Tag: Steam

Want to see your students’ eyes light up? Tell them they’re going to do an experiment! These 3rd grade science projects are easy enough for any classroom or kitchen, and they’re full of science concepts kids need to learn.

To make things even easier, we’ve rated every one of these 3rd grade science experiments based on difficulty and materials:

Difficulty:

• Easy: Low or no-prep experiments you can do pretty much any time
• Medium: These take a little more setup or a longer time to complete
• Advanced: Experiments like these take a fairly big commitment of time or effort

Materials:

• Basic: Simple items you probably already have around the house
• Medium: Items that you might not already have but are easy to get your hands on
• Advanced: These require specialized or more expensive supplies to complete

Jump to:

3rd Grade Science Fair Projects

Use these ideas to build a 3rd grade science fair project. Form your own hypothesis, alter the variables, and see what happens!

Discover the chemistry of slime

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Kids adore slime, and it’s actually a terrific way to teach them about polymers. Learn the basics of slime chemistry, then experiment with the formula to make your own unique concoctions.

Make sun prints to display

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

You’ll need special sun-print paper for this project, but it’s inexpensive and easy to find. Kids learn about chemical reactions as they use the power of the sun to create unique works of art.

Experiment with ice, salt, and water temperature

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This simple experiment requires only water, ice, salt, and a thermometer. Your 3rd grade science class can explore how ice and salt affect the temperature, a simple but effective lesson on heat transfer and freezing points.

Learn more: Ice, Salt, and Temperature at 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Experiment with colors

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Play around with colors, mix them together, and then use a little science magic to pull them apart again. This chromatography science project requires only simple supplies like coffee filters and markers.

Learn more: Chromatography at 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Understand the science behind bath bombs

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium

Bath bombs certainly make bath time more fun, but what makes them work? Explore chemical reactions and get squeaky clean all at the same time!

Learn more: Bath Bomb Science at Learning Hypothesis

Investigate the effects of erosion

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Compare the effects of “rain” on hills of bare soil vs. those covered with grass. Have your 3rd grade science students predict which they think will stand up to erosion better and then test their hypotheses.

Learn more: Erosion Experiment at Third Grade Thinkers

Give flowers a glow-up

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

This one will make kids’ eyes pop out of their heads! Use highlighters and a black-light flashlight to reveal the vascular system of flowers.

Learn more: Plant’s Vascular System at Tamara “Tamawi” Horne

Grow bacteria from common surfaces

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium

There’s never been a better time to learn about the way germs spread! Take samples from a variety of surfaces, then watch bacteria grow in petri dishes just like grown-up scientists.

Learn more: Growing Germs at Happiness Is Here

Take friction for a ride

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium

Your students will love pulling their way across the floor as they discover more about friction and its effects on motion. Build your own “sled” or use a premade box or tray.

Craft fossils from glue

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Create clay molds of natural objects, then fill them with school glue to make your own “fossil” casts. This is a great project to try before a trip to the natural history museum.

Learn more: Glue Fossils at Education.com

Go green with recycled paper

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium

We talk a lot about recycling and sustainability these days, so show kids how it’s done! Recycle old worksheets or other papers using screen and picture frames.

Learn more: Recycled Paper at Undercover Classroom

Filter sediment from dirty water

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Explore sediments and water filtration with this easy 3rd grade science experiment. It’s a fun way to learn more about the water cycle.

Learn more: Water Filtration at Teach Beside Me

Put together a compost bottle

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Learn about the decomposition of food and how composting can provide nutrients for growing more food with this easy earth science project.

Learn more: Soda Bottle Compost at Busy Mommy Media

Sprout new potatoes

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Potatoes grow from tuberous roots, and under the right conditions, new shoots appear from those roots. This 3rd grade science experiment explores the biological science behind cloning.

Use flowers to learn about acid rain

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Have you ever wondered what happens to plants when they are exposed to acid rain? Your students can find out by conducting a simple acid rain experiment using flowers and vinegar!

Learn more: Acid Rain Experiment at Little Bins for Little Hands

Keep apples from turning brown

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

What’s the best method to keep sliced apples from turning brown? Find out with this popular 3rd grade science project.

Learn more: Apple Browning at Teach Beside Me

Fizz it up with antacid

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Fizzy fantastic fun! Learn about chemical reactions by mixing water and effervescent antacid tablets to see what happens, comparing the time it takes for whole tablets and small pieces.

