Science Activities for Kindergarten That Inspire Learning

Looking for exciting science activities for kindergarten that make learning fun and meaningful? This guide offers a collection of hands-on, age-appropriate experiments and explorations that spark curiosity, build critical thinking, and encourage kids to ask “why” and “how.” Perfect for classrooms or at-home learning, these simple science ideas use everyday materials and bring big concepts down to a child’s level. Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, these engaging activities make science an adventure your kindergartners will love.

15+ science activities for kindergarten

Get ready to explore a world of wonder with these fun, easy-to-do science activities designed especially for curious kindergarteners.

1. Sink or Float?

This classic activity introduces children to the concepts of density and buoyancy in a fun, exploratory way. They’ll predict and test which objects will sink to the bottom and which will float on the surface.

Materials:

• Large clear tub or container filled with water
• Variety of small objects (e.g., coin, paperclip, leaf, small block of wood, sponge, rock, plastic toy, cork)
• Chart or paper to record predictions and results (optional)

Instructions:

• Gather a collection of various small objects.
• Have children predict whether each object will sink or float when placed in the water.
• Carefully place each object into the water, one at a time, to observe what happens.
• Discuss why some objects float and others sink.

2. Rainbow Walking Water

Observe how water can “walk” and mix colors in this visually appealing experiment. This demonstrates capillary action and primary/secondary color mixing.

Materials:

• 6 – 7 clear plastic cups or jars
• Paper towels (cut into strips)
• Red, yellow, and blue food coloring
• Water

Instructions:

• Arrange the cups in a circle. Fill alternating cups with water (e.g., Cup 1, 3, 5).
• Add a few drops of red food coloring to the first water cup, yellow to the third, and blue to the fifth.
• Fold paper towel strips into “bridges” connecting each cup (from water cup to empty cup, then empty cup to the next water cup, etc.).
• Observe as the colored water travels along the paper towels and mixes in the empty cups, creating new colors.

3. Build a Volcano

Experience a simple chemical reaction that creates a fizzy eruption. This activity introduces basic chemistry and cause-and-effect.

Materials:

• Small plastic bottle or cup
• Play-Doh or modeling clay (to build the volcano shape around the bottle)
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Dish soap (optional, for more foam)
• Red food coloring (optional)
• Tray or pan to catch the eruption

Instructions:

• Place the bottle or cup in the center of a tray.
• Mold dough around the bottle to create a volcano shape, leaving the opening of the bottle clear.
• Add 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda to the bottle.
• Add a few drops of dish soap and red food coloring (if using).
• Pour vinegar into the bottle and watch your volcano erupt!

4. Exploring Magnets

Discover the power of magnetism as children test which objects are attracted to magnets. This activity introduces concepts of force and magnetic properties.

Materials:

• Various magnets (bar magnets, wand magnets, refrigerator magnets)
• Assortment of small objects (e.g., paperclips, buttons, coins, small toys, fabric scraps, aluminum foil, keys)
• Basket or tray for objects

Instructions:

• Gather a variety of small objects, some magnetic and some not.
• Give each child a magnet.
• Have them touch the magnet to different objects and observe which ones “stick.”
• Sort the objects into two groups: “magnetic” and “not magnetic.”

5. Cloud in a Jar

Create a miniature cloud inside a jar to demonstrate how clouds form. This activity provides a visual understanding of condensation.

Materials:

• Large glass jar with a lid
• Hot water (adult supervision required)
• Hair spray
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

• Pour about an inch of very hot water into the glass jar (adult should handle hot water). Swirl it around to warm the sides of the jar.
• Quickly spray a quick burst of hair spray into the jar.
• Immediately place the lid on top of the jar and place a few ice cubes on the lid.
• Observe as a cloud forms inside the jar.

6. Plant a Seed

Learn about the life cycle of plants by planting a seed and watching it grow. This fosters observation skills and an understanding of living things.

Materials:

• Small plastic cup or clear container
• Potting soil
• Fast-growing seeds (e.g., bean seeds, radish seeds)
• Water
• Spray bottle (optional)

Instructions:

• Fill the cup almost to the top with potting soil.
• Make a small hole in the center of the soil with your finger.
• Place 1-2 seeds in the hole and gently cover with soil.
• Lightly water the soil until it is damp.
• Place the cup in a sunny spot and water daily as needed. Observe the growth over time.

7. Ice Excavation

Explore states of matter and practice fine motor skills by melting ice to “excavate” treasures. This is a fun way to learn about solids and liquids.

Materials:

• Plastic container or bowl
• Small plastic toys or trinkets (e.g., animal figures, Lego bricks)
• Water
• Pipettes, droppers, or small squirt bottles
• Warm water
• Salt (optional)

Instructions:

• Place small toys at the bottom of the container.
• Fill the container with water and freeze overnight until solid.
• Once frozen, remove the ice block.
• Provide children with warm water, droppers, and salt.
• Challenge them to melt the ice and “excavate” the toys.

8. Dancing Raisins

Observe how gas (carbon dioxide bubbles) can cause objects to move in a liquid. This introduces concepts of buoyancy and gas.

Materials:

• Clear glass or jar
• Clear soda (e.g., Sprite, club soda, seltzer water)
• A few raisins

Instructions:

• Fill the glass with clear soda.
• Drop a few raisins into the soda.
• Observe as the raisins sink to the bottom, then rise to the top, and sink again, appearing to “dance.”
• Discuss how the bubbles attach to the raisins, lifting them, and then detaching, causing them to sink.

9. Exploring Textures

Engage the sense of touch to explore different textures and descriptive words. This activity promotes sensory awareness and vocabulary development.

