Good science activities for preschoolers do not need a lab. The best ones start with a question your child already has, like whether the soap will float the way the rubber duck does, and turn it into a small test you do together4. Below: six easy experiments, a science craft, seasonal ideas and the words to use, for ages 4 to 6.
Why science works at ages 4 to 6
Researchers Alper Tolga Kumtepe and Evrim Genc-Kumtepe reviewed the research on STEM in early childhood. They describe a child's first science experiences as knocking two objects together, throwing things down to watch them fall, and exploring by touching and tasting1.
Hands-on experiences at this age are linked to later science process skills such as observation, inference and investigation, and to children's interest in nature and science1.
Science learning begins with curiosity.4
Preschoolers are too young for real science.
Researchers cited in a review of early childhood STEM suggest children are more competent than adults realize to learn science in kindergarten1.
How to talk science with little kids
The words matter more than the materials. Yi-Chin Lan's NAEYC tips for families say children learn science through trial and error and need time to try things before an adult jumps in with the "correct" answer4. Use the cycle below on any activity in this guide.
- "It floats because it's light."
- "No, that's wrong."
- "Let me show you."
- "Do you think this one will sink or float? What makes you think that?"
- "What happened? Was it what you expected?"
- "What might happen if we try this?"
Say what you think will happen before you try it3.
Say it: “What do you think will happen?”Stay on top of the water3.
Say it: “Which things stayed on top?”Drop to the bottom of the water3.
Say it: “Did it sink fast or slowly?”When something solid, like ice, turns to liquid3.
Say it: “Where did the ice cube go?”Easy science experiments for preschoolers: 6 to try this week
Each idea uses things you probably already have. Start with sink or float, the classic of science experiments for pre k, because it gives a fast, clear result.
Sink or float tub
- A plastic bucket or large bowl of water
- Objects to test: rubber toy, cork, spoon, key, rock, leaf, apple
- Two towels labeled "sinks" and "floats"
- Adult supervision: stay at the tub the whole time, and keep coins and other small items off the table.
- Hold up one object. Ask: "Do you think this one will sink or float? What makes you think that?"
- Your child drops it in and places it on the right towel. After five objects, ask what the floaters have in common.
- Try a surprise: an apple, then a fist-size rock. Big does not always mean sinks.
| Activity | You need | Ask | Big idea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colored celery | Celery stalk, water, food coloring | "Where will the color go?" | Water travels up a plant's stem4 |
| Ramp race | Plank, books, ball, toy car | "Which way is faster?" | The angle changes the speed4 |
| Melting ice | Ice cubes, two plates, sunny and shady spot | "Which one will melt first?" | Ice melts into water3 |
| Color mixing cups | Clear cups, water, two food colors, spoon | "What new color will we get?" | Mixing makes something new |
| Soak it up sort | Sponge, paper towel, foil, plastic lid, dropper | "Which ones drink the water?" | Some materials are absorbent3 |
Science crafts for preschool that still teach science
A good science craft gives your child something to observe after the glue dries. NAEYC's "Breaking Down STEAM" series describes a 4-year-old named Luca who, after a sink-and-float chart with his class, asked to make his own sink bottle and float bottle, then tested adding oil with shells and rocks he chose5.
Sink bottle and float bottle
- Two clear plastic bottles with screw caps
- Water, a little cooking oil, food coloring
- Larger natural objects to test: shells, rocks, a cork
- Strong tape for the caps
- Adult supervision: you choose the objects, and every item must be too big to swallow. You fill the bottles and seal each cap with tape.
- Your child sorts the objects: which ones go in the sink bottle, which in the float bottle?
- Add water and a drop of coloring. Watch where each object ends up.
- Add a little oil to one bottle. Ask: "What do you notice about the oil?"
- Keep the bottles on a shelf and shake them again tomorrow.
How to set up a learning through play pre k center at home
Preschool teachers set out materials in a science center to inspire playful learning5. You can make one on a tray or a corner of the kitchen floor. This is also where STEAM activities for preschoolers happen naturally: drawing and charting what they found is part of STEAM learning5.
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01Pick one theme.
Water, ice, plants or "what sticks." Put out four to six large objects, not twenty small ones.
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02Add tools.
A magnifying glass, a cup, a spoon, a towel. DK's laboratory spread pairs "observe" with the magnifying glass3.
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03Add a record sheet.
Paper and crayons. Ask: "Do you want to draw that?" or offer to write down what they noticed4.
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04Leave it out.
Gadzikowski's advice to teachers: "don't clean up. Or at least clean up less," so children can revisit their projects2.
Children will always need to learn with their hands as well as with their brains.2
Winter science activities for preschoolers, plus fall and spring
Seasons give you free materials. DK's 1000 Words STEM opens its seasons spread with winter, spring, summer and autumn words such as snow, blossom and harvest3.
| Season | Try this | Words to use |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Melt race: an ice cube in a mitten, one on a plate, one in a cup of water. Which melts first? These winter science experiments for preschoolers need only a freezer. | melt, freeze, solid, liquid3 |
| Fall | Leaf sort by color, size and shape, then a leaf color strip. Apple float test in the sink tub. | observe, compare34 |
| Spring | Bean seed in a bag on the window. Draw it every day. | seed, germinate3 |
Safety: small objects and choking at ages 4 to 6
Science activities for preschoolers often use buttons, beads, beans and coins. That is exactly where care is needed. The American Academy of Pediatrics says most children who die from choking are under age 5, and that balloons, balls, marbles, pieces of toys and foods cause the most choking deaths7.
- Every object is bigger than a child's mouth, or an adult holds it
- No coins, marbles, beads, balloons or button batteries on the tray
- Count small items out and count them back in
- An adult stays at the table for anything with water
What to expect at 4 and at 5 to 6
Frequently asked questions
What are some easy science experiments for preschoolers?
Sink or float, colored celery and a ramp race all use household items and appear in NAEYC's tips for families4. Melting ice works too3.
What counts as fun science for preschoolers?
Anything your child can touch, test and talk about. Water play, mud and sticks all count, so dress your child in old clothes and let it get messy4.
Are science experiments for pre k safe with small objects?
Only with care. Most children who die from choking are under age 57, and toys for ages 3 to 6 with small parts must carry a warning label6. Use large objects and stay at the table.
What are good preschool fall science activities?
Sort leaves by color and size, make a leaf color strip, or test which apples float. Ask your child to draw what they noticed, since recording observations is an important science skill4.
How do I answer a science question I don't know?
Say "I don't know but we can find out together"4. You do not have to be your child's encyclopedia; exploring together is the point4.
Keep exploring
- Ramps, cars and your child's first fair test Turn the ramp race into a real experiment.
- You don't have to be a science person How to guide science without knowing the answers.
- Easy science experiments for kids at home Next steps when your child is a bit older.
If you want a kit for this
Everything above works with what is in your kitchen. If you want a building corner next to the science tray, our Magnetic Travel Tiles connect with magnets and come with cars, ready for ramp races.
Build it with / Ages 5-7Magnetic Travel Tiles with CarsFlat shapes that stand up into roads and garages.$39.99GoP Toys sells the kit mentioned above. None of the sources cited tested our products.