60 Easy and Fun Science Activities for Preschoolers

Looking for fun and educational activities to engage your preschooler in science? We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of 60 easy and fun science activities for preschoolers designed for little scientists. These activities will spark their curiosity and help them develop important skills and knowledge in the fascinating world of science.

Science activities for preschoolers are entertaining and educational, promoting hands-on learning, problem solving and creativity. Allow your child to develop scientific concepts and critical thinking skills. Explore STEM concepts in a way that is both accessible and enjoyable.

By engaging in science activities for preschoolers, preschoolers will discover the wonders of nature, learn the basic principles of physics and chemistry, and explore the mysteries of their world. This comprehensive list offers many ideas to keep your little one entertained for hours. These science activities can be easily accomplished with simple household items, making them accessible and affordable.

What Are Important Preschool Science Concepts?

• Observing: Observation is the first step in scientific discovery. Encourage children to use their senses to explore the world around them. Ask questions like, “What do you see?” or “What does it smell like?” to foster curiosity.
• Comparing: Teaching children to compare involves recognizing similarities and differences. Simple activities like comparing the sizes and shapes of leaves or the colors and textures of different rocks.
• Classifying: Have children group objects based on characteristics through observation and comparison. It helps them understand how things are related and improve organizational skills.
• Measuring: Introduces basic measurement concepts using tools like rulers and measuring cups. For instance, children can measure ingredients while cooking or track the growth of plants over time.
• Communicating: Encourage children to share their observations and results with others. Activities like drawing pictures of what they see or discussing their findings in a group.
• Inferring: Inferring involves drawing conclusions based on observations. Teach children to make educated guesses about what they see. For example, if a plant is wilting, they might infer it needs water.
• Predicting: Prediction is about anticipating what will happen next. Engage children in activities where they can make predictions, such as what will happen if you mix specific colors or plant seeds.

Why Play-Based Science Activities Are Important for Preschoolers?

In preschool education, especially within the Montessori and Reggio Emilia frameworks, play is not just play. It’s the foundation of learning. When we introduce science activities through play, we tap into a child’s natural instincts and provide meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. Let’s explore why play-based science activities are essential for young learners, and how they support different areas of development.

Encourages Natural Curiosity

Children are born with a sense of wonder. They touch, taste, ask questions, and explore everything they can reach. Play-based science gives structure to that natural curiosity without restricting it. It provides opportunities to engage with the world, not just watch it from a distance.

Think of a preschooler mixing paint colors. They’re exploring cause and effect. When they observe a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, they’re learning about life cycles. These aren’t random experiences. They’re building blocks of scientific understanding.

Hands-on exploration promotes deeper engagement. Science becomes personal when children are allowed to discover for themselves. It’s not about memorizing facts — it’s about learning through experience.

Develops Critical Thinking

Preschoolers may not be able to define “hypothesis” or “analysis,” but they’re already practicing both through play. Play-based science nurtures critical thinking by letting children try, fail, and try again — all without fear of making mistakes.

Take the classic “sink or float” activity. Children drop different objects into water and guess what will happen. When an object surprises them by floating instead of sinking, they rethink their ideas. That moment — when they say, “Wait, why did that float?” — is a perfect example of developing reasoning skills.

This type of thinking supports early cognitive development. The brain during the preschool years is forming at a rapid pace, and interactive science play creates rich experiences that strengthen neural pathways. Each question, observation, or test they perform supports their problem-solving abilities.

Enhances Social Skills

Science play often happens in pairs or small groups, and that’s intentional. Whether they’re building a ramp or mixing colors, preschoolers learn how to work with others, communicate their ideas, and negotiate outcomes.

As they play, they talk — describing what they see, how it feels, or what might happen next. These conversations help develop vocabulary and expressive language. Children start using words like “longer,” “faster,” “heavy,” and “change” as they make sense of the world around them.

They also learn how to listen and take turns. For instance, in a group activity where they grow seeds in different types of soil, children must share materials and discuss their findings. In this process, they begin to understand perspective-taking — seeing things through someone else’s eyes.

The Role of Play in Learning

In early education, play is often misunderstood as “just fun.” But for young children, play is the most potent form of learning. Through play, they experiment, take risks, and make connections between ideas.

Science activities fit naturally into this framework. For example, exploring shadows during a sunny day teaches light and reflection, and watching ice melt introduces states of matter. These are complex ideas made simple through real-life, hands-on experiences.

Research supports this approach. Play-based learning activates brain areas responsible for memory, decision-making, and motivation. When learning feels good, children remember it longer and are more likely to return to it.

Promoting Cooperative Learning

One of the greatest strengths of play-based science is its ability to bring children together. These activities naturally foster cooperation and shared goals. Whether they’re building a structure or observing a reaction, children work side-by-side, learning the value of teamwork.

Science doesn’t always have clear answers — and that’s a good thing. When children work together to figure something out, they learn how to combine ideas, test solutions, and support each other’s thinking.