Drop objects to learn about gravity

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Do heavier objects fall faster than lighter ones? Try this hands-on gravity activity for 3rd graders to find out!

3rd Grade STEM Challenge Projects

Use these STEM challenges as the basis for science fair project ideas, or try them as in-class science activities your 3rd graders will love!

Design a candy-delivery machine

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Learn about inclined planes with this fun simple-machines project. Kids can get creative and develop any kind of delivery system they like!

Learn more: Candy Machine at 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Determine the most waterproof roof

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Calling all future engineers! Build a house from LEGO, then experiment to see what type of roof prevents water from leaking inside.

Learn more: Waterproof Roof at Science Sparks

Run marble races with pool noodles

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Crack open a pool noodle or two and create your own marble racetracks. Experiment with angles, force, and surface materials to find the fastest way to get the marble to the bottom. (Find more fun ways to use pool noodles in the classroom here.)

Learn more: Pool Noodle Marble Races at The Techy Teacher

Build a better umbrella

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Challenge students to engineer the best possible umbrella from various household supplies. Encourage them to plan, draw blueprints, and test their creations, using the scientific method.

Learn more: Best Umbrella STEM Challenge at Raising Lifelong Learners

Construct a marshmallow catapult

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Fling some sweet treats in the name of science! All you need is an old tissue box, pencils, rubber bands, and a few other supplies to learn about trajectory, air resistance, gravity, and more.

Learn more: Tissue Box Catapult at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Blow through a water whistle

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Learn about the science of sound with this easy experiment. Kids will love building their own whistles from straws and a glass of water.

Learn more: Water Whistle at My Baba

Step through an index card

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

With carefully placed scissor cuts on an index card, you can make a loop large enough to fit a (small) human body through! Kids will be wowed as they learn about surface area.

Learn more: Index Card Experiment at Mess for Less

Construct a Hero’s engine

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Basic

Sir Isaac Newton came up with rules about how things work in the world. One of these rules is called Newton’s third law. It says that “for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Do an experiment with your 3rd graders to learn more about this rule!

Model the effect of air drag

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

To learn about the role of drag in flight, students can fold paper planes in different styles and observe how these changes affect the distance and flight pattern of the planes. Turn this 3rd grade science project into a fun competition to see which plane flies the farthest or stays in the air the longest.

Put together an anemometer

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Basic

This very simple weather instrument is easy enough for kids to build, allowing them to observe and think like a real meteorologist.

Magnet and Electricity Science Experiments for 3rd Grade

These shocking (OK, not literally!) electricity experiments will fit nicely into many 3rd grade science curriculum programs. Give them a try in the classroom, or encourage an interest in science at home.

Assemble a simple circuit

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium

To test the conductivity of different materials, your students can use a simple electric circuit. Invest in a few of these inexpensive gadgets to allow for all kinds of 3rd grade science projects.

Learn more: Simple Circuits at Science Projects

Turn a safety pin into a circuit

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium

Looking for an even easier simple circuits project? This one requires only a few supplies you can grab at the hardware store and an ordinary everyday safety pin.

Investigate how liquids affect magnets

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Are magnets equally effective in water? What about oil or a thicker liquid like, say, a milkshake? This would make for an easy 3rd grade science fair project that’s fun too.

Ask a magnet to dance

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This is so cool! Make a magnet dance without touching it in this activity that’s part STEM challenge, part magnet experiment, and 100% amazing.

Capture lightning in a bottle

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium

Well, it’s not quite that dramatic, but this cool electricity experiment for 3rd grade will still wow your students.

Separate salt and pepper with static electricity

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

When you mix up salt and pepper, you’d think it would be almost impossible to separate them again. But using a little static electricity and a plastic spoon, it’s surprisingly simple.

Learn more: Separate Salt and Pepper at Science Kiddo

Explore static electricity with jumping goop

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Your students have probably tried rubbing a balloon on their heads to create static electricity with their hair. This experiment is even cooler to see, as a mix of cornstarch and oil seems to leap off the spoon in front of their eyes!

Learn more: Static Electricity Goop at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Predict the distance of lightning

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This weather science experiment never fails to impress. Use a stopwatch to measure the difference between the flash and the sound of lightning and thunder, then calculate the distance between you and the strike.

