Hands-On Experiments
Try these science experiments at home! Each one includes supplies, concepts covered, and links to video demonstrations.
Experiment Writeups
Detailed guides with videos, worksheets, and step-by-step instructions.
I Can't Bead-lieve my Eyes!
Prepare to have your mind blown as these beads just keep on going.
The best homemade slime recipe!
This homemade slime will provide hours of entertainment and experimentation.
Don't cry over spilt milk, make rainbows!
Create beautiful rainbow colors in milk using soap and food coloring.
Cabbage Lemonade?!? Yes, pHlease!
Use a pH indicator from purple cabbage to make a tasty, pink treat.
Chladni Plate - make sounds you can see!
Vibrations from sounds can make the coolest patterns. Make your own Chladni plate and see what patterns you can create.
Science Mom's Guide to Water, Part 7
Explore the heat capacity of water with these 5 fun experiments.
Science Mom's Guide to Water, Part 6
Learn about why things dissolve in water with six fun crystal growing activities
Science Mom's Guide to Water, Part 5
How can 2 tablespoons of water make a fireball? Find the answer to that question, and more, in Part 5 of the water se...
Science Mom's Guide to Water, Part 4
Science Mom's Guide to Water, Part 4
Science Mom's Guide to Water, Part 3
Water doesn't just move downhill, it can move uphill too because of capillary action. In this investigation we explor...
Science Mom's Guide to Water, Part 2
Water has the strongest surface tension of any non-metallic liquid. In this guide we explore just how strong surface ...
Science Mom's Guide to Water, Part 1
Not only are the unique properties of water essential for life on earth, they're also the key to a lot of fun science...
Quick Experiments
Physics, Chemistry
Gravity Defying Lid
Supplies: Water; Cup; Plastic lid or piece of cardboard or cardstock.
Concepts: Balanced forces(Physics); Pressure(Physics); Cohesion of water(Chemistry).
Physics, Chemistry
Magic Screen
Supplies: Water; Jar with metal ring or cup and rubberband; Screen or mesh cloth; Lid o...
Concepts: Balanced forces(Physics); Pressure(Physics); Cohesion and surface tension of water(Chemistry).
Physics, Ecology
Hot and Cold Water Cups
Supplies: Water of different temperatures; Identical-sized clear cups; Food coloring; ...
Concepts: Density(Physics); Thermohaline circulation(Ecology); Lake turnover(Ecology).
Chemistry
Water Drops on Waxed Paper
Supplies: Water; Waxed Paper; Dropper; Food Coloring; Toothpick; Soap;
Concepts: Surface Tension of Water (Chemistry); Surfactants (Chemistry)
Chemistry
Water on a Coin
Supplies: Water; Coin; Dropper;
Concepts: Surface Tension of Water (Chemistry)
Chemistry
Pepper Scatter
Supplies: Water; Bowl or cup; Concentrated Dish Soap; Pepper
Concepts: Surface Tension of Water (Chemistry); Surfactants (Chemistry)
Chemistry
Soap Boat
Supplies: Water; Paper; Scissors; Concentrated Dish Soap;
Concepts: Surface Tension of Water (Chemistry); Surfactants (Chemistry)
Chemistry
Floating Pin
Supplies: Water; Bowl or cup; Pin
Concepts: Surface Tension of Water (Chemistry);
Chemistry
Floating Paperclip
Supplies: Water; Bowl or cup; Paperclip
Concepts: Surface Tension of Water (Chemistry);
Chemistry
Ink Chromatography
Supplies: Markers, Paper towels, Water
Concepts: Separation of compounds based on rate of movement (Chromatography), Solubility (Chemistry), Capi...
Physics, Chemistry
Walking Water
Supplies: 5 cups, 4 paper towels, Water, Food Coloring
Concepts: Capillary Action (Chemistry), Siphons (Physics), Gravity
Physics
Straw Siphon
Supplies: Bendable drinking straws, Cups, Water
Concepts: Siphons (Physics), Momentum (Physics), Gravity
Physics
Fountain in a Bottle
Supplies: Plastic Bottle, Plastic Tubing, Drill or knife, Glue and Tape
Concepts: Siphons (Physics), Momentum (Physics), Air Pressure (Physcis), Gravity
Physics, Chemistry
Oil Cube vs. Ice Cube
Supplies: Water, Oil, Ice cube tray, Freezer
Concepts: Density (Physics); Changes of state (Chemistry)
Physics, Chemistry
Frost Wedging
Supplies: Containers, balloons, Plaster of Paris, Water, Freezer
Concepts: Changes of state (Chemistry), Force (Physics)
Physics, Chemistry
Instant Slushy
Supplies: Bottled soda, Freezer, Ice
Concepts: Supercooling of liquids (Physics and Chemistry), Changes of state (Chemistry)
Physics, Chemistry
Ocean in a Bottle
Supplies: Water, Oil, Bottle with lid, Plastic beads, Toothpicks, Hot glue, Thin plasti...
Concepts: Density (Physics), Hydrophobic vs. Hydrophilic (Chemistry)
Physics, Chemistry
Lava Lamp
Supplies: Water, Oil, Bottle, Effervescent antacid tablets, Food coloring
Concepts: Density (Physics), Chemical Reactions (Chemistry), Hydrophobic vs. Hydrophilic (Chemistry)
Chemistry
Oil Lamp
Supplies: Oil, Water (optional), Food coloring (optional), Cardboard, Toilet Paper or P...
Concepts: Combustion (Chemistry), Density (Chemistry)
Chemistry
Salt Crystals
Supplies: salt, water, jar
Concepts: evaporation, changes of state, crystals
Physics
Halocline Eggs
Supplies: salt, water, eggs, jars
Concepts: density
Chemistry
Eggshell Geodes
Supplies: alum, water, eggshells, jars
Concepts: crystal formation, solutions