Science and nature go together like peas in a pod, especially at our house. Around here, common reading for The Big Explorer (9) includes books about extreme weather and space, and The Little Explorer (6) is currently working his way through the complete Magic School Bus books, which are aptly called “science chapter books.”
Which is all to say that you can bet there will be some summer science experiments in store at Camp Mommy. In fact, I’ve been scouring the web looking for some fun ideas that might appeal to both of the kids.
5 Summer Science Experiments
Here are my five favorite ideas for summer science experiments, each of which I’ve temporarily slated for a day during this summer’s Camp Mommy.
1. Grow crystals.
The Explorers each got a small crystal growing kit for Christmas and it’s high time we put them to use.
2. Make a rainbow.
Our very own backyard rainbow? Yes, please! All we need is sunlight, shadows and a hose. We’ll be recreating what Inner Child Fun did here.
3. Create a LEGO solar system.
When I saw this LEGO solar system from Kitchen Counter Chronicles, I knew we had to try it. Both of the boys are LEGO fiends, so the chance to combine science and LEGOS is too hard to pass up. Once they create their LEGO solar system, we’ll take it outside to explore planetary orbits using sidewalk chalk.
4. Make a sundial.
This sundial from Science Kids at Home sticks to the basics. In fact, all you need are a few rocks, a stick and some sunshine. Then we can try telling time with shadows!
5. Conduct water balloon splatter tests.
The boys love water balloons. (It isn’t even summer yet and we’ve already had water balloon fights, water balloon tosses and water balloon throwing contests.) We’ll take the fun to new heights and discover what happens when we drop water balloons from different heights.
If you’re interested, you can take a look at some science experiments we’ve tried in the past:
- Make and float paper boats
- Mentos and soda geyser experiment
- Set up a backyard weather station
For more outdoor science experiments, visit my Science Time Pinterest board.
Rainbow photo included courtesy of Me*Myself*&*I
