Summer Science for Hot Days

The UK is hot, hot, hot at the moment, so today I’m sharing some fun and cooling summer science experiments great for kids of all ages on hot days.

Make your own slushy drinks with ice and salt, track the movement of the sun with a DIY sundial, make a solar oven and LOTS more easy summer science and STEM challenges!

Summer science for hot days

Science experiments with ice

One of our favourite summer activities is exploring melting and mixing of colours by making slushy drinks with fruity ice.

Can you make some summer themed ice? Try adding flower petals or shells to your creations.

How about painting on a sheet of ice?

How about making some ice cubes and investigating where they melt the fastest. Try them inside, in the fridge, outdoors in the sunshine and outdoors in the shade.

Or try creating an ice excavation, you could go all out and make a huge one, or lots of mini ones.

Find out why salt melts ice, and use your new knowledge to make ice cream in a bag or cool a drink down quickly.

Science in the paddling pool

If you have a paddling pool why not try one of these 5 paddling pool science activities while you’re splashing around.

You could take some sponges and flannels outside and explore absorption, can you find the sponge or flannel that holds the most water?

How about a lolly stick race? These are great fun and an unusual water table or paddling pool activity.

Finally, testing objects to see whether they sink or float is always fun!

Science in the kitchen

Do you love ice cream? How about making some ice cream soup like Rainy Day Mum.

Or make s’mores in an easy garden solar oven?

Cool a drink quickly using the cooling power of ice and salt.

Outdoor summer science

Track the movement of the sun with a sundial made with a stick.

Little ones love a water wall, we’ve got some easy homemade water wall ideas for you to try. Water walls are a great design challenge for older children and fun to play with for little ones.

These shadow frames are brilliant fun. Another idea is to make an empty frame and draw a picture in the middle to cast a shadow!

You could also try drawing the shadow a toy creates. Does the shape of the shadow change through the day?

More summer science for kids

Our 50 fun summer science activities will keep you busy all summer long!

If you prefer a challenge our summer science challenges could be just what you’re looking for! NOW with FREE printable challenges!

Last Updated on July 18, 2022 by Emma Vanstone