50+ Fun Summer Science Experiments and STEM Projects for Kids

Looking for exciting and easy science activities to keep kids learning all summer long? These summer science experiments are perfect for curious minds and busy hands! Whether you’re inside keeping cool or enjoying the sunshine, this collection of summer-themed science ideas is packed with fun.

🔥 Top 5 Must-Try Summer Science Experiments

Start your summer science fun with these favorites! Each one includes easy instructions, kid-friendly science, and a wow-factor.

🔎 You’ll find a more complete list of outdoor science experiments here.

Explore chemistry, physics, heat, water, color, and more using simple materials. Plus, grab your free printable summer science guide to make planning even easier!

🎥 Watch the Video:

Ice Cream in a Bag – Make a tasty treat while learning about freezing point depression.
Water Bottle Rocket – A fantastic, flying experiment that explores pressure and propulsion.
DIY Solar Oven – Harness the sun’s energy to melt s’mores in a homemade solar cooker.
Mentos and Diet Coke: Explore a unique physical change with a jaw-dropping eruption.
Strawberry DNA – Extract real DNA from strawberries using simple kitchen supplies.

Summer Observations

Kick off the summer science fun with this easy-to-use summer observations worksheet! Perfect for getting kids thinking about the summer ahead.

Cool Chemistry Experiments

Explore chemical reactions, fizz, and fun with these easy chemistry experiments for summer!

Fizzing Lemonade – Explore acids and bases in this tasty and bubbly experiment.
Frozen Baking Soda Stars – A fun patriotic activity where frozen stars fizz and bubble with vinegar.
Bursting Bags (Exploding Bags) – Mix baking soda and vinegar in a sealed bag for an exciting pop!
Alka-Seltzer Rockets – Watch a gas build-up launch film canister rockets into the air.
Watermelon Volcano – Create a foaming eruption inside a watermelon!
Sandbox Volcano – Build and erupt a volcano using baking soda and vinegar in your sandbox.
Fireworks in a Jar – Mix oil and water with food coloring to create colorful bursts like fireworks.
Crystal Seashells – Grow borax crystals on seashells and explore solutions and crystal formation.

Physical Science & Electricity Experiments

DIY Flashlight – Build a simple flashlight and learn how circuits work.
Static Lightning – Create tiny sparks with a balloon and a spoon to explore static electricity.
Balloon Rocket – Use air pressure to launch a balloon along a string path.
Pulley System – Build a simple pulley to learn how machines lift objects.
Straw Rocket – Blow through a straw to launch a paper rocket using force and air.
Floating Paper Clip – Test the water’s surface tension by floating a paper clip.
Magnet Maze – Move a metal object through a maze using magnetic force.
Paper Spinner Drop – Drop a paper helicopter to explore gravity and air resistance.
Ball Ramp Challenge – Test how slope and surface affect a rolling ball’s speed..

Water & Ice Science Activities

Beat the heat and learn about melting, freezing, and water reactions!

Ice Cream in a Bag – Make a frozen treat while learning about freezing points.
Slushie Sorbet in a Bag – Explore how salt lowers the freezing point of ice.
Salt Water Density – Test how saltwater affects floating and sinking objects.
Ice Melting Experiments – See how different materials melt ice at different rates.
Leakproof Bag – Stick pencils through a water-filled bag without it leaking.
DIY Water Wall – Build a simple wall to explore water flow and gravity.
LEGO Water Dam – Use LEGO bricks to block or control the water flow.
Bubble Snakes – Explore air flow and surface tension.
Geometric Bubbles – Discover how bubbles form in different frames.

Light, Color, and UV Science

Discover the science of light, UV rays, and color change with these vibrant activities.

Ultraviolet (UV) Slime – Take slime outside to explore UV-triggered color changes.
Thermochromatic Slime– Make slime that changes color in different temperatures.
Homemade Kaleidoscope – Create colorful patterns with light and reflection.
DIY Spectroscope – Split white light into a rainbow using a simple tool.
What Melts in the Sun? – Test how heat from sunlight melts different materials.
DIY Planetarium – Model stars and constellations with a homemade projector.
DIY Sundial – Track the sun’s movement by making a sundial that tells time with shadows.
Pinhole Camera – Make a simple camera to explore how light travels and creates images.

Summer STEM & Building Projects

Build, design, and engineer your way through the summer with these hands-on STEM challenges.

Paper Bridge Challenge – Build a bridge from paper and test how much weight it can hold.
Paddle Boat Challenge – Create a rubber band-powered boat and see how far it can travel.
LEGO Zip Line – Build a zip line for a mini figure and experiment with speed and weight.
Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower – Engineer a tall tower using only marshmallows and dry spaghetti.
Soap-Powered Boat – Use surface tension and dish soap to power a simple paper boat.
DIY Pinwheel – Make a pinwheel and explore wind power and rotational motion.
Straw Boat – Design a floating boat from straws and test how much weight it can carry.

Free Printable Summer Science Guide

Want a simple way to plan your summer science time?
👉 Download our free Summer Science Printable Pack here !
This includes:

Science journal pages
Summer experiment checklist
Bookmarkable activity links
Perfect to hang on the fridge or add to your homeschool binder!

More Awesome Summer Activities

Extend the fun with even more themed summer learning:

From under the sea to deep space, from the Fourth of July to backyard art, we have many summer activities and experiments you can do inside or outside!

Keep Kids Learning All Summer!

💡 From slime and bubbles to nature walks and fireworks science—this Summer bundle is your one-stop summer STEM solution. Over 11 hands-on activity packs to make this your most fun and educational summer ever!

Summer Science Experiments for Kids