The science of pancakes
One of the easiest ( and tastiest ) ways to introduce science at home is in the kitchen. If you’re a regular reader, you’ve probably already seen my huge kitchen science round-up post. Pancakes are a...
View ArticlePaper Chromatography Experiment
This simple paper chromatography experiment is a great way to learn about this particular method of separating mixtures. WHAT IS CHROMATOGRAPHY? Chromatography is a technique used to separate...
View ArticleWalking on oobleck
Did you know you can walk on oobleck? A couple of years ago, my children took part in a fun race called Mini Mudder. One of the obstacles was a huge tray of cornflour oobleck which everyone loved, so...
View ArticleHow to make a red cabbage pH indicator
Red cabbage indicator is a simple way to tell whether a substance is an acid or alkali. Acids can be found in the food we eat, in our bodies and around the home. Some acids, especially those found in...
View ArticleRed Cabbage Experiments
What can you do with red cabbage? Firstly, you could eat it? Boil it, make coleslaw or stew it with apples, or how about some red cabbage science experiments? To make red cabbage indicator all you...
View ArticleEasy Chemistry Experiments for Kids
When I think back to my own childhood and school days, I don’t remember any chemistry experiments until secondary school, which is a shame because there are so many wonderfully visual easy chemistry...
View ArticleScience Activities to Teach Kids About Pollution
Find out what pollution is, why it’s harmful, and how we can reduce it with these simple but effective science activities to teach kids about pollution. They are all great for teaching kids about...
View ArticleWhat is the Avogadro Constant?
The Avogadro Constant is used to find the number of particles in a substance. What is the Avogadro Constant? The Avogadro Constant is 6.02 x 1023 What is a mole? One mole of a substance is the amount...
View ArticlePancake Syrup Viscosity Experiment
I usually do this viscosity experiment using lots of different liquids such as water, oil, ketchup and treacle. This version is a special syrup filled investigation for pancake day! The idea is that...
View ArticleWhat are single use plastics?
Single use plastics are plastic items that are designed to be used just once. Things like food packaging, straws and water bottles are all single use items. Around half the plastic thrown away is...
View ArticleClassic Chemistry Experiments for Kids
If you enjoy making things fizz, pop and bang you’ll love these classic chemistry experiments! Make a rocket, an exploding bag, write secret messages and lots more!Chemistry experiments are some of...
View ArticleWhat is an atom?
Everything is made of atoms. Atoms are really, really small and are actually made up of even smaller particles called electrons, protons and neutrons. Atoms are not all the same. They have different...
View ArticleWhat is an element?
An element is a substance that cannot be broken down into another substance. Each element is made up of its own type of atom! The periodic table lists elements in order of atomic number and is laid...
View ArticleWhat is an isotope?
Isotopes are different forms of the same element. Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons and electrons but a different number of neutrons. This means they have the same atomic number (...
View ArticleRed Cabbage Indicator Breath test
Next time you boil up some red cabbage, make sure you save the liquid as it can be used for lots of easy science experiments. This red cabbage breath test is a fun twist on the more traditional...
View ArticleHow do batteries work?
Batteries are used to power toys, torches and other items that need energy to work. Batteries store energy as chemical energy which is converted into electrical energy when the battery is part of a...
View ArticleWhat is an acid?
An acid is a substance with a PH of less than 7. The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A neutral substance such as pure water has a pH of 7! Acids form H+ ions in water. The...
View ArticleWhat is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the study of matter. Matter is basically anything that occupies space and has mass! We use chemistry everyday and everywhere. When you bake a cake the ingredients are chosen, measured and...
View ArticleKitchen Chemistry for Kids
The kitchen is a great place to try some science! Kitchen chemistry experiments are some of the easiest and most fascinating activities you can try at home. They also use products you probably already...
View ArticleUsing red cabbage indictor to test pH
If you’re thinking of trying a science activity at home for the first time, or are a more seasoned kitchen scientist, red cabbage indicator is perfect! The humble red cabbage is great for making...
View Article5 Science Experiments you can do with a lemon
Lemons are a small, yellow citrus fruit that taste sour, smell good and can be used for lots of very simple science experiments as they are acidic. I’ve collected 5 of my favourite science experiments...
View ArticleWhat is sublimation?
Sublimation is when a solid becomes a gas without turning into a liquid first. There are three states of matter. Adding or removing energy from a substance can change the state it is in. For example...
View ArticleEasy Density Experiments and Tricks for Kids
Density can be a tricky concept to grasp. Density refers to how much mass there is in a particular space. Imagine a drawer full of socks. It has a specific density. Suppose you take a sock out, the...
View ArticleConvection Currents Made Easy
When part of a liquid or gas is heated, it expands and becomes less dense. The warmer, less dense liquid rises upwards, and the cooler liquid falls to take its place. This cycle of a liquid or gas...
View ArticleHot and Cold Water Density Experiment
This easy science activity demonstrates the difference in density between hot and cold water. It can be a bit messy so I would either do it outside or put the jars in a tray. The demonstration works...
View ArticleNew York – Why is the Statue of Liberty Green?
