Five fun and easy science experiments for school

Children are naturally curious. They touch (and sometimes break) things to see what will happen – that’s how they learn, just like little scientists. Yet, in primary schools, science sometimes takes a backseat in favour of subjects like maths and English. 

The UK’s school inspector body, Ofsted, found that some students spent half a term without doing any science, or didn’t learn technical scientific topics like genetics. Organisations like the Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Physics, and the Royal Society of Biology recommend including more genuine scientific experiences in school’s curriculum to inspire the next generation of scientists.

Not only do more engaging, real-world based science experiments nurture children’s curiosity, they can also reduce inequalities in STEM subjects. And, the UK Education Secretary has said that science experiments are an important step for inclusivity in schools, helping to deliver better life chances to more young people.

So, if you want to spark children’s interest and ensure they reach their full potential, close the textbooks and try these fun, hands-on science activities.

Physics and meteorology science experiments

1. Volcanic eruption

Science in action: This experiment teaches children about chemical reactions and gives them an idea how powerful volcanoes can be. You can turn this experiment into an art project too by creating a volcano out of paper mache.

You’ll need: A small bowl, a cup, a spoonful of baking soda, a spoonful of washing up liquid, vinegar, 2 spoonfuls of water, ½ a cup of vinegar, red food colouring.

Instructions: 

1. Combine the bicarbonate of soda and washing up liquid in the bowl with the water and stir thoroughly. 
2. Mix the vinegar and food colouring together in the cup.
3. Pour the vinegar mixture into the bicarbonate of soda bowl (or whatever you’re using for your volcano) and wait for it to start foaming.

See a full breakdown of this experiment here.

2. Lava lamps

Science in action: This experiment demonstrates density differences and the immiscibility of liquids (when liquids like oil and water don’t mix). It’s a really exciting, visual experiment for students to create their own lava lamps. The end effect will last for about 10-15 minutes but you can keep adding more tablets to get the blobs floating again.

You’ll need: A plastic bottle, an Alka-Seltzer or other fizzing tablet, vegetable oil, water, food colouring, a torch or lamp.

Instructions: 

1. Fill one quarter of the plastic bottle with water and three-quarters vegetable oil. 
2. Add a few drops of food colouring.
3. Wait for a few minutes before adding the fizzing tablet. 
4. Turn off the lights and shine a light on the lava lamp to watch the colourful blobs forming and moving inside.

See a full breakdown of this experiment here.

3. Invisible ink messages

Science in action: This experiment explains the concept of acidity and how heat can change substances. Children love this activity because they can pretend to be spies writing secret messages. In fact, these kinds of invisible ink methods have been used for 2,000 years from various historical figures plotting or sending hidden love letters.

You’ll need: A cup or glass, lemon juice (bottled or fresh from lemons), thick white paper, water, small paint brushes or cotton buds, an iron.

Instructions:

1. Squeeze half a lemon’s worth of juice into the cup and add a teaspoon of water.
2. Write a secret message on the paper with the paintbrush and lemon juice solution.
3. Leave the paper to dry completely.
4. Iron the paper carefully on a hot setting until the secret message is revealed.

See a full breakdown of this experiment here.

4. Egg in a bottle

Science in action: Children learn about how heat creates a vacuum, air pressure and gas expansion (technically known as the combined gas law) in this experiment. You need to move quickly with it, so arrange all the things you need before you start. An adult should handle the part that requires using a flame.

You’ll need: A hard-boiled egg without the shell, a glass bottle, a piece of paper, a lighter.

Instructions: 

1. Show the children how the egg is too big to fit into the neck of the bottle, even if you try to do it with the pointy end of the egg. Remove the egg once you’re done showing this.
2. Set the piece of paper on fire and drop it into the bottle. Immediately, put the egg on top of the bottle, pointy side down.
3. The egg will get sucked into the bottle because the pressure inside the bottle lowers. This means the air pressure outside is enough to force the egg into the bottle.

See a full breakdown of this experiment here.

5. Cloud in a jar

Science in action: Children are fascinated by clouds. What do they feel and look like? How do they get there? This experiment will show students how water turns into a cloud; it also teaches them about weather and the water cycle.

If it works, (fingers crossed) they’ll actually see a cloud form in front of their eyes. You have to work quickly for this one, so make sure everything is set up and ready to go. 

For safety, it’s better if the adult pours the hot water and children stand clear so they don’t get scalded by the steam.

You’ll need: Glass jar with a tight lid, half a cup of hot/boiling water, half a cup of very cold water, a can of hairspray, a bowl of ice cubes, a marker pen.

Preparation:

1. Pour half a cup of water into the jar and mark the water level with the pen. Then pour the water out.
2. Remove the lids off the jar and the hairspray can.

Instructions:

1. Carefully pour the boiling water into the jar and avoid the steam touching your skin.
2. Spray a few full sprays from the aerosol can into the jar, then screw the lid tightly onto the jar. Do it quickly! 
3. Put the ice cubes on top of the jar lid and observe what happens to the water level in the jar according to the line you drew before.
4. Slowly remove the lid from the jar and observe what is happening.
5. Drop a few ice cubes into the jar and watch.
6. Pour the water out, rinse the jar and repeat steps 1–4 with the cold water.

Results:

You should see a cloud forming from the hot water, but not the cold, because clouds come from evaporated water and evaporation needs heat. The hairspray simulates dust particles in the air which helps the water vapour condense into a cloud.

Small scientists, big potential

Children have some of the most explorative, curious minds in society. It’s important to leverage their inquisitiveness at such a crucial time, and encourage them to understand the world around them.

Hands-on experiments fuel a lifelong curiosity and a love of learning. Plus scientific experiments promote vital skills like forming and testing theories, drawing conclusions from evidence and also improve literacy by writing observations and results.

Further reading

For more practical ways to engage students with science, read our article on the power of play and check out our new interactive Pearson International Primary Science course for budding scientists.