20 Awesome Fall Science Experiments

Fall Scientific Method Projects

Start here with fun fall science experiments. Here are some examples of applying the scientific method to fall science experiments (grab free journal pages).

Each experiment follows the same steps of forming a question, hypothesizing, experimenting, observing, and concluding, making the process engaging and educational! Perfect for upper elementary and early middle school grades!

Fall Sink or Float Experiment

• Question: Will a pumpkin (and other fall items) sink or float in water?
• Hypothesis: If a pumpkin is placed in water, then it will float because its size makes it buoyant despite its weight.
• Experiment: Place pumpkins of different sizes in a large container of water to see if they sink or float.
• Observation: Observe whether the pumpkins sink or float and record the results.
• Conclusion: Based on the results, conclude whether the size or weight of a pumpkin affects whether it sinks or floats.

Leaf Chromatography

• Question: What colors are hidden in the fall leaves?
• Hypothesis: If I use chromatography to separate pigments from fall leaves, then I will see hidden colors like yellow and green.
• Experiment: Collect leaves, crush them in rubbing alcohol, and use a coffee filter to separate the pigments.
• Observation: Watch the colors rise through the coffee filter and note which pigments are visible.
• Conclusion: Analyze the results to understand which pigments were hidden in the leaves before they changed color.

Apple Oxidation Experiment

• Question: What stops an apple from turning brown after it’s cut?
• Hypothesis: If I apply lemon juice to a cut apple, then it will prevent browning for a longer time compared to water, vinegar, or baking soda water.
• Experiment: Cut an apple and apply different liquids like lemon juice, water, vinegar, and baking soda water to different slices. Leave them out and observe over time.
• Observation: Watch which slice of apple browns the fastest and record the time it takes for each to brown.
• Conclusion: Draw a conclusion about which substance slows down apple oxidation the best.

Seasonal Temperature Investigation

• Question: How does the temperature change from day to night during fall?
• Hypothesis: If I measure the temperature in the morning and evening during the fall, then the temperature will drop by at least 10°F at night compared to the daytime.
• Experiment: Record the temperature outside at the same time each day, morning, afternoon, and evening, over a week.
• Observation: Collect data on temperature changes and compare them over time.
• Conclusion: Analyze the data to find out how much the temperature typically drops during the day and night in the fall.

Exploring the Water Cycle with Fall Leaves

• Question: How do fall leaves affect the evaporation of water?
• Hypothesis: If I place leaves in a jar of water, then the leaves will slow down the evaporation rate compared to a jar without leaves.
• Experiment: Place leaves in a jar of water and compare it to a jar without leaves, tracking how much water evaporates over a week.
• Observation: Observe the water levels daily to see the evaporation rate in both jars.
• Conclusion: Conclude whether the leaves affected the water evaporation rate.

Free Printable Fall Science Guide

This free printable fall science guide includes handy bookmark links and a fall-themed science process pack with science journal pages. It’s perfect for planning your science activities this fall!

Best Fall Science Experiments

Add the scientific method to these as well! These are fun fall science activities for elementary school students! Make sure to look through fall preschool science guide for younger kids.

💡 Click on each title below to learn more about the how-to’s of each fall science activity.

New! Fall Density Column

This simple density column science investigation explores density and buoyancy with a fun fall theme. Watch as the liquids separate and solid objects sink or float.

New! Seasonal Temperature Investigation

Have you ever noticed how cool and crisp fall evenings feel compared to warm afternoons? Fall is the perfect season to explore how the temperature changes throughout the day.

Fall Seed Investigation

Set up a fall seed investigation to explore the inside of some favorite fall fruits—like apples, pumpkins, and cranberries—to find out just how many seeds they have!

Pine Cone Weather Station

Set up a weather station using a pinecone as a simple hygrometer—a tool to measure moisture in the air. Observing a pine cone’s behavior gives insight into daily weather changes.

