5 Science Experiments That Will Keep Kids Entertained for Hours
As the summer months approach, everyone’s thinking about how they can keep their children entertained at home all day. Summer learning loss is also on everyone’s mind. Kill two birds with one stone by using science experiments to fight boredom and the summer slide!
You don’t have to spend a fortune on a fancy chemistry kit to inspire your child’s inner scientist; most of these experiments only require items that you probably already have at home! These creative experiments will keep your children entertained again and again while allowing them to explore their natural curiosity.
Experiment # 1: Ice Tower Excavation
This ice tower excavation project is easy to make and provides endless fun! You will create an ice tower filled with different surprises for your children to excavate. Use eye droppers, squeezy bottles, salt, and a paintbrush to remove items from the ice tower. Some items that work well are small blocks, marbles, plastic toy jewelry, and other craft items like rhinestones or feathers.
To create your tower, take a vase a fill it with three-quarters of water and a few items. Let this freeze, then add more items and a little more water. Repeat this process until the vase is filled to the top. To remove the frozen tower, flip it upside down and run it under cool water. Put it in a shallow container and let your kids chip away at the treasures!
Experiment #2: DIY Lava Lamp
Bring back nostalgic memories with this DIY lava lamp activity. All you need is a clear plastic bottle, water, vegetable oil, food coloring, and Alka-Seltzer tablets. Start by filling three-quarters of the bottle with water, then add vegetable oil until it’s almost full. Once the water and oil have separated, add a couple of drops of food coloring. For the last step, an Alka-Seltzer tablet and close the bottle, feel free to give it a shake! Once the reaction slows down, just add more Alka-Seltzer to keep the entertainment going.
Older children can keep an experiment log to track their observations. They might hypothesize about what is causing the reaction in the bottle.
Experiment #3: DIY Slime
This experiment requires one item that isn’t as common in households but making the trip to pick up some Borax powder is well worth it! With just a few items, you and your kids can create your own slime to be used over and over again. It does get a bit messy, so don’t wear your favorite clothes while you make this slime.
You will need craft glue, disposable cups, food coloring, Borax powder, and water. Fill one cup with water and stir in some Borax. Next, fill another cup with an inch of glue and three tablespoons of water. Each cup should be stirred up well. Add some food coloring to the cup with glue and water and then add a tablespoon of the Borax and water mixture. Keep stirring and you’ll have slime! Kids love playing with slime, just remind them to wash their hands afterward!
Experiment #4: Pool Noodle Boats
If you just pulled out your pool noodles from last year and are realizing they haven’t weathered well, don’t throw them out! Cut them up into small sections and use them to make pool noodle boats. Cut a noodle into about two-inch sections. Then use a straw and construction paper to create the sail. Stick the straw sail right into the pool noodle and you’re ready to float your boat! Kids can decorate their sails and add small toys to the boat. Just one pool noodle will make plenty of boats. Kids will have fun racing their boats in the kiddie pool, river, lake, or even a simple puddle!
Experiment #5: Color Scavenger Hunt
This last experiment is perfect for those times when you’re in a rush and don’t feel like making a huge mess. Simply take a piece of paper and use markers to color in a box for each different color. Give it to your little one and have them complete the color scavenger hunt by finding items that match each color. Do this indoors on a rainy day or take it outside and let your child discover nature through colors!
Final Thoughts
Keeping your child entertained all summer long can seem like a challenge but it doesn’t have to be. These experiments are a great place to start! Whichever one you choose, make sure to have fun!
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