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15 Easy STEM Activities with Paper

Grab a pack of copy paper and give these simple STEM activities a try right NOW! If you think STEM is too complicated, time-consuming, and costs too much… think again! Here I share 15 fantastic ways you can explore easy STEM activities with paper . Plus, free printable templates and instructions. Set up easy STEM projects in the classroom, with groups, or at home in no time!

EASY STEM ACTIVITIES WITH PAPER

You can do so many fun and easy STEM activities on paper. These range from paper STEM challenges that require little prep to paper engineering projects, paper science experiments, coding STEM activities, and more.

Click on each STEM activity below for supplies and instructions. Paper STEM challenges and science experiments include free printable worksheets and project templates.

Make simple paper air foils and explore air resistance.

Balancing Mobile

Mobiles are free-hanging sculptures that can move in the air. Make a balanced mobile from paper using our free shapes printable.

Bridge Building

Get the step-by-step guide to setting up a bridge building STEM challenge with paper and other everyday supplies.

Binary Code

A screen free coding activity that is easy to do with our printable binary coding worksheets.

Color Wheel Spinner

Can you make white light from all the different colors? Make a color wheel spinner from paper and find out.

Invisible Ink

Write a secret message on paper that no one else can see until the ink is revealed. It is simple chemistry!

Mobius Strip

A Mobius strip is a 2-dimensional shape made by taking a long strip of paper and giving it a half twist, then sticking the ends together to form a loop.

Paper Airplane Launcher

Be inspired by famous aviator Amelia Earhart and design your own paper plane launcher.

Paper Airplane Challenge

Explore 3 different ways you can make a paper plane (with free printable instructions). Plus, ideas for a paper plane STEM challenge!

Paper Bridge Challenge

Challenge your kiddos to build the strongest bridge possible from just paper! Plus, you can extend the activity by exploring other types of common materials!

Paper Chain Challenge

One of the easiest STEM challenges with paper ever!

Paper Chromatography

Separate the colors in a black marker using paper and water with this simple science experiment.

Paper Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most well-known structures in the world. You can make your own paper Eiffel Tower with only tape, paper, and a pencil.

Paper Grabber

In this Paper Grabber STEM Challenge, you’ll use your creativity and engineering skills to build a grabbing tool made from paper!

Paper Helicopter

Make a paper helicopter that actually flies! This is an easy   engineering challenge for young kids and older ones too. Learn about what helps helicopters rise into the air, with a few simple supplies.

Paper Sculptures

Try something a little different by creating your own 3D paper sculptures from simple shapes cut out of paper.

Paper Rocket

Kids will love making this simple paper rocket using our free rocket template and a straw. Explore simple physics with gravity, propulsion, energy, and aerodynamics while having a blast!

Penny Spinner

Make these fun paper spinner toys for a simple STEM activity the kids will love.

Secret Decoder Ring

Can you crack the code? With our free coding printable, you can put together your own secret decoder ring from paper.

Strong Paper

Experiment with folding paper in different ways to test its strength, and learn what shapes make the strongest structures.

Thaumatropes

Make your thaumatrope from paper with our printable template, or check out the fun thaumatrope ideas to explore the persistence of vision with a simple toy.

Walk Through Paper Challenge

How can you fit your body through a single piece of paper? Learn about perimeter while testing out your paper-cutting skills.

Wind Powered Car

Make this simple wind-powered car and explore how wind can transform motion.

Grab this FREE STEM Challenge Calendar today!

STEM Resources To Get You Started

Here are a few resources that will help you introduce STEM more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

• Engineering Design Process Explained
• What Is An Engineer?
• Engineering Words
• Real World STEM
• Questions for Reflection (get them talking about it!)
• BEST STEM Books for Kids
• 14 Engineering Books for Kids
• Jr. Engineer Challenge Calendar (Free)
• Must Have STEM Supplies List
• Join us in the Club

Printable Paper Project Pack

The main ingredient is paper! Our  20+ Fantastic boredom buster activities pack   is a resource that doesn’t require a huge time commitment or expensive supplies to complete. That means you can start today. Scissors, tape or glue, markers, pencils… that’s about all you need for most of the projects.