Leaf Chromatography Experiment

Have you ever wondered about how leaves get their color? Set up this easy fall experiment to find the hidden pigments in the leaves in your backyard!

Learn About The Veins Of A Leaf

Explore the structure of plant leaves and how water travels through leaf veins with the kids this season. This fun and simple experiment is a great way to see behind the scenes of how plants work!

How Do Plants Breath Through Leaves

Have you ever wondered do plants breath and if so, how? All you need to do is head outside and grab a few leaves to get started with this simple experiment. Learn all about plant respiration.

Make Fall Leaf Slime

Our Fall slime recipe is perfect science and sensory play when the leaves begin to change color. Fall science is easy to do with young kids and older kids too!

Grow Salt Crystal Leaves

You will want to try this fall leaf theme activity growing salt crystals. Growing crystals is a really fun and simple experiment you can do at home or in the classroom.

Erupting Apple Volcano

A must try apple science experiment! Make an apple volcano and explore a cool chemical reaction with everyday supplies from your kitchen cupboard.

Why Do Apples Turn Brown?

Why do apples turn brown is a classic apple science experiment for kids! It gets kids thinking about how to keep apples from turning brown and teaches them all about apple oxidation.

Apple 5 Senses Activity

There are so many different types of apples to enjoy! Take the great apple taste test and see which apple is your favorite. So simple to set up and includes a free printable worksheet.

Apple Oobleck

Just 2 ingredients for this amazing science activity! Perfect for a fall and apple theme lesson.

Apple Gravity Experiment

Race apples and learn about physics for hands-on outdoor fun this fall season.

How Does An Apple Grow

This is a great apple lesson plan that includes literacy resources, parts of an apple activity, and helpful videos!

Balancing Apples

Explore gravity with real and paper apples for this fun apple project.

Do Apples Float?

Do apples sink or float in water? Check out this and other fun apple STEM challenges.

Red Apple Slime

Learn about non-Newtonian fluids with a fun apple twist on a favorite slime recipe.

Pumpkin Slime

Kids love to play with slime and making slime is an awesome science experiment! Homemade slime is always fun especially when you make it inside a real pumpkin.

Pumpkin Volcano

Chemistry and pumpkins combine for a unique volcano science activity! Also try our Mini Pumpkin Volcano.

Rotting Pumpkin Jack Experiment

I love the story about pumpkin Jack. If you are going to carve a pumpkin this year then you are already a good part of the way there to setting up your own rotting pumpkin science experiment.

Pumpkin Oobleck

A classic 2 ingredient oobleck science experiment inside a pumpkin!

Sink or Float Pumpkin Experiment

Explore whether pumpkins sink or float, what are the parts of a pumpkin and more with these simple, fun preschool pumpkin activities.

Crystal Pumpkins

Make crystal pumpkins with a fun twist on a classic borax crystal experiment.

Pumpkin Clock

Make your own clock using pumpkins to power it. Really? Yes, find out how you can make your own powered pumpkin clock.

Bonus Fall Science Worksheets To Use

Life Cycle Of An Apple

Learn about how apples grow from a seed to become an apple tree with these printable apple life cycle worksheets. Great to pair with a hands-on apple activity!

Life Cycle Of A Pumpkin

Learn about a pumpkin life cycle with these fun life cycle of a pumpkin worksheets! Find out how many stages there are in growing a pumpkin and the parts of a pumpkin.

Why Do Leaves Change Color

Why do leaves change color? Find out what causes leaves to change color in the fall with this fun printable lapbook project. Our printable fall leaves project makes learning easy!

Fall Would You Rather Questions

Have some fun with your kids with these printable would you rather questions for Fall. Great for conversation starters or small group activities.

Fall Coloring Pages (Science Theme)

These fall coloring pages explore the anatomy of fall and make the perfect addition to either your next science or art lesson! Learn about the parts of an apple, pumpkin, and leaf with these free printable fall coloring pages. Great for preschoolers as well as elementary age kiddos.