A collection of the very best science experiments for kids at home, including rainbow milk, fluffy slime and make-your-own fizzy potions!
Updated March 2023
Basically these are our favorites out of all the science experiments we’ve tried so far. The ones we absolutely loved and the ones we’ve repeated (and repeated and repeated).
Most of these are pretty simple. The few that are a tad more involved or require materials you need to track down are included because they are well worth it.
BEST Science Experiments for Kids
1. Rainbow Milk Science Experiment for Kids
Also called milky fireworks, erupting colors, magic milk, tie-dyed milk– this is very possibly both the easiest and most beautiful science experiment out there.
2. Baking Soda & Vinegar Science Experiments
Try this classic, hands-on learning activity combining science and art. Baking soda and vinegar are an easy science experiments for kids.
3. The Rainbow Skittles Experiment
A mesmerizing variation of the popular rainbow skittles experiment, this dissolving candy art & science activity uses a variety of colorful candies to make designs that quickly fill in with coloring from the dissolving candy.
4. How to Make Oobleck
Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid –– it changes from a solid to a liquid –– which makes it a very engaging sensory play material for kids and it’s so easy to make, too!
5. Painted Daisies: Simple Science Experiment for Kids
Try this simple science activity where flowers show us how they absorb liquid and reflect it on its petals.
6. How to Do a Melting Ice Experiment
If you haven’t tried melting ice with salt and watercolors yet, you must! Watch as salt melts tunnels through the ice! The food coloring or liquid watercolors help you see the tunnels better and make the whole experiment as much of an art activity as a science experiment.
5. Make Instant Snow for Kids
Not only is the process and science of this fake snow fun (the insta-snow powder is really a water-absorbing polymer), but your kids will truly enjoy playing with it for a LONG time.
6. How to Make Slime
We love making this fluffy slime with shaving cream. The resulting slime is stretchy, putty-like stuff that is fun to knead and play with it. You can even make balloons and balls with it!
7. How to Make Fizzy Potions
Sensory play is so engaging for kids of all ages. Here’s how to use baking soda, vinegar and glitter to create magic potions that fizz!
8. Marbling with Oil and Food Coloring
Marbling with oil and food coloring is one of the easiest ways to marble paper and it uses materials you likely already have at home. You get to observe how oil and water interact and the results are beautiful!
9. Experiment with Water Beads
If your children are old enough, water beads are a great material to explore with. Just watching the water beads grow and observing the changes along the way is fun on its own!
10. Try a Light Table Activity
A light table can provide so many opportunities for science, art and play exploration. Plus, we show you a DIY light table that won’t break the bank!
How about your family? What are your children’s favorite science experiments?
More Science Experiments for Kids
- Why Having an Art Space for Kids Isn’t Just About Art
- Shaving Cream Play Ideas for Kids
- What is Sensory Play & Why It’s Important for Kids
- The Artful Parent YouTube Channel
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