• Do kids need a break from screen time?
• Need a quick STEM challenge?
• Looking for something a little different to do today?
• Want to send a quick (budget-friendly) activity home with your students?

Paper is generally a supply that is common in most classrooms and households . You can even grab the junk mail for some of the projects. Don’t have a printer? Make your own versions instead! 

This pack is an awesome way to  get creative with what you have!

Each activity includes:

• Templates (if needed)
• Step by step instructions
• Picture grids
• Supplies List

Subscribe to receive a free 5-Day STEM Challenge Guide

~ projects to try now ~.

Easy No Prep STEM Activities with Paper

Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy project to wow your kids or you need a last-minute STEM challenge for the classroom or summer camps you really don’t need to look any further than plain old paper! A simple piece of paper has endless possibilities when it comes to STEM. Here are some of my favorite easy STEM activities with paper that require no prep work.

STEM Activities with Just Paper

Table of Contents

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The STEM Design Process

For these challenges, you’ll want to review the STEM design process and Scientific Method with the kids. This helps to remind them how to approach a STEM challenge in a strategic way that increases the likelihood of success.

• Look at what the challenge or question is and what you have to work with.
• Plan how you are going to complete the challenge or solve the problem.
• Go! Get to work putting your plan in place.
• Test it out – were you right? Did it work?
• Reflect and Redesign.
• Try it again!

Reminding kids that missteps and failed attempts are part of the process will give them a little more confidence to just jump in and try.

Want some No Prep STEM with Popsicle Sticks? We have those too!

NOTE: If you feel having a simple template to help with the index card and helicopter challenge would be helpful, we have one available for our STEAM Powered Family mailing list members. Simply enter your email here to unlock the printable.

Can You Fit Through An Index Card?

Can you fit yourself through an index card? (Or at least fit your head)?

This is such a fun challenge that helps build problem solving skills and creative thinking.

Ask the kids – can you fit through an index card? Undoubtedly the answer will be no. Then ask “What if I gave you a pair of scissors? Then could you fit?” Let’s try.

Have the kids think about how they might accomplish the task and try out their theories. Any luck?

The Math Explanation

Let’s talk about a little math. When we look at the perimeter of an object like an index card we would simply add the length of all the sides. For an index card that would mean 3+3+5+5=16 or 3×2+5×2=16.

Can we use scissors to change the perimeter to make the card bigger? YES.

This might seem a bit confusing, so here is a video demonstrating how to cut the index card. If you can’t see the video, please ensure your adblockers are turned off as they also block our video feed. Watch to the end so you can see the paper helicopter flying too!

Show the kids the first three steps:

1. Fold the card in half – lengthwise.

2. Make 2 cuts on the folded edge about a quarter inch from the outside and almost all the way through.

3. Cut along the length of the remaining folded edge.

Now look again. What do you notice? How did the card change? What is the new perimeter? Can we do it again? Revisit the planning stage. How can you fit all the way through the card?

The Solution

You can show the kids that it is in fact possible to fit through an index card. By making specific cuts you can change the perimeter enough that the opening will allow you to step through it.

1 Fold the card in half – lengthwise.

4 Flip the paper over and make another cut about a quarter inch from the first.

5. Continue flipping the paper and cutting until you reach the other side. Be careful not to cut all the way through the paper at any time.

6. Carefully unfold the paper and step through! (If you are working with older students they may only be able to fit their heads through the card).

If you would like to tie in a little more math – have the kids figure out the perimeter of the new card! Easy, engaging, and truly zero prep!

Paper Chain STEM Challenge

What about the longest paper chain you can create from one sheet of paper.

This is an exciting project to watch the kids reason out. I’m sure most everyone has made a paper chain at some point. My daughter loves to make them as a countdown to holidays, birthdays, the end of school, and days until vacation! This easy no prep activity will really get the kids thinking and the great thing is they could work in groups or individually – whichever works best for your situation.

The Paper Chain Challenge

With only a pair of scissors, a glue stick or some tape, and one sheet of paper make the longest paper chain that you can in say 20-30 minutes.

Take the first five minutes to think the challenge through and plan your strategy. Promise them that thinking it through will give them an advantage over someone who just dives in and goes to work. When the time is up the students will need to transport and lay out their chain for measuring without it falling apart.

