Science experiments for preschoolers come in all shapes and flavors. From water experiments to colors and life science activities there are so many to pick from. However, these 15 are the best of the best – sure to fascinate your toddler, keep them occupied and learning. Plus the experiments in this list are frugal and many can be done with objects already in your kitchen cabinet. Many of these experiments would also make a great addition to a preschool science curriculum. To help you continue the fun (and learning) we include recommended FREE Brainy Box resources next to many of the science experiments. Scroll to the bottom of this article for the entire list of ALL materials used in every experiment. This list is an ultimate time-saver, designed to help you plan 15 experiments in 15 minutes.
1. The Leak Proof Bag Science Experiment For Preschoolers
In this experiment, you and your preschooler will discover that plastic actually heals itself. How cool is that?
For this preschool science experiment you’ll need:
For detailed instructions and the explanation of the homeschool-friendly science, check out this video.
2. Milk Painting Science Experiment
Create an awesome art experiment with your preschooler using safe materials such as milk, dish soap, and food coloring.
For this experiment you’ll need:
For complete instructions for this science experiment for preschoolers check out How To To The Magic Milk Experiment.
3. Lava Lamp Preschool Science Experiment
This experiment is a great way to demonstrate to your preschooler that oil and water do not mix. An easy way to explain this experiment is: “Oil is only attracted to other oil. And water is only attracted to other water. So, oil doesn’t mix with water.”
For this awesome science experiment you’ll need:
- Vegetable oil
- A plastic bottle with a cap (one litter size is ideal)
- A funnel
- Food coloring
- Alka seltzer
For complete instructions for the Lava Lamp, homeschool experiment check-out this video.
4. Create A Nature Shadow Box With Your Preschooler
Venture out into nature to collect objects such as leaves, pine cones, and flowers with your preschooler. Then study the objects and create unique artwork with this hands-on science experiment.
For this science experiment for preschoolers you’ll need:
- School glue
- Kid-friendly paint
- Paintbrushes
- A shoebox (or a wooden box to create as a keepsake project)
- Found objects such as leaves, pine cones, and flowers
For complete instructions check out Nature Shadow Boxes in Preschool
5. Learn About Birds With The Pine Cone Bird Feeder Science Project
Discover the wonderful world of birds with this easy and fun project. After you complete the bird feeder, observe and learn about the birds in your area with your preschoolers.
For this preschool science experiment you’ll need:
- Pinecones (if you can’t find any, buy pinecones online)
- Peanut butter
- Popsicle sticks
- Birdseed
- String
- Bowls
For complete instructions check out this super helpful Youtube video.
6. Make Oobleck! (One Of The Coolest Preschool Science Experiments Of All Time)
Explore the world of liquids and solids with this fun, hands-on experiment ideal for preschoolers. Cheap, fast and easy – this preschool science experiment is a winner.
For this experiment you’ll need:
For complete instructions and tons of great advice on teaching solid/liquid check out this video.
7. Make A Rain Cloud In A Jar
Perfect for rainy days, this experiment helps your preschooler understand how rain clouds work
For this preschool science experiment you’ll need:
For complete instructions for this easy experiment, watch this video.
8. Create An Awesome Butterfly Feeder
This wonderful experiment combines upcycling with nature and observation skills. Ideal for homeschooling in the spring, its a great activity for a mixed-age preschool or elementary group.
For this easy preschool science experiment you’ll need:
- An old plastic bottle with lid
- Rubber bands
- Yarn
- Cotton ball
- Flowers
For complete instructions watch this easy tutorial.
9. Tornado in A Bottle
Discover one of nature’s most powerful forces with a homemade tornado. In this experiment, you and your student will observe how water forms into a tornado – and what happens next.
For this homeschool friendly science experiment you’ll need:
- Duct tape
- A large bowl
- A washer
- Two 1 liter plastic bottles
- Reusable tornado tube (optional)
- Colorful lamp oil (optional)
- Dish soap (optional)
- Tiny foam balls (optional)
10. Plant A Wildflower Garden And Observe Your Visitors
Whether you live in a big city or on a farm, planting a wildflower garden is going to be a rewarding preschool science experiment. Wildflowers won’t need much care (just a little water while they are young), and the flowers will attract bees, butterflies and local birds. After you plant, observe the growth with your child and make a record of the visitors to the natural garden. This activity is great to involve the whole family in your homeschool.
