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10 Toddler Science Activities that Are Full of Fun
May 4, 2018 by Sheryl Cooper
Last Updated on July 30, 2024 by Sheryl Cooper
Inside: This collection of toddler science activities are perfect for little explorers! Hands-on, fun, and full of learning opportunities!
Toddlers can be very curious about how things work.
In fact, you might hear “why?” a lot.
This is a good time to give them opportunities to investigate, finding answers to those “why” questions.
Simple, hands-on science exploration should be a part of your toddler curriculum . Simple, short ideas that work with their shorter attention spans.
Today I’m going to share 10 easy science activities for toddlers that you can easily add to your home or classroom.
CLICK HERE to find science activities for preschoolers!
Exploring Sunflower Seeds : Strengthen those little fingers while pulling seeds from large sunflowers.
Painting on Ice Blocks : What happens to the paint as the ice starts to melt? Preschoolers love this activity, too!
What’s Magnetic : Fill a bin with large objects and a magnetic wand. Super easy! (Busy Toddler)
Which One is Heavier : This easy science activity only takes a couple of minutes to set up, using a child’s hanger and some paper cups. (Go Science Kids)
Will it Sink or Float : This is a favorite, mostly because it involves playing with water! (Hands On as We Grow)
Magnetic Discovery Bottle : Discovery bottles work well with toddlers because the small pieces are contained in the bottle. Move the wand and watch the pipe cleaner pieces move! (Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls)
Exploring Vegetable Seeds : This only takes a minute to set up! In fact, this would keep your toddler busy while you are fixing dinner. (Lemon Lime Adventures)
Magic Milk Science Experiment : Perfect for little ones who have not yet experienced chemical reactions. (Laughing Kids Learn)
Bubble Snake : Toddlers are learning how to blow bubbles, and they will love this easy DIY bubble snake activity! (One Little Project)
Color Surprise Eruptions : Add simple color recognition to this fun science activity. (Learn, Play, Imagine)
More toddler activities:
16+ Playful Toddler Alphabet Activities
30+ Toddler Indoor Activities
30+ Favorite Toddler Songs
Toddler and Preschool Activity Plans
Looking for an entire year’s worth of learning activities? We’ve done the work for you!
I have helped create each of these packets, along with a team of talented educators and homeschoolers.
Easy to follow lesson plans include activity modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of all learners.
Every theme comes with recommended reading lists, songs, material lists, and more.
Click on the graphics below for more details.
Toddlers (18 – 36 months):
Preschool (3 – 5 Years):
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About Sheryl Cooper
Sheryl Cooper is the founder of Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds, a website full of activities for toddlers and preschoolers. She has been teaching this age group for over 25 years and loves to share her passion with teachers, parents, grandparents, and anyone with young children in their lives.
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50 Easy Science Activities For Preschoolers
Curious kids turn into junior scientists with these fun and easy preschool science experiments . Th ese science activities for preschoolers are doable and use simple supplies for home or in the classroom. Plus, you can scale any of these activities to use with kindergarten through elementary-age students!
Science for Preschoolers Engages the Senses
Preschool science encourages observations of the five senses, including sight, sound, touch, smell, and sometimes taste. The more kids can fully immerse themselves in an activity, the greater their interest will be !
Kids are naturally curious creatures, and once you have piqued their curiosity, you have also activated their observation, critical thinking, and experimentation skills.
These science activities are perfect for the senses, allowing play and exploration without adult-led directions. Kids will naturally start to pick up on the simple science concepts presented just by having a fun conversation about it all with you!
- 5 Senses Exploration Station
- 5 Senses Coloring Book (Free)
- 5 Senses Discovery Bags
- Apple Taste Test with the 5 Senses
- Pop Rocks and 5 Senses
Awesome Science Activities for Preschoolers
💡 Many of the preschool science projects below can be adapted to your kids’ current level. Also, these are perfect for kids of multiple ages to work together in small groups.
Click on each link below for full instructions. Also, look through our seasonal preschool science activities and grab the free science experiment cards!
- Spring Preschool Science Experiments
- Fall Preschool Science Experiments: apples and pumpkins
- Winter Preschool Science Experiments
Check out how different materials absorb water with this simple what absorbs water activity.
