Science Activities for Kids

Jack Be Nimble Science Activity

January 10, 2022 By Terri Thompson

I’ve always had a soft spot for nursery rhymes.

My girls grew up with them. We read tons of nursery rhyme books, did a lot of crafts, and now we’re going to do some nursery rhyme science experiments.

We experimented with candles for this Jack Be Nimble science activity. This candle science project was so much fun!

Explore how fire needs oxygen to burn with this simple Jack Be Nimble science activity for kids. How long will Jack's candle burn?

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Before You Begin

This science experiment uses fire. Please use caution and make sure there is an adult helper every step of the way.

Supplies Needed

2 tealights

2 candle-safe saucers or candle holders (we used the saucers from our dishes set)

Lighter

Drinking glass (choose a clear glass one so you can see the candle underneath)

Timer

How to Set Up Your Jack Be Nimble Science Activity

Set a tea light on each saucer and place them side by side. Make sure there is enough room to put the glass over one of your candles.

Prepare your timer. We used the timer app on my phone.

Finally, light both of your candles.

Everything needs to be set up before you start this experiment.

Two tealight candles that have been lit sitting up saucers with a clear drinking glass nearby

Make your predictions

What will happen if you put the drinking glass over one of the candles? Which candle is going to stay lit the longest? How much longer do you think it will be?

Take the time to discuss with your kids about what they think will happen during this experiment.

Two tealight candles that have been lit with a hand holding a clear drinking glass ready to set over top of one of the candles.

Do the Experiment

This experiment moves fast, so be ready!

Place your drinking glass over one of your lit candles. Start your timer as soon as you set your glass over the candle.

Hint: It works best if to have one person in charge of the glass and one person in charge of the timer. If you’re working with a child too young to work with the candle, put them in charge of starting the timer!

Keep a watch on the candles. As soon as one candle goes out, stop the timer.

Which candle stopped burning first? How long did it take to go out?

The tealight candle with the clear drinking glass has burnt out and the uncovered candle is still lit. The time has been stopped at 5 seconds.

The science behind this experiment

Fire needs two things to burn: oxygen and fuel. If you take one of these away, your fire will burn out. When we placed the drinking glass over our candle, we reduced the amount of oxygen. It didn’t take long for our fire to use up that bit of oxygen. Our candle burned out in under six seconds! Our second candle had a constant supply of oxygen, so it stayed lit until we blew it out.

What was the result of your experiment? How long did your candle underneath the glass stay lit?

Experiment More

If you want to experiment further, find a second drinking glass that is a different size than the first one. Set up your experiment again and this time put a glass over each of the candles. Which of these candles burnt out first? Why do you think that happened?

My Must-Have Resources for Science Fun

I don’t know about you, but I don’t always have time to prep a fun science project. That’s why I love Green Kid Crafts Discovery boxes. The boxes are packed full of projects that are fun and inviting. You can choose to get a subscription or a one-off box based off of a specific theme. Any one you choose would be a lot of fun!

Here are some of our favorites (you can purchase and find out more at each link):

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Kitchen Science Box

Physics Box

Find all their fun STEM and science boxes here.

STEAM Family Activities

Wouldn’t it be so much fun to get STEAM family activities delivered to your inbox? I think so! That’s why I’ve created this fun series, STEAM Family Fun, to be delivered to your inbox. After going through all the letters in STEAM each week with a fun activity devoted to each, you’ll start receiving a fun STEAM activity once a month. (And I’ll also pop up in your inbox occasionally if I’ve got other fun things to share.)

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Chemical Reaction Science Experiments for Kids

April 26, 2021 By Terri Thompson

What comes to mind when you think about chemical reaction science experiments?

I think of science labs, safety equipment, and sometimes dangerous chemical combinations. Not something I’d want to do with my kids.

Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that way! We’re going to dial it back with these fun, safe, kid-friendly chemistry experiments.

Have fun learning with this fun selection of chemical reaction science experiments for kids that are safe, exciting, and fun.

We’ll explore chemical reactions in a fun way using items you probably already have at home.

Are you ready to get started? I am. Let’s start learning!

Fun Chemical Reaction Science Experiments

Find out how pennies react to different substances with our fun Chemical Reactions with Pennies experiment.

A simple chemical reaction with vinegar will help you identify rocks with this Rock Testing experiment at Rainy Day Mum.

It’s so easy to see the reaction when you make a lava lamp like this idea from Fun Learning for Kids.

Use red cabbage as a pH indicator with this fun Cabbage Science project from Little Bins for Little Hands.

It takes a chemical reaction to make slime and you can try it out with this simple slime science from Little Bins for Little Hands.

Or make a fun batch of Rainbow Fizzy Cloud Dough like this from Powerful Mothering for another sensory experiment.

Grow your own crystals with this fun experiment from NurtureStore.

Create invisible ink with this fun spy science project from Share It! Science News.

This Fizzing Seashell science experiment from Teaching Without Chairs is a fun ocean science project.

Learn why leaves change colors with this simple experiment from How Wee Learn.

