20 Easy Science Experiments with Household Items

Science Experiments for Kids:- If there’s one thing that gets kids excited, it’s a fun and simple science experiment! You don’t need fancy equipment or dangerous chemicals to have a great time. There are plenty of cool projects you can do with everyday items you already have at home. These experiments are not only fun but also help kids learn and explore. From making colourful lava lamps to launching baking soda rockets, the possibilities are endless. 

We’ve gathered a big collection of homemade easy science models that anyone can try, and kids are going to love them! Plus, it’s a great way for parents and teachers to join in the fun and help kids discover the wonders of science. With a few simple supplies, you can spark a love for science that lasts a lifetime. Below are the 20 Easy Science Experiments with Household Items that can be considered to make science interesting. 

20 Easy Science Experiments with Household Items

Here are the science experiments for school using household items below:- 

1. Slime

Materials: Glue, baking soda, contact lens solution, food colouring (optional)

Steps:

1. In a bowl, mix 1 cup of glue with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.

2. Add food colouring if desired.

3. Slowly add 2 tablespoons of contact lens solution and mix until it forms slime.

Result: A stretchy, gooey substance that can be played with and shaped.

Precautions: Use non-toxic glue and ensure any contact lens solution is appropriate for use with skin. Wash hands after handling slime, as it can be sticky.

2. Lava Lamp

Materials: Clear bottle, water, vegetable oil, food colouring, Alka-Seltzer tablets

Steps:

1. Fill a clear bottle 1/4 full with water.

2. Add vegetable oil until the bottle is almost full.

3. Add a few drops of food colouring.

4. Break an Alka-Seltzer tablet into pieces and drop them in.

Result: colourful blobs that rise and fall like a lava lamp due to the reaction between the Alka-Seltzer and water.

Precautions: Use a safe, non-toxic clear soda. Be cautious when handling Alka-Seltzer; do not ingest it directly.

3. Egg in a Bottle

Materials: Hard-boiled egg, glass bottle with a neck smaller than the egg, matches or lighter

Steps:

1. Light a small piece of paper and drop it into the bottle.

2. Quickly place the egg on the mouth of the bottle.

3. Observe.

Result: The egg gets sucked into the bottle as the flame goes out and cools the air inside.

Precautions: Ensure the bottle is not too hot to handle, and take care when using matches or a lighter. Use the experiment in a well-ventilated area to avoid smoke inhalation.

Check out:  Science Experiment Kit For Class 6th

4. Homemade Volcano

Materials: Baking soda, vinegar, food colouring, container (like a plastic bottle)

Steps:

1. Place the container on a tray.

2. Add baking soda to the container.

3. Mix vinegar with food colouring and pour it in.

Result: A bubbly, foamy eruption that resembles a volcanic explosion.

Precautions: Conduct this experiment in an area that can get messy, like outdoors or over a protective surface. Use vinegar and baking soda in safe amounts.

5. Magic Milk

Materials: Milk, food colouring, dish soap, shallow dish

Steps:

1. Pour milk into a shallow dish.

2. Add drops of different food colouring around the milk.

3. Dip a cotton swab in dish soap and touch it to the milk.

Result: The colours swirl and mix dramatically due to the reaction between the soap and fat in the milk.

Precautions: If using food colouring, ensure it is safe for consumption. Clean up spills promptly to prevent stains.

6. Rainbow Celery

Materials: Celery stalks, water, food colouring

Steps:

1. Fill a cup with water and add food colouring.

2. Place a celery stalk in the coloured water.

3. Wait a few hours.

Result: The celery will absorb the coloured water, showing coloured streaks in the leaves.

Precautions: Ensure the celery is clean and suitable for consumption after the experiment. Avoid using toxic dyes if you plan to eat the celery afterwards.

Check out: Science Experiment Kit For Class 7th

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7. Baking Soda Rocket

Materials: Baking soda, vinegar, film canister with a tight-fitting lid

Steps:

1. Fill the film canister with a small amount of vinegar.

2. Add a teaspoon of baking soda and quickly seal the lid.

3. Place it lid-side down and step back.

Result: The canister will pop off the ground due to the pressure from the reaction.

Precautions: Use a small amount of baking soda and vinegar to avoid excessive pressure buildup. Always conduct the experiment outdoors or in a safe, open space.

8. Dancing Raisins

Materials: Clear soda (like Sprite), raisins

Steps:

1. Fill a glass with clear soda.

2. Drop a few raisins into the glass.

Result: The raisins will rise and fall in the soda as bubbles attach to them.

Precautions: Use a safe soda. Be cautious not to spill the soda, as it can be sticky.

9. Elephant Toothpaste

Materials: Hydrogen peroxide (6% or more), dish soap, yeast, warm water, food colouring (optional)

Steps:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of yeast with 2 tablespoons of warm water in a separate cup.

2. In a plastic bottle, combine 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide, a squirt of dish soap, and food colouring.

3. Pour the yeast mixture into the bottle.

Result: A foamy eruption resembling toothpaste that overflows from the bottle.

Precautions: Wear safety goggles to protect eyes from splashes. Use hydrogen peroxide with care, as higher concentrations can be harmful. Conduct this experiment in a well-ventilated area.

10. Penny Chemistry

Materials: Pennies, vinegar, salt, bowl

Steps:

1. In a bowl, mix vinegar and salt.

2. Soak the pennies in the mixture for about 5 minutes.

3. Rinse with water.

Result: The pennies become shiny due to the removal of tarnish.

