Twenty Simple Science Projects for Children During Summer
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Summer is here, and it's the perfect time to get hands-on with some exciting science experiments! These activities are not only fun but also educational, promoting critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and creativity.
From creating grass heads and cool cress heads for crafts and science experiments that surprise kids, to making S'mores using an easy solar oven on a very sunny day, there's a wealth of activities to keep young minds engaged.
One of the most popular summer science experiments is the Dancing Raisins. Drop some raisins into carbonated water, and watch in amazement as they sink and rise, illustrating buoyancy, gas, and motion. Other intriguing experiments include Magic Milk, where vibrant swirling colours appear when a dish soap–dipped cotton swab is touched to milk, and the Homemade Lava Lamp, which demonstrates colourful bubbles rising and falling, exploring density and chemical reactions.
For those who love art, there's chalk ice paint, painting on ice, and even creating giant bubbles. These experiments not only teach about changes of state but also provide a creative outlet.
If you're interested in renewable energy, why not convert a pizza box into a solar oven and cook simple treats in the sun? Or, if you're feeling more adventurous, build a reusable volcano that can be erupted multiple times, thanks to a cling film covering.
For the younger scientists, Inspiration Laboratories has summer science for toddlers ideas, while older kids can try their hand at a mini water cycle for weather science. And let's not forget about the fun of digging for dinosaur eggs or creating a fossil excavation sand play area!
These experiments are simple and use common household materials, making them accessible for everyone. So, grab your lab coats, goggles, and a sense of adventure, and let's get experimenting!
Remember, these activities are just the tip of the iceberg. There are 10 outdoor summer science experiments that include learning about splatter patterns and painting with syringes, summer STEM challenges available, including free printable challenges, and even easy paddling pool science ideas.
Lastly, a big thank you to Emma Vanstone for updating this article on June 19, 2025. For more ideas, check out Mama Smiles, Creative Family Fun, Inspiration Laboratories, The Imagination Tree, and Learn-Play-Imagine. Happy experimenting!
[1] Creative Family Fun (n.d.) 10 Outdoor Summer Science Experiments. Retrieved from https://www.creativefamilyfun.com/outdoor-summer-science-experiments/
[2] Mama Smiles (n.d.) Upcycled Crayons. Retrieved from https://www.mamasmilestones.com/upcycled-crayons/
[3] Inspiration Laboratories (n.d.) Outdoor Science Activities. Retrieved from https://inspirationlaboratories.net/outdoor-science-activities/
[4] The Imagination Tree (n.d.) Frozen Jelly Activity. Retrieved from https://theimaginationtree.com/play/frozen-jelly-activity/
[5] Learn-Play-Imagine (n.d.) Chalk Ice Paint. Retrieved from https://www.learnplayimagine.com/chalk-ice-paint/
- These summer Science Experiments are educational, fostering critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and creativity among children.
- Beside Dancing Raisins, Magic Milk, and Homemade Lava Lamp, there are other intriguing experiments like creating chalk ice paint, painting on ice, and making giant bubbles.
- Engaging with outdoor science activities not only enhances children's understanding of buoyancy, gas, and motion, but also provides a creative outlet for artistic expression.
- One can even try converting a pizza box into a solar oven or building a reusable volcano, which involve learning about renewable energy and chemical reactions.
- The younger scientists will find age-appropriate summer science activities in sites like Inspiration Laboratories, while older kids can delve deep into weather science ideas.
- Science-themed home-and-garden, education-and-self-development, and lifestyle resources such as Creative Family Fun, Mama Smiles, The Imagination Tree, and Learn-Play-Imagine offer a wealth of engaging science experiments for kids.
