Are your children signing up for the science fair this year? Have you begun the arduous task of looking for science fair projects that might pique your child’s interest? Or do you have a child who already has ten ideas they have been dying to try?
The science fair is a great school tradition and a memorable experience for many children (I still remember the life size plaster penguin I made in 5th grade), and if your school doesn’t conduct one, consider starting it!
This year if you are on the lookout for science fair projects I challenge you to think beyond the vinegar volcano (we have “Volcano Alley” at our school because there are so many volcano projects every year). I know, vinegar volcanoes are like a rite of childhood passage, but there are so many other amazing science ideas out there! I have compiled a list of 30+ science fair projects for kids based on their grade level below. Before we get started I wanted to share some tips for getting the most out of the science fair.
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Science Fair Tips
- Don’t do the project for your child! This is my number one tip. Many parents have a tendency to jump in and make children’s work “more presentable” or to assist their child so much in the project that it’s hard to know who actually did it. Listen I get it, science is fun and you want your child to have a wonderful presentation…but that’s not really what the science fair is about. It’s about your child learning how to do scientific research and present their findings in their own way. Think of yourself as a helpful guide NOT an assistant, and definitely not the boss.
- Choose something age appropriate When your child is choosing the science fair idea they want to try, make sure it’s age appropriate. Sure we’d all love to make a working robot but there’s nothing more frustrating than trying a project that may be too advanced for the skills of your child. And that’s when a lot of parents resort to doing the project instead. Not a good solution. So make sure your child is capable of completing the steps them self.
- Make a list of three ideas Have your child select three project ideas and then go over the choices with them. Make sure they understand the steps involved in each project and wether or not they feel comfortable in executing those steps on their own with your guidance.
- Follow your child’s interests Encourage your children to explore some ideas based on interests they already have. Here’s a list of science books with projects based on things your child already loves!
- STEAM it up! STEAM projects rock the science fair!!! A great way to get kids to become more familiar with STEAM concepts it to pick science projects that crossover into art, math, engineering and more! Two STEAM books to consider are STEAM Kids Play and Learn (my book!) and STEAM Kids ebook will get you started with some great ideas!
- Read our Science Fair Mini Guide I created this mini guide to walk kids through all the steps for completing a project fit for the science fair! You can check it out here:
30+ Science Fair Projects
Now let’s get on with the projects! I have organized the projects by age. Click the titles to be taken to the project instruction, unless the instructions follow below.
If you’d rather have the list organized by subject you can download our hyperlinked PDF by subscribing to our email list here.
Kindergarten-1st Grade
1. Lemon Volcano
Skip the vinegar volcano and try lemon juice!
2. DIY Bouncy Balls
Learn about polymers while making DIY toy!
3. Shiny Pennies
A classic experiment that kids love is Shiny Pennies. Collect dirty tarnished pennies and have kids soak them for a minimum of 5 minutes in different acidic liquids. We used vinegar, salsa, lime juice, and lemon juice. After soaking, remove them from the solution and rinse in soapy water then compare which ones are shiniest. Take notes on which acid worked best to shine the pennies. Variation: Don’t rinse all the pennies after removing them from the different liquids. Can you see a difference in the rinsed vs. non-rinsed pennies? Leave them overnight and see if any of the copper oxidizes (turns green) on the non-rinsed pennies.
pictured above: Regrowing vegetable scraps, DIY Stethoscope, Simple Circuit
4. Regrow Vegetable Scraps
Did you know you can start an entire garden from vegetable scraps? It works indoors too!
5. DIY Stethoscope
Make your own stethoscope from a few hardware store parts.
6. Simple Circuit
For all tech centered kids: Learn how to make a very simple circuit from easy to find items.
pictured above: Chromatography Butterflies, Rainbow Rubber Eggs, Exploring Density with Salt
7. Chromatography Butterflies
Learn how to separate colors in this science based craft!
8. Exploring Density with Salt
Why don’t oil and water mix? Find out with this density experiment inspired by Lava Lamps!
9. Rainbow Rubber Eggs
Rubber eggs are another classic science project that kids love. And it’s so easy! I mean does dropping an egg in vinegar and coming back in a few days sound do-able?
2nd-4th grade
10. Magic Rollback Can
You just can’t get rid of this physics project!
pictured above: Bleeding Blossoms, Teleidoscopes, Density Tower
11. Bleeding Blossoms
Explore capillary action and absorption in this science meets art project.
12. Teleidoscopes
A teleidoscope is a kaliedoscpe without and end. This means you can use it to view anything and everything. Look through one of these and you will be amazed!
13. Density Tower
Yes, you can layer liquids on top of each other without them mixing!
14. Magnet Magic
Make a simple hanging magnet structure and explore the magic of magnetism.
pictured above: Chromatography Art, Dry Erase Figure, Overnight Crystals
15. Chromatography Art
Another way to explore the separation of color and turn it into some scientific art!
16. Dry Erase Figure
Learn what hydrophobic means by making a dry erase marker drawing move!
17. Overnight Crystals
Grow Epsom salt crystals overnight in your refrigerator.
pictured above: Magnetic Sensory Bottle, Magical Plastic Bag, Cartesian Divers
18. Magnetic Field Sensory Bottle
This will surely be a hit at the Science Fair! Watch metal particles dance and move under the influence of powerful magnets!
19. Magical Plastic Bag Experiment
It’s not magic, it’s polymers!
20. Cartesian Divers
A classic science experiment exploring buoyancy.
21. Water Drop Microscope
Did you know you can make simple microscope from a plastic bottle and water?
22. Spinning Tops
Learn about centrifugal force and friction with one of these three spinning tops ideas!
23. Kinetic Sculpture
Make you own moving sculpture while learning about cams and gears!
5th Grade and up
pictured above: Crystal landscapes, Tiny Dancers, Coffee Can Camera Obscura
24. Crystal Landscapes
A more advanced crystal growing experiment using bluing and salt but WOW, these are gorgeous!
25. Tiny Dancers
These are actually a very simple motor!
26. Coffee Can Camera Obscura
Make a simple camera obscura out of an old coffee can.
pictured above: Heat Sensitive Slime, Levitating Pen
27. Heat Sensitive Slime
Click your slime chemistry up a notch by adding in thermochromic paint!
28. Levitating Pen
Make a pen appear to levitate using a magnet!
29. Crystal Wind Catchers
Borax crystals are SUPER easy to grow! Turn them into a lovely dangling wind catcher.
pictured above: Electromagnetic Train, Fake Lung, Articulated Hand
30. Electromagnetic Train
Incredible display of electricity and magnetism!
31. Fake Lung
For kids interested in life science and biology, make a model of how our lungs work.
32. Articulated Hand
Another one for biology oriented kids, explore how our joints move by creating an articulated hand.
33. Salty Circuits
In this simple circuit project, kids will create an electrical circuit using salt to conduct electricity and power a light emitting diode (LED).
Are you ready for the science fair?
Whether your child has never participated in the science fair or is an old pro, I hope the science fair projects here will inspire them to have fun, explore science, and get creative the same time.
And if you still need MORE ideas I also have a giant list of chemistry projects for kids that would make amazing science fair starter projects!
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