ALKA SELTZER CHEMICAL REACTIONS
Make an Alka Seltzer Rocket , try a simple Alka Seltzer Experiment or a homemade Lava Lamp to check out this neat chemical reaction.
BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR EXPERIMENTS
Who doesn’t like a fizzing, foaming eruption? From an erupting lemon volcano to our simple baking soda balloon experiment. . Check out our list of baking soda science activities to get started!
BALLOON RACE CARS
Explore energy, measure distance, build different cars to explore speed and distance with simple balloon cars. You can use Duplo, LEGO, or build your own car.
BALLOON ROCKETS
Gas, energy, and power! Make Go power! Set up a simple balloon rocket. All you need is a string, a straw, and a balloon!
BURSTING BAGS
Definitely take this bursting bags science activity outside! Will it pop? This science activity will have you on the edge of your seat!
BUTTER IN A JAR
The science you can spread with a tasty homemade butter, after a good workout for the arms anyway!
BUTTERFLY LIFE CYCLE
Explore the butterfly life cycle with a free printable pack and butterfly sensory bin idea. Or create an edible butterfly life cycle instead!
Explore the simple fun of bubbles with these easy bubble experiments ! Can you make a bubble bounce? We have a recipe for the perfect bubble solution too.
Check out even more bubble fun with 2D bubble shapes or 3D bubble shapes , bubble painting , and bubble snakes !
BUILDING BRIDGES
This bridge building activity is an easy engineering project for young kids. It starts with the planning and designing process and ends with the building process. Construct your own bridge from simple supplies.
BUILDING TOWERS
Kids love building, and building structures is a great activity that incorporates many skills and is also frugal. Check out a variety of building activities .
CANDY SCIENCE
Play Willy Wonka for a day and explore candy science with floating m&m’s, chocolate slime, dissolving candy experiments, and more!
CELERY AND FOOD COLORING
Watch how water moves through a plant with a simple celery food coloring science experiment!
CHICK PEA FOAM
Have fun with this taste-safe sensory play foam made with ingredients you probably already have in the kitchen! This edible shaving foam, or aquafaba as it is commonly known, is made from the water chickpeas are cooked in.
COLOR MIXING
Color mixing is a science. Learn colors through play with these preschool color activities .
CRYSTAL GROWING
Growing crystals is simple! You can easily grow your own crystals at home or in the classroom with our simple recipe. Make a rainbow crystal , a snowflake , hearts , crystal eggshells , and even crystal seashells.
DENSITY {LIQUIDS}
Can one liquid be lighter than the other? Find out with this easy liquid density experiment!
DINOSAUR FOSSILS
Be a paleontologist for a day, make homemade dinosaur fossils , and then go on your own dig . Check out all our fun preschool dinosaur activities .
DISCOVERY BOTTLES
Science in a bottle. Explore all kinds of simple science ideas right in a bottle! They are perfect for themes, too, like these Earth Day ones!
Test how strong an egg is with this easy eggshell strength experiment. Find out what happens to an egg in vinegar , and try our mess-free egg drop challenge for young kids.
Have you ever changed the color of a flower? Try this color-changing flower science experiment and learn about how a flower works! Or why not try growing your own flowers with our list of easy flowers to grow .
What goes up must come down. Have young kids explore concepts in gravity around the house or classroom with simple objects you already have.
GROW A RAINBOW
A fun and colorful experiment that uses a paper towel, markers and water to demonstrate the process of capillary action.
FIZZING LEMONADE
Explore the senses and a little chemistry with our fizzy lemonade recipe.
ICE CREAM IN A BAG
Homemade ice cream is yummy, edible science with only three ingredients! Don’t forget the winter gloves and sprinkles—this gets cold!
ICE MELT SCIENCE
An ice melt activity is a simple science you can set up in many different ways with many themes. Ice melting is a wonderful introduction to a simple science concept for young kids! Check out our list of ice activities for preschool.
Try the classic expanding ivory soap experiment! One bar of ivory soap can be very exciting! Also see how we experimented with one bar of soap and turned it into either soap foam!
