If there is one thing that is guaranteed to get your students excited, it’s a good science experiment! While some experiments require expensive lab equipment or dangerous chemicals, there are plenty of cool projects you can do with regular household items. We’ve rounded up a big collection of easy science experiments that anybody can try, and kids are going to love them!
Jump to:
- Easy Chemistry Science Experiments
- Easy Physics Science Experiments
- Easy Biology and Environmental Science Experiments
- Easy Engineering Experiments and STEM Challenges
Easy Chemistry Science Experiments
![Skittle Experiment Skittles form a circle around a plate. The colors are bleeding toward the center of the plate. (easy science experiments)](webp/skittles-800x418.webp)
1. Taste the Rainbow
Teach your students about diffusion while creating a beautiful and tasty rainbow! Tip: Have extra Skittles on hand so your class can eat a few!
Learn more: Skittles Diffusion
![Easy Science Experiments Growing a Jeweled Rose Colorful rock candy on wooden sticks](jpg/easy-science-experiments-growing-a-jeweled-rose.jpg)
2. Crystallize sweet treats
Crystal science experiments teach kids about supersaturated solutions. This one is easy to do at home, and the results are absolutely delicious!
Learn more: Candy Crystals
3. Make a volcano erupt
This classic experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid), which produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate.
Learn more: Best Volcano Experiments
4. Make elephant toothpaste
This fun project uses yeast and a hydrogen peroxide solution to create overflowing “elephant toothpaste.” Tip: Add an extra fun layer by having kids create toothpaste wrappers for plastic bottles.
![Giant Bubble Experiment Girl making an enormous bubble with string and wire](jpg/outside-science-bubbles-scholastic.jpg)
5. Blow the biggest bubbles you can
Add a few simple ingredients to dish soap solution to create the largest bubbles you’ve ever seen! Kids learn about surface tension as they engineer these bubble-blowing wands.
Learn more: Giant Soap Bubbles
![Easy Science Experiments: Leakproof Bag Plastic bag full of water with pencils stuck through it](jpg/easy-science-experiments-leakproof-bag.jpg)
6. Demonstrate the “magic” leakproof bag
All you need is a zip-top plastic bag, sharp pencils, and water to blow your kids’ minds. Once they’re suitably impressed, teach them how the “trick” works by explaining the chemistry of polymers.
Learn more: Leakproof Bag
![Apple Oxidation Experiment Several apple slices are shown on a clear plate. There are cards that label what they have been immersed in (including salt water, sugar water, etc.) (easy science experiments)](jpg/appleoxidation.jpg)
7. Use apple slices to learn about oxidation
Have students make predictions about what will happen to apple slices when immersed in different liquids, then put those predictions to the test. Have them record their observations.
Learn more: Apple Oxidation
8. Float a marker man
Their eyes will pop out of their heads when you “levitate” a stick figure right off the table! This experiment works due to the insolubility of dry-erase marker ink in water, combined with the lighter density of the ink.
Learn more: Floating Marker Man
![5th Grade Science Steamsational Mason jars stacked with their mouths together, with one color of water on the bottom and another color on top](jpg/5th-grade-science-steamsational.jpg)
9. Discover density with hot and cold water
There are a lot of easy science experiments you can do with density. This one is extremely simple, involving only hot and cold water and food coloring, but the visuals make it appealing and fun.
Learn more: Layered Water
![Easy Science Experiments: Density Column Clear cylinder layered with various liquids in different colors](jpg/easy-science-experiments-density-tower.jpg)
10. Layer more liquids
This density demo is a little more complicated, but the effects are spectacular. Slowly layer liquids like honey, dish soap, water, and rubbing alcohol in a glass. Kids will be amazed when the liquids float one on top of the other like magic (except it is really science).
Learn more: Layered Liquids
![Carbon Snake Experiment Giant carbon snake growing out of a tin pan full of sand](jpg/outside-science-carbon-snake-kiwico.jpg)
11. Grow a carbon sugar snake
Easy science experiments can still have impressive results! This eye-popping chemical reaction demonstration only requires simple supplies like sugar, baking soda, and sand.
