Science Activities for Young Children

Children have a natural interest in the world around them. To foster an appreciation of science, they should be exposed to scientific concepts at an early age.

There are many experiments you can do with your young children to pique their interest in science. Most of them are quick and easy to set up, requiring only materials you already have in your kitchen.

You can make your own rainbow (on a sunny day). The materials you will need are a clear glass, a small mirror and water. Place the mirror in a glass filled with water. Set it near a sunny window and move the glass around until a rainbow appears on the wall.

Make water disappear. You will need a clear plastic or glass cup, water and tape or a marker. Pour water into a cup until it is half full. Mark the water level with a permanent marker or a piece of tape. Set the cup in a warm place and leave it there overnight. In the morning you will see that the water level is lower because some of it disappeared (evaporated).

You can also make a salt disappear. Gather a clear glass, salt and a spoon. Fill the glass with water and stir one spoonful of salt into the water until it "disappears". (It's still there but salt dissolves in water.)

Wave bottles allow your child to experiment with oil and water over and over. You will need an empty plastic soda or water bottle, vegetable oil, water, glue and food coloring, glitter, small shells or metallic confetti (optional). Fill the bottle two-thirds full of water. Add food coloring, glitter, small shells or metallic confetti, if desired. Fill the bottle to the top with oil. Put glue around the threads on the inside of the bottle cap and screw cap on tightly. Let the glue dry overnight. Let your child turn the jar on its side and gently roll it around to make waves. Shake the jar up. The oil always quickly comes to the top as oil is lighter than water.

Sink or float is a great water activity that allows your child to make predictions and test them. Necessary materials are a sink, bathtub or bowl, water, several plastic, wood and metal items such as a nail, a pencil, a screw, an eraser, a spoon, a plastic bottle cap, a cork, a pen, a penny, a paper clip, etc. Ask your child to make a prediction about each item and then allow him or her to place the item in the water. Talk about why each item sank or floated.

These simple activities will pique your child's interest in the natural world and will be fun for both of you as well.

Source: Easy Science Experiments by Diane Molleson and Sarah Savage, Scholastic, Inc., New York