Engaging Science Experiments for kids

203 Shares

You guys know I’m a big fan of hands on homeschool science and I’m always on the lookout for great products. Recently I found out one of my favorite publishers has amazing science experiments books for kids (should it be science experiment books? There’s multiple science experiments in each book, back on topic).

Engaging science experiments for kids, each book has several great experiments to try with your kids

{I received a free copy of Tabletop Scientist from Dover publications and compensation for my time, all opinions are my own.}

Before I talk about their science experiments let me talk about Dover Publications

I have been buying their coloring books since before I had kids. When Jeff and I went to the Renaissance Festival there was this fun little book store that had amazing coloring books of period accurate clothing. The seamstress inside of me was so happy. I probably own at least 10 coloring books in varying states of completion.

Then I had kids, and we went on lots of road trips. I discovered the Dover mini-activity books. They’re a dollar each, and were at every Cracker Barrel or museum gift shop. It’s a great sanity saver (I’d link to each one, but honestly it’s more fun to just wander around their site and randomly discover cool stuff)

Fast forward a few more years and the kids get Dover books from their Aunt Tara every year. This past year Batman got a cook book for kids (and I have no idea of the exact name, but it’s AWESOME!), and he’s cooked whole meals for us from this book.

I use Dover books all the time in my homeschooling, usually in our homeschool history as I have them color scenes from history as I read or time period clothing.

End my little mini Dover Publications love-fest.

What I look for in a good science experiments book

I have some particular requirements in a science experiments book.

accurate, this may seem like a given, but it’s not always true
engaging pictures that my kids will spend lots of time looking through for ideas
clear pictures of what to do, nothing more frustrating than not being able to figure out what you’re supposed to do
lots of experiments they want to do

These books fulfilled every single one of the requirements, and then some.

I started off giving the kids the books and said, “Pick out an experiment you want to do from each book.” They handed the books back to me covered in sticky notes, and disagreements over who picked which experiment. Score 1 for the science experiments books.

Science of Air Science Experiment

This experiment is what blew me over the moon with happiness with the books. To my mind the best learning activities are the ones I start, and the kids just run with the idea, and that’s exactly what happened with this experiment.

The goal is to design your own glider and see how to make it fly the farthest. All you need: straws, paper, clay, and tape, lots and lots of tape.

The kids happily set to work making their gliders, and I had a blast watching them and making my own. Then we set out to try them. Our first attempts didn’t go so well.

But this inspired the kids to try out different versions, and they happily made gliders for over an hour. Let me repeat that OVER AN HOUR. Three kids happily working on science experiments for over an hour.

By the end my scrap paper pile was significantly decreased.

Science of Water Science Experiment

This next one I wasn’t quite so sure it would be a huge hit. But, it involves water, clay, and straws, so that alone made my kids happily engaged.

Side note, the experiments are laid out easily enough my kids can gather all the materials and do this completely on their own, but then I don’t get the fun too. But Princess carefully gathered, and set up all the supplies for us ahead of time, including measuring out the straws. There was a great disagreement over straw colors.

But in the end we successfully discovered how the straws will float or only sink partway because of the amount of air in the straw. It was fascinating to try out all of the different variations and see what happened to the straws.

Share14

Pin185

+14