What Are Good DIY Science Experiments for Kids?

Looking for fun, safe, and educational DIY science experiments for kids? Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, hands-on science activities are a powerful way to spark curiosity and creativity. In this guide, we’ll share some of the best DIY science experiments for kids that use everyday materials and inspire real learning—perfect for home or classroom.

DIY science experiments do more than entertain—they build critical thinking, boost problem-solving skills, and make learning feel like play. For kids aged 5–12, hands-on projects can:

Plus, you don’t need a lab or fancy supplies—just a few household items and a willingness to explore.

Here are 10 tried-and-true DIY science experiments that are safe, affordable, and incredibly fun:

Ages: 6+ Concepts: Chemical reactions, acids & bases Materials: Baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, red food coloring, plastic cup Instructions: Place baking soda in the cup, add a few drops of food coloring and dish soap. Pour in vinegar and watch the volcano erupt!

Ages: 5+ Concepts: Surface tension, color mixing Materials: Milk, dish soap, food coloring, cotton swab Instructions: Add food coloring to milk in a plate. Dip a cotton swab in dish soap and touch the milk—watch the colors dance!

Ages: 7+ Concepts: Density, solubility, chemical reactions Materials: Oil, water, food coloring, Alka-Seltzer Instructions: Fill a bottle with oil and water. Add food coloring, then drop in Alka-Seltzer for bubbling fun.

Ages: 8+ Concepts: Chemical reactions, propulsion Materials: Balloon, baking soda, vinegar, bottle Instructions: Fill a balloon with baking soda and a bottle with vinegar. Attach the balloon, lift it, and watch it inflate!

Ages: 9+ Concepts: Density, color layering Materials: Sugar, water, food coloring, spoon, clear jar Instructions: Mix sugar water in different concentrations and colors. Layer them in a jar to create a rainbow.

Ages: 6+ Concepts: Oxidation, chemical change Materials: Lemon juice, paper, cotton swab, lamp Instructions: Write with lemon juice on paper. Let it dry, then heat gently to reveal your secret message.

Ages: 5+ Concepts: Static electricity, attraction/repulsion Materials: Tissue paper, balloon, string, tape Instructions: Cut out tissue paper butterflies, charge a balloon with hair, and make them “fly.”

Ages: 10+ Concepts: Air pressure Materials: Hard-boiled egg, glass bottle, matches Instructions: Light a match in the bottle and place the egg on top. As air cools, it sucks the egg in.

Ages: 9+ Concepts: Crystallization, evaporation Materials: Borax, water, pipe cleaners, jar Instructions: Twist pipe cleaners into shapes. Dissolve borax in hot water, suspend the shape, and watch crystals grow overnight.

Ages: 8+ Concepts: Electricity, circuits Materials: Conductive & insulating dough, battery pack, LEDs Instructions: Use play dough to build basic circuits that light up LEDs—great intro to electronics!

At DIY.org, we make it easy and safe for kids to explore science, art, and so much more through hands-on challenges, video tutorials, and an inspiring online community. Whether it’s kitchen chemistry or backyard physics, our platform is designed for curious kids to learn by doing.

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The best DIY science experiments for kids are the ones that mix fun with learning. You don’t need to be a scientist to help your child explore the world—just some curiosity and a few simple materials. Start small, ask questions, and enjoy the discoveries together!