5 Fun Preschool Science Experiments

Science can be a lot of fun, especially for little ones just beginning to learn. You can do some fun science experiments with your preschooler, that aren't too complicated, but that can teach your child at the same time. See below for five simple, but fun experiments you can do with your little learner.

1. Skittle Rainbow

Take a handful of skittles and line them around a small round plate. Be sure the skittles are up a little higher around the edge of the plate. Next, pour warm water into the center of the plate, and up to the skittles so they are in the water, but not completely submerged. Watch with your preschooler as the candy coating melts and gives a colorful display resembling a rainbow. You can talk to your child about how the candy coating melted with the warm water.

2. Sink Or Float

Take a bowl of water and a handful of toys or other small objects of varying materials. Lay the objects out, then ask your child with each object if it will sink or float. Then have your child place the object into the water to see if it sinks or floats. You can talk to your child about why each object sinks or floats.

3. Celery Experiment

Grab a few different glasses and fill them about halfway with water. Then add a few drops of food coloring to give the water color. Add a celery stalk to each glass, then watch it for the next 24 hours. The celery stalks will all change color, as it soaks in the water from the glass. Talk to your child about how plants use water to help them grow, which is why the celery changed to the color of the water.

4. Color Milk Magic

Using a small shallow plate, pour milk up to the edges (whole milk works best). Add a few different color drops of food coloring to the milk, then a couple drops of Palmolive dish soap to the milk. Watch the colors mix and mingle, creating swirls of color. The Palmolive soap mixes with the fat in the milk, which is what causes the reaction.

5. Lava Lamp

Take a clear plastic bottle (such as a water bottle), and pour about 1/2 cup of oil into it. Add water to the bottle until it's about 2/3 of the way full. Add a few drops of food coloring and watch the color bubbles in the bottle mimic a lava lamp. Talk to your child about how water and oil do not mix, which is why you see the bubbles inside. Allow the water/oil to settle and show your child the two layers of oil on top, with the water on the bottom.

These are all very simple science experiments you can do with your child. Use them as a learning experience, while also having some fun bonding time with your little one. For more information on age appropriator science, talk to a professional like Advantage Learning Center.


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