12 Easy & Fun Preschool Science Experiments

These science projects for preschoolers are easy to set up and use things that you already have around the house or preschool classroom. These preschool science activities are simple to put together and fun to watch kids learn science hands-on with curiosity! Learning through preschool science experiments engages kids curious nature of “why”. We believe it is never too early to explore science.

12 Preschool Science Experiments - 8 science experiments for preschoolers pictured from how sound travels to color changing milk all brightly colored
Let’s do some preschool science projects

Simple Science Experiments for Preschoolers

Preschoolers are naturally curious about the world around them and fascinated by what they see and feel. Kids ages 3-5 love to ask WHY. This makes science activities one of the best ways to play and learn.

While preschool science lesson plans and preschool science curriculum is loose and play-based, the things that kids can learn are concrete and foundational.

  • Preschoolers can easily learn the steps of the scientific method as part of science conversation.
  • Younger kids love making hypotheses and then using the tools around them to see if they were right.
  • See our scientific method for kids worksheet and coloring pages.

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Science experiments perfect for preschoolers - 4 play based science activities for preschool age kids shown from color changing milk to can telephone to baking soda experiment to worms in their natural habitat
Preschoolers love to play with science concepts!

Play Based Science Projects for Preschoolers

1. Play with Surface Tension

Introduce a lesson on surface tension by making color changing milk.   This is a kid favorite!

2. Easy Egg Experiment

This simple naked egg experiment uses a secret ingredient to remove an egg shell from the egg, keeping it contained in the membrane.

String telephone experiment for preschoolers from Raising Lifelong Lerners
This simple craft turned toy teaches volumes about how sound is made and transmitted.

3. The Telephone Project

Bringing back a classic, this experiment with sound waves and show your kids how they can travel through a string.

4. Learning About Atmosphere

Teach kids earth’s atmosphere layers with this hands on experiment to create the 5 layers of the atmosphere right in your kitchen.

5. Phases of the Moon Exploration

Explain to kids why the moon appears to change shapes with this Oreo project about moon phases. And check out this printable phases of the moon info sheet.

6. Make a Sugar Rainbow

Here is a simple way to learn about water density and also make a really pretty rainbow!   Everything you need for this is right in your kitchen cabinets.

7. Water Absorption Experiment

Talk about water absorption with your kids and experiment by taking items around your house and placing them in water.   What absorbs the water and what does not?

8. Make Butter Together

Kids love this fun experiment to make butter because they have something to taste at the end!

9. Physics with Pasta

Just like the bead fountain in the video above, in our Mould Effect experiment, the pasta self-siphons in a spectacular effect!

Worm Farm Observation Science Kit from Amazon
So much science with this worm observation kit!

10. Earth Worm Fun

Learn about Earth Worms and how they help your garden by creating your own miniature habitat for them to live. Here are some of our favorites:

11. Air Pressure Activity for Preschoolers

In this fun easy science project, preschoolers will learn what is air pressure.

12. Germ Experiment

Talk about germs with your preschoolers and the importance of keeping things clean with this germ growing experiment.

13. Make a Balloon Rocket

With these simple steps to make a balloon rocket, kids will be playing while absorbing science knowledge!

Preschool Science Activities Curriculum

When deciding what type of science activities and simple science experiments to bring into preschool at home or in the classroom, consider the following guidelines for preschool science standards:

  • Physical Science – kids learn that objects have properties and there is a cause-effect relationship.
  • Life Science – living things have basic needs and develop in predictable patterns.
  • Earth Science – events such as night, day, weather and seasons have patterns.
101 Coolest Simple Science Experiments
This is our science book filled with fun things for preschoolers and beyond…

101 Coolest Preschool Science Experiments Book

If you are looking for even more fun science projects to do with preschoolers or older kids, check out our book – The 101 Coolest Simple Science Experiments. There are so many ways to play with science inside!

Science for Preschoolers FAQ

What are the 3 basic areas of science that we study in preschool?

A preschool science curriculum centers around the 3 basic areas of science: life science, physical science and earth science.

What are 3 strategies you can use to support preschool science?

1. Introduce kids to basic tools of science: ruler, measuring cups, scale, magnifying glass, mirrors, prisms, test tubes, binoculars
2. Encourage curiosity and question asking with time and space for self-exploration and discovery.
3. Learn together without worrying about a “right answer”.

What preschoolers should know about science?

The good news is that the preschool science curriculum is free-form and more about observation and exploration than concrete learning blocks. A positive attitude about science and a child’s innate curiosity in preschool sets them up for a good relationship with science learning in the future.

More Science Activities for Preschoolers

Also see this playdough recipe, the random fact of the day, and baby games for 1 toddlers.

Leave a comment – What is your favorite preschool science project? Did your preschoolers have fun with the science activities?

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