Seven free and cheap science experiments for kids
IT’S British Science Week and what better way to celebrate than getting kids doing experiments at home.
There are loads of great activities to get them thinking about the physical world and you can do it all for free with household items you have. Here are our top picks.
WHEEL EASY: Design a car from a plastic bottle, with bottle caps for wheels and an axle made from wooden skewers put in straws.
Attach a balloon to it and watch how the escaping air propels the car forward as potential energy converts to kinetic energy.
FLYING COLOURS: Shine a torch into a glass of water while holding it above a piece of white paper.
The water will fracture the light to show all the colours of the rainbow on the paper.
TWINKLY TORNADOS: Put four tablespoons of glitter in a glass jar, fill three quarters full with water, screw the lid tight and turn upside down.
Move the bottle in a circular motion and the glitter will reveal a cyclone in a bottle.
SIMPLY THE ZEST: Write secret messages with a paintbrush dipped in lemon juice.
After drying — and with adult supervision — hold the paper near a hot lightbulb and watch the words emerge as the juice oxidises and turns brown.
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PRETTY PENNY: Pour white vinegar into a non-metallic bowl with two teaspoons of salt and mix with a plastic spoon.
Put some dirty pennies in and leave for two minutes. The grimy copper oxide disappears leaving the coins shiny.
SET PRICE: Bag a bargain science set using a price comparison site like Idealo. A Galt Toys slime kit on OnBuy.com was down to £7.59, virtually half price.
POSTER COMP: Check out British Science Week’s poster competition for kids aged three to 14. The theme is “growth” and prizes include an Amazon Echo.
Closes April 15. Visit britishscienceweek.org. And see the site’s “family science” packs for more activities.
- Prices correct at time of going to press. Offers subject to availability.
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