Precautions: Use gloves if you're sensitive to vinegar or salt. Rinse hands after handling the solution to avoid irritation.

11. Skittle Time

Materials: Skittles, warm water, plate

Steps:

1. Arrange Skittles in a circle on a plate.

2. Pour warm water in the center of the plate.

Result: The colours will bleed and create a rainbow pattern in the water.

Precautions: Ensure the food colouring is safe and non-toxic. Avoid ingesting any non-food items used in the experiment.

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12. Rock Candy

Materials: Sugar, water, a jar, a stick or string

Steps:

1. Heat water and dissolve sugar until saturated.

2. Pour the solution into a jar.

3. Suspend a stick or string in the jar.

4. Wait for several days.

Result: Crystals will form on the stick/string as the water evaporates.

Precautions: Boiling water can cause burns. Exercise caution when handling hot liquids and allow the solution to cool before working with it.

13. Tornado in a Bottle

Materials: Two plastic bottles, water, tape

Steps:

1. Fill one bottle with water, leaving some space.

2. Place the second bottle upside down on top of the first and tape them together.

3. Swirl the top bottle and then flip it over.

Result: A swirling tornado effect as the water drains from one bottle to the other.

Precautions: Ensure the bottles are tightly sealed to avoid spills. Use a stable surface to prevent tipping.

14. Travelling Rainbows

Materials: Skittles, warm water, white plate

Steps:

1. Place Skittles in a circle on a white plate.

2. Pour warm water in the center.

Result: The colours from the Skittles will dissolve and create a rainbow effect.

Precautions: Use non-toxic food coloring and ensure no spills on clothing or surfaces, as it can stain.

15. Baking Soda and Vinegar Experiments

Materials: Baking soda, vinegar, various containers

Steps:

1. Place baking soda in a container.

2. Pour vinegar over it.

Result: A vigorous fizzing reaction occurs, producing carbon dioxide gas.

Precautions: Conduct this experiment in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling any fumes from the vinegar. Use small quantities to avoid overflow.

16. Balloon Air Pressure Experiment

Materials: Balloon, plastic bottle, water

Steps:

1. Fill a plastic bottle halfway with water.

2. Stretch the balloon and place it over the mouth of the bottle.

3. Squeeze the bottle.

Result: The balloon will inflate as the air pressure increases inside the bottle.

Precautions: Use a sturdy balloon that won't burst easily. Avoid squeezing the bottle too hard to prevent sudden air release.

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17. Balloon Rocket

Materials: Balloon, string, straw, tape

Steps:

1. Thread a straw onto a long piece of string.

2. Tape the string to a wall or two fixed points.

3. Inflate a balloon without tying it and tape it to the straw.

4. Let go.

Result: When the balloon is released, the air rushing out propels the balloon along the string. This demonstrates Newton's Third Law of Motion: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Precautions: Ensure the string is securely fastened to avoid accidents. Supervise children to ensure they don’t accidentally hit anyone with the balloon.

18. Build a Catapult

Materials: Popsicle sticks, rubber bands, small object (like a marshmallow)

Steps:

1. Stack 5 popsicle sticks and secure them with rubber bands at both ends.

2. Attach another popsicle stick perpendicularly with a rubber band.

3. Place a small object on the end and press down to launch.

Result: The object will launch when released.

Precautions: Use materials that are safe and will not break easily. Be cautious when launching projectiles to avoid injury.

19. Exploding Soap

Materials: Bar of soap (like Ivory), microwave

Steps:

1. Place a bar of soap in a microwave-safe dish.

2. Microwave for about 1-2 minutes.

Result: When microwaved, the soap expands due to the trapped air and steam, creating a fluffy texture. This experiment shows how heat causes air to expand and the effects of different materials in heat.

Precautions: Use a microwave-safe dish and monitor the soap closely while microwaving. Avoid placing too much soap in the microwave to prevent messes.

20. Guess the Smell

Materials: Various household spices or extracts, blindfold

Steps:

1. Blindfold a participant and present them with different spices or extracts.

2. Ask them to identify each smell.

Result: Participants use their sense of smell to identify different scents, which helps demonstrate how our olfactory senses work and the role of aroma in recognizing substances.

Precautions: Avoid using potentially harmful substances or allergens. Ensure participants are not allergic to the scents used in the experiment.

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Science Experiments for Kids FAQs

1. What age group are these experiments suitable for?

Ans. Most of these experiments are suitable for children aged 5 and up. However, adult supervision is recommended for younger kids, especially when using materials like vinegar or when handling any hot substances.

2. Do I need special equipment for these experiments?

Ans. No, many of these experiments can be done using common household items like baking soda, vinegar, food colouring, and more. You won’t need expensive lab equipment.

3. Are the materials safe to use?

Ans. Yes, the materials used in these experiments are generally safe and non-toxic. However, it’s always a good idea to read labels and ensure that any ingredients are safe for the intended age group.

4. How long do the experiments take?

Ans. Most of these experiments can be completed in about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity. Some may take longer if there are waiting periods, like for rock candy to form.

5. Will my child learn something from these experiments?

Ans. Absolutely! These experiments help kids understand basic scientific concepts such as chemical reactions, gravity, and density, all while having fun.