28+ Exciting Experiments for Kids in Elementary School

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For teachers, watching students have those aha moments isn’t just special: It’s the dream. Like the smile from acing a test or the joy of earning a reward, those flashes of satisfaction are unforgettable. Ready to make more of those moments? Plan hands-on science experiments for kids that bring learning to life. These kid-approved activities are bursting with wonder and aligned with NGSS standards, so you can be sure curiosity and goals are fulfilled. 

Easy Science Projects For Preschool

Ready to mix, fizz, and explore? These hands-on science experiments for preschoolers are full of excitement! From making balloons stick to walls to squishing and swirling magical textures, each activity turns curious kids into mini scientists with big imaginations.

Shock them with static electricity caterpillars

Projected Time: 20-30 minutes
Concepts: Static electricity
Materials: Tissue paper, cardstock, balloon, tape, scissors

Use cardstock to create the caterpillar’s head and antennae. Let kids color them in fun colors. Then, cut out tissue paper circles to create the body. Tape the tissue paper to the head. Rub the balloon on a child’s head and move it toward the tissue paper to make the caterpillar’s body wiggle toward the balloon. You can even show how the caterpillars stick to the balloon. 

Make magic with fizzing ice cubes

Projected Time: 5-10 minutes
Concepts: Chemical reactions
Materials: Ice tray, baking soda, food coloring, dropper, vinegar

Mix water and baking soda, add food coloring, and freeze in an ice tray. Give kids droppers of vinegar to drop onto the cubes and watch them fizz!

Fun Experiments for Kindergarten and 1st Grade

Stir up some wiggles and wide-eyed wonder through inquiry-based learning where elementary students will marvel their way to big ideas and critical thinking. These playful science experiments spark curiosity about plant growth, motion, sound vibrations, and absorption.

Help plants grow “hair”

Projected Time: Several days or weeks
Concepts: Plant growth and development
Materials: Plastic cup, soil, water, grass seed, googly eyes

From hatching eggs to giving their grass a haircut, elementary students like to see changes over time. This experiment makes the perfect addition to a photosynthesis or plant unit. 

Grass Head Science Journal – Growing Hair Experiment – Kindergarten & First
By Class of Kinders
Grade: K-1st
Subject: Earth Sciences, Writing

This experiment for kids includes a journal and a breakdown of the steps. Students can draw pictures of their grass growth and take measurements. They can also cut their grass and see how quickly it grows back. 

Engineer a balloon-powered art bot

Projected Time: 15-20 minutes
Concepts: Force, motion, and air pressure
Materials: Plastic cup, markers, tape, balloon, straw, rubber band, paper, scissors 

Tape markers around the cup to make legs. Attach a straw horizontally on top and insert the balloon, securing it with a rubber band. Blow up the balloon through the straw and pinch it closed. Set the bot on paper, release it, and see it scribble. Add googly eyes or a mouth for extra fun. 

Invent a balloon drum to see sound vibrations

Projected Time: 5-10 minutes
Concepts: Sound vibrations and light distortion
Materials: Scissors, white balloon, flashlight, clear cup, rubber band

Cut the tip off a balloon and stretch it tightly over the top of a cup, securing it with a rubber band. In a darkened room, shine a flashlight through the side of the cup at an angle. Let kids gently tap the balloon and watch as the light appears to dance and wiggle with each vibration. It’s a fun and simple way to explore how sound waves create movement!

Set creativity in motion with magic bean messages

Projected Time: 5-10 minutes
Concepts: Absorption and capillary action
Materials: Lima beans, food coloring, jar, water, paper, white crayons

Soak lima beans overnight in water mixed with food coloring. The next day, have students write a secret message using a white crayon on white paper. Give each student a few soaked beans to place on their paper. As the colorful water spreads, their hidden message appears! Segway into why the beans absorbed the colored water and plant biology. 

