Are you looking for a fun and easy way to introduce your preschool and kindergarteners to the wonders of science? If so, then you’ve come to the right place! In this blog, you’ll find 10 outdoor and experiments that will captivate your young learners and help them gain a better understanding of the natural world. From exploring the power of sunlight to testing the buoyancy of different objects, these experiments will keep your students engaged and excited about the scientific concepts around them. Plus, since all the experiments are outdoors and easy, you will only need a little preparation or materials to conduct them. Whether you homeschool or are in the classroom these 10 easy outdoor science experiments are great for your kids! So join us now and let’s get ready to make some educational discoveries in the great outdoors!
Exploring the Power of Sunlight is a great way to introduce your kids to the power of the sun. This requires just a few materials and is easy to do outdoors. To do the experiment, you’ll need a shallow bowl of water, a clear jar or bottle, and a piece of paper or card. Place the bowl of water in a sunny spot and then place the jar or bottle upside down in the water, so that it is partially submerged. Place the piece of paper or card over the top of the container and watch what happens. The sunlight will pass through the paper or card, which heats up the water inside the container and causes it to rise. This is a great way to show your students how the sun can do amazing things!
We love chickpea foam for a science experiment and fun hands-on play. All you need is two cans of chickpeas, food coloring, cream of tartar, and a mixer. Next, mix the juice from the two cans of chickpeas, food coloring, ¼ teaspoon of cream of tarter. Use your mixer until it is foamy. This is super easy and quick but it is messy! So if you are in the classroom prepare your students by getting extra pairs of crummy clothes.
The third experiment is growing a rainbow. This experiment combines art and science to help your kindergarteners explore the relationship between color and light. All you’ll need for this experiment is a few strips of colorful construction paper, a shallow container, and some water. Simply cut the colored construction paper into thin strips, and then place each one into the shallow container of water. The thin strips of paper will slowly sink to the bottom of the container, and your kindergarteners can observe how the colors in the paper mix together. Ask your students to describe what they see and explain why the colors mix together. This experiment is a great way to help your students understand the science of light and color, and it also produces a beautiful result!
Paper Helicopters is a great way to show kindergarteners the power of wind and gravity. All you need is some paper and a few simple instructions to get started. Have the students cut out their own paper helicopters and decorate them however they like. After that, have them launch their helicopters from a high place, like the top of a staircase, and observe how the wind carries them and the gravity affects their descent. This experiment is great for teaching kids about the forces of nature and the impact of wind on different objects. Plus, it’s a lot of fun to watch the helicopters fly! To see this in action click here.
Exploring the Power of Wind is a great way to get your kindergarteners excited about science! All you need to do is go outside with your students and find a windy location. Then, have them observe how different objects interact with the wind. Objects like paper, leaves, or a pinwheel can all be used to show how the wind can move them. Show the kids how the wind can also make sounds and how it can be used to “blow away” smells. This is a great way for them to understand the power of wind in its most basic form. Additionally, you can have them collect items, like leaves or feathers, to create a wind art project. This will allow them to use their creative imaginations while learning more about the power of wind.
Making a homemade kaleidoscope is a simple and fun science experiment for kindergarteners that will captivate their attention and help them learn more about the world around them. To make this experiment even more special, you can add some glitter or colorful cellophane to the end of your kaleidoscope to make the reflection even more beautiful. All you need to do is collect two toilet paper rolls, some tape, cellophane, and glitter, and then you’re ready to start! Have your students draw a line around one of the rolls and cut it in half. Then tape the two halves together, leaving a small hole at one end. Next, add cellophane and glitter to the end of the kaleidoscope, and it’s ready to use. Once the kaleidoscope is complete, have your students look through it and explore the colorful shapes they see! Your students will be amazed at the beauty of the kaleidoscope when they look through it, and you can explain to them how science is responsible for creating such a wonderful sight.
We have two easy outdoor science experiments for shadows and sunlight! For example making a compass and another one is observing how the sun changes shadows.
Making your own compass a great way to introduce the concept of magnetism and direction to your kindergarteners. With just a few simple supplies, your students can create their own homemade compass and learn the basics of a compass rose. To begin the experiment, you’ll need a shallow pan or bowl of water, a magnet, and a paper clip or needle. Place the paper clip or needle on the middle of the pan, and then use your magnet to slowly spin it around until the needle points north. This will show your students the concept of magnetism and help them understand how a compass works. Once your students have mastered the basics of a homemade compass, they can use it to explore the outdoors and learn more about direction and navigation. This experiment allows your students to have an interactive experience while exploring the fascinating world of magnetism.
Also, bring out a figure like a dinosaur outside and have kids tape a piece of paper to the ground and mark where the figure goes. In the morning have them trace the outline of the figure on the paper. Then, in the middle of the day have them trace the shadow outline again. Finally, before the end of the day have the kids trace the outline of the shadow again. This is a great way to see how the earth rotates around the sun and shadows move and change.
Experiment #8: Chalk and Water Science is a great way to get your kindergarteners excited about science. With just a few supplies, you can introduce your young learners to the wonders of chemistry as they observe the reactions between chalk and water. All you’ll need is chalk, water, and a shallow dish or bowl. Start by having your students draw pictures with the chalk on the side of the bowl or dish. Then, let them pour water into the dish and observe what happens. As the chalk dissolves, their drawings will start to fade away and mix in with the water. This simple experiment will demonstrate the idea of a chemical reaction as the students explore the power of the water to dissolve the chalk. Plus, since all the supplies are easy to find and the experiment is fast, it’ll be an exciting and easy activity for your kindergartners to complete.
Experiment #9: Investigating the Properties of Soil is an engaging and educational activity that can be done outside with minimal preparation. Have your kindergarteners grab their gardening gloves, grab a handful of soil, and get ready for a fun and informative experiment! Ask your students to observe the soil in their hands. Ask them to describe its appearance, texture, color, and how it feels when they squeeze it. Have them talk about what they think soil might be made of.
To further explore the properties of soil, have your students put a pinch of soil into a small cup of water. Ask them to observe and describe the changes that occur as the soil and water mix, and discuss the implications for a garden or planting. Finally, have your students spread a thin layer of soil onto a piece of paper and use their fingers to draw shapes and designs. As they do, ask them to take note of how the soil moves and behaves. Through this experiment, your students will learn more about the properties of soil and its vital role in the natural world.
Experiment #10 is exploding soda bottle. This experiment is a fun and easy way to introduce the concept of pressure and the physics of gases to your kindergarteners. All you need are two plastic bottles of the same size, some soda, and a few rubber bands. Fill the two bottles with the same amount of soda, then seal the bottles with two rubber bands each. Ask your students to observe the bottles and make predictions about what will happen when the bottles are squeezed. Then, squeeze one of the bottles and watch as the pressure created causes the other bottle to “explode,” shooting the soda out of the top! Afterwards, discuss with your students why the second bottle exploded and emphasize the importance of pressure in the physics of gasses.
Make sure to save this pin to try out these easy outdoor science experiments with your students this year!
My name is Nicole and I am so glad you are here! I have always loved photography and have taken classes. Then I started my teacher journey and fell in love with creating resources for what I needed in the classroom. Now I have combined both of my passions to bring you spectacular resources!