In these settings, teachers don’t act as instructors but as facilitators. We offer materials, pose questions, and observe how children respond. This allows each child to contribute in their own way, reinforcing autonomy and building confidence.

Builds Confidence

Mastering a new skill, even a small one, is incredibly empowering for a young child. When they complete a science activity — whether making a paper rocket fly or watching a reaction bubble up — they feel proud of what they’ve achieved.

These little victories build confidence. Each success says, “You are capable. You can explore. You can solve problems.” Over time, children begin to believe in their ability to figure things out on their own.

Science play also creates a safe space for failure. In fact, failure is often part of the process. If something doesn’t work, they try again. And that resilience, the ability to keep going despite setbacks, is one of the most important life skills we can help them build.

Promotes Creativity

Many people see science and art as opposites — one being logical and the other imaginative. But in early education, they are deeply connected. When children experiment, invent, and explore, they use both creative and scientific thinking.

In play-based science, creativity thrives. Children might invent their own machines using classroom materials or imagine what lives in the soil they’re exploring. There are no wrong answers, only new ideas to try.

Open-ended materials encourage this creativity. Items like colored liquids, natural objects, magnets, and loose parts allow children to create their own experiments. They’re not following strict steps — they’re designing the activity themselves.

What Types of Science Activities Are Suitable for Preschoolers?

Science activities for preschoolers are a great way to engage their curiosity and introduce basic scientific concepts in a fun, hands-on way. Here are some types of science activities suitable for preschoolers:

1. Exploring Nature: Activities like nature walks, collecting leaves, rocks, or shells, and observing animals can help children learn about the natural world.
2. Water Play: Experimenting with floating and sinking objects, water transfer using sponges or pipettes, and playing with water wheels can teach basic principles of physics.
3. Kitchen Science: Simple experiments using kitchen ingredients like vinegar and baking soda (for volcano eruptions), mixing colors with food coloring, or making slime can introduce chemical reactions and color theory.
4. Weather Watching: Observing and talking about the weather, making a rain gauge, or a simple wind vane can help children learn about weather patterns and the environment.
5. Growing Plants: Planting seeds and watching them grow helps teach children about plant biology and the life cycle. This can be coupled with measuring the growth of plants or comparing how plants grow in different conditions (like in light vs. dark).
6. Magnet Exploration: Playing with magnets to discover what is magnetic and what is not helps children learn about magnetic forces.
7. Bubble Science: Blowing bubbles and observing their colors, shapes, and how they pop can teach properties of liquids and gases.
8. Seasonal Change Observations: As the seasons change, you can guide children to observe changes in nature. For example, in the spring, you can observe and record the opening of flowers; in the fall, you can collect fallen leaves of different colors and discuss why the leaves change color. This type of activity helps children understand how seasons affect our environment.
9. Holiday-related science activities: Based on different holidays, design related science activities. For example, on Halloween, do a pumpkin volcano experiment, or try making crystallized snowflakes to explore the concepts of dissolving and crystallizing during Christmas.

Preparing for Preschool Science Activities

Before diving into science experiments, it’s essential to create an environment that fosters curiosity, exploration, and safety. Here’s how to set the stage for successful preschool science activities.

Creating a Good Learning Environment

Children learn best when they feel safe, engaged, and encouraged. To create an ideal space for science experiments:

• Choose a dedicated learning area free from distractions.
• Keep materials easily accessible to encourage hands-on participation.
• Set up a mess-friendly zone by covering tables with newspaper or using trays.
• Encourage questions and exploration to spark curiosity.

Choosing the Right Experiment

Preschoolers thrive on simple, hands-on experiments that allow them to observe and interact with science directly. The best activities should:

• Be age-appropriate and safe for young learners.
• Use everyday materials found at home or school.
• Have a clear, observable result to keep children engaged.
• Involve minimal setup and cleanup for convenience.

Materials and Safety

Safety is crucial when conducting science experiments with young children. Always follow these guidelines:

• Adult supervision is required for all experiments.
• Use non-toxic, child-safe materials like baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring.
• Keep small objects away from children who may put them in their mouths.
• Have a clean-up plan ready, including wipes and paper towels.

Making Sure Children Are Involved

Hands-on learning is the best way for preschoolers to absorb scientific concepts. Encourage participation by:

• Letting children pour, mix, and observe during experiments.
• Asking open-ended questions like, “What do you think will happen next?”
• Allowing them to record their observations with drawings or simple words.

Science Activities for Preschoolers

1. Milk Painting

Milk painting introduces young learners to basic chemistry by visually demonstrating how molecules interact. It helps children understand the concept of surface tension in a fun and sensory way. Beyond science, this activity stimulates visual creativity, encourages experimentation, and develops fine motor skills through swabbing and stirring.

How to Make It:

1. Pour milk into the shallow dish to cover the bottom.
2. Add drops of various food coloring around the milk.
3. Dip a cotton swab in dish soap.
4. Gently touch the soapy end to the milk’s surface.
5. Watch as colors swirl and move, demonstrating a chemical reaction.

