If you are a parent who thinks you can't do science experiments at home because you don't have any experience, you are wrong! You don't want your kids to miss out on building their their scientific brains and engaging their natural curiosity! With these 3 basic preschool science resources, you don't have to.
I should know. I haven't taken science since 11th grade. In fact my degree is in... (wait for it)... theater.
And yet... when my kids were preschool aged, I loved to do science projects at home with them. The science experiments we did were simple, yet so fun because they tended to be wonderfully open-ended, and as a parent with precious little science background, I was lucky to learn alongside them!
My lack of previous knowledge meant I had to search out user-friendly preschool science resources! I checked out preschool science experiment books and scoured websites. I really loved being able to find fun, colorful projects with a great WOW factor that would impress my sons and instill a love of science and curiosity in them.
But now, YOU don't have to do all that research, I've done it for you.
Saved you a bunch of time, haven't I?
Here I have gathered the 3 best preschool science resources: a book, a hands-on kit and a website. For parents at home, these are the three resources you will need for 3-5 year olds and provided you don't do 15 projects a day, they will last you for a couple of years!
Best of all, doing science (and STEM and STEAM) projects was a great way to make screen-free time exciting! (Note: affiliate links included)
Preschool Science Book
The first book I'm sharing with you is not actually one you will use to ragged shreds.
STEAM Play & Learn: 20 fun step-by-step preschool projects about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math! by Ana Dziengel.
I absolutely ADORE this book. It is laid out in such a user-friendly format and the projects are well-chosen and age appropriate.
One of my favorite projects from the book is a math art experiment in which preschool aged children explore math art with mirror reflections! It's so easy, yet teaches so many concepts.
Now you may think 20 projects won't last long, but you are wrong! This book will indeed last you for years because there are several levels of projects. The beginning you can do with your youngest children, and because they rely on so much free-exploration, kids won't get bored. Then, near the end of the book are projects which require more adult supervision and you will want to save those for the older preschool years, but 4 and 5 year olds will still enjoy revisiting the earlier experiments. Win-Win!
Watch a video preview of the book:
Doesn't the book look amazing? I bet you can't wait to get started so your kids don't miss out!
Hands-On Preschool Science Kit
Koala Crate, for kids ages 3-4. We started with KiwiCo.'s Kiwi Crate and absolutely loved doing the hands on science and art projects together every month. It ended being an extremely special one on one time for us.
It was such a relief to have everything we needed in a single box, and to be given instant ideas for extension projects, instead of having to search everything out.
Hands-down, the KiwiCo family of project boxes is my favorite and the fact that they have Koala Crate, a box dedicated to preschool aged kids is absolutely fantastic.
You will get a new box every month, and even after you finish the project, the booklet will give ideas for further fun. Again—this will last you throughout the preschool years, and once your child reaches 5 years old, you will want to switch to Kiwi Crate, for kids ages 5-8!
Preschool Science Website
Teach Preschool Science. This is an AMAZING collection of preschool science projects. There is everything from nature studies and physical science to life science. These projects will last you forever.
So no more excuses! Your kids deserve to have you hunker down and investigate, explore, experiment and discover, even if you majored in theater.
I bet you didn't think just three preschool sciences resources will get you through several years of at-home science, STEM and STEAM exploration with your child! But now you see, you don't need a lot to have a science degree in order to spark your child's natural curiosity!
More STEM, STEAM and science fun for you:
- You already have these 40 items to do STEAM projects at home
- STEM books for kids
- Preschool science lab!
- Sink or float science discovery bottle
Lisa says
Seriously, PTOE is great for the 4 year olds. My preschoolers learned a lot from it last year. You don't have to get all the terminology down, just the exposure to it now will help in the future. I'm all about the preschoolers learning the PTOE right along with the ABCs. I will have to check out that book! Thanks for sharing it.