Science Activities

Cloud Pictures Activity for an individual child Age group: 18-40 months Duration of activity: 15 minutes Materials: Nonmenthol shaving cream White craft glue Thick paintbrushes Your child will learn a bit about clouds and explore a unique textur...

Rain Painting Activity for an individual child Age group: 18-40 months Duration of activity: 20 minutes Materials: Food coloring Paper plate This is a great way for your child to observe how water reacts with other materials. Your child will als...

The Greenhouse Effect ExperimentsWith all the talk about global warming these days, do you know how to explain the greenhouse effect to your kids? For a great example of this phenomenon, look no further than your own driveway! Did you know... Yo...

World's Fair Required: Reference materials Drawing supplies If you and your child can't travel to visit the next World's Fair, how about bringing the next World's Fair into your living room? Assign family members specific countries, and they can...

Sum of Their Parts Required: Your time only Here's a nuts-and-bolts activity that you and your child are sure to enjoy. It's also a great way of finding out what your child knows about nuts, bolts, and a host of other common "building blocks." W...

Spinners Required: Paper plate, thin cardboard, brad, scissors, markers Some things are best left to fate… and other things are best left to fortune-tellers. Here's an easy way for your child to make a fortune-telling device that's guaranteed ...

It's smart to nurture your child's love of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)! According to the U.S. Department of Labor, many STEM fields are growing, and STEM jobs pay nearly double the average salary of other U.S. jobs. See whic...

Science Fair Required: Research materials Drawing supplies Is your child eager to demonstrate his or her scientific knowledge? Why not organize an at-home science fair and invite everyone in the family to participate? Each person can select a to...

The Gravity of the Situation Required: Your time only Here's an activity that will help your child appreciate the importance of sticking to his or her principles—scientific principles, that is. Choose a scientific principle—say, gravity—an...

Do-It-Yourself "Ologies" Required: Your time only Quick! What are the three most important laws of pizzology (the study of pizzas)? Don't worry if you don't know—in fact, it's your job to make them up. That's the whole idea behind this activit...

As a parent, you want your kids to learn as much as they can outside of the classroom while also having fun. Instead of the typical go-to weekend activities of television and video games, try these easy and affordable ways to make weekends fun an...

Combo Inventions Required: Magazines, junk mail, and other disposable picture sources When engineers set out to design something, they typically have a purpose (or function) in mind. What would happen if the process went backwards and the purpos...

Energy from the SunMaterials 3 used cans with the labels removed White water-based paint Black water-based paint Brushes Thermometer Directions Paint the outside of two of the cans one with white paint, one with black paint. Fill each can wit...

Steamy ExperimentMaterials Teakettle Metal saucepan lid Water Directions Boil water in the teakettle, being careful that your child does not touch the kettle or the steam as it comes out. Turn the heat to low when the water boils. As the steam ...

Science, technology, engineering, and math (the "STEM" subjects) are important areas of learning for any student. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 8.6 million STEM-related jobs in the United States, and that figure is climb...

Evaporation ExperimentMaterials 2 clear plastic cups Felt marker Clear plastic wrap Water Directions Partly fill the plastic cups with water so that they both have the same level of water. Mark the levels with the marker. Seal one of the cups ...

The Electric ShowMaterials Hair comb Small pieces of paper Balloon Directions To create a static electricity field, have your child run a comb through his hair a few times. Then experiment by picking up pieces of paper with the comb. Next, blow...

Muddied WatersMaterials 3 clean jars Garden soil Sand Dirt Stick Directions The object of this activity is to observe how water gets muddy and clears again. Fill the jars two-thirds full of water. Drop a handful of garden soil in one, a handf...