19 Best Science Activities for Kids of All Age Groups

From nature to technology, the best way for kids to get an answer to the ultimate “but, why?” question is to study science. But, how would little children learn about complex scientific phenomena? Leaving the theory for later, you can introduce kids to science with our science activities for kids of all ages. 

You’d be surprised to learn there are so many interesting and fun activities that promote sensory and cognitive development, allowing kids to learn about science maybe even before they learn how to speak. Some of these activities are described in the paragraphs below, so if you think your child or students will find some of them fun, feel free to try them out! 

We chose the best and most exciting science activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartens. The first ones are the easiest. They mostly focus on sensory activities and interesting phenomena that kids can observe and develop an intuition for. As we go further down our list, the activities gradually become more elaborate so they can engage preschoolers and children in kindergarten, too. 

So, without further ado, let’s check out the best science activities for kids. 

Science Activities for Kids

Science entails any system of knowledge that concerns the physical world and its phenomena that’s based on unbiased observations and experimentation. Therefore, science uses observations and experiments to explore the physical world. And, although this usually requires rigorous training and expert knowledge, we can argue that toddlers and preschool children are natural scientists, too. 

Once they learn how to walk, kids develop a strong desire to figure out how the world works. They grasp toward objects in front of them, hit these objects from the ground, taste them, or simply observe with full attention when they notice the object’s motion. 

All of this is an evolutionary mechanism, so kids can learn about the world and survive on their own. Fortunately for us, now that we know this, we can use it to our advantage and help kids realize their full potential by nurturing their curiosity. Moreover, we can create lifelong learners by showing kids how fascinating it is to discover how something works through playful science activities.

Science Activities for Toddlers (1-2 years old)

For the youngest, we recommend seven different science activities that mostly focus on stimulating the senses, such as touching objects with different textures in the backyard.

Exploring Textures in the Backyard

Touching objects with different textures is a perfect activity for kids between one and two years old, as this is the period where kids become more aware of their surroundings. Plus, sensory exploration supports more complex abilities such as cognitive growth, language development, and gross motor skills. You can think of sensory exploration as a palette with colors. The bigger the palette is, the richer the painting would be. In our context, the kids have a palette of experiences allowing them to make connections and figure out the world. 

There are many different ways to do sensory exploration, but in our example, we propose using nature! Take your child outside on a sunny day and together touch and feel different objects. For instance, feel the texture of a trunk of a tree, the leaves, the fruits, the flower leaves, the dry soil, wet soil, etc. 

As a bonus, make sure to associate each feeling with a name. For example, when the child touches a tree, tell them that’s a tree. 

Exploring Gravity

Gravity is another cool phenomenon that might entertain toddlers for a long time. While the concept itself is quite complex, there’s more than enough time for kids to formally study it in 3rd grade. However, seeing the power of gravity as toddlers can literally set the stage (in the brain) for grasping the topic later. This is why it’s totally okay to experience the concept without knowing what it really is. 

To explore gravity with toddlers, you’ll need different balls and a stopwatch (optional). For instance, a balloon, a basketball, and a tennis ball are some examples. The main idea is for the balls to be of different sizes and weights, so they can fall at different speeds. Then, together with your child, drop the balls at the same time from the same height and try to guess which ball is going to hit the ground first. The aim is for the child to notice the difference in the way the balls fall, to be intrigued, ask questions, and hopefully make predictions about the next pair of balls. 

As contrast, you can also use objects as feathers or leaves, which’ll fall at a much slower rate than the balls.

Changing Colors

By the time they’re two years old, kids will start to notice different colors and be particularly interested in objects with many different colors. You can use this interest for colors and teach kids how colors interact with each other through a simple milk and liquid food coloring experiment. 

To conduct the experiment you’ll need milk, liquid food coloring, dish soap, and a Q-tip. 