The thinner the strips of paper and the closer to the ends they are glued together the longer the chain will be – however the thinner and closer to the ends the weaker the chain is overall and it may not transport. These are the critical thinking moments that we want the kids to recognize.

While engineering the chain is itself part of the process there are some great math tie-ins as well. Obviously, we can count the links in the longest chain, we can also measure how long the chains are – add them together – subtract the difference. For older kids, you could have them convert from inches to feet to yards – have them estimate if a chain is this long – how many pieces of paper would we need to cross the room, or go the length of the hallway or to the next town. You could have the kids graph their results. There are so many amazing possibilities with just that little sheet of paper.

Paper Columns – Which paper shape is the strongest?

These hands-on STEM projects are a fantastic way for kids of all ages to build engineering skills, creativity, and explore physics.

The Paper Stack Challenge

Give your students 3 pieces of paper, some tape, and some books. We want to see what shape column can hold the most books without collapsing a circle, a triangle, or a square.

First, have the kids do some hypothesizing. Play around with the paper but don’t tape anything yet – looking at the shapes and different ways you might make them, what do you think will be the strongest and why? Record your results.

Have each student or group make their shapes. Don’t give them restrictions on how they make the shapes, see what they come up with. Some kids might make the shapes going right to the edge of the paper – others may overlap – that is perfect because seeing the different designs and how they hold up is part of the process.

Test and Observe

Once the shapes are constructed – start stacking the books. Make sure that the students use the same books for each shape so that they know the weight is the same across their three shapes. How much did each hold? What was the strongest?

The Results

All groups should find that their circular shape is the strongest. Both the square and the triangle hold weight along their edges and corners so they will shift and collapse more easily. The circular column has no edges and corners so all of the weight is distributed evenly.

You could also compare across groups – did one method of making the shape result in a stronger shape than another.

Tie in math by averaging how many books each shape could hold.

Extension Activities

Explain to the kids that columns have been used in architecture across the ages. Depending on the age of your students you could show them examples or you could have them research the use of columns in different structures and present their findings to the class.

Build a Paper Bridge

Another variation on this activity is one we have done in the past, building a bridge out of paper . This is a great way to demonstrate how you can build strong structures with paper and can spin off into some really great engineering projects.

Paper Helicopter Project and Challenge

This is another quick and easy paper activity the kids will love! Each student will need one sheet of paper, a pair of scissors, and 3 paper clips of different weights and sizes. For example, a plastic clip, a small wire clip, and a large one.

Paper Helicopter Directions

Fold your one piece of paper into three equal sections along its longest side so you end up with three sections of approximately 8.5×3.5 inches.

Cut the pieces along the folds. From there you need to fold each of those pieces in half short end to short end and then unfold it.

Cut one end of the paper along the center from the end to almost to the middle fold.

Flip it around and cut 2 small slits on either side at the fold about a third of the way in and fold both of those sides to the center.

Clip those folds together along the bottom edge with a paperclip.

Now, flip it back over to the top and fold those 2 flaps away from each other to form the propellers.

Holding it by the paper clip, toss it gently into the air, and watch it start to spin!

Note, you can see a video of the helicopter in flight at the end of the index card cutting video above.

The STEM connection

Paper helicopters can lead to a discussion about lift: which is when the air that is under your propeller is pushing up on it harder than the air on top pushing down. This slows the pull of gravity and makes the helicopter spin.

Here is a great science experiment idea involving gravity. Have the students repeat the cutting and folding process with the two other pieces of paper clipping each with a different paper clip. Launch all three from the same spot. Which lands first – do you know why? How does the weight and size of the paperclip affect the pull of gravity on the helicopter? The heavier the object the greater the gravitational pull and the faster it will fall. What if we used a different type of paper? Like a heavier cardstock? How will that affect lift and gravity?

That is it! A few quick and easy no or low prep STEM activities using plain old paper! Perfect for a classroom, camp, homeschooling or just for some fun and memorable activities with the kids on a rainy day.

