science experiments for kids

One of the fun parts about kids science experiments is making a mess. Being allowed to make a mess is a lot of fun for many kids because they know that they are supposed to try and be as neat as possible. Integrating the occasional mess making with some learning is definitely something most parents can live with, so when it comes to science experiments, let them be as messy as can be!

Creating fossils is one of the great messy kids science experiments. This is because it can require mud or wet clay like soil. Apart from being a mess, however, it's a great way to explain the earth science concept of fossils and how they can be left behind. Your child can create the "fossils" of leaves, shells, and other objects that can be sandwiched in the mud.

Another kids science experiment that can lead to a big mess is growing and grafting plants. Great for a life science project, comparing the growth of different kinds of plants can help teach your children about plant life and photosynthesis. Grafting plants is also a good way to show children how nature can work together and live in symbiosis, and later on create new life. Being a part of a successful grafting project is usually really rewarding for young children.

In the realm of physical science, one of the possibly messy kids science experiments is to create an electric circuit that harnesses its energy from vegetables or fruit. Tell your children to do this one in the kitchen so they don't end up staining the furniture in the living room, but trust that this project is a lot of fun, and really educational as well! The more acidic a fruit or vegetable is, the more likely it is to give electricity. Discovering that a lemon can become a battery is pretty exciting for a child, and it gives them a good background on how circuits work.

Even seemingly simple science projects can be messy. The oh so famous make a solar system diorama usually ends up a messy one because your child has to paint the different planets, and as a parent you know that anything with paint turns out a mess. So, despite all the mess and learning from these kids science experiments, teach your children how to clean up after themselves. It's still a good idea to teach them to be neat and responsible over the messes they've made. What you can do as a parent is not to be upset with the mess for as long as they clean it up!