Materials:

• Mystery bag or box (with a hand-sized opening)
• Variety of textured objects (e.g., cotton ball, sandpaper, smooth rock, fluffy fabric, pinecone, sponge, seashell)

Instructions:

• Place a variety of textured objects inside the mystery bag or box.
• Have children reach into the bag without looking and describe what they feel.
• Encourage them to use descriptive words like “rough,” “smooth,” “bumpy,” “soft,” “hard,” “squishy.”
• After describing, they can pull the object out and show it.

10. Color Mixing with Paint

Discover how primary colors can be combined to create secondary colors. This is a hands-on exploration of color theory.

Materials:

• Red, yellow, and blue tempera paint
• Paintbrushes
• Small mixing palettes or paper plates
• Paper

Instructions:

• Provide children with small amounts of red, yellow, and blue paint on their palettes.
• Encourage them to mix two primary colors together (e.g., red and yellow) to see what new color they create.
• Repeat with other primary color combinations (red and blue, yellow and blue).
• Discuss the new colors they have made.

11. What Dissolves?

Investigate which solids disappear when mixed with water. This introduces the concept of dissolving and solutions.

Materials:

• Clear plastic cups
• Water
• Various solids (e.g., sugar, salt, sand, flour, rice, glitter)
• Spoons for stirring

Instructions:

• Fill each cup with water.
• Add a small amount of a different solid to each cup.
• Have children stir each cup and observe what happens to the solid.
• Discuss which solids dissolved (disappeared) and which did not.

12. Leaf Rubbings

Explore the natural world and observe the intricate patterns of leaves. This activity introduces basic botany and fine motor skills.

Materials:

• Leaves of various shapes and sizes (fresh leaves work best)
• Thin paper (copy paper or drawing paper)
• Crayons (without wrappers)

Instructions:

• Collect a variety of leaves.
• Place a leaf vein-side up on a hard, flat surface.
• Place a piece of paper over the leaf.
• Using the side of a crayon (without the wrapper), gently rub over the leaf, revealing its texture and veins.
• Compare different leaf rubbings and discuss their unique patterns.

13. Making Shadows

Explore how light travels and how objects can block light to create shadows. This activity introduces basic concepts about light and shapes.

Materials:

• A bright light source (e.g., flashlight, lamp without a lampshade)
• A plain wall or surface
• Various small objects with distinct shapes (e.g., toys, blocks, cut-out shapes)
• Their own hands and bodies

Instructions:

• Turn off the lights in the room and turn on the flashlight or lamp.
• Have children hold up different objects between the light source and the wall.
• Observe the shadows that are formed on the wall. Discuss how the shape of the shadow relates to the shape of the object.
• Encourage them to make shadow puppets with their hands and bodies, exploring how moving closer to or further from the light changes the size of the shadow.

14. Change the Color of Flowers

Witness the magic of capillary action as flowers “drink” colored water and change their hue. This visually stunning experiment demonstrates how plants absorb water.

Materials:

• White flowers (carnations or celery stalks with leaves work best)
• Clear cups or jars
• Water
• Food coloring (various colors)

Instructions:

• Fill each clear cup with water.
• Add several drops of different food coloring to each cup, making vibrant colors.
• Carefully trim the stems of the white flowers at an angle.
• Place one flower in each cup of colored water.
• Observe over several hours or overnight as the flowers slowly begin to change color as they absorb the tinted water.

15. Mix Up Some Ice Cream in a Bag

Experience a quick and easy chemical process that turns liquid into a delicious frozen treat. This activity demonstrates the concept of freezing point depression and states of matter.

Materials:

• 1/2 cup half-and-half or whole milk
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pint-size resealable plastic bag
• 1 gallon-size resealable plastic bag
• About 3 cups of ice
• 1/3 cup rock salt (kosher or coarse salt works too)
• Oven mitts or a small towel (for holding the cold bag)

Instructions:

• Combine the half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla extract in the small resealable plastic bag. Seal tightly, pressing out as much air as possible.
• Fill the gallon-size bag about halfway with ice. Add the rock salt to the ice.
• Place the sealed smaller bag inside the larger bag, nestling it in the ice and salt. Seal the larger bag tightly.
• Wearing oven mitts or holding with a towel, shake the bag vigorously for about 5-10 minutes, until the mixture in the small bag has thickened into ice cream.
• Remove the small bag, wipe it clean, and enjoy your homemade ice cream!

FAQs

1. What is a simple experiment for kids?

A simple experiment uses everyday materials, is safe, and easy to follow. For example, Sink or Float lets kids drop objects into water to see what sinks or floats, teaching them about buoyancy in a fun, hands-on way.

2. How to make science activities fun for kids?

To spark excitement and curiosity in young learners, try these strategies to make science engaging:

• Use hands-on experiments: Let kids touch, mix, pour, and explore with real materials.
• Keep it simple and visual: Use bright colors, clear steps, and visual demonstrations.
• Turn it into a game: Add playful elements like challenges, timers, or role-play.
• Incorporate stories or characters: Frame experiments with a fun narrative to hold attention.
• Connect to real life: Use familiar objects and situations they can relate to.
• Encourage questions: Make space for kids to ask “why” and “what if.”
• Celebrate results—even failures: Focus on discovery and curiosity, not perfection.

Sum Up

Exploring the world through science activities for kindergarten helps children build curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for discovery from an early age. With simple materials and hands-on ideas, every lesson becomes an exciting adventure. Whether you’re a parent or a teacher, these playful experiments are the perfect way to make learning meaningful and fun.

Explore dozens of fun, printable, and engaging science worksheets for kindergarten at Worksheetzoneand give your young scientists more ways to explore, experiment, and grow every day.