2. Oil and Water

This activity helps children visually understand the concept of density and immiscible liquids — liquids that do not mix. It opens up a conversation about how substances behave differently based on their physical properties. Children learn to observe, compare, and explain what they see, which strengthens their critical thinking and descriptive language.

How to Make It:

1. Fill a glass halfway with water and add a few drops of food coloring.
2. Slowly pour oil into the glass, leaving room at the top.
3. Observe how the oil floats above the water due to lower density.
4. Stir gently and watch how the two liquids stay separated.
5. Encourage the child to describe what they observe.

3. Invisible Ink

Invisible ink experiments give children a chance to explore chemical reactions, temperature changes, and secrecy in science. It taps into their imagination and problem-solving skills as they create secret messages and then reveal them. This activity builds early writing and literacy skills in a science context and introduces the concept of reaction visibility — that certain substances change appearance with heat.

How to Make It:

1. Dip a cotton swab or brush into lemon juice or baking soda solution.
2. Write a message or draw on the white paper.
3. Allow the paper to dry completely.
4. Gently heat the paper using a lamp or iron (with adult help).
5. Watch as the invisible message turns brown and becomes visible.

4. Homemade Slime

Making slime is a tactile, sensory-rich activity that enhances fine motor skills, hand strength, and scientific reasoning. It introduces children to basic chemistry concepts like polymers and chemical bonding in a hands-on and exciting way. The texture and stretchiness encourage sensory exploration and emotional regulation, while the mixing process builds sequencing skills and encourages perseverance.

How to Make It:

1. Pour about ½ cup of glue into a mixing bowl.
2. Add food coloring if desired and mix well.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda and stir.
4. Gradually add contact lens solution while stirring until slime forms.
5. Knead the slime with your hands until it’s stretchy and consistent.

5. Sink or Float

This classic experiment promotes hypothesis testing, logical thinking, and early physics concepts such as buoyancy and mass. Children learn to predict outcomes based on prior knowledge, observe what happens, and re-evaluate their thinking.

How to Make It:

1. Fill the container with water.
2. Present each item and ask the child to predict if it will sink or float.
3. Test each item one at a time.
4. Sort and discuss the results.
5. Ask questions like “Why do you think this floated?” or “What made it sink?”

6. Make a Rain Cloud in a Jar

This engaging activity visually demonstrates the water cycle, especially precipitation. It encourages children to make observations about how water travels and transforms in nature. It’s a great introduction to earth sciences and helps children understand abstract concepts like cloud formation, gravity, and weather in a hands-on way.

How to Make It:

1. Fill the jar about ¾ full with water.
2. Spray shaving cream on top to form the “cloud.”
3. Mix a few drops of food coloring with water in a separate cup.
4. Using a spoon or dropper, slowly add colored water on top of the shaving cream.
5. Watch as the color “rains” down through the cloud.

7. Lava Lamp Experiment

This experiment is a fascinating introduction to density, gas formation, and chemical reactions. It teaches cause-and-effect as children observe how the interaction between vinegar (acid) and baking soda (base) creates gas. It’s visually stimulating and encourages patience, focus, and prediction.

How to Make It:

1. Fill the bottle about one-third full with water.
2. Add food coloring and mix well.
3. Fill the rest of the bottle with oil.
4. Break an Alka-Seltzer tablet into pieces and drop them in.
5. Watch the bubbles move up and down like a lava lamp.

8. Walking Water Science Experiment

Walking water demonstrates capillary action, where water travels against gravity through narrow spaces. It also introduces color mixing and observation over time. This experiment strengthens patience, visual tracking, and understanding of absorption, while encouraging children to make predictions and observe changes over several hours.

How to Make It:

1. Line up the cups in a circle or straight line.
2. Fill every other cup with water and add food coloring.
3. Roll or fold paper towels and place one end in a full cup and the other in an empty cup.
4. Watch as colored water “walks” through the paper towels.
5. Over time, new colors appear in the previously empty cups.

9. Water Xylophone Fun

This musical science activity introduces children to sound waves, vibration, and pitch. It’s excellent for sensory exploration and helps children identify cause-and-effect relationships. Tapping jars filled with different water levels supports auditory discrimination and encourages rhythm and early math concepts like comparison and patterning.

How to Make It:

1. Fill each jar with different levels of water.
2. Add food coloring to each jar if desired.
3. Line up the jars from most to least water.
4. Tap each jar gently with the spoon and listen to the pitch.
5. Let the child explore making simple tunes.

10. Inflate a Balloon with Baking Soda and Vinegar

This exciting activity shows how a chemical reaction between an acid and a base can create a gas. It introduces concepts like gas expansion, pressure, and real-world chemistry in a dramatic, visual way. Children learn about measurement, cause and effect, and problem-solving while being completely engaged in the fun.

