Science at home doesn’t need fancy supplies, complicated steps, or a background in chemistry. With just a few everyday items and a little curiosity, kids can explore BIG ideas through hands-on fun.

These 20 easy science experiments are perfect for home, classrooms, playdates, and homeschool days. We’ve broken them down by age group, included simple supply lists, and added easy step-by-step directions so you can jump right in.

✨ Messes may happen. Learning WILL happen.
And yes… wonder is guaranteed.

🧪🐝 Science Experiments by Age

🌼 AGES 3–5 | Simple Exploration & Sensory Science 

1. Magic Milk

Supplies:
Milk, food coloring, dish soap, cotton swab

Directions:

1. Pour milk into a shallow dish.
   
   

2. Add drops of food coloring.
   
   

3. Dip cotton swab in dish soap and touch the milk.
   
   

4. Watch the colors swirl and “explode.”
   
   

2. Sink or Float

Supplies:
Bowl of water, small household items

Directions:

1. Let kids guess if items will sink or float.
   
   

2. Drop each item into water.
   
   

3. Sort into “sink” and “float” groups.
   
   

3. Balloon Static Magic

Supplies:
Balloon, tissue paper or hair

Directions:

1. Rub balloon on hair or fabric.
   
   

2. Hold near paper pieces.
   
   

3. Watch them jump up!
   
   

4. Rain Cloud in a Jar

Supplies:
Clear jar, water, shaving cream, food coloring

Directions:

1. Fill jar with water.
   
   

2. Top with shaving cream.
   
   

3. Drip colored water onto the cloud.
   
   

4. Watch it “rain.”
   
   

5. Color Mixing Fun

Supplies:
Water, cups, food coloring

Directions:

1. Fill cups with water.
   
   

2. Add primary colors.
   
   

3. Mix colors to make new ones.
   
   

🌈 AGES 4–6 | Cause, Effect & WOW Reactions

6. Baking Soda Volcano

Supplies:
Baking soda, vinegar, food coloring

Directions:

1. Place baking soda in a cup.
   
   

2. Add food coloring.
   
   

3. Pour vinegar and watch the fizz!
   
   

7. Walking Water

Supplies:
Clear cups, paper towels, food coloring

Directions:

1. Fill cups with colored water, leave some empty.
   
   

2. Connect with paper towels.
   
   

3. Watch colors “walk” between cups.
   
   

8. Paper Towel Strength Test

Supplies:
Paper towels, coins

Directions:

1. Stretch towel over two cups.
   
   

2. Add coins slowly.
   
   

3. Count how many it holds.
   
   

9. Balloon Rocket

Supplies:
Balloon, string, straw, tape

Directions:

1. Thread string through straw.
   
   

2. Tape balloon to straw.
   
   

3. Blow up balloon and release!
   
   

10. Sound Vibrations

Supplies:
Plastic wrap, bowl, rice

Directions:

1. Stretch wrap over bowl.
   
   

2. Sprinkle rice on top.
   
   

3. Clap or play music nearby.
   
   

🧠 AGES 7–10 | STEM, Engineering & Critical Thinking

11. Homemade Lava Lamp

Supplies:
Jar, water, oil, food coloring, Alka-Seltzer

Directions:

1. Fill jar ¼ with water, rest with oil.
   
   

2. Add food coloring.
   
   

3. Drop in tablet pieces.
   
   

12. Rock Candy Crystals

Supplies:
Sugar, water, jar, string, pencil

Directions:

1. Dissolve sugar in hot water.
   
   

2. Pour into jar.
   
   

3. Suspend string.
   
   

4. Watch crystals grow.
   
   

13. Build a Bridge

Supplies:
Paper or straws, tape

Directions:

1. Design a bridge.
   
   

2. Test weight using coins or toys.
   
   

3. Improve design.
   
   

14. Magnet Maze

Supplies:
Paper, paperclip, magnet

Directions:

1. Draw maze.
   
   

2. Use magnet underneath paper to move clip.
   
   

15. Egg Drop (Easy Version)

Supplies:
Egg, paper towels, tape

Directions:

1. Wrap egg with padding.
   
   

2. Drop from low height.
   
   

3. Test protection.
   
   

🌱 BONUS EXPERIMENTS (Any Age!)

16. Grow a Bean in a Bag
    
    

17. Leaf Breathing Test
    
    

18. Mini Water Cycle
    
    

19. Density Rainbow Jar
    
    

20. Invisible Ink (Lemon Juice)
    
    

🐝 Buzzy Tips for Grown-Ups

✨ Let kids predict first
✨ Ask open-ended questions
✨ Embrace the mess
✨ Celebrate curiosity, not perfection

🌱 All Ages (With Help)

Great for siblings working together

✔ Grow a Bean in a Bag
✔ Mini Water Cycle
✔ Density Rainbow Jar
✔ Leaf Breathing Test
✔ Invisible Ink

🐝 Pro Tip for Parents

If your child is younger or older than the suggested range, that’s okay!
These ages are guidelines, not rules — curiosity doesn’t check IDs. 💛