Today’s post is part of my United States of Science series. The idea is you print a map of the USA and colour each state as you learn about it with a fun science activity. New York New York City in...
View ArticleSuper Salt Lava Lamp
This simple salt lava lamp is a fun twist on the more traditional homemade lava lamp that uses a fizzy tablet. The salt lava lamp doesn’t look quite a good, and isn’t as reusable but is still a nice...
View ArticleColourful Jar Experiment
This lovely, colourful science experiment is super easy to set up and carry out but looks amazing! As well as being fun to watch it’s also great for learning about density ( the oil layer floats on...
View ArticleBurping Balloons
If you eat or drink too quickly you might find you burp! Burping is how extra gas is expelled from the body. The gas is forced out of the stomach up the oesophagus and out of the mouth! These burping...
View ArticleCandy Cane Experiment – dissolving candy canes
This dissolving candy canes activity is a great science activity for before Christmas when the festivities are in full swing or after Christmas to use up any leftover candy canes. The idea is to place...
View ArticleHow to make pH indicator with a poinsettia
Do you know you can make a pH indicator with the red leaves from a poinsettia plant? Red poinsettia leaves contain anthocyanins which change colour in the presence of acids or alkalis. Acids have a...
View ArticleHow to make a lava lamp
Do you know how to make a lava lamp? DIY lava lamps are one of our favourite science experiments as they are super simple to make, can be used over and over again and you can be as creative as you...
View ArticleMagic Milk Science Experiment
This easy magic milk science investigation is fantastic fun for kids of all ages. All you need is whole milk, food colouring and a little dish soap to create crazy colour explosions. Older children...
View ArticleHow to lift an ice cube with a string
This science experiment using ice and salt is a fantastic demonstration of why salt is used to de-ice roads. It’s also a fun science magic trick! When salt is spread on the road in winter, it...
View ArticleWhat is freezing point depression?
Freezing point depression is when a substance lowers the freezing point of another substance. One example of this is adding salt to water. A solution of salt and water has a lower freezing point than...
View ArticleScience Experiments you can do in a Jar
Here at Science Sparks, we try to make science as easy and accessible as possible. When I ask people why they don’t do more science at home with children, one of the answers is usually that science...
View ArticleExplosive Science Experiments for Kids
Is there anything more fun than an explosive science experiment? This collection of explosive, fizzy and sometimes messy science activities is sure to appeal to even the most reluctant little...
View ArticleMove a wire through ice – ice cutting experiment
Ice is great for lots of science experiments and investigations. It’s cheap, easy to make and always fun to experiment with. Today, we are going to try a cool science trick where a wire cuts through...
View ArticleWhat is the Periodic Table?
The Periodic Table is a table of all the elements we know about today. Elements are placed in order of atomic number ( number of protons in the nucleus ). The periodic table is a way of listing and...
View ArticleA Brief History of the Atom
Atoms are tiny particles of matter which make up everything in the universe. Everything you see is made up of atoms. Scientists spent many years trying to understand the structure of the atom, with...
View ArticleWhat is the pH Scale?
The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a solution is. It ranges between 0 and 14. Acids have a pH of less than 7. Alkalis ( or bases ) have a pH of over 7. pH 7 is neutral. How is pH measured?...
View ArticleWhat is the hardest natural substance on Earth?
Diamond is the hardest natural substance on Earth. Why is diamond so strong? Diamond is made up of a network of carbon atoms that each form four strong covalent bonds. The strong bonds take a lot of...
View ArticleCreate a Candle Carousel
Candle carousels date back to the 1800s and originated in Germany. They are thought to have been inspired by windmills. Early versions were very simple, but over time, they became more elaborate with...
View ArticleDoes salty water freeze? Science Investigation
Freshwater freezes at 0°C. The presence of salt lowers the freezing point, and the higher the salt content in the water, the lower the freezing point gets. This is why salt is often used to grit icy...
View ArticleDoes an ice cube melt faster in freshwater or saltwater?
This simple science demonstration uses only a few basic materials but demonstrates several scientific concepts and looks super impressive. Showing children the end result first is a great way to get...
View Article10 Science Experiments Using Salt for Home and School
Salt is a brilliant, versatile and inexpensive ingredient for science at home. It can be used to cool a drink or make ice cream quickly, for a lava lamp, and to make coloured salt crystals. Salt is an...
View ArticleSeparate Salt and Pepper with Static Electricity
Did you know you can separate salt and pepper with static electricity? It works because pepper is lighter than salt, so while both salt and pepper are attracted to an object charged with static...
View ArticleClean Jewellery with Science
Sterling silver jewellery tarnishes easily because it contains copper. Copper makes silver stronger, but it binds with particles of sulphur in the air, producing silver sulfide, which is the black...
View ArticleBuild a tower of ice cubes
A tower of slippery ice cubes might sound impossible to build, but adding a little salt makes it much easier! Materials Ice - 4-8 cubes Salt Plate or tray Instructions Try to stack the ice cubes. They...
View ArticleHow to make a pH indicator with blackberries
Red cabbage indicator is often used as an introduction to pH and indicators, but did you know you can make an indicator from blackberries? Blackberries contain anthocyanins, which are pigments that...
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