How to Make It:

1. Pour vinegar into the bottle (about ¼ full).
2. Use a funnel to fill the balloon with 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
3. Stretch the balloon opening over the bottle’s mouth, keeping the baking soda inside.
4. Lift the balloon to let the baking soda fall into the vinegar.
5. Watch as the balloon inflates from the gas created.

11. Floating Dry Erase Marker

This activity helps children understand the interaction between solid surfaces, liquid surfaces, and density. It introduces the concept of surface tension and how non-porous surfaces allow materials to move unexpectedly. It also encourages observational skills and early questioning, which are key to scientific exploration.

How to Make It:

1. Use the dry erase marker to draw simple shapes or figures on the plate.
2. Slowly pour water onto the edge of the plate.
3. Watch as the drawings lift and float on the water’s surface.
4. Move the plate gently to see the floating drawing drift and dance.

12. Fireworks in a Jar

This activity introduces the idea of density and how substances move through others at different rates. Children observe how oil and water don’t mix and how food coloring disperses. It’s a fantastic visual tool for sparking curiosity and introducing the concept of chemical and physical reactions.

How to Make It:

1. Fill a clear jar or glass ¾ full with warm water.
2. In a separate cup, mix a few tablespoons of oil and several drops of food coloring.
3. Gently stir the oil and coloring with a fork.
4. Pour the oil mixture into the water and observe.
5. Watch as the colors burst and fall like fireworks.

13. Catapult STEM Activity

This project helps kids understand force, tension, angles, and energy transfer. It provides an early introduction to engineering and physics through hands-on building. Children learn about cause and effect, test designs, and refine their work through problem-solving and creative thinking.

How to Make It:

1. Stack 5–6 sticks and secure both ends with rubber bands.
2. Slide two more sticks between the stack to form a T-shape.
3. Attach a spoon to the top stick with a rubber band.
4. Load an object in the spoon, press it down, and release.
5. Observe how far the object flies and adjust the design as needed.

14. Make Oversized Bubbles

Blowing large bubbles helps children explore the science of air pressure, surface tension, and light refraction. It supports coordination, spatial awareness, and sensory play. It also encourages creativity as kids experiment with shapes and sizes of bubbles.

How to Make It:

1. Mix 6 cups water, 1 cup dish soap, and ¼ cup glycerin or corn syrup.
2. Thread string through two straws and tie to form a loop.
3. Dip the loop into the solution and slowly pull it out.
4. Spread the straws to form a film, then move gently to make large bubbles.

15. Baking Soda and Vinegar Reactions

Children witness an acid-base chemical reaction in a safe and engaging way. This experiment introduces basic chemistry, builds cause-and-effect thinking, and helps them predict and compare results. It’s a favorite for sparking excitement and wonder.

How to Make It:

1. Place baking soda in the container.
2. Add food coloring if desired.
3. Use a dropper or spoon to pour vinegar onto the baking soda.
4. Watch the fizzing and bubbling reaction.
5. Experiment with different amounts and colors.

16. Watch Rice Dance in Water

This activity demonstrates how gas formation causes movement in solids. Children learn about bubbles, buoyancy, and chemical reactions. It encourages careful observation and connects abstract scientific concepts to fun visuals.

How to Make It:

1. Fill the glass halfway with water.
2. Add baking soda and stir until dissolved.
3. Add a spoonful of rice.
4. Pour in vinegar and watch the rice rise and fall.

17. Learn What Dissolves in Water

Children explore solubility and how temperature and material types affect it. This activity teaches comparison, categorization, and scientific documentation skills. It lays the foundation for understanding mixtures and solutions.

How to Make It:

1. Fill each cup with water.
2. Add one different substance to each cup.
3. Stir and observe which substances dissolve and which don’t.
4. Discuss the differences and try warm water for comparison.

18. Blow Bubble Towers

Blowing bubbles develops lung strength, coordination, and control. The rising tower provides visual feedback and helps children understand how air moves through liquid. It also builds patience and promotes sensory exploration.

How to Make It:

1. Pour water and dish soap into the cup and stir.
2. Add food coloring if desired.
3. Insert a straw and blow to create bubbles.
4. Keep blowing to build a foam tower.

19. Grow a Paper Towel Rainbow

This experiment demonstrates capillary action and introduces color theory. Children observe gradual change, learn sequencing, and develop an understanding of how water moves through absorbent materials. It’s also a lesson in patience and observation over time.

How to Make It:

1. Fill 3 cups with water and add red, yellow, and blue food coloring.
2. Place empty cups between the colored ones.
3. Fold paper towels into strips and connect all cups.
4. Watch as the colored water travels and mixes into new colors.

20. Seed Germination

Seed germination teaches children about life cycles, plant biology, and care for living things. It supports patience, observation, and understanding of how plants grow from seeds. Children become emotionally invested in nurturing something living, which fosters empathy and responsibility.

How to Make It:

1. Wet a paper towel and place it inside the cup or bag.
2. Insert seeds between the towel and plastic so they are visible.
3. Keep moist and place in sunlight.
4. Watch the seed grow roots and shoots over several days.

