11 Science Activities for Preschoolers
What are some science concepts explored in preschooler science projects?
Each of these preschool science experiments is designed to introduce young children to important scientific principles. Even though young kids may not fully understand the scientific concept just yet, it's a fun way to spark their interest and curiosity in science. When they grow older and learn the science behind it, they'll remember these science experiments with fond memories!
Chemistry
Fun chemical reactions
Explore fizzy baking soda experiments with the Baking Soda Volcano, Swimming Raisins or Lava Lamp science projects!
Watch soap bubbles erupt when hydrogen peroxide, yeast and soap are mixed together in Elephant Toothpaste.
Dish soap and milk make colorful swirls constantly move in Magic Milk!
Exploring solids and liquids
Fun sensory play with frozen flowers as water transforms from solid to liquid.
Growing crystals
With time and patience, Borax crystals form on pipe cleaners in the Sparkling Rainbow Crystal science activity.
Capillary action
Follow different colored water as they travel along paper towels to make a colorful surprise with the Walking Rainbow Experiment!
Biology
Germinating seeds
Sprout seeds into plants with water, paper towels and time!
Flowers and leaves
Frozen Flower Sensory Play is great way to learn about the parts of flowers and leaves as they melt out from the ice.
Animal adaptation
Learn how animals camouflage and hide with this fun STEAM activity!
Physics
Solar system
Introduce the solar system to young kids with the solar system sensory bin.
Sun prints use the power of the sun for an art activity!
Make and then gaze at the mesmerizing galaxy in a bottle!
Air
Even though we can't see air, we can explore air in this science project!
Light
Discover the properties of light by mixing colors of light.
Thermodynamics
See how temperature affects water movement in this colorful science activity!
Engineering
These engineering projects for preschoolers are perfect for a class activity, or even with with a group of kids at a birthday party or gathering!
It's super fun for kids to do these activities by themselves, but even more enjoyable when they participate in friendly competition with other kids to be inspired by everyone's creations!
What are some outdoor preschool science activities?
Head to the playground to explore gravity and friction
Slides can be used in playgrounds to learn about friction. Slide down sitting down on a piece of cardboard or thick fabric, and also without. What makes you go down faster on the slide?
Fold and fly paper airplanes
Fold different kinds of paper airplanes and see which flies the furthest. Have a paper airplane challenge with others to see whose plane flies the furthest!
Catch bugs
Put on your sunhat and head outdoors to see what bugs you can find! To catch flying insects, use a bug net. Also have a few jars with lids to catch creepy crawlies! Kids are naturally curious, so seeing insects up close provides a wonderful opportunity to spark their interest in the natural world and encourage them to learn more about insects. Look closely at it's color and shape and how many legs it has.
Collect leaves and flowers outdoors and continue with a warm or icy project!
Kids love to collect leaves and flowers, but make sure you have permission to pick leaves and flowers first. After having fun gathering leaves and flowers, here are two science activities for preschoolers for more fun!
Use the power of the sun to make Sun Prints with the leaves and flowers on construction paper! Leaves and flowers frozen into ice will transform into water in this fun Frozen Flower Sensory Play activity!
Go to the beach or forest and see what you find there!
The beach or forest are great places to introduce kids (and adults!) to many science topics and encourage curiosity! Are there rocks or pebbles? What shapes and colors can you find? What animals do you see? Are these animals there all-year-round, or are they just passing by during this season?
Learn about how animals camouflage and hide.
This fun STEAM art activity shows kids how animals can camouflage and hide.
What are some indoor science activities for preschoolers?
Science Museums
Science museums are great places to learn about science. Science museums, natural history museums, space museums, and discovery museums are all great places to do that! The museums usually have hands-on science activities for preschoolers to discover and explore science for themselves.
Don't worry about how much it costs to get into the science museum, as there may be free admission days or free passes to a science museum near you! Check your credit card for offers, your local library for free museum passes, and nearby science museums for free entrance days.
Find a science museum near you and wow kids with the wonders of science! From my childhood to adulthood, I'm still in awe whenever I visit a science museum!
STEM TV Shows
These kid-friendly TV shows are easy, yet effective ways to teach kids about science. Check out our top picks for well-produced shows that incorporate science, technology, math and engineering into entertainment.
Ask the StoryBots (TV-Y, all children)
"Ask the StoryBots" is a children's animated TV series that follows the adventures of five lovable creatures, answering questions submitted by young children, such as "Why do we have to brush our teeth?" and "How do airplanes fly?". Each episode features a new question, and the StoryBots go on an adventure to find the answer, learning important lessons along the way. The show is educational, engaging, and designed to encourage kids to be curious about science and ask questions about the world.
Odd Squad (TV-Y, all children)
Odd Squad is a math live-action children's series that follows the adventures of a young team of agents who use math skills, deductive reasoning, and teamwork to investigate and solve strange and unusual occurrences in their city.
Science Summer Camps
Summer is the best time for exploring science activities! Check out summer science camps at your local science museums.
These are popular science camps in the US:
California Science Center Summer Camp
Who: pre-K to 8th grade
Where: Los Angeles, California
What: day classes, scholarships available
Museum of Science & Industry
Who: pre-K to 12th grade
Where: Chicago, Illinois
What: single- to multi-day camps year round, scholarships available
Ready for some kindergarten science experiments?
.png)
Head on over to our kindergarten science experiments!