The one habit that makes it science
Before anything happens, ask: "What do you think will happen, and why?" Afterwards: "Were you right? Why do you think it happened?" That loop of predicting, testing and explaining is the heart of science at any age.
Ages 4 to 6
| Activity | You need | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Sink or float | A bowl of water, 8 small objects | Which ones will float? Is it about size or something else? |
| Ice rescue | Toys frozen in ice, warm water, salt | What melts the ice fastest? |
| Colour mixing | Water, food colouring, cups | What two colours make green? |
| Shadow chase | Sunlight or a torch | Why does your shadow change size? |
Ages 7 to 9
| Activity | You need | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Foil boats | Foil, coins, water | Which shape holds the most coins before sinking? |
| Magnet hunt | A magnet, objects around the house | What do the attracted things have in common? |
| Bean diary | Beans, cotton wool, a jar | What changes each day? What does it need? |
| Balloon rocket | Balloon, string, straw, tape | How can we make it go further? |
Ages 10 to 12
| Activity | You need | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Egg drop | An egg, recycled materials | Which design protects best, and why? |
| Pendulum timing | String, a weight, a timer | Does the length or the weight change the swing time? |
| Kitchen pH | Red cabbage water, vinegar, baking soda | Which liquids are acids and which are bases? |
| Bridge strength | Paper, tape, coins | How many coins can a paper bridge hold? |
Change only one thing at a time with older children (the length of the string, the shape of the boat). It's the idea behind every fair test.
Signs science is their thing
- They ask follow-up questions days later
- They want to repeat the experiment with a twist
- They start testing things on their own
- They explain it to someone else
Supervise anything involving heat, cutting, eggs or small objects, and keep experiments with water away from electrics.