Science projects are the perfect messy fun! Packed with messy appeal for young kids, but also packed full of the learning opportunities that appeal to parents! Get started with these easy science experiments that are perfect for preschoolers and toddlers.

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These easy science experiments are perfect for preschool aged children. Many of them would be great for older children too, so they could be enjoyed together as a family activity.

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Easy Science Experiments for Preschoolers

#1. Ice and Salt Experiment

Image: Learning & Exploring Through Play

I think I enjoyed this fascinating salt and ice experiment just as much as Little N (toddler)! As you observe the salt melting craters into the ice, that’s where the colouring seeps through and creates beautiful coloured tunnels.

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#2. Colour Mixing on Coffee Filters

Image: Messy Little Monster

Using primary colours (red, yellow and blue) and coffee filters, why not explore the different secondary colours you can create? Kids can see for themselves all the different shades of colours that can be made by mixing 2 (or more) colours together.

It is fascinating to watch as the paint spreads and is absorbed by the the coffee filters. Messy Little Monster uses jumbo eye droppers to make this simple colour mixing activity that works on fine motor skills.

#3. Make Glow in the Dark Bubbles

Make your very own glow in the dark bubbles for hours of outdoor fun!

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#4. Pop, Rock Balloons

Image: A Little Pinch of Perfect

This is a great idea from A Little Pinch of Perfect for pop rock balloons.

As the Pop Rocks and the soda make little bubbles, when they pop, the air inside the bubbles fills the balloon right in front of your very eyes!

#5. Create Fizzy Lemonade

Image: Learn with Play at Home

What a fun idea! Why not let your preschool create their very own edible science experiment? This fizzing lemonade experiment from Learn With Play at Home is the perfect little experiment before meal time.

#6. Simple Colour Mixing Science

Image: My Mundane and Miraculous Life

Simple? Fun? Educational? – Check!

Sometimes the most simple set-ups are enjoyed the most. Most preschoolers LOVE water play, and this easy colour mixing science experiment from My Mundane and Miraculous Life is sure to be popular. Simply add some food colouring and away they go, creating lots of different colours!

#7. Little Scientist Space

Image: Epic Childhood

Perhaps you want to create a space that offers lots of experimenting and imaginative play? Epic Childhood has some great ideas for little scientists in this post, where they share their set-up.

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#8. Colourful Milk Experiment

Image: Crafts by Amanda

This colourful milk experiment from Crafts by Amanda is fascinating, and all it requires is milk, food colouring and dish soap. There is a great video to go along with it too, as well as explanations around the science behind the fun!

#9. Walking Water

Image: Parenting Chaos

This colour-mixing activity is pretty awesome! A beautiful rainbow experiment, creating colours through walking water from Parenting Chaos. Using some simple tools your little ones will look on in amazement as new colours are created before their very eyes!

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#10. Water Bottle Fountain

Image: Learn with Play at Home

Add a twist to your water play and create your very own fountain! This water bottle fountain experiment from Learn with Play at Home allows children to see that air takes up room and is always present even though we can’t see it.

#11. Oil and Water Discover Bottles

Image: Play Trains

Children of this age love transferring, filling and emptying containers. By adding a couple of simple ingredients you can extend their play by allowing them to explore changes that take place when you combine oil and water. Get the instructions over at Play Trains.

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#12. Rainbow Eruptions

Image: Learn Play Imagine

How beautiful do these rainbow eruptions  from Learn Play Imagine look? Using 2 simple ingredients you too could be enjoying rainbow eruptions with your little ones!

#13. Fireworks in a Jar

Image: I Can Teach My Child

Is your little one fascinated with colours and fireworks? Then this fireworks in a jar project from I Can Teach My Child is for you! The great thing about this experiment is you will most likely have all the ingredients you need at home already.

#14. Colouring Flowers/Vegetables

After looking into this activity I was blown away by the different variations of this experiment and I just have to share a handful of them with you here. Here is a collection of my favourites:

• Colouring Wild Carrot – Fireflies and Mudpies
• Colouring Roses – Hello, Wonderful
• How Does a Plant Drink? – SFI (Science Foundation Ireland)
• Dye one flower two colours! – Homegrown Friends

#15. Soap Clouds

Image: Our Best Bites

Soap clouds, like these ones from Our Best Bites, smell divine! They are also great for sensory play and your children can stand and watch the ‘cloud’ forming too. Get the details at Our Best Bites.

#16. Rainbow Paper

Image: The Science Kiddo

Look how effective this rainbow paper is – and it only takes 5 minutes to create! The project and instructions can be found at The Science Kiddo.

#17. Sink or Float

Image: The Joys of Boys

This couldn’t be easier – a container of water and a hunt around the home for items, is all that’s needed.

Enjoy this Sink or Float experiment from The Joys of Boys and take it in turns to predict if you think an item will sink or float. A great way to teach mathematical concepts too!

#18. Cress Heads

This cress heads experiment will teach children about what plants need to grow. The great thing about cress is that it grows pretty quickly too!

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Stop by Learning and Exploring Through Play for lots more ideas for activities for little learners.