When it’s cold outside, try these fun winter science experiments as a great way to learn more about the winter season! Add these easy science experiments to your winter theme and use them as part of your winter STEM activities for kids!
When cold temperatures hit, young children can complete an easy science experiment to learn about weather conditions, cold temperatures, winter weather, cold climates, chemical reactions, arctic animals, a snow storm, ice crystals, and a whole lot more!
Winter activities are a lot of fun, but have you ever noticed how many require snow? If you don’t have snow or reliably freezing temperatures, a simple science experiment like making a frozen bubble just doesn’t work!
In Texas, we don’t have access to snow except every two to three years, but we don’t want to miss out on the winter science fun!
I’ve put together this list of winter science activities perfect for elementary kids that you can do no matter where you live around the world.
Just because it doesn’t snow where you live doesn’t mean you have to miss out on cold weather experiments.
Who knows, you may find a new favorite easy winter science experiment, and today is the perfect time to find out!
Simple Winter Science Experiments that Kids Love!
We aren’t lucky enough to get much snow in Texas, so we have to try winter science experiments that aren’t dependent on snow.
These cool winter science experiments fit the bill perfectly!
You’ll find many different types of science activities on this list that include everything from a classic science experiment like making ice cream in a bag to chemistry experiments, winter science investigations, and more!
Hands-On Winter Science Experiments that Kids Love
Kids from age 4 through 14 are some of my favorite kids to do science experiments with. I love seeing the wonder and amazement that kids have when doing science experiments.
The winter science experiments on this list have all been tested by kids in the classroom, so you know that the experiments and science activities will fit your learning objectives.
Essential Supplies for Science Experiments
Many science experiments use similar supplies. These simple supplies are what I always like to keep on hand in my science lab!
My favorite winter experiments are always ones that use simple materials that I can find almost anywhere. And you probably already have most of these common materials in your classroom!
The Mason Jar Scientist: 30 Jarring STEAM-Based ProjectsBall Regular Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands, 16-Ounces (4-Pack)
Crisco Pure Vegetable Oil, 32 Ounce
Barbasol Soothing Aloe Thick & Rich Shaving Cream 10 Oz (2 Pack)
Alka-Seltzer PFY BXAS50 80659297 Antacid and Pain Relief Medicine, Two-Pack (Pack of 50)
Kadaon 10X Handheld Magnifier Antique Mahogany Handle Magnifier Reading Magnifying Glass for Reading Book, Inspection, Coins, Insects, Rocks, Map, Crossword Puzzle
BORAX 20 Mule Team Laundry Booster, Powder, 4 Pounds
Fine Ground Celtic Sea Salt – (1) 16 Ounce Resealable Bag of Nutritious, Classic Sea Salt, Great for Cooking, Baking, Pickling, Finishing and More, Pantry-Friendly, Gluten-Free
McCormick Assorted Food Color, 1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Food Coloring – 12 Color Vibrant Cake Food Coloring Set for Baking, Decorating, Fondant and Cooking – Upgraded Liquid Concentrated Icing Food Color Dye for Slime Making, DIY Crafts – .25 fl. oz. Each
30% Pure Vinegar – Home&Garden (1 Gallon)
Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda, 5 lb
Argo Corn Starch 16 oz. Box (Pack of 4)
And if you want even more cool science experiments, check out my FREE winter STEM challenge cards below!
How to Make Science Interesting
It’s not always easy to make science interesting for kids. But as a teacher or caregiver, it is your responsibility to make science as much fun and fascinating as possible. Here are five ways to make science more fun for kids.
1. Encourage students to ask “why” and “how” questions.
2. When doing any science experiment, ask students if they can think of other variables to test.
3. When possible, add a hands-on element to every science lesson. Kids learn more by doing than by reading or observing.
4. When students and children ask questions, don’t immediately answer. Follow up with another question like, “How do you think it works,” or “Why do you think it’s that way?” This encourages children to think logically and creatively and to look at the world as something to explore and understand.
5. Sometimes making connections is easier when we talk about something that is familiar. You can spark an interest in science by connecting it with things that your students or children are currently into, whether it is a favorite TV show or a favorite topic, like dinosaurs or mermaids.
Winter STEM Classroom Sets
If you don’t have time to gather the supplies yourself, you’ll love these winter science experiment kits for the classroom!
Most of these fun experiment boxes are designed for elementary school, but many of them touch on middle school science topics as well.
More Winter Activities for Kids
If you love these winter science experiments, you will also want to check out these fun winter themed activities for kids!
- Winter Sensory Activities for Kids
- 100+ Fantastically Fun Winter STEM Activities for Kids
- Hands-On January STEM Activities for the Classroom
- Cool winter science activities
The Complete List of Winter Themed Science Experiments for Kids of All Ages
Whether it is your first time trying these easy experiments for winter, or if you’re a pro at finding creative ways to teach winter science to kids, it doesn’t matter!
You are in the right place. All little scientists (and big scientists, too) will love these winter science experiments!
These winter science activities are perfect for kids in preschool, elementary, and middle school. Click on each of the links below to get the directions for each simple idea below.
If you are having a snow day, go ahead and try these winter science experiments at home!
Winter Experiments for Kids
There is a lot of science to learn in fun ways by trying these winter experiments! From sensory play to fake snow, there are so many fun winter science experiments you can do that don’t require snow!
Learn how to make frost and how frost forms on windows and surfaces when it’s cold out! This classic experiment is perfect for this time of year.
Find out how ice can be used as a magnifying glass when you do the Ice Magnifying Glass experiment.
Try your hand at making frost in a Jar!
This snow volcano experiment can be done outside in the snow if you have it, or you can used shaved ice indoors to create the same wintery effect when there is no snow around!
Here you can learn how to make an instant ice tower! And learn how to make an instant ice rainbow tower while you are at it!
Kids will love doing these Snow Science Experiments that use real snow!
Indoor Winter Science Projects
If you are having a snow day, why not try these indoor science winter activities. From making your own snowstorm to making your own crystals, there are so many fun ways to learn about winter indoors!
Make this Snowstorm in a Jar science fair project and find out how blizzards work!
Make Winter Slime and explore non-Newtonian fluids.
Borax Crystal Snowflakes are both pretty and can show preschoolers how crystals form.
Get in on the magic of science when you learn how to make Hot Ice.
Watch the video below to learn how to do the snowflake science experiment!
Turn a regular snow globe craft into a snow globe science project with a few simple changes and additions!
These fun winter science experiments in jars can all be done inside of a jar! Super fun and easy to try at home during winter break.
If you have a science fair during the winter months, check out these fun winter science fair projects!
It doesn’t matter if you have warm weather outside, you can do these ice science experiments anywhere!
School Age Activities for Winter
Whether you are teaching toddlers, preschoolers, elementary students, or middle schoolers, you’ll find age-appropriate winter science experiments listed below!
Toddlers will have a blast with these winter science experiments for toddlers!
Preschoolers will have a blast learning about snow and other fun educational concepts with these preschool snowman printables!
If you have preschoolers or are teaching preschool, these winter science experiments for preschoolers are just what you need!
These winter science experiments for kindergarten are perfect for kids who are 5 or 6 years old.
Elementary teachers can use these winter science experiments for elementary to teach the basics of winter science!
There are lots of fun winter experiments in this list of winter STEM activities for middle school.