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Mindblowing Summer Science Experiments You Must Try This Summer

When it comes to science experiments for kids, we’ve tried a lot. Science experiments are one of my kids’ favorite things to do.

During the summer, we like to kick things up a notch with summer science experiments. 

My kids are active learners. They don’t like worksheets, and they definitely don’t like sitting still. But what they do love is hands-on learning.

Science doesn’t have to be boring. These summer science experiments provide the ultimate list of science experiments for summer, teaching kids the basics of science at home. Kitchen science is so easy when you do these science projects for kids. These science experiments for elementary are the perfect summer project! #summerlearning #science #scienceexperiments #scienceclass #learnathome #summerfun #summer

Anything that my kids can get into physically while learning, they love.

That is why science experiments have become such a big part of our summer.

Each summer, we spend several weeks trying new science experiments for summer and STEM activities that are both educational, and tons of fun.

We’ve gathered a list of our favorite summer science experiments below.

Summer science experiments are the perfect way to explore science during a summer at home.  Make learning fun with these summer science activities.

You’ll also want to check out the ultimate list of summer STEM activities.

Don’t miss the list of summer slime recipes!

WHAT ARE SUMMER SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS?

Summer Science Activities

A summer science experiment is a lot like any other science experiment, except these have a summery twist!

All of these science experiments for summer include fun summer themes, like bright colors, kitchen science, ice, tie dye, space, the ocean, and more!

One of my favorite things to do in the summer with my kids is to try fun STEM activities and science experiments with them, because my kids love learning hands on, and I love learning right along with them.

Summer science experiments are one of our favorite summer traditions and have been for the past five years.

You may also like: Creative STEM Activities for Kids

Fun Summer Science Experiments

WHAT DO KIDS LEARN WITH SUMMER SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS?


Today, science experiments for kids are more important than ever. Science and technology are huge parts of our world today, and the future will be even more science and tech-focused.

Kids who aren’t immersed in the world of science and STEM exploration from a young age will be left behind their peers, and may struggle to find work in the fast-changing landscape of future careers.

Science experiments are usually basic, but they can help spark a love of science and discovery in a child that will follow them throughout their life.

The simple science experiment that a child does today may spark their desire to discover something that will change the world in the future.

Summer Science Experiments
summer stem challenge cards

Don’t Miss: The Ultimate List of Summer STEM Activities

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD FOR KIDS

Keep kids learning this summer with these summer science experiments. Learning doesn’t have to be a chore, and if you have active kids, these hands-on learning ideas are perfect for preventing summer slime. Make science fun with these hands-on science lessons and bring science to life! #summerlearning #science #scienceexperiments #scienceclass #learnathome #summerfun #summer

When you do your summer science experiments, try to include every step in the scientific method.

Every science experiment contains four elements:

A Question

Kids should start every science experiment with a question, even if that question is just “what will happen?”

A Hypothesis

Before doing any experiment, children should record what they believe will happen.

An Experiment

This is where the fun part comes into play. Test the hypothesis to determine if it answers the question fully.

A Recording and Analysis

As the test is completed, record what happened and analyze why.

A Re-test

Try different variables and try a new test to see if the original answer is confirmed or disproved.

At-Home Summer Science Experiments

WHAT DO KIDS NEED TO DO SUMMER SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS?

These books will help make your summer science experiments easier!

This post contains affiliate links.

The Mason Jar Scientist: 30 Jarring STEAM-Based ProjectsThe Mason Jar Scientist: 30 Jarring STEAM-Based ProjectsNational Geographic Kids Why?: Over 1,111 Answers to EverythingNational Geographic Kids Why?: Over 1,111 Answers to EverythingThe Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You!The Everything Kids’ Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You!Awesome Science Experiments for Kids: 100+ Fun STEM / STEAM Projects and Why They WorkAwesome Science Experiments for Kids: 100+ Fun STEM / STEAM Projects and Why They WorkThe Science Book (Big Ideas Simply Explained)The Science Book (Big Ideas Simply Explained)

 

THE ULTIMATE LIST OF SUMMER SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS FOR KIDS

Don’t waste time doing pointless summer activities. Try these educational summer activities in the form of summer science experiments! Summer science is tons of fun and can teach kids a lot with hands on activity ideas. Find science experiments for kindergarten, science experiments for preschool, and science experiments for elementary in this list! #summerlearning #science #scienceexperiments #scienceclass #learnathome #summerfun #summer

Add these science experiments for summer to your summer bucket list!

If these science experiments aren’t enough, try Five Minute Science, Mason Jar Science Experiments, Science Experiments in Jars, and Science Projects for Active Kids.