Find your way with a DIY compass

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Here’s an old classic that never fails to impress. Magnetize a needle and float it on the water’s surface—it will always point north.

Learn more: DIY Compass at STEAM Powered Family

Defy gravity with magnets and paper clips

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Magnets are always a hit in the classroom. Use this simple experiment to discover more about gravity and the effects of magnets on metal objects.

Learn more: Magnet Gravity at Buggy and Buddy

More 3rd Grade Science Projects and Activities

These science experiments for 3rd graders explore all sorts of concepts, from the laws of motion to earth and planetary science and beyond.

Flick pennies to learn about inertia

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This is one of those science experiments that kind of looks like magic, but it’s really all about the laws of motion. It might take a little practice to get the index card flick just right, but the results are always cool!

Learn more: Penny Inertia at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

See the temperature rise in a chemical reaction

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

When iron meets oxygen, rust forms. Use vinegar to remove the protective coat from steel wool and watch the temperature rise from the chemical reaction.

Learn more: Thermal Reaction at 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Float an iceberg

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Use a balloon to make an iceberg, then float it in a dish of water to learn how much you can see above and below the waterline. Try experimenting with salt water to see how the density changes things.

Learn more: Icebergs at Science Sparks

Take a Play-Doh core sample

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Learn about the layers of the Earth by building them out of Play-Doh. Then students can take a core sample with a straw. (Love Play-Doh? Get more learning ideas here.)

Learn more: Core Sampling at Line Upon Line Learning

Spin a disappearing color wheel

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Color a paper disk with the six primary and secondary colors. Then thread a string through the middle and make it spin. The colors will seem to disappear!

Crystallize some pretty fall leaves

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Every kid loves making crystals. In this 3rd grade science project, learn about supersaturated solutions by crystallizing some colorful fall leaves. Then use them as fall classroom decor!

Learn more: Salt Crystal Leaves at STEAMsational

Find a robot’s center of gravity

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Print out, cut, and color this free paper robot. Then glue some coins to the back and have your students try to find its center of gravity!

Learn more: Balancing Robot at Buggy and Buddy

Make your own bouncing bubbles

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Have your 3rd grade science students put on gloves and watch the bubbles bounce! Then encourage them to experiment with their own bubble solution. Try different soaps, mixing up the ratios to make the strongest bubble possible.

Project the stars on your ceiling

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Use the video lesson in the link below to teach 3rd grade science students why stars are only visible at night. Then create a DIY star projector to explore the concept hands-on.

Learn more: Star Projector at Mystery Science

Blow bubbles inside bubbles inside bubbles

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Basic

If there’s a more fun 3rd grade science project about surface tension than bubbles, we haven’t found it yet! Create a soap solution by using dissolved sugar and discover more about elasticity and volume as you blow bubbles inside bubbles inside bubbles …

Use water balloons to explore buoyancy

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Fill water balloons with different solutions (oil, salt water, plain water, etc.) and place the balloons in a large bucket of water to see if they sink or float. This is a cool project to do with your 3rd grade science class on the playground on a sunny day.

Learn more: Balloon Density at 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Learn how water temperature affects density

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Looking for a simple, quick, and colorful science experiment? This one just requires some mason jars, hot and cold water, and food coloring. Kids will be amazed at the results!

Learn more: Water Density Experiment at STEAMsational

Dissolve cups to learn about types of change

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Teach your 3rd grade science class about the differences between physical and chemical changes with this quick and easy experiment involving Styrofoam cups.

Learn more: Dissolving Cups at The Owl Teacher

Turn crayons into rocks

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Demonstrate the effects of heat and pressure on crayon shavings to explain the different types of rocks to students. It’s a colorful intro to geology!

Learn more: Crayon Rocks at The Owl Teacher

 Stab a straw through a potato

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Plastic straws may seem flimsy, but by using the power of air pressure, you can make one strong enough to stab all the way through a potato!

Learn more: Stab a Potato at KiwiCo

Shake up some ice cream

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Get kids up and moving when they shake their way to ice cream, made from scratch using ice and plastic zipper bags! Talk about heating and cooling as well as condensation while you enjoy your snack.

Learn more: Ice Cream in a Bag at Mom of 6

Examine pine cones opening and closing

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Pine cones can sense changes in humidity and adjust their scales in response. Gather several pine cones, glass containers, tweezers, and both hot and cold water to conduct a fun experiment to discover what makes pine cones open and close.