21. Build an Apple Toothpick Tower

This activity develops spatial awareness, fine motor skills, and early engineering thinking. Children learn how shapes connect to form structures and begin to understand balance and stability. It also encourages experimentation, creativity, and planning — key skills in construction-based play.

How to Make It:

1. Cut apples into chunks big enough to stick a toothpick into.
2. Provide children with toothpicks and apple pieces.
3. Encourage them to build towers, bridges, or structures by connecting apple chunks with toothpicks.
4. Let them test how tall or wide they can build.

22. Stack Up Plastic Cups

Cup stacking enhances hand-eye coordination, planning, and concentration. It supports problem-solving and introduces children to sequencing and symmetry. The trial-and-error process also teaches resilience and flexible thinking, which are foundational skills in both math and engineering.

How to Make It:

1. Provide children with a stack of cups.
2. Challenge them to build pyramids or other shapes.
3. Introduce a timer for added fun and competition.
4. Encourage them to knock them down and rebuild.

23. Make Pretend Snow

Pretend snow supports sensory exploration, tactile learning, and imaginative play. Children engage multiple senses while building fine motor strength. It also provides a way to talk about weather, seasons, and temperature using hands-on materials that feel realistic and inviting.

How to Make It:

1. Mix 2 cups of baking soda with 1/2 cup of white conditioner or shaving cream in a bowl.
2. Stir until it reaches a moldable, snow-like texture.
3. Let children play freely with the cold, soft snow.

24. Melting Ice

This activity introduces the concepts of temperature, melting points, and change of states. Children witness cause-and-effect relationships and explore how materials respond to external forces like salt and heat. It supports observation, language development, and early scientific discussion.

How to Make It:

1. Place ice cubes in a tray.
2. Sprinkle salt on top to accelerate melting.
3. Add drops of food coloring to highlight cracks and changes.
4. Observe as ice melts and colors move.

25. Skittles Rainbow

This colorful experiment teaches children about solubility, diffusion, and color mixing. It encourages careful observation and reinforces visual tracking. Children are amazed by the results, which naturally leads to asking questions and drawing conclusions.

How to Make It:

1. Arrange Skittles in a circle around the edge of the plate.
2. Slowly pour warm water into the center.
3. Watch as the colors dissolve and move toward the middle, forming a rainbow.

26. Magnetic Discovery Bottles

Magnetic bottles support science exploration through hands-on interaction. Children investigate magnetism, sort materials by properties, and develop focus and coordination. It also builds vocabulary and curiosity as they learn to identify what attracts to a magnet and what doesn’t.

How to Make It:

1. Fill the bottle with water or dry rice.
2. Add small items inside and close tightly.
3. Shake and mix the contents.
4. Use the magnet to detect which items respond.

27. Balloon Rocket Science

This exciting experiment demonstrates Newton’s third law: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. It introduces children to propulsion, motion, and air pressure in an age-appropriate way. Kids also build prediction and experimentation skills as they modify balloon size or string length.

How to Make It:

1. Thread the string through the straw and tie each end to opposite supports.
2. Inflate a balloon but don’t tie it.
3. Tape the balloon to the straw.
4. Let go of the balloon and watch it rocket along the string.

28. String Telephone

This classic activity introduces children to sound vibrations and how sound travels through solids. It fosters cooperation, communication, and scientific curiosity. It also connects everyday objects with meaningful scientific concepts, promoting inquiry and creative problem-solving.

How to Make It:

1. Poke a small hole in the bottom of each cup.
2. Thread the string through and tie knots inside to secure it.
3. Stretch the string tight between two people.
4. One speaks into a cup while the other listens.

29. Static Comb

This experiment demonstrates static electricity and invisible forces. It helps children explore the properties of materials and how electrical charge works. Kids develop observation skills and begin to understand that not all forces are visible — a foundation for physics learning.

How to Make It:

1. Tear paper into small pieces or use puffed cereal.
2. Rub the comb on wool or hair for 30 seconds.
3. Hold the comb near the bits and watch them lift.

30. Glowing Water Experiment

This experiment introduces children to fluorescence and UV light. It builds excitement around invisible energy sources and how certain materials respond to light. It also provides a platform for discussing real-world applications like glow-in-the-dark materials or X-rays in science and medicine.

How to Make It:

1. Pour tonic water into a clear glass or container.
2. Turn off the lights and shine a black light over the glass.
3. Watch the water glow blue.

31. Shadow Play

Shadow play introduces children to the science of light and how shadows are formed. It builds early concepts of angles, light direction, and spatial awareness. This type of play also fosters creativity, storytelling, and experimentation with cause and effect.

How to Make It:

1. Set up a light source in a dim or dark space.
2. Place objects or hands in front of the light to create shadows.
3. Move objects closer or farther to observe changes.
4. Try creating stories or guessing shapes through silhouette play.

32. Bug Observation

Bug observation fosters respect for living things and nurtures curiosity about ecosystems. It supports careful observation, classification, and descriptive language. Children begin to understand the role of insects in nature and develop early biological awareness.

