Easy Preschool Science Experiments

Curious kids love to experiment! These preschool science activities are low-prep, classroom-ready, and use simple supplies you probably already have on hand. Whether you’re teaching in a classroom or setting up at home, these activities will engage little learners in hands-on discovery.

Tips for Teaching Science in Preschool

• Keep experiments short (10–15 minutes of active time).
• Choose sensory-rich, hands-on activities.
• Set up supplies in trays or bins for easy rotations.
• Mix in quick circle-time demos with longer ongoing projects.

🔎 Learn more about setting up preschool science centers here.

Preschool Circle Time Science Demonstrations

Perfect for whole-group, high-impact science with little mess.

• Magic Milk – Watch colors burst and swirl when dish soap touches milk and food coloring.
• Rain Cloud in a Jar – A simple way to show how rain falls from clouds.
• Walking Water – Observe water as it travels through paper towels and mix colors.
• Shadow Science – Use flashlights or the sun to explore how shadows change.
• Butter in a Jar – Use a group effort to whip up fresh butter for an easy snack with bread.

Preschool Science Centers / Small Group Stations

Hands-on activities kids can rotate through during centers.

• Sink or Float – Test classroom objects or seasonal items (apples, leaves, toys).
• 5 Senses Activities – See, hear, touch, taste, and smell your way through science
• Magnet Discovery Table – Explore what sticks and what doesn’t.
• Color Mixing – Mix primary colors in cups, zip bags, or with ice cubes.
• Mirrors and Reflections – Play with mirrors to make reflections, symmetry, and light bouncing.
• Parts of an Apple – Cut apples, name the parts, and taste test. Find more preschool apple activities.
• Parts of a Pumpkin – Investigate parts of a pumpkin and more with hands-on preschool activities.
• What Absorbs Water – Explore different materials and how they react to water.
• Make Moon Craters (Space Activities) – Simulate craters on the moon and find more space activities for preschoolers.
• Ramps and Friction – Build ramps from cardboard and test cars on different surfaces.
• Bridge STEM Activity – Perfect for a community helper theme! Build bridges with classroom materials.
• Preschool Rock Activities – Kids are facinated with rocks of all shapes and sizes!

Long-Term Displays / Ongoing Science

Great for windowsills or science corners.

• Seed Jar Experiment – Watch roots and shoots grow in front of your eyes (or use bags).
• Celery in Food Coloring – See how water moves through a plant.
• Grass Heads – Grow silly grass hair and give “haircuts.”
• Lettuce Growing Activity – Regrow lettuce scraps in water and track growth.
• Four Seasons – Use printable worksheets to explore seasonal changes over time.
• Rain Gauge – Set up a store-bought rain gauge or make a DIY rain gauge and take measurements as a class and record.

Outdoor or Messy Science

Take these experiments outside for bigger motion, fizz, and fun.

• Lemon Volcanoes – Combine baking soda, vinegar, and lemons for foamy eruptions.
• Ice Melt Rescue – Free items in ice and use warm water to melt.
• Balloon Rockets – Race balloons on a string to show push and pull.
• Gravity in Action – Drop objects from different heights and compare.
• Plant Scavenger Hunt – Go on a parts of a plant scavenger hunt.
• Gardening Activities for Preschool – Start a garden and explore living things outdoors.
• Preschool Nature Science Table (Outdoors) – Set up an open-ended way for preschoolers to explore outdoors.

Weather & Seasonal Science

Perfect for circle time tie-ins to weather charts or seasonal themes.

• Name the Weather – Use playdough mats to build weather scenes.
• Water Cycle Bag – Watch evaporation and condensation on a sunny window.
• Weather Sensory Bin – Explore types of weather through sensory play
• Rain Cloud in a Jar – A simple way to show how rain falls from clouds.

🔎 Look through more weather science activities here.

Preschool Science Coloring Pages

• Fall Anatomy Coloring Pages
• 5 Senses Coloring Pages
• Solar System Coloring Pages
• Birds Coloring Pages
• Ocean Animals Coloring Pages
• Animal Coloring Pages and Craft
• A-Z Science Alphabet Posters
• Robot Alphabet Coloring Pages

Playdough Mats for Preschool Science

• Types of Weather Playdough Mats
• How a Flower Grows Playdough Mat
• Garden Playdough Mats
• Pond Life Playdough Mats
• Bug Playdough Mats
• Recycling Playdough Mat
• Constellation Playdough Mats
• Space Playdough Mats

💡Make quick and easy no-cook playdough here or choose from our various homemade playdough recipes. Find even more free printable playdough mats for kids here.

Seasonal Preschool Activities

Click on each link below for full instructions. Also, look through our seasonal preschool science activities and grab the free science experiment cards!

• Spring Preschool Science Experiments
• Fall Preschool Science Experiments: apples and pumpkins
• Winter Preschool Science Experiments
• Preschool Summer Activities

Printable Preschool Pack

Get ready to explore this year with our Preschool STEM Bundle (25 themes)! Each unit contains approximately 15 activities, with instructions and templates as needed. Hands-on activities are provided to keep it fun and exciting. This includes sensory bins, experiments, games, and more! Easy supplies keep it low-cost, and book suggestions add learning time.