Learn more: Pine Cone Experiment at Parenting Chaos

If you liked these 3rd grade science projects, keep up the STEM enthusiasm with these fun and engaging 3rd grade math games.

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Every day is a new opportunity for toddlers to ask “Why?” over and over. Tap into that curiosity with these fun and engaging science activities for preschoolers. These simple experiments incorporate many preschool favorites like playing with bubbles or water, making arts and crafts, and, of course, making a mess!

To make things even easier, we’ve rated every one of these preschool science activities for preschoolers based on difficulty and materials.

Difficulty:

• Easy: These are low- or no-prep experiments you can do pretty much any time.
• Medium: These take a little more setup or a longer time to complete.
• Advanced: Experiments like these take a fairly big commitment of time or effort.

Materials:

• Basic: Simple items you probably already have around the house.
• Medium: Items that are easy to get your hands on, but you might not already have.
• Advanced: These require specialized or more expensive supplies to complete.

Jump to:

Water Preschool Science Experiments

These water activities for preschoolers help teach little learners a variety of science concepts. (These can get a little messy, so you might want to try them outside.) Find even more water science activities here.

Make music with xylophone bottles

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

The classic experiment using varying levels of water in glasses or bottles is even more fun when you add some food coloring. Experiment with different water depths and mallet styles to make all kinds of beautiful music!

Learn more: Xylophone Bottle at Mama Papa Bubba

Surround kids with an oversized bubble

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Kids (and let’s face it, adults too) will definitely get a kick out of this fun science experiment. While you’ll only need a kiddie pool, some dish soap, and a Hula-Hoop to make this a reality, the payoff will be big.

Learn more: Giant Bubbles at Make and Takes

Watch rice dance in water

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

There are lots of cool baking-soda-and-vinegar experiments out there (ever made your own volcano?), but this one is always a favorite with little ones. The acid-base reaction causes the rice to dance and jump around in the water for an effect that is just so cool!

Learn more: Dancing Rice at Green Kid Crafts

Reveal colors with chemical reactions

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Preschool science experiments often include a combination of baking soda and vinegar like this one. Fill muffin tins with a drop of food coloring, then top it with baking soda. Finally, let kids squirt in vinegar to reveal fabulous foamy hues! (Be sure to wear eye protection for this one.)

Learn more: Fizzy Fun at Busy Toddler

See what sinks and what floats

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This preschool science activity helps kids learn to construct a hypothesis, conduct a simple experiment, and then sort their findings by property.

Learn more: Sink or Float at Fun With Mama

Learn what dissolves in water

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Engage in more water play by having kids predict which items will dissolve in water and which ones won’t. Have kids keep track of the results so they can see if they have anything in common.

Learn more: What Dissolves in Water? at Hands On as We Grow

Watch hot water rise and cold water sink

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This early exploration into the concept of density is always impressive to see in action. Have kids discover how hot water rises and cold water sinks. Explain that the same applies to air, and see if kids can think of a way to observe that in action too.

Learn more: Water Density Experiment at Mombrite

Grow a paper towel rainbow

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

“Capillary action” might be a real mouthful for preschool science students, but they don’t need to remember the term to be impressed by this experiment! All you need are markers, a paper towel, and two glasses of water.

Learn more: Capillary Action Experiment at Mombrite

Make shaving cream rain clouds

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This is a classic science activity every kid should try at least once. It helps them understand how clouds become so saturated with water that they must release it in the form of rain.

Learn more: Shaving Cream Rain Clouds at One Little Project

Blow bubble towers

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

There are lots of fun science activities you can do with bubbles to explore concepts like surface tension. Or you can just have a blast seeing who can make the tallest tower with bubbles and straws.

Learn more: Bubble Towers at Happy Hooligans

STEM Challenges for Preschoolers

STEM challenges give students a chance to try solving problems on their own. Give them some basic supplies and instructions, then let them experiment until they find a solution to the challenge.

Rescue toys from hot lava

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

While you might not want pre-K kids climbing all over the classroom furniture to play “The Floor Is Lava,” they can do the same thing with their toys in this cute STEM challenge.

Learn more: Floor Is Lava at Forward With Fun

Build a catapult

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Challenge students to build a catapult using just three items: Popsicle sticks, elastics, and a plastic spoon. You’ll definitely want to have an extra set of adult hands available as this can prove challenging for pre-K kids. Finally, bring plenty of marshmallows or pom-poms to launch.