How to Make It:

1. Guide children to gently collect bugs like ants, beetles, or caterpillars.
2. Place them in a safe observation jar.
3. Encourage kids to look closely and describe what they see.
4. Release bugs back into nature after observation.

33. Plant Dissection

Plant dissection introduces children to plant anatomy and life science in a hands-on way. It supports fine motor skills, attention to detail, and vocabulary development. Children gain a deeper appreciation for nature and learn through tactile, visual discovery.

How to Make It:

1. Give each child a flower to examine.
2. Help them take it apart petal by petal.
3. Use magnifying glasses to look closely at stems, petals, stamens, and pistils.
4. Discuss each part’s role in the plant’s life cycle.

34. Cloud Dough

Cloud dough supports sensory exploration, fine motor development, and imaginative play. Its soft, moldable texture encourages creativity and helps with emotional regulation. Children also gain experience with measuring, combining materials, and understanding texture.

How to Make It:

1. Pour the flour into a bowl.
2. Slowly add the oil while mixing.
3. Keep mixing until the dough holds its shape when squeezed.
4. Play and mold into shapes or use cookie cutters.

35. Sand Play

Sand play enhances tactile learning, hand strength, and early engineering. Children develop sensory processing, creative thinking, and collaborative play skills. It’s also calming and supports focus and independent exploration.

How to Make It:

1. Pour sand into a sensory bin or tray.
2. Offer tools or leave it open-ended.
3. Add water for wet sand play and new textures.
4. Encourage free exploration and building.

36. Scent Jars

Scent jars develop the sense of smell and encourage descriptive language. They promote memory recall, comparison skills, and sensory discrimination. This activity also enhances mindfulness and attention to subtle differences in the environment.

How to Make It:

1. Soak cotton balls in various scents.
2. Place one scented cotton ball in each jar.
3. Seal and label each jar (or keep it a mystery).
4. Have children smell each jar and guess the scent.

37. Leak-Proof Bag

This experiment introduces children to properties of materials and surface tension. It builds confidence in experimentation and problem-solving. Kids are amazed to see how a solid pencil can puncture a bag without causing a leak — a memorable way to learn science.

How to Make It:

1. Fill a Ziplock bag about ¾ with water.
2. Seal it tightly.
3. Slowly push sharpened pencils through the bag (both sides).
4. Observe that the bag doesn’t leak.

38. Floating Egg

This simple density experiment introduces the concept of buoyancy and how water density affects flotation. Children learn through prediction, testing, and comparing. It’s an easy way to start discussing how ocean water is different from fresh water.

How to Make It:

1. Fill one glass with plain water and another with salty water (3+ tablespoons of salt).
2. Carefully place an egg in each.
3. Observe how the egg sinks in regular water but floats in saltwater.

39. Color Changing Flowers Experiment

This experiment demonstrates capillary action in plants and how they take in nutrients. It provides a visual way to understand plant functions and encourages patience and ongoing observation. Children build curiosity about natural processes and record visual changes over time.

How to Make It:

1. Fill cups with water and add different food coloring to each.
2. Trim flower stems and place one in each cup.
3. Watch over a day or two as petals change color.

40. Elephant Toothpaste

This exciting reaction introduces children to catalysts and exothermic chemical reactions. It’s an unforgettable demonstration of how different substances react dramatically when combined. It sparks curiosity, scientific excitement, and safety-awareness in experiments.

How to Make It:

1. Mix hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and food coloring in the bottle.
2. In a separate cup, mix yeast with warm water.
3. Pour the yeast mixture into the bottle and step back.
4. Watch the foamy explosion erupt!

41. Butterfly Life Cycle

It helps children understand the stages of insect development, encourages careful observation over time, and fosters a sense of responsibility in caring for living organisms. It also connects to larger themes of growth, change, and transformation in nature.

How to Make It:

1. Place caterpillars in a safe, ventilated container.
2. Observe their growth and transformation into chrysalises.
3. Monitor daily until butterflies emerge.
4. Release butterflies outdoors when ready.
5. Record each stage in an observation journal or drawing.

42. Color-Changing Milk

This vibrant experiment demonstrates surface tension and molecular movement. Children experience cause and effect firsthand as the soap reacts with the fat in milk. It also fosters sensory engagement and visual tracking as they observe the swirling motion of the colors.

How to Make It:

1. Pour milk into a shallow dish.
2. Add drops of food coloring.
3. Dip a cotton swab in dish soap.
4. Touch the soapy swab to the milk surface.
5. Watch the colors swirl and move around.

43. Water Absorption

Children learn about material properties, absorbency, and volume. They make predictions, test outcomes, and compare results — fundamental scientific processes. This activity supports critical thinking, fine motor skills, and classification skills.

How to Make It:

1. Pour water into a tray.
2. Provide absorbent materials like towels, cloths, and sponges.
3. Let children test which materials absorb the most water.
4. Optionally, color the water to enhance visibility.