Chemical Reaction Science Experiments with Baking Soda

Create a gas to fill a balloon with our fun Grow the Grinch’s Heart science experiment.

Learn about history and make a simple volcano with our fun Erupting Mount Vesuvius project.

Use science to make art with this fun Baking Soda Art project from Mosswood Connections.

Do the classic Exploding Baggies science experiment like this from Buggy & Buddy.

Make a simple lemon volcano like this fun idea from Sixth Bloom.

My Must-Have Resources for Science Fun

Here are some of our favorites (you can purchase and find out more at each link):

Get a monthly subscription.

Kitchen Science Box

Physics Box

Find all their fun STEM and science boxes here.

STEAM Family Activities

Fill out the form below to start receiving STEAM Family Fun in your inbox.

Fun Popcorn Science Experiments for Kids

February 22, 2021 By Terri Thompson

Do you love popcorn! I definitely do and so do my kids.

But, there’s more to popcorn than just a yummy snack. There’s a lot of science involved too.

So, let’s explore a little, do some popcorn science experiments, and learn while we snack.

How does popcorn pop?

Perhaps one of the simplest experiments you can do is to pop a batch of popcorn to find out how it pops.

Ask a simple question: What elements do you need to pop popcorn? (Hint: Heat) But, why does heat make it pop?

It all has to do with pressure, and the particular make-up of the popcorn kernel. There’s a tiny bit of water inside a popcorn kernel. The heat produces steam, pressure forms, and POP! You’ve got popcorn.

While you’re popping, check out this article at Wonderopolis that answers all your questions. It goes into much greater detail of all the science at work in popcorn.

So yes, your favorite salty snack is basically science at work.

Fun Popcorn Science Experiments

(Pictured left to right in above photo)

Now that we’ve talked about how popcorn works, let’s do some fun popcorn science experiments!

Use popcorn to do a fun classic experiment, Hopping Corn, with One Time Through.

What’s the difference between corn and popcorn? Explore and do some fun hands-on activities to answer this question at A Little Pinch of Perfect.

Explore volume and physical change with this fun popcorn experiment from EDventures for Kids.

Pop popcorn in a different way by popping it on the cob. Tinkerlab shows you how.

More Popcorn Science Projects

Try a popcorn and milk science experiment inspired by the book Farmer Boy. Check out Simple Living Creative Learning for all the details.

Use popcorn to compare weight with this fun science activity from Inspiration Laboratories.

Can changing how popcorn kernels are treated prior to popping change how well (or how many) they pop? Answer this questions with a fun Popcorn STEM activity from Lemon Lime Adventures.

What happens with you pop dyed popcorn? Our Whimsical Days shows you how to do this fun experiment. (Not pictured.)

Turn snack time into learning time when you do some fun popcorn science experiments.

My Must-Have Resources for Science Fun

Here are some of our favorites (you can purchase and find out more at each link):

Get a monthly subscription.

Kitchen Science Box

Physics Box

Find all their fun STEM and science boxes here.

Melting Snow Science Experiment

February 17, 2021 By Terri Thompson

We’ve had plenty of snow this year, but the sub-zero temps have been keeping us inside most days.

Luckily, with the exception of a quick trip outside to gather snow, this simple melting snow science experiment is done indoors.

We used the snow to practice both prediction and observation.

Practice making predictions and observations with this simple melting snow science experiment. It's perfect to do on a cold, snowy day!

Supplies needed for your snow science experiment:

Snow (if you don’t have snow, you can use crushed ice)
4 clear jars or drinking glasses
Ruler
Notebook

Let’s start our snow science project!

Step 1:

Measure an equal amount of snow into 4 jars. We added about 2 inches of snow to each. Use the ruler to measure.

Place each jar in 4 different locations. We chose a window (on a grey, cloudy day), a dark room, the refrigerator, and outside (temp was -4 F).

Set a timer for 5 minutes.

Step 2:

Record your predictions.

We asked the question, which jar of snow will melt first?

We then ranked them from the fastest melting to the slowest.

Each girl had a chance to make individual guesses.

Step 3:

Make your first observations.

When the timer went off, the girls ran around and checked all of the jars. I was their recorder and the person elected to check the frigid outside jar.

After five minutes, we discovered that the jar in the window and the one in the dark room had already started melting. The refrigerator jar had no melting, nor did the one outside (obviously).

After making your first observations, set the timer for an additional 5 or 10 minutes. We chose five.

Step 4:

Make your second observation.

After an additional five minutes had passed, we discovered that our window jar was melting the fastest, and the dark room was second. The refrigerator jar and outside jar still showed no melting.

Step 5:

Make your final observations.

After our second observation we left to run a few errands. When we came back, we discovered that despite our initial observations, the jar in the dark room melted faster than the one in the window.

The refrigerator jar had started melting and the one outside was still as frozen as it started out.

What did we learn with our snow science experiment?

This led to a quick examination. Why did the jar in the window stop melting so quickly? The girls discovered a very cold window and a cloudy day.

