract
- flour
- salt
- buttercream frosting
Steps
- Mix butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, flour, and salt to create cookie dough.
- Shape the dough into small balls to represent planets and bake them.
- Once cooled, decorate the cookies with buttercream frosting
Scientific Explanation
You can make cookies at home to teach kids about the science of baking. Baking is as much a science as it is an art, and the exact measures and timing required for baking should give kids a basic overview of how to mix components to create something new. For decoration, take inspiration from classic sugar cookies or even solar system-shaped chocolates for more scientific immersion.
Living Liquid
What You Need
- cornstarch
- water
- big tub
Steps
- Mix cornstarch and water in a big tub until you get a thick, viscous mixture.
- Play with the mixture by poking it, squeezing it, or trying to pick it up.
Scientific Explanation
The cornstarch-water mixture is a non-Newtonian fluid, meaning its viscosity changes under stress. When you apply pressure, the mixture behaves like a solid because the cornstarch particles are forced together. Once the pressure is lifted, it will flow like the liquid it is. This activity illustrates the unique properties of non-Newtonian fluids.
Walkalong Paper Airplane
What You Need
- 8.5 x 11 printer paper
- phone book page
- scotch tape
- big flat cardboard (at least pizza box size)
- scissors
- Printer
Steps
- Fold an 8.5 x 11 printer paper sheet into a simple glider airplane according to the Smithsonian Magazine’s template.
- Use the big flat cardboard to create a wave of air by gently pushing it forward under the glider, making it “walk along” the air current.
Scientific Explanation
The walkalong glider flies by riding on a wave of rising air created by the cardboard. As the cardboard moves, it pushes air upwards, creating a lift for the glider. This demonstrates the principles of flight, including lift, drag, and aerodynamics. The glider stays aloft by continually adjusting the cardboard to keep the air flowing under it.
Final Thoughts:
These experiments are only some of the thousands of scientific experiments you can conduct with your child. Thanks to how easy they are, kids can get interested in the world of science without being intimidated.
