Science doesn’t start at high school with Bunsen burners and litmus paper. Babies, toddlers and pre-school are natural scientists, exploring and testing out their world. Creating a play-friendly environment and giving them time to investigate what catches their interest is the first step towards developing enquiring minds. Try these ideas for more child friendly science experiments.
Tip #1 Encourage experiments: ask kids to predict, observe & explore with this guide from ScienceMum
Tip #2 Use baking to test weights, emulsification, heat, liquids…Gingerbread is a good place to start
Tip #3 Try biology with an experiment to see what seeds need to grow
Tip #4 Combine physics and engineering with this pendulum activity from Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning
Tip #5 Use simple props like ice cubes and experiment to find out what makes things melt faster
Tip #6 Create some art and explore the properties of sunlight with this idea from Paint Cut Paste
Tip #7 What happens when you combine bicarbonate of soda and vinegar? Jen at TheMadHouse knows!
Tip #8 Bring physics into play with Teacher Tom’s Full Body Physics trials
Tip #9 A really easy one to try a home is this sink or float test from No Time For Flash Cards
Tip #10 Mini beast bingo is great for budding entomologists
What science play do your children enjoy?
***These #goplayTwitter Tips are tweeted each Friday at 8.30pm – follow @nurturestore or the #goplay hashtag to share
View the Twitter Tips on playdough, water play, travelling with kids, junk modeling , balancing school and play and encouraging reading and writing
happily shared with Top Ten Tuesday and Wearethatfamily
Magnetic/nonmagnetic is another easy and fun one.
Hi Activity Mom. Yes, good idea – L is just noticing what’s magnetic and thinks it’s cool!
Cathy the beauty of science is that it is all around us! Our children love science and we like to do something new in the way of a science experiment each week. Experiment involving air however are by far the most popular. Last week we made kites … really great flyers they were too and of course as you have already mentioned our pendulum activities were hugely popular with our children as well!
Donna 🙂 🙂
https://www.playbasedlearning.com.au/2010/09/truly-irresistible-kites/
Hey Cathy – can I add my post to your list down here:) https://deborahjstewart.com/2009/11/science-in-the-preschool-classroom/
Thanks Debarah – great post.
Since I homeschool my Kindergartner and my three year preschooler I’m always on the lookout for fun science experiments! Thanks!
Hi Melissa – hope you both have fun with some of these.