Another must try science experiment using oil and water, a lava lamp experiment is always a favorite!
LETTUCE GROWING ACTIVITY
Set up a lettuce growing station. This is fascinating to watch and pretty quick to do. We watched the new lettuce grow taller each day!
Magic milk is one of our most popular science experiments. It is also just plain fun and mesmerizing!
What’s magnetic? What’s not magnetic? You can set up a magnet science discovery table for your kids to explore and this fun magnet activity !
MIRRORS AND REFLECTIONS
Mirrors are fascinating and have wonderful play and learning possibilities plus it makes for great science!
BOUNCY EGG EXPERIMENT
Ah, the egg in vinegar experiment. You need a little patience for this one {takes 7 days}, but the end result is really cool!
OOBLECK {NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS}
Oobleck is 2 ingredient fun! A simple recipe using kitchen cupboard ingredients, but it is the perfect example of a non-Newtonian fluid. Also makes for fun sensory play. Make classic oobleck or colored oobleck.
Take the penny boat challenge and find out how many pennies your tin foil boat will hold before sinking. Learn about buoyancy and how boats float on water.
Make a simple pulley that really works, and test out lifting loads.
Learn about the science of rainbows as well as fun rainbow-themed science experiments. Check out our fun selection of simple-to-set-up r ainbow science experiments .
RAMPS AND FRICTION
We use cars and balls all the time with our rain gutters! Even flat pieces of wood or stiff cardboard work! Newton’s laws of motion really come alive with simple toy cars and homemade ramps.
ROCK CANDY (SUGAR CRYSTALS)
Another tasty science activity as you explore how sugar crystals form!
FOUR SEASONS
What’s the reason for the seasons, perfect for kids?
SEED GERMINATION
Our simple seed jar science activity is one of our most popular science activities for preschoolers. It is an excellent way to see how a seed grows!
THE 5 SENSES
Let’s explore the senses! Young kids are learning to use their senses every day. Set up a simple 5 Senses Science Table for exploring and learning how their senses work! Our candy taste test and senses activity are fun, too.
SHADOW SCIENCE
Explore shadows in several ways! Make shadows with your body (fun outdoor play and learning idea) and animal shadow puppets to check out!
Every kid should build a volcano with a simple chemical reaction, baking soda and vinegar! Build a sandbox volcano or a LEGO volcano ! Learn about fun volcano facts too!
Young kids learn by exploring, observing, and figuring out the way things work with hands-on activities. This volume activity encourages all of the above and is simple to set up.
WATER EXPERIMENTS
There are all kinds of fun science activities you can do with water. Use your STEM design skills to build your own water play wall , observe refraction of light in water , explore what dissolves in water or even try a simple solid liquid gas experiment .
WATER XYLOPHONE
Learn a little bit about the science of sound with a simple water xylophone.
WEATHER SCIENCE
Explore weather with rain clouds and tornados or even make a water cycle in a bottle!
TORNADO BOTTLE
Create a tornado in a bottle and study the weather safely!
Make a toy zipline for LEGO mini-figures and explore science concepts through play.
How to Teach Science to Preschoolers
Teaching science to preschoolers is a wonderful way to spark their curiosity about the world around them. Making the learning process fun, engaging, and age-appropriate is essential.
Make sure to check out…
- STEM for Toddlers
- STEM for Kindergarten
- STEM for Elementary
Begin by incorporating hands-on activities and experiments that encourage exploration and observation. Use simple and relatable examples from their everyday lives, such as observing plants grow, mixing colors, or exploring the properties of water.
Encourage questions and provide simple explanations that align with their level of understanding. Picture books can also be valuable tools for teaching science concepts. Add fun themes and colors for the holidays and seasons!
Additionally, fostering a sense of wonder and excitement about the natural world will lay a strong foundation for their future scientific learning. Remember that patience, repetition, and a nurturing environment are key to helping preschoolers develop a lifelong love for science.
Helpful Resources
Check out the links below to prepare yourself, your family, or your classroom for these easy preschool science experiments and activities. The key to success is in the preparation!
- Preschool Science Center Ideas
- Sensory Science Activities
- Fine Motor Activities
- Preschool Math Activities
- STEAM Books with Activities for Kids
- Make a homemade science kit that’s inexpensive!
