Blog - 19 August 2021
Science activities for children are some of the most fun ways to spend spare time. Children love the excitement of repeatedly trying cool science experiments. A science experiment offers so much for children; they learn what goal setting is all about, whilst discovering how to plan and problem-solve. Science allows a child to be curious and to ask questions about what they are learning.
We’ve put together some fun science experiments that you can do in your own home with some basic household items.
In this easy Bouncy Egg Science Experiment, we are going to turn a regular raw egg into a bouncy egg. The result will be an egg that feels rubbery (like a bouncy ball) and bounces. Be sure to do the bouncing on a plate or other container, just in case.
While the egg is submerged, the vinegar begins to dissolve the shell. If enough time passed the shell will completely dissolve leaving the thin membrane of the egg. The result is an egg that looks and feels like a bouncy ball.
Exploring Gas with Balloons, Baking Soda and Vinegar. Children will learn about gas and chemical reactions by discovering how to inflate a balloon using baking soda and vinegar.
Baking Soda Vinegar Plastic Bottle Balloon Funnel
Baking soda and the vinegar create an ACID-BASE reaction. When combined/mixed they create a gas, carbon dioxide. Gasses need room to spread, so the carbon dioxide fills the bottle and then moves into the balloon inflating it.
With a few kitchen items, very little set up and clean up time, this is perfect for little scientist-artists who are always looking for new activities and wondering how they work.
WARNING: Watch the paint in the microwave. Cardboard can start to burn if left in too long. Plus, it’s fun to watch the paint bubble and puff while it cooks.
1 tbsp self raising flour 2 drop of food colouring 1 tbsp Salt A small amount of Water
The key to this activity is the self-rising flour because it contains baking powder and a little salt. The baking powder is important because it is an ingredient added to pastries, bread and bakery to make them rise.
When the baking powder is mixed with water, it releases a carbon dioxide gas. Add the extra salt, which also reacts with the chemicals in the baking powder to release even more CO2, and you have the makings for a bubbling paint potion.
The heat plus the water in the microwave will cause the baking powder to release small amounts of CO2, producing even bigger bubbles. It’s important that you use a thicker paper that can not only support the weight of the puffy paint, but also hold up for a few seconds in the microwave.
Dry Erase and Water Trick. It’s a fun and easy science activity to do with kids and a great party trick that will “wow” the grown-ups too.
The marker leaves behind mixture of pigments and a type of alcohol mixed together. The alcohol dissolves and the pigments are left behind as a solid. Glass is so smooth that the solid slides right off when it gets wet!
National Science Week is celebrated at OSHC and children will have the opportunity to experiment with a range of fun science activities. For more information, please speak with your OSHC Coordinator or visit: https://www.campaustralia.com.au/families/oshc.