Discover the Magic of Science: Playful Experiments and Videos for Kids

Science is important not just as a key National Curriculum subject, but also as an area that nurtures a curious mind. Whilst children don’t need to learn in-depth scientific information at this stage, you can help get them gain an interest in learning about science with fun games and experiments. Here are some ideas for getting children of all ages inspired by science and captivated by the possibilities of the world around them:

Science Apps For Children

You can find lots of fun apps that help children learn about different areas of science through games.

In Simple Machines (ages 6-8) – Our testers really enjoyed exploring this game and the freedom they had to try out lots of little experiments with forces, without the pressure of failure. This is a fantastic way for children to learn about the effects of variations in different machines.

 

Science Toys For Children

Science Mad Chemistry Lab

There are plenty of great science kits too for children, that will allow them to safely experiment with lots of different areas of science. This Chemistry Lab set from Mad Science allows children to conduct experiments which are great for developing their understanding of a range of scientific concepts.

 

Science Play Ideas

Volcano making

You can also use some cheap household items to create science experiments, such as making an exploding volcano or mixing up some squidgy, messy Gloop! Watching how the different materials react when put together will be captivating for children, and may inspire them to find out why they are getting these results. See our science play ideas for more activities.

 

Online Videos

YouTube is particularly popular with children and is a brilliant way to show them a huge variety of science experiments – there are videos to guide science experiments you can do at home, but some amazing experiments that children can’t try will love to watch.

For example, we found this mesmerising video of a swinging pendulum and were fascinated by how it worked. We had a look online and according to this article on exploring pendulums:

“A simple pendulum consists of a mass (called the bob) attached to the end of a thin cord, which is attached to a fixed point.

When the mass is drawn upwards and let go, the force of gravity accelerates it back to the original position. The momentum built up by the acceleration of gravity causes the mass to then swing in the opposite direction to a height equal to the original position.” “The shorter the length of the bob, the shorter the period (one swing of the pendulum over and back) will be.”

The pendulums with shorter cords swing faster than those with longer cords, making the pattern in the video. You can do the same activity with your child – watching videos of science experiments and then researching explanations for the effects they have seen.

Here is a guide to 8 YouTube science channels to get you started, but we encourage you to search for anything that your child is particularly interested in learning as this will be a great motivator for them.