Science Activities By Age Group
- Science for Toddlers
- Science for Kindergarten
- Elementary Science by Season
- Science for 1st Grade
- Science for 2nd Grade
- Science for 3rd Grade
- Science for 4th Grade
- Science for 6th Grade
- Science for Middle School
Printable Preschool Pack
Get ready to explore this year with our growing Preschool STEM Bundle ! Or grab the individual packs.
What’s Included:
There are 12 fun preschool themes to get you started. This is an ” I can explore” series! You’ll find both seasonal and non-seasonal themes appropriate to preschool learning throughout the year.
Each unit contains approximately 15 activities, with instructions and templates as needed. Hands-on activities are provided to keep it fun and exciting. This includes sensory bins, experiments, games, and more! Easy supplies keep it low-cost, and book suggestions add learning time.
22 Comments
Hi, this sounds like a neat activity for young toddlers to explore for texture. Could u please share the ingredients. My profession is in childcare. The children would like this activity I believe. Again, please share your slime recipe. Thank you!! LaTonia Jackson Armstrong
Hi! You simply need to click through the liquid starch slime link or get your recipe here box. However, I would suggest one of our taste safe slime recipes for toddlers as regular slime contains borax, sodium borate, or boric acid. These slimes should not be tasted!
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It’ fun for kids to experiment and science activities of any kind are a great way to encourage kids to explore. I will encourage my son about this hope so he will enjoy it. Thanks for the sharing such a interesting article.
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58 Easy and Fun Science Activities for Preschool
Introduce curious little minds to a world of discovery.
Every day is a new opportunity for our youngest learners to ask “Why?” over and over. Tap into that curiosity with these fun and engaging science activities for preschoolers. These simple experiments incorporate many preschool favorites like playing with bubbles or water, making arts and crafts, and, of course, making a mess!
To make things even easier, we’ve rated every one of these science activities for preschoolers based on difficulty and materials.
Difficulty:
- Easy: These are low- or no-prep experiments you can do pretty much anytime
- Medium: These take a little more setup or a longer time to complete
- Advanced: Experiments like these take a fairly big commitment of time or effort
- Basic: Simple items you probably already have around the house
- Medium: Items that you might not already have but are easy to get your hands on
- Advanced: These require specialized or more expensive supplies to complete
Water Preschool Science Experiments
Stem challenges for preschoolers.
- Seasonal Preschool Science Activities
More Science Activities for Preschoolers
These water activities for preschoolers help teach little learners a variety of science concepts. (These can get a little messy, so you might want to try them outside.) Find even more water science activities here.
1. Make music with xylophone bottles
Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic
The classic experiment using varying levels of water in glasses or bottles is even more fun when you add some food coloring. Experiment with different water depths and mallet styles to make all kinds of beautiful music.
Learn more: Xylophone Bottle
2. Make giant bubbles
Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium
Kids (and let’s face it, adults too) will definitely get a kick out of this fun science experiment. Learn how to make the bubble solution as well as the giant wand in our free video at the link below.
Learn more: Giant Bubbles
3. Watch rice dance in water
There are lots of cool baking-soda-and-vinegar experiments out there ( ever made your own volcano ?), but this one is always a favorite with little ones. The acid-base reaction causes the rice to dance and jump around in the water for an effect that is just so cool!
Learn more: Dancing Rice
4. Reveal colors with chemical reactions
Preschool science experiments often include a combination of baking soda and vinegar like this one. Fill muffin tins with a drop of food coloring, then top it with baking soda. Finally, let kids squirt in vinegar to reveal fabulous foamy hues. (Be sure to wear eye protection for this one.)
Learn more: Fizzy Fun
5. See what sinks and what floats
This preschool science activity helps kids learn to construct a hypothesis, conduct a simple experiment, and then sort their findings by property.
Learn more: Sink or Float Experiment
6. Learn what dissolves in water
Engage in more water play by having kids predict which items will dissolve in water and which ones won’t. Have kids keep track of the results so they can see if they have anything in common.
Learn more: What Dissolves in Water?
