How to Talk to Your Kid About Science?

What does science mean to your child? Before you try to grapple with this question, have you ever been inundated with questions by your child such as Why is the sky blue? How deep is the ocean? What happens after a squirrel buries an acorn? For kids, science is a daily part of their lives. As they meander about their day inundating you with their multitude of questions about the big wide world, they are honing key skills for successful scientists! 

For the jaded and deflated parents out there don’t worry! In this article, we will go through a few easy science projects for your child. These hands-off activities will empower your child to learn, have fun, and become even more curious!

Kids Science Projects

Hurdles preventing your kid from exploring science projects at home include complicated instructions, lack of materials, and boring experiments. Here are a few easy science experiments that are kid-proof:

1. Edible Rock Cycle

Recommended age: 6-14
Materials needed:

• Starbursts
• Plastic bag
• Small cup
• Plastic knife
• Plate 

Who made continents? Why is there earth and land? How are rocks made? This experiment from Little Bins for Little Hands uses starburst candies to explain the rock cycle. Your child will learn about the geological formation of planet earth, the transformation and creation of rocks over time, and the often forgotten fourth state of matter: magma. 

2. Color Changing Flowers

Recommended age: 6-10
Materials needed:

• White flowers
• Clear jars or plastic cups
• Scissors
• Food coloring
• Water

How do plants grow? Why do the flowers need water? With this beautiful rainbow experiment from Messy Little Monster, kids can learn about capillary action: the ability for water to flow against gravity! Let your child play around with their favorite colors to create a beautiful bouquet they can use as a later craft or a kitchen display.

1. Ice VII 

Recommended age: 10-16

Parental Supervision Required for the usage of Alcohol**

Materials needed:

• Water Bottle
• Freezer

How does water become ice? Is the ice still water? Why does it float? In this experiment, we explore how ice forms and the less commonly known structure of ice VII which can grow as fast as 1,000 miles per hour, and the molecular movement that occurs as water freezes. If you would like to get involved, you can supervise your child by adding a small amount of vodka to the water bottle before freezing it. After you take it out of the freezer you will experience a super cool shockwave effect, 

Further Areas of Growth

So your child nailed the science experiments, now what? There are plenty of online resources that provide easy access to science for kids. 

Ivy Camps USA

• At Ivy Camps USA, we have several course offerings in our STEM pathway ranging across an abundance of science principles. Is your child interested in becoming a doctor, exploring the human body, or the laws of nature occurring in their backyards? Maybe our programs like Tour the Human Body and Backyard Biology would be a nice fit for them. Maybe the planets and solar system are more your child’s speed. Then, check out our programs To Infinity & Beyond: Exploring Outer Space or Earth's Extremes would get them pumped! What if your kid loves physics, laws of gravity, and understanding how the world holds itself together? Our programs titled Physics Building Adventures and Science of Motion and Machines might be the one for them! 

Local Opportunities

• One of the best ways to help introduce science to kids is by making the process a family outing! Look into local opportunities in your area. Maybe there is an observatory nearby where you can view an eclipse, planets, or a meteor shower. What about an aquarium or science museum? Guides can introduce your kid to a whole host of cool information and answer any lingering questions. There may even be alternative interesting ways in your community to help explain science to your kid: history museums, music production centers, or art studios!