For this science experiment you’ll need:
Wildflowers don’t need much care, but this comprehensive video can be very helpful in making your wildflower garden really bloom.
11. Dancing Spaghetti Science Experiment For Preschoolers (
Discover the wonderful world of density with this science experiment for preschoolers with water. The spaghetti in this experiment “dances” because gas bubbles have a lower density than water.
For this science experiment you’ll need:
- Alka-Seltzer (2 to 3 pills)
- A tall vase
- Raisins
- Pasta
See this helpful video for the experiment instructions and explanation. In the video, the instructor recommends to use a cup, but this experiment is much more impressive with a tall vase and two or three pills of Alka-Seltzer.
12. The Shiny Pennies Experiment
Uncover properties of metals as they interact with vinegar (an acid) with this awesome and very effective preschool science experiment.
For this experiment you’ll need:
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Measuring spoons
- 20 pennies
- A couple of old nails and screws
The science in this video is pretty in-depth but you can always skip the last portion. However, if you have a mixed-age homeschool group the chemistry is fascinating!
13. Grow Bean Plants Experiment
Learn how plants grow with this classic preschool science experiment. During this experiment, you will also study the internal structure of plants and discover the effects of the sun on the plants (photosynthesis). There are many ways to do this experiment – you can use a ziplock bag, plastic cups or a jar.
For this preschool science experiment you’ll need:
Here is a super cute video to show to it works. Afterward, you can plant the beans in your garden or a flowerpot!
14. Color Changing Flowers Experiment
All plants need water to live. Show your preschooler that flowers are what they eat with this multi-colored experiment. This classic experiment is one of the most popular science experiments for preschoolers with colors!
For this preschool science experiment you’ll need:
- 3 white flowers
- 3 jars
- Food coloring
For a great demonstration of this experiment and the explanation of the science, check out this super helpful video.
15. Catch A Rainbow In A Jar
Discover even more about the density of liquids with the rainbow in a jar preschool science experiment. Because different liquids have different density, you can pour them (carefully) one on top of another, and they will not mix. A very cool and colorful homeschool-friendly experiment!
- A jar or a tall vase
- A measuring cup
- Honey
- Food coloring: red, blue, green
- Blue dish soap
- Olive oil
- Rubbing alcohol
For details instructions on creating a rainbow in a jar check out this youtube video.
I hope you have enjoyed this list of 15 awesome science experiments for preschoolers and homeschoolers. Are there any other experiments you’d like to see? Let me know in the comments and I’ll be happy to add them! Thank you and happy teaching!
All the materials in one place:
- 1-gallon ziplock bags (experiment 1)
- Paper towels (13)
- Wooden cooking skewers (1)
- Popsicle sticks (5)
- Bowls (5,6,9)
- A measuring cup (6, 15)
- Measuring spoons (12)
- A funnel (3)
- A shallow plate or dish (2)
- A tall vase (11, 15)
- 3-4 Jars (7, 13, 14)
- Dish soap, any color (2,9)
- Blue dish soap (15)
- Q-tips (2)
- Cotton balls (8)
- Rubbing alcohol (15)
- Shaving foam (7)
- Alka seltzer (3,11)
- Eyedropper/pipette (7)
- School glue (4)
- Kid-friendly paint (4)
- Paintbrushes (4)
- Sharpened pencils (1)
- A watering can (10)
- Birdseed (5)
- Wildflower seeds (10)
- String (5)
- Yarn (8)
- Rubber bands (8)
- Duct tape (9)
- A washer (9)
- Food coloring (2,3,6,7,14,15)
- Milk (2)
- Peanut butter (5)
- Vegetable oil (3)
- Olive oil (15)
- Corn starch (6)
- Raisins (11)
- Pasta (11)
- Vinegar (12)
- Salt (12)
- Assorted dry beans (13)
- Honey (15)
Found objects you’ll need for all the preschool science experiments on this list:
- Four one-liter plastic bottles with a cap (3,8,9)
- A shoebox (4)
- Found natural objects such as leaves, pine cones, and flowers (4)
- Pinecones (if you can’t find any, buy pinecones online) (4,5)
- Flowers (8)
- 20 pennies (11)
- A few old nails and screws (11)
- 3 white flowers (14)
Optional items you can use for some of the experiments:
