Free Science Experiments

Here is a huge assortment of fun and educational science experiments that you can perform at home.  Best of all, they are free and simple, and most only require basic household items.

  1. Ice Cream In A Bag

    Ice Cream In A Bag

    Ice Cream In A Bag

    Make delicious ice cream in a zip lock bag using just a few simple ingredients.

    Suitable for kids aged 6+

    You Need:

    • 1 tablespoon of sugar
    • cup of milk
    • teaspoon of vanilla essence
    • 6 tablespoons of rock salt (or use regular table salt as a substitute)
    • 2 cups of ice
    • 4 litre zip lock bag (approx. size)
    • litre zip lock bag (approx. size)

    What to do:

    1. Half fill the 4 litre zip lock bag with ice (about 2 cups).
    2. Add the salt and seal the bag.
    3. Pour the sugar, milk and vanilla essence into the litre zip lock bag and seal securely.
    4. Open the large zip lock bag and place the smaller bag inside. Seal the large bag.
    5. Shake and rock the large bag for 10 to 15 minutes. It may help to wear gloves or wrap a tea towel around the bag to protect your hands from the cold.
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  2. Buzzing Balloon

    Buzzing Balloon
    Use a hexnut or a coin to make a balloon sound like a bee.

    What You Need:

    • A Balloon
    • A Hex Nut or a 50 Cent Piece 

    What to do:

    • Place the hexanut (or 50 cent piece) inside the balloon, inflate it and tie it off.
    • Hold the balloon as shown and move it around in a circular motion by rotating your wrist. The hexanut should spin around the inside of the balloon and create a strange buzzing sound. 

    Why is it so?

    As the hexanut moves around and rubs against the sides of the balloon, it causes the balloon to vibrate, which in turn causes the air both inside and outside the balloon to vibrate. The balloon acts as a ‘resonator’, or natural amplifier, of the sound.

     

    Buzzing Balloon

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  3. Glowing Rubber Egg

    Glowing Rubber Egg

    Soak a raw- egg in vinegar and highlighter ink to transform it into a fluoro bouncy ball!

    Suitable for kids aged 4+ with parental supervision

     

    You Need:

    • Raw egg
    • Glass or jar, big enough to hold the egg
    • Vinegar
    • Highlighter ink for highlighter pen (this may require some pliers)
    • Ultra violet torch (otherwise known as a black light)

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  4. ‘Do Not Open’ Water Bottle Prank

    ‘Do Not Open’ Water Bottle Prank

    April Fool’s is coming up! Try this science prank on your family and friends.

    What you need:

    • Plastic bottle with lid
    • Water
    • Permanent marker 
    • Pin or thumbtack

     

    What to do:

    1. Fill a water bottle with water to the top and screw the lid on.
    2. With a permanent marker write 'DO NOT USE'.
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  5. Fizzy, Science Lemonade

    Fizzy, Science Lemonade

    Fizzy, refreshing lemonade that is full of science discovery! 

    What you need:

    • 2 lemons
    • Sugar or any sweetner
    • Baking soda
    • Water

     

    What to do:

    1. Juice 2 lemons.
    2. Add an equal amount of cold water.
    3. Add one teaspoon of sugar or any sweetener
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  6. Balloon Popping Trick

    Balloon Popping Trick

    Can you pop a balloon without touching it?

    Yes you can! All you need to know is the balloon’s secret nemesis- the humble orange (or lemon)! That’s
    right— latex balloons have a major citrus allergy.

    What you need:
    ● Balloon
    ● Citrus fruit


    What to do:

    1. Blow up a latex balloon.

    2. Take a peel from a citrus fruit (orange or lemon will work) and squeeze it hard enough to spray the oil
    from the peel at the balloon.

    OR scratch the zest off or a lemon, making sure you get plenty of zesty oil on your finger (invisible to the
    naked eye) and pop your balloon in front of your friends with a single, light touch- your friends will be
    lost for words!

    3. You’ll see that exposure to the citrus oil immediately pops your latex balloon.

    Why is it so?

    Well, there is a chemical in citrus fruits called limonene, which is a hydrocarbon that is actually used in

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  7. Gripping Rice Experiment

    Gripping Rice Experiment

    Can you pick up a bottle of rice without touching the bottle?

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  8. Growing Sugar Monster

    Growing Sugar Monster

    Grow an amazing sugar monster from common kitchen ingredients! 

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  9. Crystal Christmas Ornaments

    Crystal Christmas Ornaments

    Grow your own pretty crystal ornaments to hang with a solution of Borax.

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  10. The Oobleck Egg Drop!

    The Oobleck Egg Drop!

    Try this awesome combination of two classic science activities - Oobleck Slime and the Egg Drop. The result of this experiment might surprise you! 

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