First, pour the milk into a small bowl, and squirt drops of different food colors into the milk. Give the child a Q-tip that’s been dipped in dish soap and let them play around with the drops of color in the milk. As soon as they touch the soapy Q-tip in the milk, the colors will start dancing around each other, creating a magical sight. 

Ice Painting

Another experiment with colors, but this time one that shows kids how both colors and textures change under different temperatures. 

To prepare this, you’ll need a large piece of ice, watercolors, and a plastic tray to catch the puddles. 

First, prepare the ice and as soon as you take it out of the freezer, call your child for a painting session. With a brush, let them try to paint something over the ice. The colder and firmer the ice is, the easier it would be for the child to paint over it. However, as the ice slowly adjusts to room temperature, it will start to melt, while mixing the colors and changing the texture. Let kids observe this process and then ask them what they’ve noticed. 

The Power of Magnets!

With a simple wand, you can make children feel like they’re wizards, plus experience the concept of magnets, too. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, check out this link from Amazon. It’s a very simple wand set for kids with a magnet bar on one end. 

The magnet wand engages kids’ imagination and allows them to conduct hands-on science experiments. One very simple experiment with magnets is to simply show kids which of their toys can be picked up with the wand and which can’t. Then, let them explore with the rest of the objects in their surroundings. 

Sink or Float?

The next trick in our science activities for kids is the sink or float test that’s interesting and engaging for kids as young as two years old.

To conduct this test, take a large bucket of water, or better yet, fill the bathtub and bring a bunch of different toys for kids to throw in the water. Of course, make sure the toys are resistant to water and that some of them float, while some of them sink.

Every time the child throws a toy in the water, ask them where it is. Encourage them to point toward the toy or take it out of the water. Make a surprised noise when the toy “behaves” differently than the others. This will make the child even more amused to learn that some toys stay on top, while others fall all the way to the bottom of the water. 

Science Songs 

Here’s another approach! The last couple of activities were hands-on projects where the child could directly observe some scientific phenomena. However, you can also teach kids about science through music. The following songs are nursery rhymes for children as young as two years old who’ve just learned how to speak and want to practice their vocabulary with some easy science learning songs!

Science Song for Kids with Lyrics – Children’s Learning Songs by The Learning Station

Science Songs! | Learning Songs Collection | Scratch Garden

The Planet Song | Learn Planets | Nursery Rhymes | Song For Kids | Baby Rhymes

Science Activities for Preschoolers (3-4 years old)

In preschool years (around 3-4 years old), children achieve many different developmental milestones, including turning a page in a book, grasping age-appropriate scissors, drawing simple shapes through imitation, and following a sequence of instructions. These milestones are important for us because they open the doors to so many other interesting and fun science activities for kids.

Lava Lamp Experiment

One of the most popular science experiments for preschoolers is the lava lamp! With your help, kids can learn how to create their own lava lamp, learn about the chemical interaction between water and oil, and be totally mesmerized by the colorful bubbles moving around. 

To conduct this experiment, you’ll need vegetable oil, water, food coloring (neon, too), and Alka-Seltzer tablets. 

First, in small containers, mix the water with the food colors (one color in each container). Second, take the Alka-Seltzer tablets and break them up into two or three pieces. Third, take tall glasses and fill them three quarters with vegetable oil. 

Once this is all prepared, pour the colored water inside the glass with vegetable oil (don’t fill it all the way, but leave a few inches so it doesn’t overflow). Then, let the child add a piece of the Alka-Seltzer tablet inside the mixture and watch what happens!

Make a Skittles Rainbow

This is probably the most delicious and easy science activity for preschoolers. All you’ll need is a bag of skittles, a flat plate, and some water. 

First, arrange the skittles in a big circle around the edge of the plate. To get an interesting and unique rainbow, make sure to try out different ways of arranging different colored skittles. Second, slowly and very gently pour a little bit of warm water over the skittles and in the center of the plate. There should be enough water to pass the skittles, but not too much so that it pours over the plate. Finally, watch as the rainbow forms! In a couple of minutes, the colors from the skittles will move toward the center, creating a rainbow. 