Möbius Strip Challenge

Take on a Möbius Strip challenge and explore the mathematical concepts of topology. Using just paper, tape and scissors students make an one-sided infinite loop. Then explore that concept in depth by also making Möbius Hearts and more.

EVEN MORE PAPER STEM IDEAS

Looking for more Paper STEM and Toy Making inspiration? Check out these additional resources for even more ideas for how to use paper for fun STEM activities!

5 Days of Smart STEM Ideas for Kids

Get started in STEM with easy, engaging activities.

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Easy Paper Spinners

March 22, 2020 By Emma Vanstone 3 Comments

I was so surprised at how well these easy paper spinners ( or paper helicopters ) worked. They take less than two minutes to put together, spin amazingly well and inspire some great investigations. They are also part of my Tray a Day series , which is a program of science activities using simple materials that fit in a tray!

I’ve also got lots more easy paper science challenges you might like to try.

How to Make a Paper Spinner

What you need:      .

Different types of paper

Paper clips

How to make a paper spinner ( or paper helicopter )

Watch the video for instructions for how to make the paper spinners. Or download our easy to follow Paper Spinners instructions .

Hold the top of the spinner between your fingers ( paperclip end down ) and let it fall to the ground, does it spin?

Things to think about

Consider factors that might affect how fast the spinner falls:

• Type of paper
• Number of paper clips
• Size of spinner
• Height dropped from

Paper Spinner Extension Activit ies

Children can then design a fair test to find out how one factor affects the time the spinner takes to fall. Think about whether to use a timer or drop two spinner at the same time.  

Paper Spinner Challenge 1

Try to make the slowest spinner? What do you need to change?

Challenge 2

Did you know astronauts aboard the ISS return to Earth in a capsule? Their descent is slowed down using a parachute, why would  a mechanism like our spinners not be a good alternative?

Challenge 3

Ask children to develop a different spinner design.

Learning points

Air Resistance slows moving objects and that when an object falls, air resistance acts in the opposite direction to the weight.

Children should be able to explain the forces acting on the spinner as it falls to the ground ( air resistance pushes up and weight of the object pulls down ).

Paper Spinner Instructions

Click below to download the instruction sheet.

Paper Spinner Template

Make this activity even easier with our FREE Paper Spinner template .

Suitable for:

Key Stage 1 Science

Working Scientifically

• Asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
• Observing closely, using simple equipment
• Performing simple tests
• I dentifying and classifying
• Using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
• Gathering and recording data to help in answering questions.

Upper Key Stage 2 – Forces

More science for kids.

Try one of our fun forces and motion experiments . Make rockets, slip and slide on the floor and more!

Science concepts

Air resistance

This post was first published in 2016 and updated in 2020.

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Last Updated on September 8, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

February 17, 2016 at 11:31 am

ooh these are very cool..simple too which suits me!

February 24, 2017 at 8:50 am

I’ve done this with Year 1. Was a great way of doing a practical investigation tied into the seasonal change aspect of the year 1 science curriculum. We were looking at the seeds and leaves that we’re falling as part of our autumn work and inspired to make our own spinners and investigate how changing them affected how they fell.

July 27, 2020 at 10:24 am

Great starter for many experiments and investigations. Important to remember though that weight doe snot affect how fast something falls. The shape of the falling object determines the magnitude of the air resistance so different objects do fall at different speeds. However, if weight is the only difference between the objects, Galileo taught us that they will fall at the same speed.

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76 Easy Science Experiments Using Materials You Already Have On Hand

Because science doesn’t have to be complicated.

If there is one thing that is guaranteed to get your students excited, it’s a good science experiment! While some experiments require expensive lab equipment or dangerous chemicals, there are plenty of cool projects you can do with regular household items. We’ve rounded up a big collection of easy science experiments that anybody can try, and kids are going to love them!

Easy Chemistry Science Experiments

Easy physics science experiments, easy biology and environmental science experiments, easy engineering experiments and stem challenges.

1. Taste the rainbow

Teach your students about diffusion while creating a beautiful and tasty rainbow. Tip: Have extra Skittles on hand so your class can eat a few!

Learn more: Skittles Diffusion

2. Crystallize sweet treats

Crystal science experiments teach kids about supersaturated solutions. This one is easy to do at home, and the results are absolutely delicious!

