I have a secret to share with you. We love science. Okay, so that’s not really a big secret given how many hands-on science activities we’ve jumped into over the years. If you’re science lovers like we are, you’ve got to check out these awesome summer science experiments. More than 50 to choose from, so picking which one to start with may prove difficult.
Summer Science Experiments to Try With the Kids
Let me begin by saying it was TOUGH to narrow this list down to 10! What I share on Fun-A-Day is about a tenth of the science fun we actually try out, too! With that being said, here are our top 10 science experiments for kids to try out this summer. My son helped me decide on the list, so it’s officially “kid-approved”!
COLD CHEMICAL REACTIONS
Let the kids explore chilly science experiments on a warm summer day. A fun way to cool down and learn about science while playing! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Icy, Fizzing Letters from Fun-A-Day!
- Save Han Solo from Frozen Carbonite from Fun-A-Day!
- Frozen Fairy Tale Science from Fun-A-Day!
- Frozen Fizzing Stars from Little Bins for Little Hands
- Ice Volcanoes from Reading Confetti
- Exploding Treasure Chests from Fun-A-Day!
SANDY SUMMER SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
The beach is synonymous with summer for me, so let the kiddos add some sand to their science (or some science to their sand)! Some suggestions:
- At-Home Sand Volcanoes from Fun-A-Day!
- Sand Volcanoes from One Perfect Day
- Homemade Quicksand from Growing a Jeweled Rose
- Sand Tracks: Learning with Trains at the Beach from Play Trains!
- How to Make a Rock from Fantastic Fun and Learning
WEATHER EXPERIMENTS
Learning about the seasons is an important lesson for young children. Introduce a few summer weather experiments to the kids in playful ways. Here are some we are going to try this summer:
- Cloud Jars from Learn with Play at Home
- How to Make Lightening from Learn. Play. Imagine.
- How to Make Fog in a Bottle from What Do We Do All Day
- Rain Experiments for Kids: Floating Objects from A Mom with a Lesson Plan
- Make a Hurricane from Inspiration Laboratories
BUBBLE CONCOCTIONS
What would summer be without bubbles?!?! Not nearly as fun, that’s what. Encourage the kids to test out different bubble solutions and bubble wands. Keep track of their findings in a summer science journal, then compare! What did the children observe, and what bubble solutions were their favorites? A few bubble ideas for you:
- Dry Ice Bubbles from Not Just Cute
- Homemade Tear-Free Bubble Recipe from Craftulate
- Making Colored Bubbles from Learn.Play.Imagine
- How to Make Your Own Giant Bubbles from Happy Hooligans
- Easy Homemade Bubbles from Coffee Cups and Crayons
WATER PLAY SCIENCE
Let the little scientists explore water’s properties in various ways this summer. Here are some of our favorites:
- Create a Portable Kids’ Water Wall from Fun-A-Day!
- Musical Science Pool from And Next Comes L
- PVC Pipe Physics in the Water Table from Fun-A-Day!
- Kid Experiment: How Much Water Does it Hold from Hands-On: As We Grow
- Water Pump Sprinkler from Teach Beside Me
NATURAL SCIENCE
Science is about observing, questioning, and investigating the world around us. What better way to do that than outside in nature? Which of these will you try first?
- Coloring Wild Carrot from Fireflies and Mud Pies
- DIY Giant Worm Observation Tower from Twodaloo
- Beach in a Bottle from House of Burke
- Tadpole and Frog Investigation Area from The Imagination Tree
- Ocean Nature Table from Natural Beach Living
HOMEMADE CHALK TESTS
Kiddos love getting outside and creating with chalk. Why not lead them through a science-based exploration of which chalk recipes they like the best? They can write or draw their observations in a summer science journal, then compare and contrast their findings. Which recipes were their favorites?
- Ice Chalk from Reading Confetti
- 3 Ingredient Sidewalk Chalk Paint from The Pleasantest Thing
- Homemade Glitter Chalk Paint from Still Playing School
- Frozen Scented Sidewalk Chalk from Mama.Papa.Bubba
- How to Make Glow in the Dark Sidewalk Chalk from Coffee Cups and Crayons
MELTING ICE SCIENCE
Set up science experiments for kids to explore melting ice. It will cool them down on hot summer days, as well as teach them how ice turns back into water. Here you go:
- Make and Melt Ice Castles from Fun-A-Day!
- Glowing Ice Excavation from Fun at Home with Kids
- Colored Ice Play from Fun-A-Day!
- Name Ice Melting from Fun-A-Day!
- Lego Excavation Experiment from Lemon Lime Adventures
- Simple and Playful Ice Experiments from Nothing if Not Intentional
FLOAT AND SINK SUMMER SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
This oldie-but-a-goodie science experiment allows children to explore how objects interact with water. It’s fun, but it also touches on the concept of density. Some variations on that theme:
- The Floating Stone Experiment from Blog Me Mom
- The Floating Egg from Tinkerlab
- An Exploration with Nature from Teach Preschool
- Sink or Float: An Experiment with Seltzer Water from Kids Activities Blog
- Sink or Float (with free printable) from Buggy and Buddy
MESSY SCIENCE
Get messy outside in the name of science! Why not let the kiddos bring out their inner mad scientists in the summer weather? It’s a lot easier to clean up the mess outdoors! See how their favorite play recipes’ ingredients work together to make new substances. A few ideas for messy science:
- Taste-Safe Coconut Cloud Dough from Fun-A-Day!
- Messy Play with Shaving Cream, Cornstarch, and Water from Fun-A-Day!
- Watermelon Volcano from Twodaloo
- Frozen Summer Fun with Lemon Oobleck from Learn.Play.Imagine
- Exploding Milk Experiment from Mess for Less
What summer science experiments for kids would you add to the list?
Be sure to check out all of the other awesome summer learning ideas!
