STEM in the Kitchen or Backyard

You don’t need a fancy lab to inspire scientific thinking. Most experiments can be done with items already at home—mixing baking soda and vinegar, exploring buoyancy with fruit, or building simple circuits with safe kits. The goal is to help kids ask questions and test ideas in everyday settings.

Five Simple Household Experiments

1. Fizz & Foam Volcano: Combine baking soda and vinegar in a cup. Add dish soap and food coloring for bubbly eruption fun.
2. Floating Egg Test: Mix salt into water to change density. See how much salt it takes to make an egg float.
3. Light Circuits: Use Snap Circuits Jr. to build a switch and show how current flows—then try to power a fan or light bulb.
4. Rainbow Layers: Pour liquids of different densities (honey, dish soap, water, oil) into a cylinder. Observe the layers and discuss why they don’t mix.
5. Crystal Sugar Strings: Dissolve sugar in hot water, hang a string, and watch crystals form over days.

Safety First

Even simple experiments can splash or spill. Always wear safety glasses, keep paper towels handy, and supervise heat or electrical components closely.

Encourage Reflection

After each experiment, guide your child to record what they saw and what they think happened. Encourage them to change one variable next time. This turns “play” into real scientific method practice.