Learn more: Rock Candy Experiment

3. Make a volcano erupt

This classic experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid), which produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate.

Learn more: Baking Soda Volcano (Guide + Printable Reflection Sheet)

4. Make elephant toothpaste

This fun project uses yeast and a hydrogen peroxide solution to create overflowing “elephant toothpaste.” Tip: Add an extra fun layer by having kids create toothpaste wrappers for plastic bottles.

Learn more: Elephant Toothpaste (Guide + Printable Reflection Sheet)

5. Blow the biggest bubbles you can

Add a few simple ingredients to dish soap solution to create the largest bubbles you’ve ever seen! Kids learn about surface tension as they engineer these bubble-blowing wands.

Learn more: Giant Soap Bubbles (Guide + Printable Reflection Sheet)

6. Demonstrate the “magic” leakproof bag

All you need is a zip-top plastic bag, sharp pencils, and water to blow your kids’ minds. Once they’re suitably impressed, teach them how the “trick” works by explaining the chemistry of polymers.

Learn more: Leakproof Bag (Guide + Printable Reflection Sheet)

7. Use apple slices to learn about oxidation

Have students make predictions about what will happen to apple slices when immersed in different liquids, then put those predictions to the test. Have them record their observations.

Learn more: Apple Oxidation

8. Float a marker man

Their eyes will pop out of their heads when you “levitate” a stick figure right off the table! This experiment works due to the insolubility of dry-erase marker ink in water, combined with the lighter density of the ink.

Learn more: Floating Marker Man

9. Discover density with hot and cold water

There are a lot of easy science experiments you can do with density. This one is extremely simple, involving only hot and cold water and food coloring, but the visuals make it appealing and fun.

Learn more: Hot and Cold Water Science Experiment

10. Layer more liquids

This density demo is a little more complicated, but the effects are spectacular. Slowly layer liquids like honey, dish soap, water, and rubbing alcohol in a glass. Kids will be amazed when the liquids float one on top of the other like magic (except it is really science).

Learn more: Layered Liquids

11. Grow a carbon sugar snake

Easy science experiments can still have impressive results. This eye-popping chemical reaction demonstration only requires simple supplies like sugar, baking soda, and sand.

Learn more: Carbon Sugar Snake

12. Mix up some slime

Tell kids you’re going to make slime at home, and watch their eyes light up! There are a variety of ways to make slime, so try a few different recipes to find the one you like best.

Learn more: 4 Slime Recipes (Guide + Printable Reflection Sheet)

13. Make homemade bouncy balls

These homemade bouncy balls are easy to make since all you need is glue, food coloring, borax powder, cornstarch, and warm water. You’ll want to store them inside a container like a plastic egg because they will flatten out over time.

Learn more: Make-Your-Own Bouncy Balls

14. Create eggshell chalk

Eggshells contain calcium, the same material that makes chalk. Grind them up and mix them with flour, water, and food coloring to make your very own sidewalk chalk.

Learn more: Eggshell Chalk

15. Make naked eggs

This is so cool! Use vinegar to dissolve the calcium carbonate in an eggshell to discover the membrane underneath that holds the egg together. Then, use the “naked” egg for another easy science experiment that demonstrates osmosis .

Learn more: Egg and Vinegar Experiment (Guide + Printable Reflection Sheet)

16. Turn milk into plastic

This sounds a lot more complicated than it is, but don’t be afraid to give it a try. Use simple kitchen supplies to create plastic polymers from plain old milk. Sculpt them into cool shapes when you’re done.

17. Test pH using cabbage

Teach kids about acids and bases without needing pH test strips. Simply boil some red cabbage and use the resulting water to test various substances—acids turn red and bases turn green.

Learn more: Cabbage pH

18. Clean some old coins

Use common household items to make old oxidized coins clean and shiny again in this simple chemistry experiment. Ask kids to predict (hypothesize) which will work best, then expand the learning by doing some research to explain the results.

Learn more: Cleaning Coins

19. Pull an egg into a bottle

This classic easy science experiment never fails to delight. Use the power of air pressure to suck a hard-boiled egg into a jar, no hands required.