Learn more: Carbon Sugar Snake
12. Mix up some slime
Tell kids you’re going to make slime at home, and watch their eyes light up! There are a variety of ways to make slime, so try a few different recipes to find the one you like best.
![Homemade Bouncy Balls Two children are shown (without faces) bouncing balls on a white table](jpg/homemadebouncyballs.jpg)
13. Make homemade bouncy balls
These homemade bouncy balls are easy to make since all you need is glue, food coloring, borax powder, cornstarch, and warm water. You’ll want to store them inside a container like a plastic egg because they will flatten out over time.
Learn more: Make Your Own Bouncy Balls
![DIY Chalk Kidspot Pink sidewalk chalk stick sitting on a paper towel](jpg/7th-grade-science-chalk-kidspot.jpg)
14. Create eggshell chalk
Eggshells contain calcium, the same material that makes chalk. Grind them up and mix them with flour, water, and food coloring to make your very own sidewalk chalk.
Learn more: Eggshell Chalk
![Naked Egg Making Memories With Your Kids Science student holding a raw egg without a shell](jpg/6th-grade-science-naked-egg-making-memories-with-your-kids-1.jpg)
15. Make naked eggs
This is so cool! Use vinegar to dissolve the calcium carbonate in an eggshell to discover the membrane underneath that holds the egg together. Then, use the “naked” egg for another easy science experiment that demonstrates osmosis.
Learn more: Naked Egg Experiment
16. Turn milk into plastic
This sounds a lot more complicated than it is, but don’t be afraid to give it a try. Use simple kitchen supplies to create plastic polymers from plain old milk. Sculpt them into cool shapes when you’re done!
![7th Grade Science PH Education Possible Student using a series of test tubes filled with pink liquid](jpg/7th-grade-science-ph-education-possible.jpg)
17. Test pH using cabbage
Teach kids about acids and bases without needing pH test strips! Simply boil some red cabbage and use the resulting water to test various substances—acids turn red and bases turn green.
Learn more: Cabbage pH
![6th Grade Science Coins Gally Kids Pennies in small cups of liquid labeled coca cola, vinegar + salt, apple juice, water, catsup, and vinegar. Text reads Cleaning Coins Science Experiment. Step by step procedure and explanation.](jpg/6th-grade-science-coins-gally-kids.jpg)
18. Clean some old coins
Use common household items to make old oxidized coins clean and shiny again in this simple chemistry experiment. Ask kids to predict (hypothesize) which will work best, then expand the learning by doing some research to explain the results.
Learn more: Cleaning Coins
![6th Grade Science Egg Bottle Left Brain Craft Brain Glass bottle with bowl holding three eggs, small glass with matches sitting on a box of matches, and a yellow plastic straw, against a blue background](jpg/6th-grade-science-egg-bottle-left-brain-craft-brain.jpg)
19. Pull an egg into a bottle
This classic easy science experiment never fails to delight. Use the power of air pressure to suck a hard-boiled egg into a jar, no hands required.
Learn more: Egg in a Bottle
20. Blow up a balloon (without blowing)
Chances are good you probably did easy science experiments like this when you were in school. The baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment demonstrates the reactions between acids and bases when you fill a bottle with vinegar and a balloon with baking soda.
21 Assemble a DIY lava lamp
This 1970s trend is back—as an easy science experiment! This activity combines acid-base reactions with density for a totally groovy result.
![7th Grade Science Sugar Eggs Feels Like Home Four colored cups containing different liquids, with an egg in each](jpg/7th-grade-science-sugar-eggs-feels-like-home.jpg)
22. Explore how sugary drinks affect teeth
The calcium content of eggshells makes them a great stand-in for teeth. Use eggs to explore how soda and juice can stain teeth and wear down the enamel. Expand your learning by trying different toothpaste-and-toothbrush combinations to see how effective they are.
Learn more: Sugar and Teeth Experiment
23. Mummify a hot dog
If your kids are fascinated by the Egyptians, they’ll love learning to mummify a hot dog! No need for canopic jars, just grab some baking soda and get started.
24. Extinguish flames with carbon dioxide
This is a fiery twist on acid-base experiments. Light a candle and talk about what fire needs in order to survive. Then, create an acid-base reaction and “pour” the carbon dioxide to extinguish the flame. The CO2 gas acts like a liquid, suffocating the fire.
