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You are here: Home / Learn / Science / DIY Simple Kids’ Science Lab

DIY Simple Kids’ Science Lab

July 31, 2014

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Summer science camp continues with a simple at home science lab that I set up one afternoon to keep my 5 year old busy. This idea is perfect for preschoolers and kindergarteners but even older kids will love to explore the chemistry of mixing different household items they find in the kitchen.

Set up a simple kids' science lab at home. Adaptable for kids of all ages.

The idea behind this lab is to let kids have a little free play with mixing up concoctions. Let them say “Whoa!” and encourage their curiosity instead of prescribing a set of instructions they have to follow. Bonus: there’s no way to fail.

A science mixing station can easily be adapted for older kids who may want to keep a chart of their findings and compare and contrast exact measurements.

Kids science lab set up.

What you need:

  • Cups, bowls, jars, glasses in various (or the same) sizes, preferably see-through
  • Spoons, measuring cups
  • Droppers (here’s an affiliate link to the inexpensive pipettes we used. They have served us well for all sorts of science, art and water play fun)
  • Dry kitchen ingredients. We used: baking soda, baking powder, salt, sugar, and corn starch.
  • Liquid kitchen ingredients. We used white vinegar, water, and lemon juice. We also included ice.
  • Towels (essential)
  • Curious kids

Instructions:

You can set this up inside or outside. If you work inside, I highly recommend placing the items on several thicknesses of towels so clean up is easy. Don’t be afraid of mess!

Place dry items in separate jars and fill measuring cups with liquids.

Bubbling science lab for kids at home.

How you proceed from here is up to you and the age of your child. I did chat a bit with New Kid on the first go around of mixing. I named each item and we poured a little bit of water in each one to see what happened. Then we repeated this with vinegar, and so forth. After than, my son decided how he would mix each substance depending on how it reacted.

More: Want to add color changing? Try this simple acid and base science lab experiment.

Since I know my 5 year old is into all things bubbly, I had an entire box of baking soda and a jug of vinegar at the ready  to keep him mixing and happy for a while.

Click here to see our exploding car wash science play activity for another fun way to use soda and vinegar.

He also loved pouring the cups into one another.

Science lab mixing station for kids at home

Just a little free science exploration. Of course… this is what you end up with:

Science lab free play for kids

But, that’s okay, too.

Don’t forget to head over to Coffee Cups and Crayons to see what Megan and her kids are mixing up this week!

Have you ever set up a mixing station with your kids?

See all our DIY Science Camp ideas!

On this blog: Ice cube on a string,  Solar oven, Homemade compass, Balloon rocket race, Leak proof bag

At Coffee Cups and Crayons: Mentos geyser, Dancing raisins, Liquid layers, Homemade silly putty, Magic milk, Exploding baggie

Follow our Pinterest board:

Follow Erica • What Do We Do All Day?’s board Science Activities for Kids on Pinterest.

What science projects are you doing this summer?

Simple summer science projects for kids

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by: Erica posted in: Science 7 Comments

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Comments

  1. Ann says

    July 31, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    This looks fun! A couple times we made a volcano with vinegar and backing soda. I think we used up all the vinegar doing it over and over.

    Reply
    • Erica MomandKiddo says

      August 1, 2014 at 6:38 am

      Yes, it’s very important that I have boxes of soda and jugs of vinegar on hand at all times. 🙂

      Reply
  2. writersideup says

    August 3, 2014 at 10:01 pm

    Erica, with all the wonderful activities you do with your kids, or give to them to do, I can’t help but wonder what they will ultimately do as professions 🙂

    Reply
    • Erica MomandKiddo says

      August 4, 2014 at 6:15 am

      Me too!

      Reply
  3. Katie Pinch (@Alittlepinchbyk) says

    August 19, 2014 at 11:41 pm

    I am planning on featuring this activity at the #lovetolearnlinky too. Thanks again for sharing. Sometimes all you need is things around the house to make learning fun!

    Reply
  4. Sarah says

    March 15, 2015 at 6:15 pm

    Great ideas! Free exploration is so important in developing science skills and a love of science. Thanks for inspiring curiosity!

    Reply
    • Erica MomandKiddo says

      March 16, 2015 at 9:02 am

      Thanks, Sarah!

      Reply

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