Science Fair Projects
So your homeschool co-op is hosting a Science Fair and your child wants to participate? How fun! Here are some great Science Fair projects that he or she can complete all by themselves.
These are great for children of all ages, and many of them can be adjusted for upper or lower grades, group projects (multiple ages or grades can work together), or individual competition. No matter which one your child chooses, you can be guaranteed the educational experiences in each of these is stellar!
- The first one in this list is obvious - no Science Fair is complete without at least one volcano! They're always a hit, and never get old.
- Kids can learn about floating and sinking, and properties of water with this water balloon science experiment.
- You know how apples turn brown once they're peeled? Teach your child about the oxidation process
with this practical engineering challenge with apples. - For kids who are passionate about animals, let them explore the biology concept of animal cell structure.
- Shrinky Dinks are also a fun way to display what your child has learned about animal cells
and/or plant cells. - If the Science Fair occurs in the winter, what a perfect time to create
your own frost! - Growing crystals is always a fun one! Don't neglect the fascinating opportunity to grow your own.
- Cracked eggs can make an interesting place to grow crystals - they look like geodes!
- Play around with exothermic reactions (it's not scary) and observe rust forming on steel wool with this
simple experiment. - Kids can observe "anti- gravity" phenomena and experience the Science of air pressure with a
couple of household objects: a ping-pong ball and a hairdryer. - Children who are learning about human anatomy might enjoy creating a model of the
human ear. - Got a child who loves engineering, physics, and simple machines? Let them design and build a pulley.
- Your little engineer might also enjoy learning about mechanical energy with this
experiment that also involves candy. - Your little scientist who loves electricity will enjoy this
electronics project that gives them experience with circuits and closed loops. - Also interesting to young electricians is this
electromagnetic train. - Harness electricity by creating your own homemade battery.
- Astronaut dreams can be fulfilled early by letting your youngster create their own DIY
planetarium constellation projector that displays his/her favorite constellations. - Colors can be separated through a simple science chromatography investigation, that also ends with a pretty flower for
display!
- Candy is always a great hands-on object to use for any project or lesson - including Science Fairs!
Take some candy, add water, and observe what happens to the artificial colors. - Short on time? This solar light project only takes 5 minutes to set up!
- Cohesion, Adhesion, and surface tension are observed in this
capillary action science experiment that only requires cups, paper towels, and food coloring. - Your younger children will love learning about the senses and creating Oobleck to experiment with.
- To explore the sense of sight, try this vision science experiment.
- Impress your child who is fascinated with weather with this
experiment that allows him/her to observe how a weather vane works. - This really cute "tiny dancer" experiment is a great way to engage your child who loves dance to
learn about homopolar motors. - Combine Art and Chemistry with a diffusion
watercolor art project. - Your child can make a car out of recycled materials that actually runs. Just use rubber bands to
"motorize" it! - Motivate your little cook with some practical kitchen Science - make butter!
- With your help, your kitchen expert can learn about casein and make "plastic" out of milk.
- Playdough is the perfect thing to use to create a model of the inside of the earth.
- Leaves change color every fall, and your child can use this
experiment to learn and display how it happens. - Carbonation in sodas can teach children about carbon dioxide and physical
reaction points. - Vinegar, baking soda, and water create a
chemical reaction that makes raisins dance. - Explore density of different liquid mixtures with this rainbow density Science experiment.
- DIY lava lamps show children that oil and water don't mix.
Complete any of the above Science Fair projects for a fun and exciting time learning and experimenting at home. Your child will love showing off their own amazing Science Fair project to their friends!
Deana Hipwell is a homeschool mom of 3 from North Carolina. After quiting her position as a public school teacher to raise and home educate her own children, she's been The Frugal Homeschooling Mom for 8 years. She is also the founder of the charitable organization, Homeschool Curriculum Free for Shipping, which benefits 13,000+ families nationwide. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, where she enjoys sharing all her free and frugal homeschooling printables and resources.
