10 Fun EYFS Science Experiments For Preschoolers
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Image © visoot2222, under a Creative Commons license.
Preschoolers really enjoy hands-on learning, so we've put together a selection of easy experiments and activities that combine science with play, craft, and a huge amount of fun.
Encouraging kids to explore and question the world around them from an early age is a great way to pave a future love of all things scientific.
Gently introducing your child to science at an early age helps to develop their cognitive skills, and provides a firm foundation for the progression to KS1 science at age five, and KS2 science at age seven.
All of the early years science experiments and activities detailed below use household materials, are visually impactful, and are designed for short attention spans!
Image © gorynvd, under a Creative Commons license.
Sink Or Float?
When it comes to early-year science activities, this one has been a favourite for years. It teaches children about buoyancy and the fact that an object’s weight can appear to change when it is in water.
Ages: 3+
Materials Needed: A bucket or large bowl of water, a selection of items (some of which will float and some of which will sink).
Method:
1. Take one item and ask your child to guess if it will sink or float.
2. Get your child to place the object in the water to find out if their guess was correct.
3. Repeat with the other items.
Magic Dancing Milk
Proving there’s great fun to be found in super simple science activities, this early years experiment is a great way to get children learning about chemical reactions.
Ages: 2+
Materials Needed: A shallow dish or foil tray, small dish, whole milk, food colouring, cotton buds and washing up liquid.
Method:
1. Pour milk into the dish or tray.
2. Add a few drops of food colouring, ideally a selection of different colours.
3. Put the washing-up liquid into the small dish.
4. Get your child to dip a cotton bud first into the washing up liquid, and then into different places in the milk.
5. Watch the colours dance!
Image © freepik, under a Creative Commons license.
How Do Clouds Make Rain?
Grasping the concept that clouds are made of water vapour, and that this vapour turns to liquid to make rain, isn’t easy; even for adults!
EYFS science experiments make tricky ideas easier for young children to understand, and this particular experiment is one of those science activities that brilliantly manages to mimic natural processes; in this case, the water cycle.
Ages: 5+
Materials Needed: Glass of water, blue food colouring, shaving foam and a pipette.
Method:
1. Fill a glass about three-quarters full of water. Explain to your child that, for the purpose of this science experiment, the water in the glass is representing the sky.
2. Use shaving foam to create a cloud that sits at the top of the water.
3. Now, use the pipette to drop blue food colouring into the cloud.
4. Wait and watch, as the blue droplets start to seep through the cloud.
6. When the droplets cause the cloud to get too heavy, they will create ‘rain’.
Fun Early Years Feely Book
The great thing about this early years science activity, which teaches kids about different textures, is that children get to create a fun resource that they can use over and over again.
Ages: 3+
Materials Needed: Two pieces of A4 card, crayons or coloured pencils, PVA glue and a variety of material scraps (such as foil, cling film, paper, tissue, fabric, fleece, faux fur, lace, wool, bubble wrap, and anything else you can find).
Method:
1. Ensure your scraps of materials are pre-cut so that no scissors are required for this experiment.
2. Ask your child to hold each piece of material in turn. Ask them questions about its colour, its texture, its thickness, its weight, and what they think it would be used for.
3. Get your child to fold each piece of card in half, and then slot one inside the other; creating an eight-page A5 book.
4. Next, they can draw some large, simple, shapes and pictures on the card.
5. Help your child to pick the best materials to stick on each picture.
6. Depending on their age and stage of development, children could then add words about the materials they have used, such as names, colours, or how they feel to touch.
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Rainbow Eruption
We guarantee your kids will have love this early years science experiment, which is based on the more advanced volcano science experiments that older children do at school. This science learning activity will help your child to explore the ways in which different substances react when they are mixed together.
Ages: 3+
Materials Needed: Four paper cups, four shades of food colouring, baking soda and vinegar.
Method:
1. Line up the cups and put a different shade of food colouring into each one.
2. Add a scoop of baking soda to each cup.
3. Now pour in a little vinegar; you won't have to wait long for the eruption!
Dancing Worms
Easy science experiments for EYFS children that involve edible ingredients will always top kids’ lists of the best simple science activities. This fun, food-based learning activity is no exception.
Ages: 2+
Materials Needed: Warm water, an empty glass, a glass of vinegar, a spoon, three tablespoons baking soda and jelly worms.
Method:
1. Add the baking powder to the glass of warm water and stir.
2. Now add the worms and give it another stir.
3. Leave for 15 minutes.
4. Remove the worms and drop the worms into the glass of vinegar.
5. Wait a few seconds, then enjoy the dancing!
Important: The jelly worms used for this science activity must not be eaten.
Image © ego_tanfreepix, under a Creative Commons license.
Paper Cup Bubble Machine
One of the easiest early years science experiments to prepare, this is one of those early years activities best reserved for children nearing, or at, primary school age. (There’s a chance that younger children will suck, rather than blow, through the straw, and get a mouth full of washing up liquid.)
The experiment, which is best done outside, helps kids learn about bubbles and that when air combines with certain substances it take on a different form.
Ages: 5+
Materials Needed: Paper cup, bendy straw, parcel or masking tape, pencil, water, washing-up liquid and food colouring (optional).
Method:
1. Use the pencil to make a hole in one side of the paper cup, about 3 cm from the bottom.
2. Push the straw quite far through the hole, but be careful not to let it touch the other side of the cup. The bendy bit of the straw should on the outside of the cup and facing upwards (otherwise the liquid will pour out!).
3. Use the tape on the outside of the cup to secure the straw in place. Make sure there are no gaps for the water to escape.
4. Pour enough washing up liquid into the cup to cover the straw.
5. Add two tablespoons of water.
6. If you would like coloured bubbles, add in a few drops of food colouring.
7. Gently blow through the straw and get excited as the bubbles emerge! Make sure to explain to kids the importance of blowing rather than sucking the straw.
8. As an added extra, children might like to make their bubble machine a bit more special by painting or decorating it.
Aluminium Foil Boat
Combing EYFS science activities with crafts is a great way to facilitate children's understanding of the idea that science is all around us. This simple science experiment shows children how to make aluminium foil boats and teaches them about the density of things in water. Full instructions can be found here.
Does Mint Cool Things Down?
Is the cooling sensation we experience when we put mint in our mouths reallydown to temperature? The results of this early years science activity may well surprise parents and kids alike! Full details for the experiment are here.
Magic Floating Paperclip
Early years science experiments and activities are a fantastic way to wow EYFS children with the magic of science. This easy experiment shows how science can transform a paperclip from an object that sinks in water, to one that floats. Find out how to do it here.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Media and Business (Journalism)
Sarah BlakeBachelor of Arts specializing in Media and Business (Journalism)
With over two decades of experience as a writer, Sarah calls Lancashire her home. She has a Bachelor's degree in Media and Business from the University of Manchester. She is passionate about fitness and wellness, and her love for gym workouts and yoga is unmatched. When not donning her Lycra, she loves spending time with her family and indulging in fun activities, except for anything that involves getting cold.
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