7. Watch hot water rise and cold water sink
This early exploration into the concept of density is always impressive to see in action. Have kids discover how hot water rises and cold water sinks. Explain that the same applies to air, and see if kids can think of a way to observe that in action too.
Learn more: Water Density Experiment
8. Grow a paper towel rainbow
“Capillary action” might be a real mouthful for preschool science students, but they don’t need to remember the term to be impressed by this experiment. All you need are markers, a paper towel, and two glasses of water.
Learn more: Capillary Action Experiment
9. Make shaving cream rain clouds
One of our favorite science activities for preschoolers. This is a classic science activity every kid should try at least once. It helps them understand how clouds become so saturated with water that they must release it in the form of rain.
Learn more: Shaving Cream Rain Clouds
10. Blow bubble towers
There are lots of fun science activities you can do with bubbles to explore concepts like surface tension. Or you can just have a blast seeing who can make the tallest tower with bubbles and straws.
Learn more: Bubble Towers
STEM challenges give students a chance to try solving problems on their own. Give them some basic supplies and instructions, then let them experiment until they find a solution to the challenge.
11. Rescue toys from hot lava
While you might not want pre-K kids climbing all over the classroom furniture to play “The Floor Is Lava,” they can do the same thing with their toys in this cute STEM challenge.
Learn more: The Floor Is Lava
12. Build a catapult
Challenge students to build a catapult using just three items: Popsicle sticks, elastics, and a plastic spoon or bottle cap. You’ll definitely want to have an extra set of adult hands available as this can prove challenging for pre-K kids. Finally, bring plenty of marshmallows or pom-poms to launch.
Learn more: Popsicle Stick Catapult
13. Discover strength in shapes
Learn shapes while also practicing some basic science. Fold paper into various shapes to form columns and ask kids to predict which will be able to support the most books.
Learn more: Which Shape Is Strongest?
14. Build an aluminum foil boat
Teach kids about buoyancy and physics while having fun in the process. First, give your students some tinfoil and challenge them to build a sturdy boat. Then, challenge them to fill the boat with as many objects, such as gems, as they can without it sinking.
Learn more: Aluminum Foil Boat
15. Waterproof a boot
Ask kids to select various materials and tape them over the free boot printable found at the link. Then, test their hypotheses to see which ones work best.
Learn more: Waterproof a Boot
16. Reach for the sky
Round up all your building blocks and try this whole-class project. What will students need to do to be able to construct a tower that reaches all the way to the ceiling?
Learn more: Tower Engineering Challenge
17. Link up the longest paper chain
This incredibly easy preschool STEM activity really gets kids thinking. The challenge? Create the longest possible paper chain using a single piece of paper. So simple and so effective.
Learn more: Paper Chain Challenge
18. Build an apple-toothpick tower
Put a healthy spin on a classic STEM challenge by substituting apple pieces for marshmallows. Kids will have a tasty snack when they’re done!
Learn more: Apple Toothpick Tower
19. Stack up plastic cups
Kids absolutely love stacking cups ! Turn the play into a STEM challenge by adding index cards into the mix. Kids can experiment to see if they can build taller towers with or without the cards.
Learn more: Solo Cup Engineering Challenge
20. Craft a nest
Take a nature walk and pick up items like sticks, leaves, and more. Then, build your own bird nests to protect little eggs and hatchlings.
Learn more: Build a Nest at Pink Stripey Socks
21. Be bridge-builders
Use everyday classroom objects to build bridges and test their strength. See how many objects (beads, toys, school supplies, etc.) each bridge can hold before it collapses.
Learn more: Build a Bridge
22. Construct with egg carton building blocks
These colorful building blocks are not only pleasantly tactile, they’re made from bio-degradable materials. A win-win!
Learn more: Egg Carton Building Blocks
23. Put together a tinker kit
Young kids really don’t need fancy, expensive equipment to learn about and enjoy science. A basket full of everyday items, most available at the dollar store, and a big imagination are all it takes.
Learn more: Tinker Kit
Seasonal Science Activities and Experiments for Preschoolers
Whether you’re looking for Halloween science activities , winter science experiments , or Easter egg activities , find them all (and more) here!
