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Choosing science experiments for kids can be overwhelming. The rubber egg, copper fingernail, and exploding life savers are safe, easy, and age-appropriate experiments that are sure to succeed. These experiments teach about chemical reactions and triboluminescence. When selecting experiments, choose ones with few materials and low safety risks.
Deciding on science experiments for kids can be a daunting task for those unfamiliar with the world of science. Common concerns among parents are choosing an experiment that is age-appropriate, safe, and easy to understand for both the child and the adult. With thousands of possibilities it’s often hard to decide, but there are some tried-and-true science experiments for kids that are sure to succeed:
The rubber egg
This experiment is an excellent choice for younger scientists because there are very few steps, no safety risks and kids love it because it’s foolproof so results are guaranteed.
Materials: boiled egg, jar, vinegar (acetic acid)
Instructions: Place the boiled egg in the jar and dip it in the vinegar. The egg should be completely covered with no shell peeking over the top. Wait 2-3 days. The shell will dissolve completely and the children will be able to poke and prod the new “gummed” egg. If not dropped from too high a point, the egg will also bounce.
The Lesson: Eggshells are made of calcium carbonate which dissolves in contact with an acetic acid.
Copper Fingernail This is another great choice for science experiments for kids and is suitable for any child old enough to understand measurements.
Materials: 1/4 cup (59.15 ml) white vinegar, 1/8 teaspoon (62 ml) salt, 20 cents, jar, iron nail, baking soda, sponge
Instructions: Pour the vinegar and salt into the jar and mix. Dip the nickels into the vinegar/salt mixture and leave for three minutes. While the pennies are “stewing”, clean the iron nail with the baking soda and sponge. Drop the nail with pennies and let sit for 15 minutes. When you check the nail, it will be coated with copper.
Lesson: Acetate (acetic acid/vinegar) combines with metals. In the case of the pennies and the nail, the acetic acid and copper combined to form copper acetate, which then adhered to the iron nail.
Exploding Life Savers This experiment is a little less known than other science experiments for kids, but it’s definitely a crowd pleaser for kids. It is suitable for all ages but an adult should supervise younger children.
Materials: Wint-O-Green® life saver, Ziploc plastic bag, hammer, wooden block
Instructions: Insert a Wint-O-Green® Lifesaver into the Ziploc bag. In a dark room, place the bag on the wooden block and watch carefully as you hit the Lifesaver with the hammer. A blue-green light will flash as the candy is hit.
Lesson: Triboluminescence. Wint-O-Green® life savers are made with methyl salicylate which is a crystalline substance. Crushing a crystalline substance emits light.
There are many other excellent and fun science experiments for kids, but these are a good start. When choosing others, the key is to select something with few material requirements and a low safety risk. Also keep in mind that the child will be more interested in experiments using simple everyday objects, as these are less intimidating.
