Several fun science experiments can be conducted with basic materials that you already have in your home. These little experiments will keep your children entertained while enhancing and reinforcing their science knowledge.
The first easy experiment will teach your child how sound is caused by vibration. Gather a small empty box such as a match box or a child’s shoe box, some rubber bands, a few small drinking glasses, a spoon, and some water. First, fill the drinking glasses with different amounts of water. Have your child tap on the glasses using the spoon and point out how the amount of water inside the glass affects the sound that is produced. Next, wrap the rubber bands around the box. Make sure they are all facing the same way. The box should look similar to a guitar if done correctly. Let your child pluck the strings to make sound. There are additional ways to produce sound as well. For example, you can put wax paper over a comb and blow on it like a harmonica. Kazoos are also a fun way to produce sound. If you live near a school supply store you might also consider purchasing a tuning fork to enhance this experiment.
Static electricity is something else that can easily be taught. For this experiment you will need a balloon, a comb, a plate, and some small bits of scrap paper. This experiment works best in the winter. First, tear the scrap paper up into tiny bits and place it on the plate. Next, let your child run the comb through his/her hair. The comb will now chase the bits of paper about the plate. After you are done with that phase of the experiment, blow up and tie the balloon. Vigorously rub it on your child’s hair or let them rub it through yours. The balloon should now stick to the wall because of the static electricity.
Another simple science experiment involves learning how plants grow. Gather paper cups, water, dirt, seeds, carnations, food coloring, a spoon, leaves, paper, and a pencil. First, let your child add some dirt and a little water to two paper cups. Next, plant some seeds into each cup. Place one cup in a window or a sunny spot. Place the other plant in a shady spot that rarely sees the sun such as a closet. Water each plant regularly. As time passes your child will notice how the plant that receives sun thrives and how the other plants do not. This experiment proves that plants need sunshine to grow. There are some related experiments that you can also do. Pour some water into several cups and add different hues of food coloring to the cups and stir. Add a carnation to each cup. By the next day, the carnations should have changed to the color of the water. This demonstrates how plants absorb water. You might also have your child do leaf rubbings using paper and pencil to show how the plant food is produced.
As you can see, there are many simple science experiments that can be done with your child. Gather those materials and let the fun and the learning begin!
Phil Edwards writes for several websites including Science Experiments for Children and The Butterfly Lifecycle
Source: www.ezinearticles.com
