Elementary Science Experiments

Looking for exciting and easy science experiments for elementary students? Whether you’re a teacher planning hands-on science lessons or a parent exploring STEM at home, we’ve got you covered! These Elementary science experiments use simple materials to engage kids in grades 3 to 5 with real-world science concepts.

Why Is Science Important for Elementary Students?

Elementary-age kids are naturally curious and love to explore how things work. Science gives them the tools to:

🔎 Now is a fantastic time to introduce the scientific method, write a hypothesis, and choose variables.

Ask questions and define problems
Plan and conduct investigations
Observe and record data
Use science vocabulary
Communicate their ideas and results

🔎 By making science hands-on and engaging, students gain confidence and develop critical thinking skills that carry over into all subjects.

Best Elementary Science Experiments by Topic

Organizing experiments by topic ensures you cover essential science concepts while engaging students in meaningful hands-on learning.

Chemistry Experiments

🔎 Explore chemical reactions, changes of state, mixtures, and solutions. See our complete collection of Chemistry Experiments for Kids here.

Apple Browning Experiment (oxidation)
Baking Soda and Vinegar Balloons (acid-base reaction)
Candy Dissolving Comparison (solutions and solubility)
Oil and Water Science (immiscible liquids)
Slime Making (polymers and mixtures)
Crystal Growing (evaporation and crystallization)
Red Cabbage pH Indicator (acids and bases)
Elephant Toothpaste (exothermic chemical reaction)
Baking Soda and Sugar: (chemical reaction)
Density Tower (layered liquids and density)
Physical, Chemical, and Phase Change Examples
Material Properties (materials)
Separating Mixtures (mixtures)

Physics Experiments

🔎 Explore force, motion, energy, sound, light, and magnetism. See our complete collection of Physics Experiments for Kids here.

Balloon Rocket (action and reaction forces)
Popsicle Stick Chain Reaction (stored energy and motion)
Build a Water Wheel (kinetic energy and motion)
Egg in a Bottle (expansion and compression)
Friction Ramp Test (surface resistance)
Balloon-Powered Car (potential and kinetic energy)
Simple Machines Exploration (inclined planes, levers)
Water Refraction with Flipped Images (light refraction)
Macro Refractions with Water Droplets (magnification)
Magnetic Slime (magnetism and materials)
Floating Magnet Experiment (magnetic fields)
Coin Drop Challenge (inertia and gravity)
What Colors Absorb Heat Better? (light and energy)
Crushed Can Experiment (air pressure)
Make a Pinwheel (energy and motion)

Earth Science & Weather Experiments

🔎 Explore weather, erosion, rock and soil formation, and the water cycle. See our complete collection of Earth Science for Kids here.

Carbon Footprint Activity (human impact on Earth)
Oil Spill Clean-Up (pollution and environmental protection)
Stormwater Runoff Project (erosion and water movement)
Water Cycle in a Bag (evaporation, condensation, precipitation)
Renewable Resources Pack (renewable resources)
Make a Rain Gauge (weather data collection)
Mini Erosion Model (soil erosion and water flow)
Crayon Rock Cycle (rock types and heat/pressure)
Edible Rock Cycle (hands-on model of the rock cycle)
Soil Layer 3D Model (layers of soil and organic material)
DIY Barometer (air pressure changes)
Anemometer (measuring wind speed)
Homemade Weather Station (weather data collection)
Planets for Kids (astronomy)
Moon Phases for Kids (astronomy)

Life Science Activities

🔎 Explore plant growth, ecosystems, animal adaptations, human body systems, and life cycles. See our complete collection of Biology Experiments for Kids here.

Build a Bug Hotel (habitats and biodiversity)
Color-Changing Flowers (capillary action in plants)
Celery and Food Coloring (water transport in plants)
Seed Germination in a Bag (plant life cycle)
Leaf Chromatography (pigments in plants)
Grow Mold on Bread (decomposition and fungi)
Animal Adaptations (traits and environments)
Wingspan Investigation (anatomy)
DIY Lung Model (respiratory system)
DIY Heart Model (circulatory system)
Heart Rate Investigation (exercise and pulse)
Reaction Time Test (nervous system)
Animal Life Cycle Activities (frogs, butterflies, chickens, etc.)
Food Chain and Food Web Activities (energy flow in ecosystems)
Plant Growth Experiment (effects of light and water)

Engineering & STEM Challenges

🔎 Explore problem-solving, design, construction, and technology using the engineering design process. See our complete collection of Engineering Activities for Kids here.

