Summer Science Activities for Kids: Ten Backyard Experiments
By Ahmed, founder
Summer break is a good time to try science that needs space, sun and water. Here are ten activities with real questions behind them.
Ten ideas
1. Shadow tracking. Trace a bottle’s shadow with chalk at 9, noon and 3 to see how the Sun’s height changes it. See Why is my shadow long in the morning?
2. Garden-hose rainbow. Spray a fine mist with the Sun behind you. See Where do rainbows come from?
3. Hottest spot hunt. Measure air temperature in sun, shade, grass and pavement. See Is it hotter by the slide?
4. Paper plane distance test. Fold two designs and throw each three times. See What makes a paper plane fly farthest?
5. Egg-drop challenge. Build a protector and drop from higher each time. See Can you drop an egg without breaking it?
6. Where does a puddle go? Mark the edge of a puddle (or a wet patch) every 30 minutes and watch evaporation at work.
7. Backyard bug count. Lay a 1 m string square on the grass and count what lives there. See Who lives in our schoolyard?
8. Sun-heated surfaces. Lay dark and light cloth in the sun for 10 minutes and compare how warm they feel. See Which hat keeps the sun off?
9. Balloon rockets. Run a string across the yard and launch a balloon along it. See How does a rocket push itself into space?
10. Cooling race. Compare how fast different containers keep a drink cold. See Which wrap keeps a drink coldest?
Make it science, not just play
For any of these:
- Predict first.
- Change one thing.
- Measure with numbers.
- Repeat.
Keep a notebook or a folder. Take photos.
Safety outdoors
Sun protection, water and shade breaks come first. Keep experiments away from roads and water bodies, and never look at the Sun.
Southern Hemisphere
If your summer is December to February, these all work, and school holidays often line up with them.
More ideas
Browse science experiments for kids at home, or sign up for three full lessons free.