Okay, maybe this experiment won’t be as easy as it seems because you’ll have to keep your kid from eating the skittles until the experiment is finished, which can be distracting and quite a challenge. Nevertheless, it’s a very fun experiment that’s worth doing.

How Ice and Salt Affect Temperature?

Did you know that salt makes water colder? We bet that asking kids what makes water colder, they all might intuitively think of ice, but ask them if salt makes water colder and they’ll get confused, and understandably so. However, with our simple experiment, kids can take the role of serious scientists and find out if that’s really true. 

You’ll need two glasses filled with water, ice cubes, a thermometer, and salt. 

In the beginning, measure the water temperature of both glasses. When both glasses have the same temperature, add ice. Add two cubes of ice in the first glass, and fill the second one with ice cubes all the way. Wait for 2-3 minutes then measure the temperature in both glasses again. 

As expected, the glass with more ice will be colder. Then, measure the temperature in both glasses every two/three minutes until it stabilizes (meaning it’s the same temperature for 2 measurements). Next, take salt and add it to the glass that was filled with ice. Stir, then measure the temperature again. What happens? 

Adding the ice should have caused an instant drop in the water temperature. Why is that? Talk about this interesting phenomenon and explain to kids why it happens. 

Orange Volcano

Let’s take a look at another very simple, yet entertaining science activity for kids – making volcanoes out of oranges! 

To do this experiment, you’ll need an orange, plate, baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring. 

Before you start the experiment, prepare the orange by slicing it at the top and removing everything on the inside – just like a pumpkin for Halloween.  

Then, call your child, and together, pour a spoon or two of baking soda inside the shallow orange. Then, in a glass or container, mix the vinegar with food coloring (orange or reddish gives the best results). Finally, pour the vinegar into the orange and watch what happens – the orange will start to erupt. 

Glowy Water Beads

In our opinion, this might be the coolest science activity for young kids! It’s easy, yet, the results are mesmerizing. 

To make glowy water beads, you’ll need clear water beads, tonic water, and a black light. 

Note: The tonic water must contain ‘quinine’ in the ingredients lists for the experiment to work. 

Begin by splitting the water beads in half and soaking one-half of the water beads inside the tonic water for two or three hours. Once this is done, strain and discard any excess water, both from the clear and tonic water beads. 

In a dark room, turn on the blacklight and shine over the water beads. The ones soaking in tonic water will glow under the blacklight, while the others won’t. Mix them together and let your child play with them. 

Sound Underwater

Our final recommendation as a great science activity for preschoolers is the following underwater sound test!

Usually, it’s very difficult to explain to kids how sound is transmitted through air, which is why this fun test is a great base for later learning on this topic.

To do this test, you’ll need two spoons, a bucket full of water, and a plastic bottle (cut out the bottom). 

First, demonstrate a sound as we normally hear it – through the air. Then ask kids how sound travels, and explain that it’s through the air. To demonstrate this, submerge the spoons inside the bucket and clink them again underwater while your child is listening through the cut-out plastic bottle (half of which is inside the water). The sound is not the same as clinking the spoons in the air and this is because, inside the water, sound travels in a very different way. 

Science Activities for Kindergartens (5 – 7 years old)

Kindergarten is meant to prepare kids for their first year of formal education, which is why kindergarten activities should be challenging, yet still playful and entertaining. The following six science activities might be just the right fit!

Spreading Germs Through Glitter

One of the first things kids need to learn before or just as they start with school is about germs. This is crucial in order for them to understand the importance of personal hygiene and public safety. But, how should children learn about germs?

First, explain the theory in an age-appropriate manner, then conduct this easy experiment to show them what this looks like in practice. 

To do this experiment, you’ll need glitter, access to running water, soap, and a paper towel. 

