Science is all around us, and there’s no better way to spark curiosity in kids than with hands-on experiments! These simple science activities use everyday items and are perfect for young scientists to explore at home or at camp.

Let’s dive into some fun with these 7 super easy science experiments for kids.

#1 Magic Milk Explosion

All you need is milk, food coloring, and dish soap! Pour some milk into a shallow dish, add a few drops of food coloring, and then dip a cotton swab with dish soap into the milk. Watch the colors swirl and dance as soap breaks down the fat molecules.

#2 Baking Soda & Vinegar Volcano

A classic experiment that never gets old! Shape a small volcano using clay or sand around a small cup. Fill the cup with baking soda and a few drops of food coloring. Then pour in vinegar and watch the fizzy eruption!

#3 Invisible Ink Messages

Write secret messages using lemon juice on paper. Once the juice dries, hold the paper up to a lightbulb or iron it on low heat to reveal the hidden words. The heat oxidizes the lemon juice, making it turn brown.

#4 The Magic Goo

Mix 2 parts cornstarch with 1 part water to create a substance that acts like a solid when you squeeze it and a liquid when you let it go. Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid, meaning its viscosity changes under pressure—science and sensory fun in one!

#5 Balloon-Powered Rocket

Thread a long piece of string through a straw and tie it between two objects. Blow up a balloon, tape it to the straw, and let it go! As the air rushes out, the balloon zooms forward, demonstrating Newton’s Third Law of Motion.

#6 Walking Water Rainbow

Fill three clear cups with water and add red, yellow, and blue food coloring. Place empty cups between them and connect each with folded paper towels. Over time, the colors “walk” up the paper towels and mix in the empty cups, creating a rainbow!

#7 Dancing Raisins

Drop a few raisins into a glass of carbonated soda and watch them move up and down. The bubbles stick to the raisins, lifting them up, and when they pop, the raisins sink again. It’s a simple way to explore buoyancy and gas movement!

Science experiments don’t have to be complicated to be exciting. These easy activities make learning fun, encourage curiosity, and are perfect for kids to try at home or at camp. Which one will you try first? For more science fun, check out Happy Camper Live’s on-demand Science Camp.