4 Kitchen Science Experiments For Kids

Creative science experiments are a fun way to not only entertain your children at home but also teach them about science at the same time. If you liked our summer science activities, here are some more ideas for science experiments you can conduct in your kitchen. 

All of these experiments are safe for kids, but you should still help your children perform them and understand the science behind them. Let’s dive right into these kitchen science experiments!

DIY Lava Lamp

One colorful project you can create with your children is a DIY lava lamp. You’ll need a large clear vase or a wide bottle for the lamp. Fill this up to 3/4 full with vegetable oil, and then fill it the rest of the way with water (leaving a few inches at the top to prevent overflow later). 

Because the water has a higher density, it will fall through the oil and the two liquids will separate. Then add about 10 drops of food coloring of your choice, which will fall through the oil to tint the water. 

Once the water and food coloring are at the bottom, drop in a sodium bicarbonate tablet and watch the lava lamp at work!

Foil Submarine

Teach your kids about density with this aluminum foil submarine experiment. First, fill a large clear bowl or container about 2/3 full with water. Then measure and cut out a 10x10 inch square of heavy-duty aluminum foil. 

Crumple the foil into a ball of about 2½ inches in diameter, place it into the bowl of water, and judge what percentage of the ball is submerged. You can track your data on this printable worksheet. 

Crumple the ball tighter and tighter to see how the changes in density affect the foil’s buoyancy. To make the foil as dense as possible, shape the ball with a hammer. Keep making it smaller until it is dense enough to sink.

Walking Water

Create a rainbow with this fascinating experiment. You’ll need seven jars or cups with wide openings, and you begin by filling every other jar about 3/4 full with water. Next, add a few drops of food coloring to the jars with water: red to the first and last jar, yellow to the third, and blue to the fifth. 

Then, take six paper towels and fold them in half twice to create long, thin strips. Position each paper towel with one end in a full cup and one end in an empty cup, creating a bridge across all seven cups. 

Watch as the colored water travels over the paper towels and blends to create a rainbow!

Smell Test

This fun test is a great way to teach your children about their sense of smell. You’ll need nine small mason jars with a cotton ball for each one. Dip each cotton ball in a different scented liquid and place each in its own jar, then close the jars with lids. 

The scents we recommend are fish oil, lemon juice, melted coconut oil, a jar of garlic, vinegar, vanilla extract, almond extract, olive oil, and apple juice. Your child can use this printable worksheet to try to match the smell in each jar to its corresponding ingredient on the sheet.

Home science experiments are a great way to help your children improve their cognitive skills and learn that science can be interesting. These experiments, which require only ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, can be an engaging and stimulating source of wholesome family fun.