Learn more: Make a Catapult at Education.com

Discover strength in shapes

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Learn shapes while also practicing some basic science. Fold paper into various shapes to form columns and ask kids to predict which will be able to support the most books.

Learn more: Strength in Shapes at All for the Boys

Build an aluminum foil boat

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Teach kids about buoyancy and physics while having fun in the process. First, give your students some tinfoil and challenge them to build a sturdy boat. Then, challenge them to fill the boat with as many pennies as they can without it sinking.

Learn more: Foil Boat Challenge at Little Bins for Little Hands

Waterproof a boot

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Ask kids to select various materials and tape them over the free boot printable found at the link. Then, test their hypotheses to see which ones work best.

Learn more: Waterproof a Book at Science Sparks

Reach for the sky

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Round up all your building blocks and try this whole-class project. What will students need to do to be able to construct a tower that reaches all the way to the ceiling?

Learn more: Tower Engineering Challenge at Mama Smiles

Link up the longest paper chain

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This incredibly easy preschool STEM activity really gets kids thinking. The challenge? Create the longest possible paper chain using a single piece of paper. So simple and so effective.

Learn more: Paper Chain Challenge at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Build an apple toothpick tower

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Put a healthy spin on a classic STEM challenge by substituting apple pieces for marshmallows. Kids will have a tasty snack when they’re done!

Learn more: Apple Toothpick Tower at N. Family Club

Stack up plastic cups

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Kids absolutely love stacking cups! Turn the play into a STEM challenge by adding index cards into the mix. Kids can experiment to see if they can build taller towers with or without the cards.

Learn more: Solo Cup Engineering Challenge at The Salty Mamas

Craft a nest

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Take a nature walk and pick up items like sticks, leaves, and more. Then, build your own bird nests to protect little eggs and hatchlings.

Learn more: Build a Nest at Pink Stripey Socks

Seasonal Science Activities and Experiments for Preschoolers

Whether you’re looking for Halloween science activities, winter science experiments, or Easter egg activities, find them all and more here!

Make pretend snow

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

No snow where you live? Make some yourself! Find easy recipes for “snow” using baking soda, shaving cream, cornstarch, and other household items. Experiment to find the one that works best.

Learn more: Make Pretend Snow at Elf on the Shelf

Explore how mittens keep you warm

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Ask little ones if mittens are warm, and they’ll likely answer yes. But when they measure the temperature inside an empty mitten, they’ll be surprised by what they find. Learn about body heat and insulation with this easy experiment.

Learn more: Mitten Body Heat Experiment at Classroom Magic

Measure the water content of snow

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Two inches of snow is not the same as two inches of rain. This easy winter science experiment measures the amount of water actually found in an inch of snow.

Learn more: How Much Water Is in Snow? at KC Edventures With Kids

Create salt crystal hearts

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Basic

Make these pretty red crystalized hearts as Valentine’s Day decorations, or anytime you want to show someone some love!

Learn more: Salt Crystal Hearts at Red Ted Art

Grow grass in an eggshell

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium

What’s more fun than a preschool science experiment that doubles as a craft? You’ll need eggs, soil, grass seeds, water, and a permanent marker to bring this project to life. Kids will especially love personalizing their eggshell.

Learn more: Egg Grass Heads at Mother Natured

Decompose a jack-o’-lantern

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

When Halloween is over, plop your jack-o’-lantern pumpkin in the garden and observe it each day. Kids learn how organic matter breaks down over time.

Learn more: Pumpkin Decomposition at Gift of Curiosity

Send a ghost flying with magnets

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium

Use magnets along with a few other supplies to make a tissue ghost seem to float in midair! It’s the perfect spooky Halloween science activity for preschoolers.

Learn more: Flying Ghosts at STEAM Powered Family

Conduct experiments on marshmallow Peeps

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Pick up a package of marshmallow Peeps (they’re available during many seasons of the year now), and try turning them into little boats. Experiment with different sail sizes and types, and figure out how to make the candy boats go faster.

Learn more: Marshmallow Peep Boat Challenge at Lemon Lime Adventures

Launch plastic egg rockets

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Put on some safety goggles and get ready for lift-off! This simple experiment uses Alka-Seltzer tablets to turn eggs into rockets.