Simple 2nd and 3rd Grade Science Experiments

Grab your goggles; it’s time to explore. These easy science experiments for 2nd graders and exciting STEM projects for kids are perfect for igniting curiosity. They can also be done as a one-day project or as part of a larger unit. 

Study the states of matter with quick experiments for kids

Projected Time: 5-20 minutes, but can vary
Concepts: States of matter
Materials: Varies

This age group loves anything they can dig their fingers into. So you know they’ll love slime and ice cream experiments. These experiments are easy to set up and can be done at home or at school. 

Slime Experiment | Scientific Method | Flubber | Digital Science Experiment 
By The Sprinkle Topped Teacher
Grade: 1st-5th
Subject: Chemistry, General Science

With just Borax, glue, and food coloring, this slimy experiment is a kinesthetic learner’s dream! It also comes with an interactive science book that walks kids through the scientific method in a fun, hands-on way, perfect for flubber and oobleck fans. 

States of Matter – Solids, Liquids, and Gases – Second Grade Science Experiments 
By Andrea Knight
Grade: 2nd
Subject: Reading, Science, Writing

Your kids can dive off the deep end of the science experiment pool by exploring states of matter through baggie ice cream, better butter, and root beer floats. This set includes teaching posters, nonfiction texts, worksheets, games, and a resource page.

Design a balloon car for a little STEM action

Project Time: 30+ minutes
Concepts: Motion, air pressure, and friction
Materials: Cardboard, scissors, bottle caps, straw, tape, glue, small screwdriver, bamboo sticks

Cut the cardboard into a rectangle to form the base of the car. Cut a straw in half and glue the two pieces to the underside of the cardboard to act as axle holders. (The teacher should poke holes in plastic caps using a small screwdriver before the activity.) Insert a bamboo stick through the straws and attach a cap on each end. Repeat this on both sides to make the front and back axles. Attach a straw to the top of the car. Attach a balloon to the straw, and secure it so the opening points toward the back of the car. Blow up the balloon, pinch the end, then let it go. Have students race their cars and record which one travels the farthest.

Reflect light through a light tunnel

Project Time: 45-60 minutes
Concepts: Reflection
Materials: Cardboard box, aluminum foil, mirror, flashlight, scissors, tape

Cut a hole in one end of the box and another on a different side of the box at an angle. Line the inside with aluminum foil, taping it flat. Shine the light into the end of the box, then use the mirror and foil panels to reflect the light out of the angled hole. Turn off the lights and test it out. Let students adjust and experiment as needed!

Shape a soap boat to investigate surface tension

Project Time: 15-20 minutes
Concepts: Unbalanced forces and surface tension
Materials: Shallow dish, card stock, scissors, dish soap, toothpick

Cut a small, boat-shaped piece from the cardstock (about the size of a playing card) and snip a notch in the back. Fill a shallow dish with water and gently place the boat on the surface. Dip a toothpick in dish soap and touch it to the notch. Have kids record how long the boat moves before needing more soap.

Inspect all aspects of the water cycle

Kids start learning about the water cycle early in their education, but, to help them fully grasp it all, go beyond looking at charts and watching the weather. Create a full water cycle unit with worksheets, games, and experiments that drive the concepts home. 

Water Cycle & Weather Lessons – 2nd & 3rd Grade Science Experiments & Activities 
By Sarah Price – Priceless Ponderings
Grades: 2nd-3rd
Subject: Earth Sciences

Your students will love the hands-on activities in this engaging science unit! This 2nd and 3rd grade science unit focuses on the water cycle with interactive notebook activities, labs, vocabulary words, materials for early finishers, homework suggestions, an end-of-the-unit quiz, and so much more.

Inspiring Experiments for 4th and 5th Graders

Activate big curiosity with elementary science experiments made just for 4th and 5th graders! These scientific adventures turn your classroom into a lab of wonder, where erosion, weathering, engineering, and ocean currents are all part of the fun. They are perfect for group projects or as a homeschool science investigation. 

