Fun Science Activities for Preschoolers
Kids Learn Science with Creative Hands On Experiments
Sep 23, 2008
Children are exposed to the sciences all the time without even realizing it. Whenever they catch snowflakes on their tongues or make mud pies, they are witnessing science in action. A child’s simplest observations about the weather or the texture of a rock could essentially be the exciting beginnings of an inquisitive mind and should be vigorously encouraged.
Even so, why leave a child’s promising interest in science to chance? Help it along with some creative scientific activities of your own making. Try starting with these two fun ideas that use common household items.
Teach States of Matter with Snow Melting Activity
The question: Will five inches of snow equal the same amount of water as five inches of rain?
The answer: No. Snow has air between its ice crystals that fluff it up and keep it from being as dense as water. Once melted, the air is released and the water that is left will take up less volume.
To prove it, fill one glass or plastic container with five inches of water. Drop in a couple of drops of red or green food coloring to distinguish it from the snow. Then, fill another similar container with five inches of snow using a large spoon. If snow is not readily available, crushed ice will do.
Once the snow has melted (ask the kids how that happens), observe where the water line is in the snow container and compare it with the container of colored water. Is it lower? Have the children pour the water into measuring cups to measure the amounts of liquid from each.
Teach Chemistry Using Simple Food Items
The questions: Will lemon juice prevent apples from browning? Will it prevent apples from browning if baking soda is added?
The answers: Lemon juice will prevent apples from browning because the acid stalls the oxidation process, but if baking soda is added to the lemon juice, the acid is neutralized and the apples will brown normally.
To prove it, place the juice of half a lemon into one bowl, and the juice of the other half into a second bowl. To the second bowl, sprinkle baking soda a little at a time, stopping once the solution no longer bubbles. Have a third, empty bowl handy as well. Label the bowls accordingly. Cut up apples into slices and add a couple to each bowl, tossing them well.
Next, have the kids observe the apples. (Hint: While waiting, they can snack on the leftover slices.) Ask them which bowl of apples browned the quickest and which browned the slowest. If they are old enough, have them write down what they observed during the activity.
A child’s interest in science starts with a keen curiosity about the surrounding world. This curiosity comes naturally and can be easily nurtured by parents and caregivers through fun and educational science activities. In doing so, it may be possible to pave the way for little ones to someday join the ranks of the next generation of scientists, doctors, and engineers.
For more educational preschool ideas, see "Fun Math Activities for Preschoolers".
