Early Years Science

Age 4 - 6 | Autumn Science Experiments | Early Years Science | LEGO Science Experiments | Seasonal Changes | Seasonal Science | Understanding of the World

Changing Seasons with LEGO
ByEmma Vanstone March 12, 2016October 14, 2024

Here at Science Sparks, we adore LEGO®. I think it is just the most amazing, flexible resource. We’ve used it to learn about bar charts, make magnet mazes, and even built a balloon powered LEGO® car. LEGO® is also fantastic for helping develop fine motor skills, learning to follow instructions, encouraging creativity, and much more. When…

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Age 4 - 6 | Early Years Science | Fine Motor skills | Science Experiments for Kids | Sensory and Messy Play

Science activity ideas for improving fine motor skills
ByEmma Vanstone February 4, 2016July 11, 2025

Hand and finger strength is very important for holding a pencil correctly, fastening clothes and other fine motor skills. Did you know there are over 30 muscles in the hand and forearm? Muscles in the forearm control elbow, wrist and finger movements while the much smaller muscles in the palm of the hand control smaller…

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Age 4 - 6 | Christmas Science | Early Years Science | Science Experiments for Kids | Sensory and Messy Play

Christmas Play Dough Ideas
ByEmma Vanstone November 11, 2015December 16, 2025

Playdough is a fantastic sensory material with endless play opportunities. You can set up beautiful small world settings, make a play-dough ice cream shop or chocolate shop, or even use it to learn about forces. We used the Imagination Tree’s wonderful play dough recipe for these Christmassy creations. The other great thing about playdough is…

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Autumn Science Experiments | Early Years Science | Seasonal Science | Sensory and Messy Play

Jumping Leaves – Static Electricity Activity
ByEmma Vanstone November 9, 2015October 5, 2026

This easy autumn themed static electricity experiment is great for kids of all ages and super simple to set up! All you need is a balloon, scissors and tissue paper. Watch as tissue paper leaves jump up to a charged balloon. It’s a great way to learn about static electricity. Jumping Leaves Static Electricity Experiment You’ll…

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Autumn Science Experiments | Early Years Science | Preschool Science | Science and Literacy | Seasonal Science

Stick Man Activity Ideas
ByEmma Vanstone October 19, 2015February 28, 2024

Stick Man by Julia Donaldson is one of my favourite children’s books. I think partly because it reminds me of Autumn and Christmas, which are my favourite times of the year. Stick Man has inspired a lot of fun activities in our house recently. We hope you like them, and do let us know if…

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Early Years Science | Sensory and Messy Play

Fizzy baking soda stars
ByEmma Vanstone September 23, 2015October 15, 2016

One of the activities my children ask for over and over again is a bowl of cornflour gloop. It’s so easy to make and keeps everyone happy for hours, although it is a little on the messy side, so I’d definitely set it up outside if at all possible. To make the gloop even more…

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Early Years Science | Preschool Science | Understanding of the World

Easy Marble Painting
ByEmma Vanstone September 15, 2015September 15, 2015

All you need for this fun, messy activity is an empty box, some marbles or other small balls and paint. Things to investigate Can you blow the balls into goals? Is it easier to blow a heavy ball or a lighter ball? What happens if you tip the box up? Does the ball move faster…

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Early Years Science | Science Experiments for Kids

Umbrellas for Incy Wincy Spider
ByEmma Vanstone September 8, 2015May 23, 2024

These umbrellas for Incy Wincy ( Itsy bitsy ) Spider are a great Incy Wincy Spider Experiment, fantastic fun and a wonderful way to introduce the concept of materials having different properties to kids. If you’re in the middle of a materials topic I’ve got lots more fun ideas for learning about properties of materials,…

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Age 4 - 6 | Early Years Science | Science and Literacy | Scientific Enquiry | Understanding of the World

Easy Incy Wincy Spider Science Experiments
ByEmma Vanstone September 4, 2015February 29, 2024

Continuing with our Nursery Rhyme Science theme this week, I have some fun Incy Wincy Spider science experiments to share. Incy Wincy spider climbed up the water spout, Down came the rain and washed poor Incy out, Out came the sunshine and dried up all the rain, So, Incy Wincy spider climbed up the spout…

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Early Years Science | Science Experiments for Kids | Understanding of the World

10 Fantastic Magnet Experiments for Kids
ByEmma Vanstone July 14, 2015July 15, 2025

Our magnet wands are one of our most used pieces of science kit and are perfect for all kinds of magnet experiments and investigations. When my children were little, they wandered around the house “testing” things to see if they were magnetic, and then we went through a phase of magnet-powered cars, boats and anything…

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