Break down wind and water erosion

Project time: 12 days
Concepts: Erosion and weathering
Materials: Container, graham cracker, sandpaper

Erosion is a common component of any 4th and 5th grade science unit. Help students understand how wind, ice, and water wear things down by assigning group or partner investigations using simple foods like graham crackers. 

Weathering and Erosion Science Unit | 4th Grade NGSS Experiment Worksheets Labs
By The Science Penguin
Grade: 4th-6th
Subject: Earth Sciences
Standards: NGSS4-ESS2-1

This 12-day unit takes students on a journey through erosion and weathering. Using videos, photos, texts, real-world examples, and a tasty graham cracker experiment, students explore how Earth’s surface changes over time. The unit wraps up with a quiz and an open response to check for understanding.

Parachute your way to understanding gravity

Project Time: 15-20 minutes
Concepts: Gravitational force
Materials: Yardstick, tissue paper, paper clip, string, scissors

Gravitational force can be a complex concept to grasp. Science experiments allow students to see it in action. So grab some tissue paper and get your science station ready. 

MODEL Gravity with a Parachute Experiment – 5th Grade Science Station
By What Have I Learned
Grade: 5th
Subjects: Physical Science
Standards: NGSS 5-PS2-1

This science station comes fully loaded with teacher notes, student instructions, and activity sheets. You’ll also get an answer key, plus Google Forms and Slides, for easy digital access. Differentiated science questions, including short answer, multiple-choice, and fill-in-the-blank, make it easy to reach every learner.

Make an ocean in a bottle

Project Time: 15-20 minutes
Concepts: Density and ocean currents
Materials: Clear water bottle, water, oil, food coloring, glitter, dish soap

Add the water, oil, food coloring, and glitter to a bottle. Have students make observations. Then, they should add a drop of soap and explore how it changes the motion. Have students write down their observations to be used for comparison of ocean currents. 

Try your hand at earthquake engineering

Project time: 40-60 minutes
Concepts: Engineering and stability
Materials: Spaghetti, marshmallows, toothpicks, tape, sheet of jello

Tell students they’re earthquake engineers! Their mission: build a structure that can survive an earthquake. Hand out building materials and let them design away. Place their creations on a tray of Jell-O (or a vibrating table) and shake it up. Have them record how much shaking their structure could handle before it cracked or collapsed.

Fuel young minds with elementary science fair project ideas

Elementary students love the excitement of hands-on science! Whether it’s a quick one-minute science experiment or a unit deep dive, these activities get kids moving and thinking. Make sure to cover all your bases by exploring simple and easy experiments covering physical, biological, Earth, space, and life science, along with chemistry. 

• Edible rock cycle
• Seed sprouting in a bag
• Plant maze
• Lemon volcano
• Frozen bubbles
• Paper airplanes
• Glitter germs
• Balloon rockets
• Floating ink
• Rock candy
• Rain clouds in a bottle
• Popsicle catapult

Student Scientists: 15 Hands-On Science Experiments 
By Kindergarten Smorgasboard
Grade: PreK-2nd
Subject: Science

Get the most bang for your buck by trying 15 experiments with your lower elementary kids. In addition to recording sheets, you get a breakdown for completing fun classic experiments like elephant toothpaste, gold slime, soda science, rainbow flowers, dancing worms, and Alka-Seltzer Lightrockets. 

Science Experiments | Special Education | Science Worksheets | Adapted Science
By Simply Special Ed
Grade: K-12

Adapted for a special education classroom, this bundle includes ten visual experiments, such as inflating a balloon, lava lamp, walking water, magic milk, bubble snake, and floating egg. It also includes visual directions, a sequencing page, worksheets, a survey, and materials lists. 

Design Fun Experiments for Kids With TPT

Add excitement to your curriculum, no matter what subject you teach. With TPT, designing elementary science experiments is easy and fun. Whether you’re teaching curious kindergarteners or innovative 3rd graders, an exciting adventure is waiting to spark their inner scientists. It’s also going to simplify your lesson planning.