Winter weather or a rainy day may provide the perfect opportunity to introduce a child to the wonders of science. There are many easy experiments that can be done in a kitchen or other places at home that will allow children to experiment and learn about chemistry, physics and engineering. They won’t even know they learned something.
Chemistry Experiments
Almost every science fair has a volcano display. Parents can create their own volcano with their children using a few simple items. Use a glass jar to hold the vinegar, a tablespoon to scoop the baking soda and a cookie sheet with edges to contain the mess. Set the glass jar in the center of the cookie sheet before beginning. Pour the glass jar ½ full with white vinegar and add a tablespoon of baking soda. Continue to add baking soda as desired to recreate the explosion of lava. Add food-coloring if desired, but remember food coloring will stain clothing.
Another kitchen chemistry experiment is making Oobleck. This is sometimes referred to as Goop or Slime. Mix 1-½ cups of cornstarch with 1 cup of water. Gently mix thoroughly with your hands. Add two drops of food coloring as desired. Store the Oobleck in a plastic airtight container. Oobleck is not a solid and not quite a liquid, but something called a non-Newtonian Fluid. When you hit or squeeze it the Oobleck feels solid, but it will not hold its own shape.
Kitchen chemistry is also as easy as baking cookies, cupcakes or candy. Pick a favorite recipe and bake from scratch to learn what specific ingredients are used to make a particular treat.
Physics Experiments
Physics may sound intimidating but playing with physics is as easy as playing with dominoes. Line up dominoes and knock them down. See how complex of a pattern you can make. Can you make a domino pattern that is more than one level in height? This may not seem like physics but it is practicing Newton’s laws of motion and gravity. The same types of experiments can be done using anything that will stand alone such as Legos, wooden blocks or foam blocks.
Build a marble roller coaster with pipe cleaners and straws. This activity can also be done with matchbox cars and hot wheels tracks. Test to see how far the marble will launch off the end of the track. Can you figure out how to add turns or loops? An afternoon can be spent adjusting the track for the most effective jumps.
Engineering
Make a paper airplane to play with. Experiment with different kinds of paper, shapes of wing and even type of airplane. There are many books available with directions on how to make a wide variety of paper airplanes. See what kinds of planes go the farthest or what shape of wing allows for turns.
Build a model bridge to determine how much weight the bridge can hold before it breaks. Play with different materials such as Popsicle sticks, toothpicks or building blocks to see what material is the strongest.
Science is all around us and kids are naturally curious. Encourage this search for knowledge by providing time to experiment.
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