Learn more: Egg in a Bottle

20. Blow up a balloon without blowing

Chances are good you probably did easy science experiments like this when you were in school. The baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment demonstrates the reactions between acids and bases when you fill a bottle with vinegar and a balloon with baking soda.

Learn more: Baking Soda and Vinegar Balloon (Guide + Printable Reflection Sheet)

21. Assemble a DIY lava lamp

This 1970s trend is back—as an easy science experiment! This activity combines acid-base reactions with density for a totally groovy result.

22. Explore how sugary drinks affect teeth

The calcium content of eggshells makes them a great stand-in for teeth. Use eggs to explore how soda and juice can stain teeth and wear down the enamel. Expand your learning by trying different toothpaste-and-toothbrush combinations to see how effective they are.

Learn more: Sugar and Teeth Experiment

23. Mummify a hot dog

If your kids are fascinated by the Egyptians, they’ll love learning to mummify a hot dog! No need for canopic jars , just grab some baking soda and get started.

24. Extinguish flames with carbon dioxide

This is a fiery twist on acid-base experiments. Light a candle and talk about what fire needs in order to survive. Then, create an acid-base reaction and “pour” the carbon dioxide to extinguish the flame. The CO2 gas acts like a liquid, suffocating the fire.

25. Send secret messages with invisible ink

Turn your kids into secret agents. Write messages with a paintbrush dipped in lemon juice, then hold the paper over a heat source and watch the invisible become visible as oxidation goes to work.

Learn more: Invisible Ink

26. Create dancing popcorn

This is a fun version of the classic baking soda and vinegar experiment, perfect for the younger crowd. The bubbly mixture causes popcorn to dance around in the water.

Learn more: Dancing Popcorn (Guide + Printable Reflection Sheet)

27. Shoot a soda geyser sky-high

You’ve always wondered if this really works, so it’s time to find out for yourself. Kids will marvel at the chemical reaction that sends diet soda shooting high in the air when Mentos are added.

Learn more: Mentos and Coke Experiment (Guide + Printable Reflection Sheet)

28. Send a teabag flying

Hot air rises, and this experiment can prove it. You’ll want to supervise kids with fire, of course. For added safety, try this one outside.

Learn more: Flying Tea Bags

29. Create magic milk

This fun and easy science experiment demonstrates principles related to surface tension, molecular interactions, and fluid dynamics.

Learn more: Magic Milk Experiment (Guide + Printable Reflection Sheet)

30. Watch the water rise

Learn about Charles’s law with this simple experiment. As the candle burns, using up oxygen and heating the air in the glass, the water rises as if by magic.

Learn more: Rising Water Experiment

31. Learn about capillary action

Kids will be amazed as they watch the colored water move from glass to glass, and you’ll love the easy and inexpensive setup. Gather some water, paper towels, and food coloring to teach the scientific magic of capillary action.

Learn more: Capillary Action

32. Give a balloon a beard

Equally educational and fun, this experiment will teach kids about static electricity using everyday materials. Kids will get a kick out of creating beards on their balloon people!

Learn more: Static Electricity

33. Find your way with a DIY compass

Here’s an old classic that never fails to impress. Magnetize a needle, float it on the water’s surface, and it will always point north.

Learn more: How To Make a Compass

34. Crush a can using air pressure

Sure, it’s easy to crush a soda can with your bare hands, but what if you could do it without touching it at all? That’s the power of air pressure!

35. Tell time using the sun

While people use clocks or even phones to tell time today, there was a time when a sundial was the best means to do that. Kids can create their own sundials using everyday materials like cardboard and pencils.

Learn more: Make Your Own Sundial

36. Launch a bottle rocket

Grab a cork, plastic bottle, cardboard, duct tape, and bike pump to learn about the laws of motion.

Learn more: Bottle Rocket (Guide + Printable Reflection Sheet)

37. Make sparks with steel wool

All you need is steel wool and a 9-volt battery to perform this science demo that’s bound to make their eyes light up! Kids learn about chain reactions, chemical changes, and more.

Learn more: Steel Wool Electricity

38. Levitate a Ping-Pong ball

This experiment is really all about Bernoulli’s principle. You only need plastic bottles, bendy straws, and Ping-Pong balls to make the science magic happen.

