We’ve been very busy over the last few weeks testing lots of fun Christmas Science Experiments. You might spot some old favourites, but we’ve got lots of new ideas as well, including a collection of Elf STEM Challenges which have entertained us for hours!
Don’t forget to check out our FREE Christmas Science Ebook, which contains 12 printable Christmas themed experiments and our fantastic DIY science kit ideas, too!
We also have a science advent calendar to help you count down to Christmas.
Christmas Science in the Kitchen
Learn about filtering with this gorgeous apple cider recipe. This is also a great activity for thinking about the different smells and tastes of Christmas.
We had lots of fun making these lovely mint flavoured chocolate leaves and learning about changes of state at the same time.
Try some hot chocolate science. Where will marshmallows melt the fastest?
This bowl made from peppermint sweets would be a great way to learn about changes of state but do be careful with the hot candy.
Design and build a gingerbread house and test it to see how strong it is.
How about some yummy peppermint creams? These would be great to give out to friends as a little gift.
Test different thicknesses of icing sugar and create marshmallow snowmen.
We also made a Christmas peppermint lolly by growing sugar crystals. This is a bit messy and sticky, but if you can get it to work, the end result is brilliant.
Christmas Science Experiments – Christmas Chemistry
A fizzy elf lab is ALWAYS fun! I usually put baking soda, dish soap ( washing up liquid ), red or green food colouring and water in a test tube, and then the children add the vinegar and watch the mixture fizz and flow out of the test tube.
A fizzing Christmas tree or gingerbread man is another idea for a festive baking soda activity. We made ours using the same method as these fizzing rocks.
Our Grinch slime is sure to be a hit with little scientists, too!
Try to dissolve a candy cane using different liquids.
In the playroom
Make some jumping snowmen or Christmas trees using static electricity.
Design and build a Christmas themed magnet or marble maze.
Christmas themed shadow puppets are a brilliant and simple craft and science activity. We made ours Christmas tree shaped, but an elf shape, Santa or reindeer would also work well.
Learn about magnetism with a magnetic Christmas tree or Olaf?
Design a pulley to help the elves lift a heavy load. This a brilliant design and technology Christmas activity.
How about a Christmas themed cartesian diver? When the bottle is squeezed, the elf drops and rises as the pressure is released.
Christmas Creations
These tinkering trees are adorable from Left Brain Craft Brain.
How about making some symmetrical Christmas trees?
This magnetic present trail was fun as well. We put paper clips inside a matchbox, then wrapped it up before using the magnet wand to move the present around the board. A giant version of this would be great fun, too.
Make a Christmas themed Optical Illusion. This activity now comes with a FREE printable template to make it as easy as possible.
Christmas Activities Outside
Red Ted Art has some wonderful ice ornaments. One idea for an investigation with these is to leave them outdoors and observe how they change with the weather.
Make your own frost ( you can do this inside ) using the power of ice and salt. We made our frosty tin can look like a snowman, but you can theme yours however you want.
Explore pine trees with this fun activity from Inspiration Laboratories.
Find out how to work out how tall your Christmas Tree is without measuring it.
Christmas STEM Challenges
Build and test some Christmas themed boats to investigate whether they sink or float.
Investigate to find the strongest paper chain materials.
We’ve also got a great collection of Santa STEM Challenges, including helping Santa find the North Star, catapult presents up a tree and fixing broken toys.
For younger children
For younger children, a Christmas sensory box is a lovely idea.
Practice fine motor skills by rescuing the elf’s jingle bells from the snow.
Investigate sinking and floating with Christmas decorations.
If you like to get messy, how about some Christmas themed candy cane flavoured oobleck?
sparkly ice is a lovely sensory science idea. Make sure to let it melt a little before playing, as cold ice can be sticky.
How about a game of match the Christmas smell to the Christmas spice using play dough?
I love this snow dough from The Imagination Tree, too.
Christmas Gifts and Cards
We love this walk through a holiday card trick from Babble Dabble Do.
Make a teacher or family member a gift of lovely Christmas flowers coloured red or green using the effect of transpiration.
Or, how about making a fun science kit as a gift for a curious child?
We’ve also got a selection of great Christmas Gift Ideas and STEM Stocking filler ideas if you’re looking for more traditional gifts.
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If you enjoyed these science activities, check out more of our easy Science Experiments for Kids.
Last Updated on December 1, 2023 by Emma Vanstone
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