Learn more: Easter Egg Rockets at The STEM Laboratory

Dissolve colorful turkey “feathers”

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Baking soda and vinegar experiments are always popular, and this one is so cute for the Thanksgiving season. Build your own little turkey with baking soda feathers, then watch them foam up and dissolve when you add some vinegar.

Learn more: Turkey Feather Science at 123 Homeschool 4 Me

More Science Activities for Preschoolers

These science activities and experiments give preschoolers a chance to explore all sorts of science concepts, from plants and animals to germs and gravity and beyond.

Slice apples to learn about oxidation

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Here’s another classic preschool science activity: using apple slices to learn about oxidation (and how to prevent it). When you’re done, you’ve got a tasty snack to eat too.

Learn more: Apple Oxidation at Teaching With Jennifer Findley

Show why sunscreen is important

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

First, have your students make four construction-paper people, each with varying conditions. Wrap one in plastic wrap, cover another in sunscreen, put a hat on one and a set of sunglasses on another. Ask kids to hypothesize what will happen when they’re left out in the sun, then see if they’re right!

Learn more: Sunscreen Experiment at 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Engage in some shadow science

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Learn about animals and shadow science with these adorable and easy puppets. Use them to act out some scenarios involving these creatures in their natural habitats.

Learn more: Shadow Science at Little Bins for Little Hands

Mix up some “magic” milk

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

A drop or two of dish soap will make food coloring dance and swirl across the surface of a shallow bowl of milk. Preschool science experiments often seem like magic, but this one is all about surface tension and chemical reactions.

Learn more: Magic Milk at Laughing Kids Learn

See how easily germs spread

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

We love a preschool science experiment that reminds little ones of the importance of good handwashing. Help them see why it’s so important with this simple experiment that uses glitter to stand in for germs.

Experiment with wax paper

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This wax paper experiment is interesting from both a science and art perspective. Ask kids to think about why wax paper behaves differently than other paper they use for art projects.

Learn more: Wax Paper Resist at Housing a Forest

Predict and observe what will melt in the sun

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

You’ll need a hot sunny day for this preschool science experiment. Help students choose a variety of items to place into a muffin tin and have them predict which ones will melt. Set the tin out in the sun for an hour or two, then bring it in and record your results.

Learn more: Melting Science at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Drop balls to introduce gravity

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Gravity can be a complicated subject, but all pre-K kids need to understand the basics. Drop balls of all sizes to discover that they all fall in the exact same way.

Learn more: Gravity Experiment at Inspiration Laboratories

Head to the playground to explore gravity and friction

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

What goes up must come down! A playground slide is the perfect place to help kids understand gravity. This is a good chance to learn about friction too.

Learn more: Playground Science at Buggy and Buddy

Test objects with magnets

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Magnets are undeniably a source of fascination for kids. At this stage, you can worry less about explaining how magnets work and instead just let kids explore which items are attracted to magnets and which aren’t. Sort the items into categories, then see if the items have anything in common.

Learn more: Magnets at PreKinders

See sound waves in action

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

This series of simple experiments lets kids see sound waves at work. Start by making waves with a Slinky, then move on to tuning forks and bouncing confetti.

Learn more: Sound Experiment at Hands On Teaching Ideas

Make an orange volcano

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Making erupting volcanoes is a staple of any childhood! We love this easy volcano experiment using an orange, baking soda, and vinegar.

Learn more: Orange Volcano at The Art Kit Blog

Grow delicious rock candy crystals

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Basic

Preschoolers love science activities that involve food. While crystal experiments are a hit with kids of any age, this one is perfect for the young crowd. It requires a little patience, but kids get to eat the yummy results!

Learn more: Kool-Aid Rock Candy at Growing a Jeweled Rose

Move pom-poms with air pressure

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Understanding the idea that air can have enough force to move objects can be a little challenging, but this simple experiment brings that concept to life. We love that this experiment is affordable since most people (especially teachers) already have these materials on hand.

Learn more: Air Pressure Experiment at Kids Activities Blog

Make a balance scale

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This simple balance scale is so easy to make yet provides endless opportunities for weighing all kinds of objects. Have kids assemble a scale from a plastic hanger, a few paper cups, and some string, then let them hypothesize which items will be heavier and which will be lighter.

Learn more: DIY Balance Scales at Go Science Kids

Like these science activities for preschoolers? Don’t miss the 30 Best Educational Toys and Games for Preschool.

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