Now that kids know what germs are, ask them to damp their hands with water, but only slightly. After this, pour glitter over their palms. Tell them that the glitter represents the germs that could harm them or others. Next, ask them to try to get rid of the germs without using water or towels. If there’s enough glitter, this task would be impossible, and they might end up “spreading” the glitter all over their clothes (which is also a valuable lesson). Then, ask them to shake hands with their classmate or yourself and see how the germs spread from one person to another. 

Finally, ask them to wash their hands carefully with water and soap until all the germs are gone. Draw parallels and explain to children these same principles apply to real germs, too, which can make us sick. 

Orange Buoyancy Experiment

Buoyancy is the force that causes objects to float, and just like in the sink and float activity, this experiment is a more in-depth way of teaching kids about physical laws. 

To conduct this experiment, you’ll need oranges, a big bowl of water, and a knife to peel the orange. 

First, let the child examine the orange and place it in the bowl of water. The orange floats. Take another orange, but this time peel it off. Once the peel is removed let the child place the orange in the water. The orange sinks to the bottom. How can this be? The heavier orange floats and the lighter one sinks? 

Tornado In a Jar

Tornadoes are one of the most frightening natural phenomena that have devastating consequences. However, even though they’re frightening, children need to know what they are, how they form, and how to protect themselves if they live in an area where tornadoes are a frequent danger. 

To do this task, you’ll need a jar, water, dish soap, and food coloring (light blue). 

First, fill the jar with water, dish soap (generous amount), and one or two drops of food coloring (leave an inch/cm from the top – don’t overfill). Be careful with the food coloring, because if you make the water too dark the tornado won’t be visible. 

Then, give it to your kids and ask them to swirl it around with their hands until they see a tornado form. After a while, the tornado will disappear. 

The Color Walk

For this interesting experiment, you’ll need a couple of small transparent jars or cups, paper towels, and liquid food coloring. 

First, prepare the cups with the liquid food coloring. In each cup add water and a few drops of color (one cup- one color). Then, arrange the colored cups in a circle, with non-colored cups (clear water, no food coloring) between them. Finally, create a long strip of the paper towel and dip it in each of the cups (connecting all of the cups). After a while, the paper towel will be colored like a rainbow with each color of the cup expanding over to its neighboring cup.  

Exploring the Soil

If you want your child or students to play outside and get their hands dirty, this science activity is perfect for your little ones. It teaches kids a lot about nature, plants, and soil composition. 

Simply, place an old white cover on the ground and ask your child to inspect the solid in the backyard by separating the rocks, seeds, roots, wooden sticks, or even bugs they’ll find onto the white cover. Once they’re done, together you can analyze them and talk about each of their roles inside the soil. 

Light Refraction Experiment

As our final recommendation, we’ll share this cool experiment that’ll help kids learn how they can change the direction of an arrow drawn on a piece of paper without touching the paper or altering the drawing in any way. 

You can even draw an arrow and ask kids to find a way to achieve this. Once they give up, show them this awesome trick that not only seems like magic, but it’s also very educational as it teaches kids about the refraction of light. 

The experiment itself is quite simple. Place a glass filled with water in front of the arrow (exactly focusing). You’ll probably need to adjust it a couple of times before the image through the glass of water clearly shows the arrow in the opposite directions. Let kids stand in front of the water and observe what has just happened. Then, talk about light refraction, what it means, and why the picture changes when we see it through the water. 

Before You Go

We hope that you enjoyed our selection of science activities for kids of all ages, including toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarten, and even elementary school children. We made sure our experiments are versatile, fun, educational, and still relatively easy to pull out without making too much mess. This way, whether you’re a parent or a teacher, you’ll have a variety of different activities to choose from. 

However, if you want even more inspiration, check out our website and browse through our large collection of worksheet packs. Just in our science section, we have seven different subcategories including biology, physics, chemistry, Earth science, space, human body, and the natural world. In each of these subcategories, there are hundreds of different worksheet packs on more specific topics. 

Additionally, we regularly share insightful articles, such as this one, on our blog. So, don’t forget to subscribe and keep in touch with all of our new updates.