Rolling, bouncing, racing, zipping, squishing, and more! Physics is fun, and these easy physics experiments are perfectly fun physics for kids; you can even do them at home or with small groups in the classroom. Whether you are exploring laws of motion, sound waves, or light, physics is everywhere! Make sure to check out all of our science experiments for all year-round learning and play.
Fun Physics Experiments
Can physics be playful? Absolutely, and we will show you AMAZING physics projects for kids that are easy to set up, budget-friendly, and playful! Hands-on is the way to go with our young scientists, explorers, and engineers.
From catapults to rockets and ramps to light and sound, you will find a little bit of everything to start enjoying physics at home or add to your classroom lessons with your kids. We even have some free fun printable packs to help you get started at the bottom of this page.
Oh, and if you are looking for an equally awesome collection of every day earth science experiments or chemistry experiments for kids, we have that too!
What is Physics?
Physics is, most simply put, the study of matter and energy and the interaction between the two.
How did the Universe begin? You might not have the answer to that question! However, you can pull off these cool physics experiments to get your kids thinking, observing, questioning, and experimenting.
Let’s keep it basic for our younger scientists. Physics is all about energy and matter and the relationship they share.
Like all sciences, physics is about solving problems and figuring out why things do what they do. Keep in mind that simple physics experiments can involve some chemistry too!
Kids are great for questioning everything, and we want to encourage…
- listening
- observing
- exploring
- experimenting
- reinventing
- testing
- evaluating
- questioning
- critical thinking
- and more…..
The physics experiments below teach you a little about static electricity, Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion, simple machines, buoyancy, density, and more! And with easy household supplies, you can still do awesome physics projects at home on a budget!
Physics Experiments By Topic
Studying a specific physics topic, check out these additional resources below. Each topic includes easy to understand information, everyday examples and additional hands-on activities and experiments for you to use.
Use the Scientific Method
Encourage your kids to make predictions, discuss observations, and re-test their ideas if they don’t get the desired results the first time. Science always includes an element of mystery that kids naturally love to figure out!
Grab a free printable and learn more about variables and using the scientific method with kids here.
Turn It Into A Science Fair Project
Want to turn one of these fun and easy physics experiments into a science project? Then check out these helpful resources, including a free science fair starter pack!
Easy Physics Experiments For Kids
You will love these neat physics project ideas we have to share with you. I handpick my selections based on what I think my son would enjoy, what supplies are needed, and what amount of time needs to be dedicated to each activity.
Click on each link for the full descriptions of each experiment and activity.
AIR PRESSURE CAN EXPERIMENT
Learn about atmospheric pressure with this incredible can crusher experiment.
AIR RESISTANCE EXPERIMENT
Whoa! A physics experiment in under 10 mins and all you need to do is go raid the computer printer! Make simple air foils and learn about air resistance.
AIR VORTEX CANNON
Make your own homemade air cannon and blast down dominoes and other similar items. Learn about air pressure and the movement of air particles in the process.
BALANCING APPLE EXPERIMENT
Can you balance an apple on your finger? We explored balancing apples and gravity with real apples for our Ten Apples Up On Top Dr Seuss theme and it was pretty challenging! Now let’s try to balance a paper apple (use our FREE printable template to make your own).
BALLOON CAR
There are I am sure many ways for you to come up with a balloon car. I have two balloon car design suggestions to get the creative juices flowing! You can make a LEGO balloon car or you can make a cardboard balloon car. Both work off of a similar principle and really go. Find out which makes the fastest balloon car.
BALLOON ROCKET
Explore fun forces with an easy to set up balloon rocket project. Also see our Valentine’s Day version; we have a Santa balloon rocket too! This simple experiment can be turned into any fun theme. You can even race two balloons or set it up outside!
BROKEN TOOTHPICK
Is it magic or is it science? Make a star out of broken toothpicks by only adding water, and see capillary action at work.
BUOYANCY
Pennies and foil are all you need to learn about buoyancy. Oh. and a bowl of water too!
CAPILLARY ACTION
Check out these fun ways to demonstrate capillary action. Plus, all you need is a handful of standard household supplies.
COLOR CHANGING FLOWERS
Learn about the forces of capillary action as you change your flowers from white to green. Or any color you like! Easy to set up and perfect for a group of kiddos to do simultaneously.
COLOR WHEEL SPINNER
Famous scientist, Isaac Newton discovered that light is made up of many colors. Learn more by making your spinning color wheel! Can you make white light from all the different colors?
DANCING SPRINKLES EXPERIMENT
Explore sound and vibrations when you try this fun dancing sprinkles experiment with the kids.
DENSITY TOWER EXPERIMENT
Explore how some liquids are heavier or denser than other liquids with this super easy physics experiment.
DROPS OF WATER ON A PENNY
How many drops of water can you fit on a penny? Explore surface tension of water when you try this fun penny lab with the kids.
EGG DROP PROJECT
Check out our mess-free version of a classic science experiment. This egg drop challenge is a great way to introduce kids to the scientific method as you test out ideas to protect your egg from cracking.
