National STEM Day, celebrated on 8th November, is a fantastic opportunity to introduce children to science, technology, engineering, and maths in a fun, hands-on way. At home, science experiments can inspire curiosity, provide early STEM learning, and help children make sense of the world around them. In our family, my husband Steve and I love experimenting with simple science activities that our toddler daughter can also enjoy in her own way, whether it’s observing bubbles or joining in with mixing ingredients.
Here’s a collection of fun, safe, and easy-to-do experiments that can be done with everyday household items. These activities encourage kids of all ages to explore and discover, while adding an extra dose of fun to National STEM Day.
1. Magic Milk Experiment
The magic milk experiment is a simple way to demonstrate the concept of chemical reactions, surface tension, and colour mixing. This experiment is particularly appealing because of the vibrant swirls of colour it produces, which is fascinating for kids of all ages.
What You’ll Need:
- A shallow dish or plate
- Full-fat milk
- Food colouring (various colours)
- Dish soap
- Cotton buds
Instructions:
- Pour the milk into the shallow dish until it covers the base.
- Add drops of different food colouring around the dish.
- Dip a cotton bud in dish soap, then touch it gently to the surface of the milk.
What Happens: As the soap touches the milk, the colours start swirling and mixing, creating a “dancing” effect. This is because the soap breaks down the fat in the milk, disrupting the surface tension and causing the colours to move. Our daughter loves watching the colours swirl, and it’s a great way to introduce the concept of reactions in a visually exciting way.
2. Baking Soda Volcano
The baking soda volcano is a classic experiment that never fails to impress. This simple reaction between baking soda and vinegar mimics a volcanic eruption, with “lava” pouring out in a bubbly explosion. It’s easy to do and perfect for young children who enjoy hands-on activities.
What You’ll Need:
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Washing-up liquid
- Food colouring
- A small plastic bottle or container
- A tray to catch the “lava”
Instructions:
- Place the bottle on the tray and fill it halfway with baking soda.
- Add a few drops of food colouring and a squirt of washing-up liquid to enhance the bubbling effect.
- Pour vinegar into the bottle and watch the “lava” bubble over the top!
What Happens: This experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction between an acid (vinegar) and a base (baking soda), producing carbon dioxide gas, which creates the bubbling eruption. It’s a great way to introduce children to basic chemistry. Our daughter loves watching the “volcano” erupt, and we like to repeat it using different food colours for a fun variation.
3. Homemade Lava Lamp
A homemade lava lamp is a fascinating experiment that uses oil, water, and an effervescent tablet to create colourful, bubbly “lava.” It’s a perfect activity for kids and even appeals to adults with its calming, hypnotic effect.
What You’ll Need:
- A clear bottle or jar
- Water
- Vegetable oil
- Food colouring
- Effervescent tablet (like Alka-Seltzer)
Instructions:
- Fill the bottle about a third full with water, then pour vegetable oil on top, leaving some space at the top of the bottle.
- Add a few drops of food colouring.
- Drop an effervescent tablet into the bottle and watch the bubbles rise and fall.
What Happens: The oil and water don’t mix due to their different densities, and the effervescent tablet creates bubbles that carry water to the top, which then sinks back down. It’s a great way to demonstrate density and immiscibility in a visually engaging way. Our daughter loves watching the bubbles float up and down, and Steve and I enjoy the relaxing effect of the “lava lamp.”
4. Ice and Salt Experiment
This simple experiment helps children understand how salt affects the melting point of ice. It’s also a great sensory activity as it involves texture, temperature, and sight.
What You’ll Need:
- Ice cubes
- Table salt
- Food colouring (optional)
Instructions:
- Place the ice cubes on a tray.
- Sprinkle salt over the ice cubes and watch them start to melt.
- Add a few drops of food colouring for visual interest; the colour will follow the melting patterns and form cracks in the ice.
What Happens: Salt lowers the freezing point of water, causing the ice to melt faster. This is why salt is often used on roads in winter to prevent ice from forming. The food colouring highlights the cracks and patterns created by the melting, making it a fun and educational experiment for kids.
5. Static Electricity Balloon Experiment
The static electricity balloon experiment is simple but a lot of fun, especially for young children. It teaches the concept of static electricity and can be used to make small objects “jump” up to the balloon.
What You’ll Need:
- A balloon
- Small pieces of paper or tissue paper, torn up
- A woollen sweater or your hair!
Instructions:
- Inflate the balloon and tie it off.
- Rub the balloon on a woollen sweater or your hair to create static electricity.
- Hold the balloon near the pieces of paper and watch them “jump” up to stick to it.
What Happens: Rubbing the balloon transfers electrons, creating a static charge that attracts the lightweight paper pieces. This experiment introduces children to the concept of electricity in a fun, hands-on way.
6. Exploring Density with a Rainbow in a Jar
For slightly older children, creating a rainbow in a jar is a fascinating way to demonstrate the concept of density. Different liquids have different densities, so they layer instead of mixing.
What You’ll Need:
- A tall, clear jar or glass
- Honey
- Dish soap
- Water (coloured with food colouring)
- Vegetable oil
- Rubbing alcohol (coloured with food colouring)
Instructions:
- Carefully pour each liquid into the jar one at a time, starting with honey, followed by dish soap, water, oil, and finally the coloured alcohol. Pour slowly and down the side of the jar to prevent mixing.
- Observe the different layers forming a “rainbow” effect.
What Happens: Each liquid has a different density, so they form distinct layers rather than mixing. It’s a stunning visual representation of density that children can learn from. Steve and I love setting up this experiment with our daughter, who’s fascinated by the colourful layers.
Conclusion
National STEM Day is an ideal time to introduce children to the magic of science through hands-on experiments that capture their imagination. Whether it’s creating a homemade lava lamp or building a baking soda volcano, these experiments encourage curiosity and exploration in ways that are easy and fun. For our family, science experiments are a chance to bond, learn, and share a few laughs together as we watch reactions unfold. Try a few of these experiments at home, and let the wonders of science turn your home into a mini laboratory this National STEM Day!
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