![Easy Science Experiments: Invisible Ink I Love You written in lemon juice on a piece of white paper, with lemon half and cotton swabs](jpg/easy-science-experiments-invisible-ink.jpg)
25. Send secret messages with invisible ink
Turn your kids into secret agents! Write messages with a paintbrush dipped in lemon juice, then hold the paper over a heat source and watch the invisible become visible as oxidation goes to work.
Learn more: Invisible Ink
26. Create dancing popcorn
This is a fun version of the classic baking soda and vinegar experiment, perfect for the younger crowd. The bubbly mixture causes popcorn to dance around in the water.
![Outside Science Soda Fountain Scholastic Students looking surprised as foamy liquid shoots up out of diet soda bottles](jpg/outside-science-soda-fountain-scholastic.jpg)
27. Shoot a soda geyser sky-high
You’ve always wondered if this really works, so it’s time to find out for yourself! Kids will marvel at the chemical reaction that sends diet soda shooting high in the air when Mentos are added.
Learn more: Soda Explosion
Easy Physics Science Experiments
![Easy Science Experiments: Flying Tea Bags Empty tea bags burning into ashes](jpg/easy-science-experiments-flying-tea-bags.jpg)
28. Send a teabag flying
Hot air rises, and this experiment can prove it! You’ll want to supervise kids with fire, of course. For more safety, try this one outside.
Learn more: Flying Tea Bags
![Magic Milk Experiment Magic Milk Experiment How to Plus Free Worksheet](png/magic-milk-experiment.png)
29. Create magic milk
This fun and easy science experiment demonstrates principles related to surface tension, molecular interactions, and fluid dynamics.
Learn more: Magic Milk Experiment
![Easy Science Experiments: Rising Water Two side-by-side shots of an upside-down glass over a candle in a bowl of water, with water pulled up into the glass in the second picture](jpg/easy-science-experiments-rising-water.jpg)
30. Watch the water rise
Learn about Charles’s Law with this simple experiment. As the candle burns, using up oxygen and heating the air in the glass, the water rises as if by magic.
Learn more: Rising Water
![4th Grade Science Experiments Capillary 123Homeschool4Me Glasses filled with colored water, with paper towels running from one to the next](jpg/4th-grade-science-experiments-capillary-123homeschool4me.jpg)
31. Learn about capillary action
Kids will be amazed as they watch the colored water move from glass to glass, and you’ll love the easy and inexpensive setup. Gather some water, paper towels, and food coloring to teach the scientific magic of capillary action.
Learn more: Capillary Action
![Static Electricity Balloon Beard A pink balloon has a face drawn on it. It is hovering over a plate with salt and pepper on it](jpg/staticballoon.jpg)
32. Give a balloon a beard
Equally educational and fun, this experiment will teach kids about static electricity using everyday materials. Kids will undoubtedly get a kick out of creating beards on their balloon person!
Learn more: Static Electricity
![Third Grade Science: DIY Compass DIY compass made from a needle floating in water](jpg/third-grade-science-diy-compass.jpg)
33. Find your way with a DIY compass
Here’s an old classic that never fails to impress. Magnetize a needle, float it on the water’s surface, and it will always point north.
Learn more: DIY Compass
34. Crush a can using air pressure
Sure, it’s easy to crush a soda can with your bare hands, but what if you could do it without touching it at all? That’s the power of air pressure!
![DIY Sundial A large piece of cardboard has a white circle in the center with a pencil standing upright in the middle of the circle. Rocks are on all four corners holding it down.](jpg/sundial.jpg)
35. Tell time using the sun
While people use clocks or even phones to tell time today, there was a time when a sundial was the best means to do that. Kids will certainly get a kick out of creating their own sundials using everyday materials like cardboard and pencils.
Learn more: Make Your Own Sundial
36. Launch a balloon rocket
Grab balloons, string, straws, and tape, and launch rockets to learn about the laws of motion.
![6th Grade Science The Homeschool Scientist Steel wool sitting in an aluminum tray. The steel wool appears to be on fire.](jpg/6th-grade-science-the-homeschool-scientist.jpg)
37. Make sparks with steel wool
All you need is steel wool and a 9-volt battery to perform this science demo that’s bound to make their eyes light up! Kids learn about chain reactions, chemical changes, and more.
