If you’re looking for the perfect activity, I’ve got you covered! Here are the best scientific experiments to try with your grandkids!
Spending time with the little ones is always special, but why not make it memorable, fun, and educational at the same time? If that sounds good, science is here to save the day! All you need are everyday items, a sense of adventure, and a little curiosity—no fancy lab required!
Whether you want to grow colorful crystals, make a mini volcano erupt in your kitchen, or create invisible ink like a secret agent, these fun activities are guaranteed to wow your little scientists. Who needs a smartphone when Grandma and Grandpa are this cool, right?
With that being said, are you ready to become the coolest grandparent in the neighborhood? Grab your food coloring, baking soda, a splash of wonder, and, of course, your tiny humans. Let’s get this party started—because here are the best scientific experiments to try with your grandkids!
1. Colorful crystals
Do you want to see magic happen before your eyes? Then consider colorful crystals the first of these scientific experiments to try with your grandkids. This easy and fun experiment transforms sugar or salt into sparkling gems.
I tried this one with my grandchildren, and they were eagerly checking on their growing crystals each day. Safe to say, it was a perfect mix of science and patience—and totally worth it!
You’ll need:
- 1 jar;
- 1 cup of hot water;
- 3 tablespoons of salt or sugar;
- A string and pencil;
- Food coloring (optional, but makes things more exciting).
Instructions:
- Hear the water until is hot, but not boiling.
- Stir in sugar or salt until it’s fully dissolved.
- Add a few drops of food coloring.
- Tie one end of a string to a pencil and place it across the top of the jar. Let the string dangle inside.
- Allow the magic mixture to chill for a few days and watch crystals form!
2. Secret agent invisible ink
This is, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular scientific experiments to try with your grandkids. I was amazed at how excited my grandchildren were when they discovered they could write in their diaries without worrying about anyone peeking in! If this sounds fun, let’s get straight to the point!
You’ll need:
- A cotton swab;
- Lemon juice or milk;
- White paper;
- A heat source (light bulb or iron).
Instructions:
- Dip the cotton swab in milk or lemon juice and write whatever you want on a piece of white paper.
- Let it dry.
- Hold the paper near a light bulb or iron on low heat to reveal the secret message!
- The encrypted code will magically appear before your eyes.
3. Erupt a mini volcano
Who doesn’t love an explosive reaction (as long as it’s safe and easy)? If you’re looking for the best scientific experiments to try with your grandkids, this one is a must! Watch your little ones gasp with excitement as their homemade lava bubbles over!
You’ll need:
- A small bottle or cup;
- Vinegar;
- Baking soda;
- Dish soap;
- Red food coloring (optional, but mandatory for the best effects).
Instructions:
- Put the cup or bottle on a tray.
- Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
- Add a drop of dish soap and food coloring.
- Pour in the vinegar and watch the volcano erupt! Make sure to have your camera ready, because those priceless reactions will be cherished forever!
4. Bend water with a balloon
Did you know you can move water without touching it? No, it’s not witchcraft—it’s just one of the most fascinating scientific experiments to try with your grandkids! They’ll love it!
This fun trick uses static electricity to bend a stream of water, making your little scientists (or wizards, why not?) feel like they’re in a real lab! Let’s take a look!
You’ll need:
- A balloon;
- A faucet with running water.
Instructions:
- Start this experiment by rubbing a balloon against your hair or a wool sweater to create static electricity.
- Turn on a thin stream of water.
- Hold your balloon near the water and watch it bend toward the balloon. Just like magic!
5. DIY lava lamp
Do you want to create your own retro lava lamp in just a couple of minutes? With just a few household items, you’ll have a blast watching the bubbles move! This is definitely one of the most exciting scientific experiments to try with your grandkids, and it’s sure to be a hit with everyone involved!
You’ll need:
- Water;
- A clear bottle;
- An Alka-Seltzer tablet;
- Vegetable oil;
- Red food coloring.
Instructions:
- Grab your bottle and fill it halfway with water.
- Add vegetable oil until it’s almost full.
- Drop your food coloring in.
- Grab your Alka-Seltzer tablet, break it, and drop it in.
- Watch those colorful bubbles rise and fall! Isn’t it amazing?
6. Magnetic slime
I remember one time when my grandchildren came to visit us—they were absolutely fascinated by slime! They each had three pieces and played with them nonstop. But what’s even cooler than regular slime? Magnetic slime! If your little ones are obsessed with this gooey toy, get ready to wow them with one of the most fascinating scientific experiments to try with your grandkids!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Liquid starch;
- White glue;
- A strong magnet;
- Iron oxide powder.
Instructions:
- Mix liquid starch and glue to create the gooey slime.
- Add iron oxide powder and mix well.
- Grab your magnet and hold it close to your homemade toy. Watch how the slime magically crawls toward it!
7. Dancing raisins
We all heard about dancing queens, but what about dancing raisins? This fun and exciting experiment is a must-try! Your tiny humans will love watching raisins bounce up and down in a glass of soda, and it’s a fantastic way to introduce them to carbonation and buoyancy—without it ever feeling like they’re learning. Try it ASAP and get ready for lots of giggles! It will be fun, I promise!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Carbonated soda (like Sprite or Mountain Dew);
- A clear glass;
- A handful of raisins.
Instructions:
- Grab your glass and fill it with soda.
- Drop raisins in there and watch them bounce up and down.
- Explain how this scientific experiment works to your little ones: Carbonated soda is filled with tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide gas. The bubbles quickly cling to their wrinkled surface when you drop raisins into the soda. The more bubbles that attach, the more buoyant the raisins become, causing them to rise to the surface. Once the bubbles pop at the top, the gas is released, and the raisins sink again. This cycle repeats, making the sweet raisins “dance” up and down in the glass! Pretty fun and impressive, right?
Before you leave…
What are your thoughts on these scientific experiments to try with your grandkids? If you don’t have any weekend plans, why not spend some time exploring science together? It’s a fantastic way to bond, have fun, and learn all at once!
If you try any of these fascinating experiments, make sure to come back and share your experience—I’d love to hear how it went! And if you’re looking for even more exciting scientific experiments to try with your grandkids, here’s a wonderful science lab kit you won’t want to miss—it has over 130 experiments your tiny humans will love!
Until next time, check out this other post from Science in the World: Top 8 Terrifying Facts About Airplanes