24. Make artificial snow
No snow where you live? Make some yourself! Find easy recipes for “snow” using baking soda, shaving cream, cornstarch, and other household items. Experiment to find the one that works best.
Learn more: Make Pretend Snow
25. Explore how mittens keep you warm
Ask little ones if mittens are warm, and they’ll likely answer yes. But when they measure the temperature inside an empty mitten, they’ll be surprised by what they find. Learn about body heat and insulation with this easy experiment.
Learn more: Mitten Body Heat Experiment
26. Measure the water content of snow
Two inches of snow is not the same as 2 inches of rain. This easy winter science experiment measures the amount of water actually found in an inch of snow.
Learn more: How Much Water Is in Snow?
27. Grow grass in an eggshell
Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Medium
What’s more fun than a preschool science experiment that doubles as a craft? You’ll need eggs, soil, grass seeds, water, and a permanent marker to bring this project to life. Kids will especially love personalizing their eggshell.
Learn more: Egg Grass Heads
28. Observe a pumpkin decomposing
Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Easy
When Halloween is over, plop your jack-o’-lantern pumpkin in the garden and observe it each day. Kids will learn how organic matter breaks down over time.
Learn more: Pumpkin Decomposition
29. Send a ghost flying with magnets
Use magnets along with a few other supplies to make a tissue ghost seem to float in midair! It’s the perfect spooky Halloween science activity for preschoolers.
Learn more: Flying Ghosts
30. Conduct experiments using marshmallow Peeps
Pick up a package of marshmallow Peeps (they’re usually available during all seasons of the year now), and try turning them into little boats. Experiment with different sail sizes and types, and figure out how to make the candy boats go faster.
Learn more: Marshmallow Peep Boat Challenge
31. Launch plastic egg rockets
Put on some safety goggles and get ready for liftoff! This simple experiment uses Alka-Seltzer tablets to turn eggs into rockets.
Learn more: Easter Egg Rockets
32. Dissolve colorful turkey “feathers”
Baking-soda-and-vinegar experiments are always popular, and this one is so cute for the Thanksgiving season. Build your own little turkey with baking soda feathers, then watch them foam up and dissolve when you add some vinegar.
Learn more: Turkey Feather Science
These science activities and experiments give preschoolers a chance to explore all sorts of science concepts, from plants and animals to germs and gravity and beyond.
33. Make a bouncy egg
Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Basic
Never underestimate the power of vinegar! See the striking result when you soak an egg in vinegar for hours.
Learn more: Bouncy Eggs
34. Learn about the plant life cycle in a hands-on way
Inspire a passion for gardening by planting seeds and watching them grow together. Download our free worksheets and classroom slides for an entire plant unit below.
Learn more: Plant Life Cycle Resources
35. Boogie down with some popcorn
Try this super-fun experiment that gets popcorn dancing! Then, make a little popcorn in the microwave, put on some music, and have a dance party.
Learn more: Dancing Popcorn
36. Slice apples to learn about oxidation
Here’s another classic preschool science activity: using apple slices to learn about oxidation (and how to prevent it). When you’re done, you’ve got a tasty snack to eat too.
Learn more: Apple Oxidation
37. Show why sunscreen is important
First, have your students make four construction-paper people, each with varying conditions. Wrap one in plastic wrap, cover another in sunscreen, put a hat on one and a set of sunglasses on another. Ask kids to hypothesize what will happen when they’re left out in the sun, then see if they’re right!
Learn more: Sunscreen Experiment
38. Engage in shadow science
Set blocks or small shaped objects on a sheet of paper. Then set the paper in direct sunlight. Watch as the shadow changes throughout the day. Have students trace the shadows with a pencil or marker.
Learn more: Shadow Science
39. Mix up some “magic” milk
A drop or two of dish soap will make food coloring dance and swirl across the surface of a shallow bowl of milk. Preschool science experiments often seem like magic, but this one is all about surface tension and chemical reactions.
Learn more: Magic Milk
40. See how easily germs spread
We love science activities for preschoolers that remind them of the importance of good handwashing. Help them see why it’s so important with this simple experiment that uses glitter to stand in for germs.