Paper Bridge STEM Challenge (structures and weight distribution)
Build a Rain Gauge (designing for data collection)
Build a Marble Maze (design thinking and testing)
Egg Drop Test (design for impact absorption)
Design a Paper Airplane (aerodynamics)
Build a Parachute (air resistance and gravity)
Simple Circuit Activities (conductivity and circuits)
Aluminum Foil Circuit (electricity and materials)
Spaghetti Tower Challenge (structural design)
Paper Chain STEM Challenge (constraint-based design)
100 Paper Cup Tower Challenge (collaborative engineering and stability)
Binary Code with Margaret Hamilton (introduction to coding and women in STEM)

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE SCIENCE CHALLENGE CALENDAR!

Optional Seasonal Science Experiments for the School Year

These activities make great enrichment options for larger science concepts like chemical reactions, physical changes, earth science, or engineering design.

Many are perfect for themed weeks, special occasions, or holiday science days in the classroom. Grades 3 to 5 can benefit most when these reinforce core content already introduced.

Fall Science Activities

🔎 Explore all Fall Science Activities here.

Apple Volcano (chemical reaction)
Leaf Chromatography (plant pigments)
Popcorn in a Bag (thermal energy and pressure)
Rotting Pumpkin Experiment (decomposition)

Halloween Science Experiments

🔎 Explore all Halloween Science Activities here.

Halloween Density Jar (liquid density)
Puking Pumpkin Reaction (gas production and pressure)
Frozen Brain (reversible change and melting)

Thanksgiving Science Experiments

🔎 Explore all Thanksgiving Science Activities here.

Dancing Cranberries or Dancing Corn (gas formation and buoyancy)
Bread in a Bag (chemistry)
Butter in a Jar (states of matter)
Dissolving Candy Corn (solubility)

Winter Science Experiments

🔎 Explore all Winter Science Activities here.

Ice Fishing Challenge (temperature and freezing point)
Polar Bear Blubber Experiment (insulation and adaptation)
Insulation Experiment (insulation and temperature)
DIY Thermometer (air temperature and expansion)
Iceberg Density Experiment (buoyancy and density)
Winter Food Chain Project (adaptation and life science)

Christmas Science Activities

🔎 Explore all Christmas Science Activities here.

Crystal Candy Canes (crystallization)
Santa’s Magic Milk (surface tension)
Bending Candy Cane Science (heat and pliability)

Valentine’s Day Science Ideas

🔎 Explore all Valentine’s Day Science Activities here.

Melting Chocolate Science (reversible change)
Crystal Hearts (solution and crystal formation)
Candy Heart Oobleck (non-Newtonian fluid)
Dissolving Candy Hearts (solubility)

Spring Science Projects

🔎 Explore all Spring Science Activities here.

Make a Mini Greenhouse (plant growth)
Pollination Simulation (life science)
Rainbow Walking Water (capillary action)
Make Rainbows (light science)

Easter Science Experiments

🔎 Explore all Easter Science Activities here.

Dissolving Jelly Beans (solubility)
Egg Catapult (engineering and physics)
Fizzy Easter Eggs (chemical reaction)
Egg Drop Challenge (engineering)

Earth Day Science Experiments

🔎 Explore all Earth Day Science Activities here.

Carbon Footprint Exploration (sustainability)
Natural Water Filter Project (water purification)
Build a Simple Solar Oven (renewable energy)
Oil Spill Experiment (environmental cleanup)

Outdoor Science Experiments

Get outside with these fun and engaging outdoor science experiments. Perfect for warmer months or anytime your class needs a breath of fresh air and hands-on exploration!

Paper Helicopter Test (gravity, air resistance, and design variation)
Bottle Rockets (air pressure and thrust)
Diet Coke and Mentos (gas formation and reaction rate)
Shadow Tracking with Chalk (sun movement and Earth’s rotation)

Printable Science Pack for Elementary Grades

Want all these activities in one place with full instructions? Our 300+ Page Printable Science Pack includes:

90+ science activities with journal pages
Supply lists and detailed setup
Vocabulary word packs and observation charts
Bonus STEAM projects and themed bundles

Perfect for parents, teachers, and homeschoolers!

👉[Grab Your Science Pack Here]

FAQs: Science for Elementary Kids

What are some good science fair projects for grades 3–5?
Great science fair projects focus on asking questions and testing variables. Try investigating which paper helicopter design stays in the air longest, testing how temperature affects seed germination, or exploring which homemade slime recipe stretches the most. Choose a question, set up an experiment, and record your results using the scientific method!

🔎 Look through our big list of easy science fair projects here and create a science fair board here.

What are the best science experiments for elementary students?
Start with simple experiments like baking soda and vinegar reactions, balloon rockets, bug hotels, or growing seeds. These hands-on activities teach core science skills while keeping kids engaged.

What materials do I need for science at home or school?
Basic supplies include baking soda, vinegar, balloons, food coloring, clear plastic cups, measuring spoons, tape, craft sticks, and paper towels. You don’t need expensive kits!

How do I teach the scientific method to young kids?
Use simple steps: ask a question, make a hypothesis, test with an experiment, observe what happens, and share your results. Our free printable science method posters and journal pages can help!