My 1st grader also observed that the heater had come on and suspected that it helped speed up the melting in the dark room. I love it when their scientific minds start working!

This snow science experiment is perfect for both preschoolers and elementary students. It’s a simple way to introduce making predictions. Your older kids can practice their writing by recording all the observations in the notebook. Plus, it’s simple and safe so that your older kids can do the entire experiment on their own.

Note: This post was originally published on January 6, 2014. Updated and republished on December 29, 2018.

My Must-Have Resources for Science Fun

Here are some of our favorites (you can purchase and find out more at each link):

Get a monthly subscription.

Kitchen Science Box

Physics Box

Find all their fun STEM and science boxes here.

STEAM Family Activities

Fill out the form below to start receiving STEAM Family Fun in your inbox.

5 Fun Ways to Learn With a Daily Weather Report

December 20, 2020 By Terri Thompson

I don’t know about you, but I check the weather app on my phone every single day. Sometimes, I’ll check multiple times.

But, do you ever share this habit with your kids? You should. It’s a great way to learn.

There’s more you can do than just simply checking in the weather. Check out these fun ways to learn with a daily weather report.

This simple STEM activity is fun and requires absolutely no prep time!

Get out your phone for this simple weather report activity. You can learn so much with a daily weather report. Here are a few ideas to try.

Five Ways to Learn with a Daily Weather Report

Compare temperatures

Use your math skills to discover the difference in temperatures. Find the difference between a day’s high temperature and its low temperature.

For example: Today’s high is 88 degrees and the low is 59 degrees. I use subtraction to find the difference. There will be a 29 degree difference today!

You could compare temperatures over the week. Record the temperature at the same time everyday. For example: What was the temperature at 3:00 pm every day? Find the temperature difference over the week. Find the difference between the week’s highest temperature and the lowest temperature. Or, simply find the difference between Monday’s 3:00 pm temperature and Tuesday’s 3:00 pm difference.

Learn to read a radar

Nowadays, we carry a weather report around in our pocket and can access it anytime. Because of that, I consider it a life skill to be able to click on the radar and know what it is telling you.

Do you know what all the colors mean? Do you know how to make the radar move and understand what it tells you?

Share this information with your kids and teach them how to understand what you’re seeing on the radar.

Note: You will want to pick a rainy or snowy day for this. There’s not much to see on the radar on a clear day!

Learn about predictions

Weather forecasting is all about making predictions. But, these predictions are pulled out of thin air, they’re based on a lot of information like weather patterns, radars, climate, and more.

You can learn more with one of these informative books:

Weather Forecasting by Gail Gibbons

Weather Words and What They Mean by Gail Gibbons

What Will the Weather Be? by Lynda DeWitt

Or, you can try this activity to learn more about weather prediction. Record the weather first thing in the morning. At the end of the day, go back to this prediction. Was the weather forecast correct? What changed?

Next look at the extended forecast and find the prediction for three days from now and five days from now. Was the forecast correct? What changed? Can you come up with some reasons why?

Use the weather report to plan the week

How does the weather report help you plan for the day or for the week? It can tell you whether you need to wear a winter coat or a light jacket. Or whether or not you need to grab an umbrella.

Are you planning a trip to the pool? Sit down with your kids and the extended forecast and have them help you pick the best day to go.

Look at the weather report before picking out your clothes for the next day. How did the weather report help you plan?

Other weather report activities

What else can you learn with a daily weather report?

You can find all sorts of information: rain totals, wind speed, air pressure, pollen count, etc.

You can look up cities around the world and see how it is different from what where you live.

Can you come up with some more ways to learn with a daily weather report?

Get ready to learn with these fun daily weather for kids activities. Learn to read a radar, use the weather forecast, and more.

Learn More With a Book About the Weather

Combine this weather activity with a fun book to learn even more. Here are some great weather books that I’d recommend:

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Science Activities for Kids

Before You Begin

Supplies Needed

How to Set Up Your Jack Be Nimble Science Activity

Make your predictions

Do the Experiment

The science behind this experiment

Experiment More

You may also like one of these science experiments:

My Must-Have Resources for Science Fun

STEAM Family Activities

Fun Chemical Reaction Science Experiments

Chemical Reaction Science Experiments with Baking Soda

You May Also Like One of These Science Activities:

My Must-Have Resources for Science Fun

STEAM Family Activities

How does popcorn pop?

Fun Popcorn Science Experiments

More Popcorn Science Projects

You may also like one of these fun science activities:

My Must-Have Resources for Science Fun

Supplies needed for your snow science experiment:

Let’s start our snow science project!

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 5:

What did we learn with our snow science experiment?

You may also like one of these science experiments:

My Must-Have Resources for Science Fun

STEAM Family Activities

Five Ways to Learn with a Daily Weather Report

Compare temperatures

Learn to read a radar

Learn about predictions

Use the weather report to plan the week

Other weather report activities

You may also like one of these fun STEM activities:

Learn More With a Book About the Weather

Do want more STEM activities?

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