When homeschooling your kids, you want to make sure you have fun and easy science experiments that are sure to get their attention. Luckily, we have you covered!
From biochemistry experiments to life skills, there are plenty of ways to add some excitement to your science lessons. Take a look at our top picks below!
Chemistry Experiments
Chemistry is one of the best options if you’re looking for fun and easy science experiments that your children can do at home. This is because chemistry is a physical science that involves the study of matter and how different substances combine and react to form new ones.
Despite being a fun and interesting subject to learn, it can be tricky for some students to get into chemistry. This is because chemistry is not the easiest subject for math to master, and it’s not something that comes easily to most students if they don’t have a good foundation in their early grades.
You can help your children get into chemistry by using the right resources to teach them what they need to know. These resources can help your kids understand the fundamentals, so they can move on to more advanced topics and learn how to apply what they’ve learned in their science class.
For example, if you’re teaching your student about acids and bases, having a couple of kits that will allow them to do some serious lab experiments at home can be helpful. These kits include everything they need for a full year of chemistry, including lab manuals, equipment, and chemicals.
Another great resource is Robert Thompson’s Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments. This book is a fantastic reference for high school students who are taking a lab course, and it includes all the information that you need to create an authentic laboratory experience in your own home.
It’s also a great resource for parents of teens learning about chemistry and trying to understand what it means and how it relates to their lives. The manual outlines several different types of lab courses, so you can choose one that suits your student’s interests and needs.
The labs in this book are well-designed and easy to follow, with instructions that explain the experiments step-by-step and detailed supply lists and cautions for each experiment. In addition, plenty of activities help students extend their knowledge and practice their skills.
Slime
Many kids love slime, a fun, messy, and gross activity. It’s also a great way to teach science and encourage hands-on learning. In fact, it aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards and is a fantastic way to engage children in sensory play.
Creating your own slime can be an excellent opportunity for children to learn about the science behind polymers. Most slime is made with borax, which binds to polyvinylacetate (PVAC) molecules to form a cross-linked glue.
However, the amount of cross-links and the concentration of borax solution used affects the consistency of slime. Using a higher concentration of borax solution will make slime more solid while adding less borax solution will produce more fluid slime.
The chemistry behind slime is easy to understand and can be easily taught to younger kids. It’s a great science experiment to do with older kids, and it helps them build important skills like learning to follow instructions, working in groups, and learning about chemical reactions.
To get started making your own slime, gather your ingredients. First, you’ll need some Elmer’s glue and water. Then, you’ll need a small bowl and a spoon or spatula. You’ll also need a slime activator, which is typically either borax or liquid starch.
Add the glue and water mixture to your bowl with the slime activator, and mix it all together. You’ll probably notice that the slime is a little sticky right away, but it will start to stretch and mold as you stir it. Keep stirring it for a minute or two, and you should see your slime getting stiffer.
Once your slime is stiff, you can mix in food coloring and glitter. If your slime is too stiff, you can add a bit more water to it.
When you’re ready to knead your slime, it will need some oil added to it to make it easier to knead. This will help prevent it from sticking to your hands while kneading, which can be a problem with kids who are just starting out with fine motor skills.
Body Tracing
Body tracing is a simple yet effective way to help children learn about their bodies. It’s also a great way to build social skills as children work together and explore their own bodies.
In this activity, children can trace their bodies using a variety of materials, including torn-up magazines, beads, feathers, and string bits. Then, they can paint and add a variety of colors to their body outline.
This fun and easy science experiment is ideal for preschoolers, kindergartners, and elementary students. It’s a great way to practice fine motor skills and learn about the body’s bones, muscles, and major organs.
Use a large piece of paper and encourage your child to lie down on it with their hands and feet slightly off the ground. Trace their entire silhouette on the paper.
As you trace your child’s body, talk about the different parts of their body and what they do. You can then add paint or mud to their body and chat about how they feel when they do different things with their body.
Many art therapists use this activity with clients who have body image issues. They will use body tracing to help clients identify and change the negative messages they receive about their bodies.
Another benefit of body tracing is that it helps to strengthen self-esteem and confidence. It is also a wonderful way to teach your students about positive body image.
If you have older kids, it can be fun to use this activity to create a body portrait of themselves. It’s a good idea to do this multiple times over the course of the year so that your children can reflect on their bodies as they grow and develop.
The best part about this activity is that it’s inexpensive and can be done with very few supplies! This is a great way to build your kids’ creativity and artistic skills.
This body tracing is also an excellent way to get children to learn about the circulatory system. The blood vessels that run throughout the body are a great source of learning about the heart, lungs, brain, and other important parts of our bodies. This is a fantastic science experiment that your students will remember for years to come!
Snow Cream
Winter is a great time to get your homeschoolers outside, and these fun and easy science experiments are a perfect way to spend some time together! These hands-on experiments are sure to keep everyone engaged and excited about learning.
Snow is a natural wonder and a great learning opportunity for children of all ages. Use a sensory bin to explore the different properties of snow, including its density, texture, and color.
Another fun indoor science experiment is to make snow cream with real snow. It’s a simple recipe that can be easily customized using dairy, plant-based, or non-dairy milk and adding different toppings like chocolate chips, sprinkles, fruit, and nuts.
A good rule of thumb is to have more snow than you think you’ll need because snow melts quickly! Once the snow is mixed into your ice cream mixture, be sure to serve it right away!
If you want to make this a more sophisticated science activity, consider mixing the snow with a small amount of vinegar. This will create a surprisingly exciting foaming, melting effect for children of all ages!
This is an excellent opportunity for older kids to learn about the PH, acids, and bases. They’ll also learn about how baking soda and vinegar react to form a chemical reaction that creates bubbles!
You can also use this fun project as a chance to introduce your children to the different chemical components of snow. Then, they’ll be able to use that knowledge when building a snow fort or a snowman!
Besides making snow cream, you can also try these other winter-themed science experiments:
Dipping pipe cleaners into borax creates sparkly clusters that resemble snowflakes. This is a great learning experience for children of all ages, and it’s a fun way to explore chemical reactions with the whole family.
If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you could try this oobleck recipe for some ooey gooey slime. It’s a classic science experiment that’s a great introduction for all ages!
This recipe is so simple and fast to make. You can have the kids help with it, and it’s also an amazing dessert for any holiday party!