EGG RACES
Let the egg race experiments begin! Which egg will roll to the bottom of the ramp first? Help your kids make predictions as to what will happen with different size eggs and different angles of ramps.
Older kids may also find learning about Newton’s 3 Laws to be interesting, and explore how they can apply those ideas to their egg races.
ELECTRIC CORNSTARCH
Can you make oobleck jump? Learn about static electricity with this fun cornstarch and oil experiment.
FLOATING PAPERCLIP EXPERIMENT
How do you make a paperclip float on water? This is an awesome physics activity for young kids and older ones too! Learn about surface tension of water, with a few simple supplies.
FLOATING RICE
Can you lift a bottle of rice with a pencil? Explore the force of friction with this easy physics experiment.
GRAVITY
Learn about the gravity and the force that keeps us firmly planted on the ground with hands-on and engaging activities for kids. Check out these fun preschool gravity activities and gravity experiments for elementary and older.
HOMEMADE COMPASS
Learn about magnets and magnetic fields with this fun and easy DIY compass project. Build your own compass that will show you which way is north.
HOW DO SHARKS FLOAT
Or why is it that sharks don’t sink in the ocean? Learn about how these great fish coast around through the ocean and buoyancy with this simple physics activity.
Check out more awesome shark week activities here.
HOW TO MAKE RAINBOWS
Explore light and refraction when you make rainbows using a variety of simple supplies—awesome hands-on science for kids of all ages.
KALEIDOSCOPE FOR KIDS
Learn how to create a kaleidoscope for simple physics.
KITE BUILDING
A good breeze and a few materials are all you need to tackle this Kite making physics project at home, with a group or in the classroom. Learn about forces needed to keep a kite up in the air, as you fly your own kite.
LAVA LAMP
Explore physics with common items found around the house. A homemade lava lamp (or density experiment) is one of our favorite science experiments for kids.
LEGO PARACHUTE
If your mini-figure was about to go skydiving, would they have a LEGO® Parachute? And would their parachute actually work and carry them safely to the ground? Experiment with different materials to see what makes a good parachute.
LEGO ZIP LINE
Can you set up a LEGO zip line and see how well it holds up when in motion? This LEGO® building challenge is also a great way to introduce gravity, friction, slope, energy, and motion while getting creative with your LEGO® design. You could also add a pulley mechanism like we did here for this toy zip line.
LEMON BATTERY
What can you power with a lemon battery? Grab some lemons and a few other supplies, and find out how you can make lemons into lemon electricity!
MAGNETIC COMPASS
Use a magnet to make a compass, or combine the science of magnets with paint for a STEAM project!
MAGNIFYING GLASS
Here’s how you can make your own homemade magnifying glass from a plastic bottle and a drop of water. Find out how a magnifying glass works with some simple physics.
MARBLE RUN WALL
Pool noodles are amazing and cheap materials for so many STEM projects. I keep a bunch on hand all year-long to keep my kid busy. I bet you didn’t know how useful a pool noodle could be for physics projects. Learn about gravity, friction, energy and more with hands-on physics fun!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Cardboard Tube Marble Run
MARBLE VISCOSITY EXPERIMENT
Grab some marbles and find out which one will fall to the bottom first with this easy viscosity experiment.
PADDLE BOAT DIY
Learn about kinetic and potential energy with this simple paddle boat project.
PAPER HELICOPTER
Make a paper helicopter that actually flies! This is an awesome physics challenge for young kids and older ones too. Learn about what helps helicopters rise into the air, with a few simple supplies.
POPSICLE STICK CATAPULT
Want to learn how to make a catapult with popsicle sticks? This Popsicle stick catapult design is an easy physics experiment for kids of all ages! Everyone loves to launch stuff into the air.
We have also made a spoon catapult, LEGO catapult, pencil catapult, and a jumbo marshmallow catapult!
LEGO RUBBER BAND CAR
We made a simple LEGO rubber band car to go along with our favorite superhero book. Again these can be made as simple or as detailed as your kids would like to make them, and it’s all STEM!
PENNY SPINNER
Make these fun paper spinner toys out of simple household materials. Kids love things that spin and spinning tops are one of the earliest toys made in the US.
POM POM SHOOTER
Similar to our snowball launcher further on, but this physics activity uses a toilet paper tube and balloon to launch pom poms. How far can you fling them? See Newton’s Laws of Motion in action!
POP ROCKS EXPERIMENT
We tested a variety of fluids all with a unique viscosity for this fun pop rocks science experiment. Grab a few packs of pop rocks and don’t forget to taste them too!
RAINBOW IN A JAR
This water density experiment with sugar uses only a few kitchen ingredients but produces an amazing physics project for kids! Enjoy finding out about the basics of color mixing all the way up to the density of liquids.
RISING WATER EXPERIMENT
Add a burning candle to a tray of water, cover it with a jar and watch what happens!
ROLLING PUMPKINS
It doesn’t get much easier than pumpkin rolling on homemade ramps. And what makes it even better is that it’s also a great simple physics experiment for kids.
