Kindergarten Science Activities

Kindergarten science activities at preschool age are a lot of fun. There is something truly stimulating in these activities which fascinate the kids. It is a natural instinct that kids want to know more, to investigate and to try new things. science activities provide all these elements and more...

This page will include simple science activities that you can do with your child using materials and accessories that can be found in any home.

Static electricity

Blow up a balloon and tie a knot in it. Rapidly rub the balloon on a woolen sweater, and after which place the balloon near a piece of paper. The rubbing motion charges the balloon with static electricity and hence gives the balloon magnetic properties, which enable it to lift light weight objects. Try to find out which additional objects stick to the balloon.

Mixture and compound

It is possible to demonstrate the difference between mixture and compound by preparing two simple recipes:

1. Fruit salad - mixture
2. Cake - compound

Mixture is accomplished by combining two different substances so that each substance maintains its own identity/properties and does not change. The mixture can be separated into its original substances.

Compound is a result of a chemical process. During this process, a new substance is formed from different components. The compound that is formed has new properties and can not be separated into its original components.

The water cycle in nature

At some stage your child will ask you how clouds form rain. This is an extremely common question asked by young kids. In order to satisfy, his curiosity, explain to him about the water cycle in nature.

• The sea water is heated by the sun, the water evaporates and becomes condensation which rises.
• Upon meeting with the cold air, the condensation thickens and is transformed back into drops of water, which become a cloud.
• Under the influence of the cold, the small drops of water become larger and heavier drops, and then they fall to the ground in the form of rain, snow or hail.
• This water flows into the sea via streams, or flows via underground water and from the high ground.
• And then the cycle begins all over again.

Fresh or stale egg

How do you check if the egg that you bought at the supermarket is fresh or stale? You put it into a container with water. If the egg sinks it's fresh, but if on the other hand it floats, then the egg is stale. Why? In every egg there is a pocket of air. The older the egg is, the larger the pocket of air. This is because the water inside the egg has evaporated through the minuscule holes in the egg shell. The water that has evaporated is replaced by air, and therefore the egg is lighter and floats in water.

Magical substance

Mix 1 1/2 cups of corn flour, 1 cup of water and food coloring in a bowl. An amazing substance has been created! When you pick up the substance it is hard and it's possible to form balls from it. But when you open your hands, the substance becomes liquid and spills out. Kids really love to play with this substance.

Who weighs more?

Fill four identically sized airtight containers with materials that have different weights. Your child has to arrange the containers according to their weight from the lightest to the heaviest.

Creating a volcano

Place a small bottle of drink on a flat surface and build a mountain of sand around it. The mountain should reach the opening of the bottle. Mix a quarter of a cup of vinegar, raspberry cordial and liquid soap in a jug. With the aid of a funnel, sprinkle 3 teaspoons of baking soda into the bottle, and then add the pre-prepared mixture from the jug. These substances, when mixed together cause a chemical reaction, the result of which erupts out of the bottle and gives the effect of a volcano.

Animal observation

Learn how to sprout seeds at home

Through observing animals, kids learn many things about living creatures in nature. If you have a pet at home, take note of its build, behavior patterns and reproductive system etc. If you don't have an animal at home, go outside and look for animals such as ants, snails, birds and butterflies and observe them.

Nature's life cycle

One of the most exciting subjects is nature's life cycle. We can learn about animal's life cycle by watching and observing them, but if that isn't an option in the area where you live, it's worth while purchasing a book on this subject. Information and activities about the butterfly's life cycle can be found here.

More Science Resources

24 Hour Science Projects - Five complete science fair project guides with immediate online access.

Usborne Book of Science Activities, Vol. 1 (Science Activities)

The Usborne Book of Science Activities, Vol. 2 (Science Activities)

The Usborne Book of Science Activities, Vol. 3 (Science Activities)

---

---