44. Observe What Melts in the Sun

This experiment introduces heat and solar energy. Children explore temperature effects, melting points, and material behavior in a natural environment. It promotes patience, observational skills, and scientific inquiry with real-world relevance.

How to Make It:

1. Place selected items on a tray in direct sunlight.
2. Observe what happens over time.
3. Record which items melt, change, or stay the same.
4. Discuss why some items melted and others didn’t.

45. Grow Grass in Eggshells

This activity teaches children about plant growth, responsibility, and sustainability. Watching seeds sprout from something as fragile as an eggshell adds wonder and promotes eco-awareness. Children also learn to track changes and care for living things.

How to Make It:

1. Fill each eggshell with soil.
2. Sprinkle grass seeds on top.
3. Water lightly and place in a sunny spot.
4. Water daily and observe growth.
5. Decorate the shells for added fun.

46. Ocean in a Bottle

This activity introduces density and liquid separation. It simulates ocean movement and provides a calming sensory experience. Children begin to understand how different substances interact and are encouraged to ask questions about oceans and ecosystems.

How to Make It:

1. Fill the bottle halfway with water and add blue food coloring.
2. Fill the rest of the bottle with vegetable oil.
3. Optional: Add small plastic sea creatures.
4. Seal the lid tightly and shake gently.
5. Observe the water and oil separate like ocean waves.

47. Disappearing Eggshells

This experiment explores acid-base reactions and introduces the idea of chemical breakdown. Children learn that vinegar dissolves the calcium in eggshells, leaving behind the membrane. It promotes observation, inquiry, and hands-on discovery.

How to Make It:

1. Carefully place a raw egg into a jar.
2. Pour vinegar over it until fully submerged.
3. Let it sit for 24–48 hours.
4. Gently remove and feel the soft, rubbery egg.

48. Make an Aluminum Foil Boat

This activity introduces buoyancy, displacement, and engineering design. Children experiment with shape, balance, and load capacity while using problem-solving and critical thinking. It also builds perseverance and adaptability as they test and refine their boats.

How to Make It:

1. Shape aluminum foil into different boat designs.
2. Place them in the water.
3. Add weights one at a time and see how much each boat can hold.
4. Try different shapes for improved performance.

49. Measure the Water Content of Snow

This experiment teaches children that snow is made mostly of air and introduces measurement, volume, and temperature effects. It’s a visual and tangible way to link math, science, and real-world weather observations.

How to Make It:

1. Collect fresh snow in a measuring cup.
2. Mark the volume of snow.
3. Bring it inside and let it melt completely.
4. Compare the new water level to the original snow volume.

50. Grow Delicious Rock Candy Crystals

Rock candy experiments teach children about crystal formation, evaporation, and saturation. It’s an exciting combination of science and reward — they see a real, edible result from patience and observation. It also introduces concepts of time-lapse change and growth processes.

How to Make It:

1. Boil 2 cups of water and add sugar until no more dissolves.
2. Pour into a jar and add food coloring if desired.
3. Dip a skewer in the liquid, roll it in sugar, then place it back.
4. Use clothespins to suspend the skewer in the center.
5. Watch crystals grow over 5–7 days.

51. Make a Scale

This simple activity introduces children to the concept of weight and balance. They begin to understand mass, comparison, and early measurement skills. It also develops problem-solving, estimation, and hands-on experimentation with physical properties.

How to Make It:

1. Tie one cup to each side of the hanger using equal lengths of string.
2. Hang the hanger from a rod, doorknob, or hook.
3. Place objects into the cups and observe which side dips lower.
4. Try to balance the cups by adjusting the contents.

52. Make Ice Grow

This magical-looking experiment introduces the concept of supercooling and instant freezing. It encourages observation, patience, and curiosity while helping children understand how temperature affects the physical state of matter. It also reinforces the importance of environmental conditions in scientific outcomes.

How to Make It:

1. Choose different animals and assign them a habitat (e.g., desert, jungle, ocean).
2. Use natural materials to recreate the habitats in separate trays or boxes.
3. Let children place animals in their appropriate environments.
4. Discuss why each animal lives in its particular habitat.

53. Learn About Animal Habitats

This activity supports classification, environmental awareness, and early ecology. Children learn how animals adapt to different surroundings and what they need to survive. It promotes empathy, storytelling, and deeper understanding of biodiversity and global ecosystems.

How to Make It:

1. Choose different animals and assign them a habitat (e.g., desert, jungle, ocean).
2. Use natural materials to recreate the habitats in separate trays or boxes.
3. Let children place animals in their appropriate environments.
4. Discuss why each animal lives in its particular habitat.

54. LEGO Volcano

Combining engineering and chemistry, this activity is highly engaging. Children learn about volcanoes, pressure, and chemical reactions, while developing fine motor skills and creative building strategies. It also introduces geography and earth science in a playful, hands-on way.