Learn more: Steel Wool Electricity
38. Levitate a Ping-Pong ball
Kids will get a kick out of this experiment, which is really all about Bernoulli’s principle. You only need plastic bottles, bendy straws, and Ping-Pong balls to make the science magic happen.
![5th Grade Science Tornado Cool Science HQ Colored water in a vortex in a plastic bottle](jpg/5th-grade-science-tornado-cool-science-hq.jpg)
39. Whip up a tornado in a bottle
There are plenty of versions of this classic experiment out there, but we love this one because it sparkles! Kids learn about a vortex and what it takes to create one.
Learn more: Tornado in a Bottle
![7th Grade Science Edventures With Kids Homemade barometer using a tin can, rubber band, and ruler](jpg/7th-grade-science-edventures-with-kids.jpg)
40. Monitor air pressure with a DIY barometer
This simple but effective DIY science project teaches kids about air pressure and meteorology. They’ll have fun tracking and predicting the weather with their very own barometer.
Learn more: DIY Barometer
![Ice Magnifying Glass A child holds up a pice of ice to their eye as if it is a magnifying glass. (easy science experiments)](png/icemagnifying.png)
41. Peer through an ice magnifying glass
Students will certainly get a thrill out of seeing how an everyday object like a piece of ice can be used as a magnifying glass. Be sure to use purified or distilled water since tap water will have impurities in it that will cause distortion.
Learn more: Ice Magnifying Glass
![Winter Science Sticky Ice Playdough to Plato Piece of twine stuck to an ice cube](jpg/winter-science-sticky-ice-playdough-to-plato.jpg)
42. String up some sticky ice
Can you lift an ice cube using just a piece of string? This quick experiment teaches you how. Use a little salt to melt the ice and then refreeze the ice with the string attached.
Learn more: Sticky Ice
![Easy Science Experiments Go Science Kids Drawing of a hand with the thumb up and a glass of water](jpg/easy-science-experiments-go-science-kids.jpg)
43. “Flip” a drawing with water
Light refraction causes some really cool effects, and there are multiple easy science experiments you can do with it. This one uses refraction to “flip” a drawing; you can also try the famous “disappearing penny” trick.
Learn more: Light Refraction With Water
Easy Biology and Environmental Science Experiments
44. Color some flowers
We love how simple this project is to re-create since all you’ll need are some white carnations, food coloring, glasses, and water. The end result is just so beautiful!
![2nd Grade Science Living Life and Learning Square dish filled with water and glitter, showing how a drop of dish soap repels the glitter](jpg/2nd-grade-science-living-life-and-learning.jpg)
45. Use glitter to fight germs
Everyone knows that glitter is just like germs—it gets everywhere and is so hard to get rid of! Use that to your advantage and show kids how soap fights glitter and germs.
Learn more: Glitter Germs
![2nd Grade Science Grade School Giggles Plastic bag with clouds and sun drawn on it, with a small amount of blue liquid at the bottom](jpg/2nd-grade-science-grade-school-giggles.jpg)
46. Re-create the water cycle in a bag
You can do so many easy science experiments with a simple zip-top bag. Fill one partway with water and set it on a sunny windowsill to see how the water evaporates up and eventually “rains” down.
Learn more: Water Cycle
![Outside Science Transpiration Teach Beside Me1 Plastic zipper bag tied around leaves on a tree](jpg/outside-science-transpiration-teach-beside-me1.jpg)
47. Learn about plant transpiration
Your backyard is a terrific place for easy science experiments. Grab a plastic bag and rubber band to learn how plants get rid of excess water they don’t need, a process known as transpiration.
Learn more: Plant Transpiration
![Oil Spill Cleanup Students sit around a table that has a tin pan filled with blue liquid wiht a feather floating in it (easy science experiments)](jpg/oilspill-800x598.jpg)
48. Clean up an oil spill
Before conducting this experiment, teach your students about engineers who solve environmental problems like oil spills. Then, have your students use provided materials to clean the oil spill from their oceans.
