Preschool Science

Preschool science activity ideas

Age 4 - 6 | Chemistry | Early Years Science | Preschool Science | Seasonal Science | Sensory and Messy Play | STEM Challenges | Winter Science Experiments

Winter Science Experiments and STEM Challenges for Kids
ByEmma Vanstone January 2, 2019January 20, 2025

Now that Christmas is over, it’s time to embrace winter and all the exciting science activity opportunities the cold weather opens up. I’ve assembled an exciting collection of winter science experiments and STEM challenges perfect for cheering up a dreary January. Don’t forget I’ve also got 100s more easy science experiments to do at home…

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Baby and Toddler Science | Early Years Science | Preschool Science

DUPLO Ideas
ByEmma Vanstone October 7, 2018September 9, 2022

Just before Christmas the lovely people at DUPLO sent us a box of bricks and some challenge ideas. If you read Science Sparks regularly you’ll know that we LOVE LEGO and DUPLO and use both frequently in our activities. If you look carefully at the photos below you’ll notice some of our bricks have numbers…

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Autumn Science Experiments | Early Years Science | Preschool Science | Seasonal Science | Understanding of the World

Pine Cone Weather Station
ByEmma Vanstone September 21, 2018October 15, 2025

Thank you to Science Sparks for inviting me to guest post on their blog today. You can find me over at Rainy Day Mum where I share play ideas, activities, crafts, learning experiences and fun for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. As a former Marine Biologist and science teacher, I love the ideas that Science Sparks…

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Early Years Science | Fine Motor skills | Preschool Science | Science and Literacy | Science Through Stories

Roald Dahl Themed Fine Motor Skills Activity Ideas
ByEmma Vanstone September 15, 2018July 16, 2025

I posted a collection of fine motor skill activities a couple of weeks ago, which we had a LOT of fun putting together. Following on from those, we created a collection of Roald Dahl themed fine motor skill activity ideas that are perfect for World Book Day or Roald Dahl Day. Willy Wonka Inspired Sensory Tray How to…

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Baking Soda Experiments | Early Years Science | Preschool Science | Sensory and Messy Play

Great Science Experiments for Kids
ByEmma Vanstone August 19, 2018June 30, 2025

I’ve found my 5 year old to be incredibly curious at the moment, always asking questions and wanting to know how things work. Even something as simple as a rain gauge has been VERY exciting for her. With that in mind I’ve pulled together a list of great science experiments for kids of all ages!…

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Age 4 - 6 | Early Years Science | Everyday Materials | Preschool Science | Science Through Stories

Sorting Ariel’s Cave
ByEmma Vanstone August 11, 2018July 9, 2025

Did you know materials have different properties that make them suitable for different jobs? For example, windows usually need to be transparent and an umbrella and wellies should be waterproof. The idea of this Little Mermaid activity is to sort a collection of items Ariel might have in her collection, depending on their properties. “I’ve…

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Early Years Science | Preschool Science | Understanding of the World

Easy Shadow Frame
ByEmma Vanstone July 7, 2018June 25, 2020

Summer is a great time to learn about shadows and as my children are a little obsessed with contact paper at the moment we thought a shadow frame might be a fun idea. I’ve also got a collection of 10 easy shadow experiments you might like! What you’ll need Cardboard Contact paper / sticky back…

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Early Years Science | Preschool Science | Sensory and Messy Play

Ice Experiments – Painting on Ice
ByEmma Vanstone June 27, 2018January 7, 2026

Many years ago, we went through a stage of painting on sheets of ice and then pressing paper on the top. Once the paper dried, we used it as a fun background to draw on. Painting on ice is a wonderfully creative activity for younger children, as they can feel the change in the ice…

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Chemistry | Kitchen Science | Preschool Science

How to make oobleck
ByEmma Vanstone May 4, 2018May 15, 2025

Making oobleck, also known as cornflour gloop or slime, was one of the first science activities I wrote about on Science Sparks. It’s a brilliant indoor or outdoor science activity that only needs two ingredients, so it is super easy as well! I’ve given this very old post about how to make oobleck a bit…

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Design and Technology | Early Years Science | Preschool Science | Science Experiments for Kids

The cow jumped over the moon catapult
ByEmma Vanstone June 22, 2016April 7, 2023

Discover how force affects the motion of a projectile and how changing the launch angle affects the distance travelled with this easy catapult investigation based on the Cow Jumped Over the Moon nursery rhyme. You can see how to build a simple lolly stick catapult in this video. I’ve designed this activity to appeal to…

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