RUBBER BAND CAR
Kids love building things that move! Plus, it’s even more fun if you can make a car go without just pushing it or by adding an expensive motor.
SALT WATER DENSITY EXPERIMENT
This easy to set up salt water density experiment is a cool variation of the classic sink or float experiment. What will happen to the egg in salt water? Will an egg float or sink in salty water? There are so many questions to ask and predictions to make with this easy physics experiment for kids.
SCREAMING BALLOON EXPERIMENT
This screaming balloon experiment is an awesome physics activity for kids of all ages! Explore centripetal force or how objects travel a circular path.
SHADOW PUPPETS
Kids love their shadows, love to chase shadows, and love to make shadows do silly things! There’s also some fun things to learn about shadows for physics. Make simple animal shadow puppets and learn about the science of shadows.
SIMPLE PULLEY EXPERIMENT
Kids love pulleys and our homemade pulley system is sure to be a permanent fixture in your backyard this season. Make a pulley simple machine, learn a little physics, and find new ways to play.
We also have this simple pulley system you can make with a paper cup and thread.
SINK OR FLOAT
Use items straight out of the kitchen for our sink or float experiment. Plus I am sure your child will be able to come with other fun things to test! This is a simple physics experiment and totally engaging for young kids.
SNOWBALL LAUNCHER
Explore Newton’s Laws of Motion with this easy-to-make indoor snowball launcher. All you need are a few simple supplies for hands-on fun!
SOUND EXPERIMENT
Kids love to make noises and sounds is all a part of the physical sciences. This homemade xylophone sound experiment is truly a simple physics experiment for kids. So easy to set up, it’s kitchen science at it’s finest with plenty of room to explore and play!
SPECTROSCOPE
Create your own DIY spectroscope from a few simple supplies and make a rainbow from visible light for a fun physics project for kids.
STATIC ELECTRICITY
Balloons are a must for this one! These simple experiments explore the concept of static electricity in a hands-on way.
TOY CAR FRICTION EXPERIMENT
Kids love to send cars down ramps! The faster the better! But did you know that this favorite playtime activity is also an awesome science lesson for kids of all ages. Explore friction with just a few simple materials.
VISCOSITY EXPERIMENT
Test the viscosity or “thickness” of different household liquids with this easy physics experiment for kids.
WATER DISPLACEMENT EXPERIMENT
Learn about water displacement and what it measures with this simple physics experiment for kids.
WATER REFRACTION EXPERIMENT
Why does the image appear reversed? Have fun with a hands-on demonstration of what happens when light bends! Plus, grab a free printable!
VALENTINE PHYSICS EXPERIMENTS
5 simple physics experiments with a Valentine’s Day theme, including a balloon rocket, static electricity, buoyancy, and more!
More Helpful Science Resources
SCIENCE VOCABULARY
It is never too early to introduce some fantastic science words to kids. Get them started with a printable science vocabulary word list. You’re definitely going to want to incorporate these simple science terms into your next science lesson!
WHAT IS A SCIENTIST
Think like a scientist! Act like a scientist! Scientists like you and me are also curious about the world around them. Learn about the different types of scientists and what they do to increase their understanding of their areas of interest. Read What Is A Scientist
SCIENCE BOOKS FOR KIDS
Sometimes the best way to introduce science concepts is through a colorfully illustrated book with characters your kids can relate to! Check out this fantastic list of science books that are teacher approved and get ready to spark curiosity and exploration!
SCIENCE PRACTICES
A new approach to teaching science is called the Best Science Practices. These eight science and engineering practices are less structured and allow for a more free–flowing approach to problem-solving and finding answers to questions. These skills are critical to developing future engineers, inventors, and scientists!
DIY SCIENCE KIT
You can easily stock up on the main supplies for dozens of fantastic science experiments to explore chemistry, physics, biology, and earth science with kids in preschool through middle school. See how to make a DIY science kit here and grab the free supplies checklist.
SCIENCE TOOLS
What tools do most scientists commonly use? Grab this free printable science tools resource to add to your science lab, classroom, or learning space!
Printable Science Projects Pack
If you’re looking to grab all of our printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets and bonuses like a STEAM Project pack, our Science Project Pack is what you need! Over 300+ Pages!
- 90+ classic science activities with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information. NEW! Activity-specific observation pages!
- Best science practices posters and our original science method process folders for extra alternatives!
- Be a Collector activities pack introduces kids to the world of making collections through the eyes of a scientist. What will they collect first?
- Know the Words Science vocabulary pack includes flashcards, crosswords, and word searches that illuminate keywords in the experiments!
- My science journal writing prompts explore what it means to be a scientist!!
- Bonus STEAM Project Pack: Art meets science with doable projects!
- Bonus Quick Grab Packs for Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics
Wow, I see so many ideas here I want to try? Gravity art, nuts and bolts sculptures…my daughter is going to love these!
Great list of activities! I know that even as an engineer, physics “sounds” hard. Anything we can do to get kids trying it, playing with it and learning it helps remove that stigma. Thanks for including our slime, too 🙂
Your welcome! Yes Physics does sound intimidating but it doesn’t have to be.