Author: Emma Vanstone

Emma is the creative force behind the award winning Science Sparks. It started with a dream of making science accessible to everyone and turned into a website bursting with free, inexpensive and easy science activity ideas for kids.

Early Years Science | Egg Experiments | Egg Experiments | Kitchen Science | Science and Literacy | Science Experiments for Kids

Humpty Dumpty Science Ideas
ByEmma Vanstone February 5, 2021July 8, 2025

This collection of Humpty Dumpty science experiments is perfect for Early Years Science to fit in with a Nursery Rhyme theme. Older children could use it for practising designing an experiment following correct scientific procedures. I’ve used plastic sealable bags to keep the mess contained, but children could also wrap the egg in protective materials…

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Science Experiments for Kids | Science Through Stories

Alice in Wonderland Science – Mirror Writing
ByEmma Vanstone February 3, 2021February 29, 2024

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is one of my favourite books, so I’m very excited about a new mini series of Alice themed science experiments and activities. My first activity is super simple. All you need is a pen, paper and a mirror! Alice encounters many strange things in Wonderland, including reversed time and a backwards…

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Human Health and the Immune System | Virology for Kids | Viruses for Kids

How are bacteria different to viruses?
ByEmma Vanstone February 2, 2021June 16, 2025

When we talk about bacteria and viruses making us ill, we might also hear them referred to as pathogens. A pathogen is a general term for any microorganism that can cause disease. This post looks at how bacteria are different from viruses and includes a comparison table of viruses and bacteria. What is a pathogen? Bacteria, viruses, protists and fungi can all be pathogens. Differences between…

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Early Years Science | Understanding of the World

Why do things float in water?
ByEmma Vanstone February 1, 2021February 1, 2021

This activity uses a bit of science trickery to make an object that sinks in water, float in water. Why do things float in water? Objects are made up of very tiny molecules. Molecules can be packed in close together like in a rock or more spread out like in bubble wrap. The positioning of…

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Age 11 - 16 | Geology for Kids | Science Experiments for Kids

How do Sedimentary Rocks Form? – Sedimentary Sandwich
ByEmma Vanstone January 29, 2021May 1, 2021

There are three main types of rocks: sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous. Each are formed in a different ways. Sedimentary rocks contain rounded grains in layers. Chalk, shale and limestone are examples of sedimentary rocks. This activity is a very simple demonstration of how how sedimentary rocks are formed. Sedimentary rocks are formed when layers of…

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Human Health and the Immune System | Science Experiments for Kids | Virology for Kids

What is a Vaccine?
ByEmma Vanstone January 28, 2021January 28, 2021

Vaccines are a way to prevent disease. Vaccines introduce an inactive or altered form of a pathogen into the body. The altered pathogen contains the same antigen ( protein on the surface ) as the real disease causing agent. White blood cells produce antibodies specific to the antigen in the vaccine. If a vaccinated person…

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Science Experiments for Kids | Science Questions | Seasonal Science | Winter Science Experiments

How does salt melt snow?
ByEmma Vanstone January 20, 2021January 22, 2024

Do you know how salt melts snow? Grit is often sprayed on roads to stop cars from skidding on very cold days. What we call grit is a mixture of salt, gravel and stone. When snow falls on a road with grit applied, it mixes with the salt, lowering the snow’s freezing point and stopping…

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Age 11 - 16 | Age 7 - 10 | Geology for Kids | Science Experiments for Kids

Create Your Own Rock Lab – Rock Investigation for Kids
ByEmma Vanstone January 15, 2021February 24, 2026

Have you ever wanted to create your very own rock lab? These rock investigations include five easy tests to help children group and identify rocks based on their appearance and properties. It’s a brilliant first introduction to rocks for kids, with lots of fun rock activities for kids of all ages. There’s also a free downloadable…

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Geology for Kids | Science Experiments for Kids

Orange Peel Plate Tectonics
ByEmma Vanstone January 13, 2021September 6, 2023

The inside of the Earth consists of four main layers. The inner core, outer core, mantle and crust. The crust is the thinnest of the layers and is made up of moving pieces called plates made from solid rock. There are two types of crust: oceanic and continental crust. This activity is a great introduction…

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Gross Science | human body | Human Body Science | Human Health and the Immune System | Science Experiments for Kids

Make a Snot Trap – Gross Science for Kids
ByEmma Vanstone January 9, 2021January 29, 2021

2020 was definitely the year for bring very aware of how germs travel and spread between people. Luckily our bodies have lots of ways to protect us from potential pathogens. This activity is taken from my latest book Gross Science and illustrates the role snot plays in our immune system. Make a Snot Trap Snot…

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