Learn more: Teach Kids About Germs Using Glitter
41. Experiment with wax paper
This wax paper experiment is interesting from both a science and an art perspective. Ask kids to think about why wax paper behaves differently than other paper they use for art projects.
Learn more: Wax Paper Resist
42. Predict and observe what will melt in the sun
You’ll need a hot sunny day for this preschool science experiment. Help students choose a variety of items to place into a muffin tin and have them predict which ones will melt. Set the tin out in the sun for an hour or two, then bring it in and record your results.
Learn more: Melting Science
43. Drop balls to introduce gravity
Gravity can be a complicated subject, but all pre-K kids need to understand the basics. Drop balls of all sizes to discover that they all fall in the exact same way.
Learn more: Ball Drop Gravity Race
44. Head to the playground to explore gravity and friction
What goes up must come down! A playground slide is the perfect place to help kids understand gravity. This is a good chance to learn about friction too.
Learn more: Playground Science
45. Test objects with magnets
Magnets are undeniably a source of fascination for kids. At this stage, you can worry less about explaining how magnets work and instead just let kids explore which items are attracted to magnets and which aren’t. Sort the items into categories, then see if the items have anything in common.
Learn more: Magnet Experiments
46. See sound waves in action
This series of simple experiments lets kids see sound waves at work. Start by making waves with a Slinky , then move on to tuning forks and bouncing confetti.
Learn more: Sound Experiment
47. Make an orange volcano
Making erupting volcanoes is a staple of any childhood! We love this easy volcano experiment using an orange, baking soda, and vinegar.
Learn more: Orange Volcano
48. Grow delicious rock candy crystals
Preschoolers love science activities that involve food. While crystal experiments are a hit with kids of any age, this one is perfect for the young crowd. It requires a little patience, but kids get to eat the yummy results!
Learn more: Kool-Aid Rock Candy
49. Move pom-poms with air pressure
Understanding the idea that air can have enough force to move objects can be a little challenging, but this simple experiment brings that concept to life. We love that this experiment is affordable since most people (especially teachers) already have these materials on hand.
Learn more: Air Pressure Experiment
50. Make a balance scale
This simple balance scale is so easy to make yet provides endless opportunities for weighing all kinds of objects. Have kids assemble a scale from a plastic hanger, a few paper cups, and some string, then let them hypothesize which items will be heavier and which will be lighter.
Learn more: DIY Balance Scales
51. Explore the principle of static electricity
The concepts of negative and positive properties of atoms may be way over the heads of preschoolers, but this fun activity is perfect for introducing the magic of science to them.
Learn more: Static Electricity Activity
52. Make an ocean in a bottle
Oil, water, and food coloring combine to create a mesmerizing mini ocean in a bottle.
Learn more: Ocean in a Bottle
53. Explore the concept of density
Why do some objects float and some sink? Does it matter what type of liquid you put them in? Explore these questions and more with this simple activity.
Learn more: Egg Float
54. Make ice grow
Just like your favorite character from the movie Frozen , your preschoolers can have the power to make ice grow! This simple crystallization experiment will make a big impact on your little ones.
Learn more: Frozen Fun
55. Watch leaves turn colors
Learn how a leaf gets nourishment through its network of veins, which act as a transportation route for nutrients from the stem to the tips of the leaf.
Learn more: Colored Leaves
56. Make pepper dance
This science experiment is a perennial crowd favorite! Simply combine dish soap and water (and food color, if you wish) on a dish. Then cover the surface with a generous amount of pepper. Your preschoolers will giggle when the pepper scatters to the edges of the dish when they touch it with their finger.
Learn more: Dancing Pepper
57. Cook up a batch of elephant toothpaste
Brace yourself for a crazy eruption of giant foam when you try this fun experiment with your preschool students. Psst: It’s all in the power of yeast.
Learn more: Elephant Toothpaste
58. Concoct a batch of invisible ink
Introduce your students to the secret power of invisible ink with this simple recipe. Easy to assemble, totally nontoxic, and loads of fun!
Learn more: Invisible Ink
Like these science activities for preschoolers? Don’t miss the 30 Best Educational Toys and Games for Preschool .
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