Learn more: Oil Spill
![6th Grade Science Lungs Surviving a Teachers Salary Sixth grade student holding model lungs and diaphragm made from a plastic bottle, duct tape, and balloons](jpg/6th-grade-science-lungs-surviving-a-teachers-salary.jpg)
49. Construct a pair of model lungs
Kids get a better understanding of the respiratory system when they build model lungs using a plastic water bottle and some balloons. You can modify the experiment to demonstrate the effects of smoking too.
Learn more: Model Lungs
![Limestone Rock Experiment Child pouring vinegar over a large rock in a bowl](jpg/outside-science-rocks-kcedventures.jpg)
50. Experiment with limestone rocks
Kids love to collect rocks, and there are plenty of easy science experiments you can do with them. In this one, pour vinegar over a rock to see if it bubbles. If it does, you’ve found limestone!
Learn more: Limestone Experiments
![DIY Rain Gauge Plastic bottle converted to a homemade rain gauge](jpg/outside-science-nurture-store.jpg)
51. Turn a bottle into a rain gauge
All you need is a plastic bottle, a ruler, and a permanent marker to make your own rain gauge. Monitor your measurements and see how they stack up against meteorology reports in your area.
Learn more: DIY Rain Gauge
![Folded Towel Mountains Pile of different colored towels pushed together to create folds like mountains](jpg/2nd-grade-science-the-chaos-and-the-clutter.jpg)
52. Build up towel mountains
This clever demonstration helps kids understand how some landforms are created. Use layers of towels to represent rock layers and boxes for continents. Then pu-u-u-sh and see what happens!
Learn more: Towel Mountains
![3rd Grade Science Line Upon Line Learning Layers of differently colored playdough with straw holes punched throughout all the layers](jpg/3rd-grade-science-line-upon-line-learning.jpg)
53. Take a play dough core sample
Learn about the layers of the earth by building them out of Play-Doh, then take a core sample with a straw. (Love Play-Doh? Get more learning ideas here.)
Learn more: Play Dough Core Sampling
![3rd Grade Science Mystery Science Science student poking holes in the bottom of a paper cup in the shape of a constellation](jpg/3rd-grade-science-mystery-science.jpg)
54. Project the stars on your ceiling
Use the video lesson in the link below to learn why stars are only visible at night. Then create a DIY star projector to explore the concept hands-on.
Learn more: DIY Star Projector
![Easy Science Experiments Mrs Jones Creation Station Glass jar of water with shaving cream floating on top, with blue food coloring dripping through, next to a can of shaving cream](jpg/easy-science-experiments-mrs-jones-creation-station.jpg)
55. Make it rain
Use shaving cream and food coloring to simulate clouds and rain. This is an easy science experiment little ones will beg to do over and over.
Learn more: Shaving Cream Rain
56. Blow up your fingerprint
This is such a cool (and easy!) way to look at fingerprint patterns. Inflate a balloon a bit, use some ink to put a fingerprint on it, then blow it up big to see your fingerprint in detail.
![Edible DNA Model Edible DNA model made with Twizzlers, gumdrops, and toothpicks](jpg/edible-dna-model.jpg)
57. Snack on a DNA model
Twizzlers, gumdrops, and a few toothpicks are all you need to make this super-fun (and yummy!) DNA model.
Learn more: Edible DNA Model
58. Dissect a flower
Take a nature walk and find a flower or two. Then bring them home and take them apart to discover all the different parts of flowers.
Easy Engineering Experiments and STEM Challenges
![Easy Science Experiments: Smartphone Amplifier DIY smartphone amplifier made from paper cups](jpg/easy-science-experiments-smartphone-amplifier.jpg)
59. Craft smartphone speakers
No Bluetooth speaker? No problem! Put together your own from paper cups and toilet paper tubes.
Learn more: Smartphone Speakers
![Easy Science Experiments: Balloon Car Car made from cardboard with bottlecap wheels and powered by a blue balloon](jpg/easy-science-experiments-balloon-car.jpg)
60. Race a balloon-powered car
Kids will be amazed when they learn they can put together this awesome racer using cardboard and bottle-cap wheels. The balloon-powered “engine” is so much fun too.
