Try these easy experiments to get your kids learning—screen free!

Keeping kids engaged and learning during vacation can give new meaning to the phrase “endless summer.” At CuriOdyssey, we’re here to help with exciting and educational science activities that you can easily do at home. These five hands-on experiments are perfect for sparking curiosity and encouraging a love for science.

1. Up, Up, and Away! The Hot Air Balloon Experiment

Ever wondered how hot air balloons soar into the sky? The Hot Air Balloon Experiment is a fantastic way to introduce your child to the concept of buoyancy and the science of hot air rising. By creating a mini hot air balloon, kids can see firsthand how heat causes air to expand and become lighter than the surrounding cooler air, allowing the balloon to lift off. This experiment not only demonstrates basic principles of physics but also ignites a sense of wonder as children watch their homemade balloon take flight. 

For detailed instructions, check out our Hot Air Balloon Experiment guide.

2. Capture the Sun with Sun Prints

Explore the magic of sunlight! This project combines art and science, letting kids create artwork by placing objects on special sun print paper and exposing it to sunlight. No paint necessary! This project demonstrates chemical reactions caused by UV light, which can be a gateway to understanding more complex concepts about light and energy.

Check out our Sun Prints Activity Post for detailed steps.

3. Burst into Color with Bubble Art

Combine creativity and science in a splash of color with bubble art! This fun activity allows children to explore the properties of bubbles while creating beautiful, colorful patterns. It teaches about surface tension and how soap bubbles form and behave. Your child will love creating beautiful patterns while learning about the properties of bubbles.

For a complete breakdown, check out our Bubble Art Experiment guide.

4. Get Groovy with a DIY Lava Lamp

Want to create a mesmerizing display of floating colors? Making a Lava Lamp is a captivating way for kids to learn about density and the interaction of immiscible liquids. This experiment uses household items to create a colorful and dynamic display, demonstrating how oil and water do not mix and how effervescent tablets can cause movement in liquids.

Learn how to make your own by following our DIY Lava Lamp Guide.

5. Cook with the Sun with a DIY Solar Oven

Sun Science – Solar Oven At-Home Experiment

Want to take your kitchen lab outside? Enjoy the sunshine and make a solar oven! The best part: succeed at this engineering challenge and you may be rewarded with a tasty treat. Create this simple device using everyday household items like a cardboard box and aluminum foil, and heat some food using solar power. Be careful – this oven can get hot on a summer day!

For full instructions, follow along with former CuriOdyssey educator Carmen in this YouTube video.

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Keep experimenting this summer! Share a photo of your experiment and tag @curiodyssey on Instagram or Facebook to be featured on our social media.

For more exciting at-home science projects, check out our Learn and Explore page!