WATER SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

Learn about science with a tornado in a jar! This tornado in a jar lesson plan is so easy and an excellent way to learn about centripetal force and makes an excellent tornado science project. Use our tornado in a jar worksheet to complete the glitter tornado science activity! #stemactivities #scienceexperimentsforkids #science #stem

Make a Tornado in a Jar and learn about how tornadoes form.

Try the Hot and Cold Water Density experiment and learn about density (and color mixing!).

Kids will love making their very own walking rainbow from just three colors. This amazing walking rainbow experiment is the most fun walking water experiment ever! You'll have a blast with the rainbow walking water. #scienceexperiment #science #stemactivities #science

Walking Rainbow in a Jar will show kids just how color theory works, and how surface tension works!

Make Color Changing Flowers and learn how plants drink water!

Have you ever wondered how fish swim in the water? This diving fish science experiment shows children just how fish are able to move through the water.

Try this fish version of the cartesian diver experiment and learn why fish can rise and sink in the water!

Learn how to remove salt from water in the Desalinization Science Experiment.

ICE SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

These science experiments all feature ice.

Can you get ice to burn? Learn how in the Burning Ice Science Experiment.

Did you know you can make a magnifying glass from ice? Ice Magnifying Glass Science

Kids will love this wacky science experiment! Hot ice is a novelty any time of year. Learn the no-fail way for how to make hot ice here!

You don’t need cold to make ice! Try the Hot Ice Science Experiment.

Experiment with temperature and states of matter in the Icy Oil and Water Science Experiment.

SPACE SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

Want to learn about space? Try these fun space science experiments!

Learn about crystals in the Galaxy Sugar Crystal Science Experiment.

Make a whole solar system of slime with this Planet Slime recipe!

Summer fun needs space camp! This at home summer camp has a fun DIY space camp theme that kids will love! These summer memories with your kids will last!

Make your own at-home Backyard Space Camp.

Build a Solar System Model.

Try this super fun Solar System Suncatcher project this year.

SLIME SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

You can learn with slime! These summery versions will please any kid!

If you're a slime lover, you'll love this fun slime recipe that looks just like real ice cream! This fun ice cream slime is a super fun ice cream activity!

This Fluffy Ice Cream Slime is fun for kids to play with.

Love slime? You'll love this simple slime recipe using borax. This sparkling ocean slime recipe is perfect for summer fun and summer activities for kids!

Ocean Slime is bright and colorful, just like the real ocean!

Take slime to the next level! Make volcano slime that really erupts using these easy directions for making dinosaur volcano slime! This volcano slime recipe uses fluffy slime and is perfect for setting up volcano science experiments at a science fair! Make slime educational! #slimerecipes #slime #slimer #scienceexperiments

Give the classic baking soda and vinegar experiment a twist when you make an Erupting Slime Volcano.

Tie Dye Slime is perfect for this year, with tie dye trending everywhere!

Transform ordinary sand slime into a thing of wonder with this beach sand slime recipe! Kids will love playing with this slime made with laundry starch.

Make your own Beach Slime, even if you can’t visit the beach!

All you need is some sand to make this fun Sand Slime.

This super easy slime recipe is the ultimate guide in how to make galaxy slime. Kids will love this DIY version of slime they can make at home!

Try the Galaxy Slime Recipe.

Fluffy Patriotic Slime is perfect for the 4th of July!

Mermaid lovers will love this Mermaid Tail Slime.

KITCHEN SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

These science experiments can all be done in the kitchen!

Make a bee life cycle from play dough!

galaxy oobleck 3

Make a galaxy from oobleck with this Galaxy Oobleck Science experiment.

Explode Patriotic Paint Bombs (safely) in your back yard!)

Try this classic Magic Milk Science Experiment to learn about surface tension.

Want an easy and educational activity? Turning a penny green is a fun science experiment that kids of all ages enjoy! Turning pennies green is a classic science activity where kids learn how to oxidize a penny quickly. #scienceexperiment #stemactivities #stem #science

The Turning a Penny Green Science Experiment is a must-try for any science lover.

Make Epsom Salt Crystals!

Build a Desert Biome inside of a jar!

Make your own exploding paint projects in this super fun and educational STEM activity for kids! Make your summer activities filled with color and light when you try the exploding paint rockets STEAM challenge. How far can you get your exploding film canister rockets to fly? #stemed #stem #steamprojects #stemactivities #STEAM #kidsactivities #summerlearning #summerfun #scienceexperiments

Try these Exploding Paint Rockets for a fun STEAM project this year!

Give a mermaid a light-up flower in this Squishy Circuit Mermaid project.

summer stem challenge cards

Share this project with a friend!