How to Make It:

1. Build a volcano shape out of LEGO bricks around a small cup.
2. Add baking soda and a few drops of food coloring to the cup.
3. Pour in vinegar and watch the eruption.
4. Rebuild or redesign the volcano for different effects.

55. Homemade Compass

This experiment introduces magnetism, navigation, and earth sciences. Children learn about magnetic poles and how early explorers found direction. It’s a hands-on way to spark curiosity about geography, technology, and science history.

How to Make It:

1. Rub a magnet along a needle several times in one direction.
2. Carefully push the needle through a small piece of cork.
3. Place the floating cork in a bowl of water.
4. Watch as it turns and aligns north-south.

56. Step on Raw Eggs

This challenge teaches about pressure distribution and structure. Children learn that even fragile items can be strong under the right conditions. It’s a fantastic experiment for building confidence and understanding weight distribution and balance.

How to Make It:

1. Place full cartons of eggs on the floor.
2. Help the child carefully step evenly across the tops of the eggs.
3. If done slowly and evenly, the eggs should not break.
4. Discuss what made the eggs strong.

57. Pepper and Soap Experiment

This simple but powerful experiment visually demonstrates surface tension and how soap affects water molecules. It opens up conversations about hygiene and germs in a memorable, hands-on way. It also strengthens focus, prediction, and immediate cause-effect understanding.

How to Make It:

1. Fill a shallow bowl with water.
2. Sprinkle pepper across the surface.
3. Dip a cotton swab in dish soap and touch the center of the bowl.
4. Watch the pepper scatter instantly.

58. Nature Collage

Nature collages build connection to the natural world and support sensory exploration. Children learn to classify and compare textures, colors, and types of materials. This activity encourages creativity, mindfulness, and environmental appreciation.

How to Make It:

1. Take a walk and collect natural items.
2. Sort and observe the collected materials.
3. Arrange them on paper and glue them into patterns or scenes.
4. Label or describe what each item is.

59. Oxidation of Apples

This experiment introduces oxidation and chemical reactions. Children observe how certain substances can slow down or speed up decay. It encourages prediction, documentation, and understanding of how chemistry plays a role in food preservation and daily life.

How to Make It:

1. Dip different apple slices into each liquid.
2. Place them on plates or in cups labeled with the liquid used.
3. Observe what happens over time (check after 1 hour, then again later).
4. Note which apple slice stays freshest.

60. Bags of Ice Cream

This tasty experiment teaches about freezing points and how salt affects ice melting. Children develop patience, coordination, and an understanding of how temperature changes state. It’s a great blend of chemistry and real-world application with a delicious reward.

How to Make It:

1. Mix milk, sugar, and vanilla in the small bag. Seal tightly.
2. Place ice and salt into the large bag.
3. Put the small bag inside the big one and seal.
4. Shake for 5–10 minutes until the liquid freezes.
5. Enjoy the homemade ice cream.

FAQs

1: What are the benefits of science activities for preschoolers?

Science and sensory activities help preschoolers develop foundational skills in observation, problem-solving, and critical thinking. These hands-on experiences nurture curiosity, fine motor skills, language development, and social-emotional growth. Activities like melting ice, building volcanoes, or growing seeds allow children to explore real-world concepts in a developmentally appropriate way, laying the groundwork for future STEM learning.

2: Are these science activities for preschoolers?

Yes — all activities are designed with age-appropriateness and safety in mind. Materials are typically non-toxic, household-based, and require minimal adult supervision. However, certain activities (like Elephant Toothpaste or those involving raw eggs or small objects) should always be conducted with close adult guidance to ensure safe handling and prevent choking hazards or accidental spills.

3: How do science activities for preschoolers support Montessori or Reggio Emilia learning environments?

Both Montessori and Reggio Emilia philosophies emphasize hands-on, child-led exploration — exactly what science and sensory activities provide. These experiments promote independent thinking, respect for natural phenomena, and open-ended inquiry. Whether it’s observing a bug, mixing vinegar and baking soda, or building with natural materials, these activities align perfectly with the values of purposeful play and discovery-based learning.

4: What materials do I need to get started with these science activities for preschoolers in my classroom?

Most activities use readily available, low-cost items, such as water, baking soda, food coloring, plastic containers, paper towels, or natural elements like leaves and sand. You can also create a science corner or sensory bin rotation using clear jars, trays, scales, magnifying glasses, and common kitchen tools. We recommend starting with versatile materials to cover a wide range of experiments and gradually adding specialized tools like magnets or pipettes as needed.

5: How can I keep children engaged during science activities for preschoolers?

To keep children actively engaged during science activities for preschoolers, it’s important to make each experiment hands-on, visual, and open-ended. Allow children to touch, observe, and test materials on their own. Use simple questions like, “What do you think will happen?” or “Why did that change?” to encourage critical thinking. Providing a variety of textures, colors, and reactions helps maintain interest, especially when paired with opportunities to draw, describe, or repeat the activity. Preschoolers are naturally curious—well-designed science activities for preschoolers build on that curiosity and turn it into meaningful, joyful learning.