I'm looking for some good homemade science projects to do with my 7 and 9 year olds. We've done the classic baking soda and vinegar volcano, but I want to try some new things that are safe and use everyday materials. Any suggestions for simple science experiments for kids that actually teach something?
One of my favorite simple science experiments for kids is making slime with glue and borax solution. It teaches about polymers and crosslinking in a really hands on way. The kids love the texture and you can add food coloring or glitter to make it more fun. Just be sure to supervise since borax needs to be handled carefully.
We did a really cool homemade science project last week with milk, food coloring, and dish soap. You pour milk in a shallow dish, add drops of different food coloring, then touch the center with a cotton swab dipped in dish soap. The colors explode outward in these amazing patterns. It demonstrates surface tension and molecular movement. My kids were mesmerized.
I love doing the lemon battery experiment. You need a lemon, copper coin, zinc nail, and LED light. It shows how batteries work and introduces basic electricity concepts. It's one of those chemistry experiments using common items that actually feels like real science. The LED lighting up always gets a wow reaction.
For educational home chemistry, we've had great success with the dancing raisins experiment. You put raisins in a glass of clear soda and they dance up and down. It teaches about density and gas bubbles in a very visual way. Plus it uses kitchen pantry science project materials you probably already have.
These are all fantastic suggestions! The milk and soap one sounds perfect for my younger one. I'm making a list of these household chemistry experiments to try. I especially like that most of these are safe chemistry experiments at home. Has anyone tried the invisible ink with lemon juice? That's another one on my list for simple science experiments for kids.