Learn more: Balloon-Powered Car
61. Build a Ferris wheel
You’ve probably ridden on a Ferris wheel, but can you build one? Stock up on wood craft sticks and find out! Play around with different designs to see which one works best.
Learn more: Craft Stick Ferris Wheel
62. Design a phone stand
There are lots of ways to craft a DIY phone stand, which makes this a perfect creative-thinking STEM challenge.
63. Conduct an egg drop
Put all their engineering skills to the test with an egg drop! Challenge kids to build a container from stuff they find around the house that will protect an egg from a long fall (this is especially fun to do from upper-story windows).
Learn more: Egg Drop Challenge Ideas
![Fourth Grade Science Drinking Straw Roller Coaster Student building a roller coaster of drinking straws for a ping pong ball (Fourth Grade Science)](jpg/fourth-grade-science-straw-roller-coaster.jpg)
64. Engineer a drinking-straw roller coaster
STEM challenges are always a hit with kids. We love this one, which only requires basic supplies like drinking straws.
Learn more: Straw Roller Coaster
![Outside Science Solar Oven Desert Chica Outside Science Solar Oven Desert Chica](jpg/outside-science-solar-oven-desert-chica.jpg)
65. Build a solar oven
Explore the power of the sun when you build your own solar ovens and use them to cook some yummy treats. This experiment takes a little more time and effort, but the results are always impressive. The link below has complete instructions.
Learn more: Solar Oven
![7th Grade Science iGame Mom Mini Da Vinci bridge made of pencils and rubber bands](jpg/7th-grade-science-igame-mom.jpg)
66. Build a Da Vinci bridge
There are plenty of bridge-building experiments out there, but this one is unique. It’s inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s 500-year-old self-supporting wooden bridge. Learn how to build it at the link, and expand your learning by exploring more about Da Vinci himself.
Learn more: Da Vinci Bridge
67. Step through an index card
This is one easy science experiment that never fails to astonish. With carefully placed scissor cuts on an index card, you can make a loop large enough to fit a (small) human body through! Kids will be wowed as they learn about surface area.
![8th Grade Science Science Sparks Student standing on top of a structure built from cardboard sheets and paper cups](jpg/8th-grade-science-science-sparks.jpg)
68. Stand on a pile of paper cups
Combine physics and engineering and challenge kids to create a paper cup structure that can support their weight. This is a cool project for aspiring architects.
Learn more: Paper Cup Stack
![Outside Science Inspiration Laboratories Child standing on a stepladder dropping a toy attached to a paper parachute](jpg/outside-science-inspiration-laboratories.jpg)
69. Test out parachutes
Gather a variety of materials (try tissues, handkerchiefs, plastic bags, etc.) and see which ones make the best parachutes. You can also find out how they’re affected by windy days or find out which ones work in the rain.
Learn more: Parachute Drop
![5th Grade Science Stem Activities for Kids Students balancing a textbook on top of a pyramid of rolled up newspaper](jpg/5th-grade-science-stem-activities-for-kids.jpg)
70. Recycle newspapers into an engineering challenge
It’s amazing how a stack of newspapers can spark such creative engineering. Challenge kids to build a tower, support a book, or even build a chair using only newspaper and tape!
Learn more: Newspaper STEM Challenge
![5th Grade Science Science Sparks Plastic cup with rubber bands stretched across the opening](jpg/5th-grade-science-science-sparks.jpg)
71. Use rubber bands to sound out acoustics
Explore the ways that sound waves are affected by what’s around them using a simple rubber band “guitar.” (Kids absolutely love playing with these!)
Learn more: Rubber Band Guitar
![Third Grade Science Umbrellas Raising Lifelong Learners Science student pouring water over a cupcake wrapper propped on wood craft sticks](jpg/third-grade-science-umbrellas-raising-lifelong-learners.jpg)
72. Assemble a better umbrella
Challenge students to engineer the best possible umbrella from various household supplies. Encourage them to plan, draw blueprints, and test their creations using the scientific method.
Learn more: Umbrella STEM Challenge
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![Easy-Science Science doesn't have to be complicated! Try these easy science experiments using items you already have around the house or classroom.](jpg/easy-science-683x1024.jpg)