39. Whip up a tornado in a bottle

There are plenty of versions of this classic experiment out there, but we love this one because it sparkles. Kids learn about a vortex and what it takes to create one.

Learn more: Tornado in a Bottle

40. Monitor air pressure with a DIY barometer

This simple but effective DIY science project teaches kids about air pressure and meteorology. They’ll have fun tracking and predicting the weather with their very own barometer.

Learn more: How To Make a Barometer

41. Peer through an ice magnifying glass

Students will certainly get a thrill out of seeing how an everyday object like a piece of ice can be used as a magnifying glass. Be sure to use purified or distilled water since tap water will have impurities in it that will cause distortion.

Learn more: Ice Magnifying Glass

42. String up some sticky ice

Can you lift an ice cube using just a piece of string? This quick experiment teaches you how. Use a little salt to melt the ice and then refreeze the ice with the string attached.

Learn more: Sticky Ice

43. “Flip” a drawing with water

Light refraction causes some really cool effects, and there are multiple easy science experiments you can do with it. This one uses refraction to “flip” a drawing; you can also try the famous “disappearing penny” trick .

Learn more: Light Refraction With Water

44. Color some flowers

We love how simple this project is to re-create since all you’ll need are some white carnations, food coloring, glasses, and water. The end result is just so beautiful!

45. Use glitter to fight germs

Everyone knows that glitter is just like germs—it gets everywhere and is so hard to get rid of! Use that to your advantage and show kids how soap fights glitter and germs.

46. Re-create the water cycle in a bag

You can do so many easy science experiments with a simple zip-top bag. Fill one partway with water and set it on a sunny windowsill to see how the water evaporates up and eventually “rains” down.

Learn more: Water Cycle in a Bag and Water Cycle Lesson Slides and Video

47. Learn about plant transpiration

Your backyard is a terrific place for easy science experiments. Grab a plastic bag and rubber band to learn how plants get rid of excess water they don’t need, a process known as transpiration.

Learn more: Plant Transpiration

48. Clean up an oil spill

Before conducting this experiment, teach your students about engineers who solve environmental problems like oil spills. Then, have your students use provided materials to clean the oil spill from their oceans.

Learn more: Oil Spill

49. Construct a pair of model lungs

Kids get a better understanding of the respiratory system when they build model lungs using a plastic water bottle and some balloons. You can modify the experiment to demonstrate the effects of smoking too.

Learn more: Lung Science Experiment

50. Experiment with limestone rocks

Kids  love to collect rocks, and there are plenty of easy science experiments you can do with them. In this one, pour vinegar over a rock to see if it bubbles. If it does, you’ve found limestone!

Learn more: Limestone Experiments

51. Turn a bottle into a rain gauge

All you need is a plastic bottle, a ruler, and a permanent marker to make your own rain gauge. Monitor your measurements and see how they stack up against meteorology reports in your area.

Learn more: How To Make a Rain Gauge

52. Build up towel mountains

This clever demonstration helps kids understand how some landforms are created. Use layers of towels to represent rock layers and boxes for continents. Then pu-u-u-sh and see what happens!

Learn more: Towel Mountains

53. Take a play dough core sample

Learn about the layers of the earth by building them out of play dough, then take a core sample with a straw. ( Love Play-Doh? Get more learning ideas here. )

Learn more: Play Dough Core Sampling

54. Project the stars on your ceiling

Use the video lesson in the link below to learn why stars are only visible at night. Then create a DIY star projector to explore the concept hands-on.

Learn more: DIY Star Projector

55. Make it rain

Use shaving cream and food coloring to simulate clouds and rain. This is an easy science experiment little ones will beg to do over and over.

Learn more: Shaving Cream Rain

56. Blow up your fingerprint

This is such a cool (and easy!) way to look at fingerprint patterns. Inflate a balloon a bit, use some ink to put a fingerprint on it, then blow it up big to see your fingerprint in detail.

57. Snack on a DNA model

Twizzlers, gumdrops, and a few toothpicks are all you need to make this super-fun (and yummy!) DNA model.

Learn more: Edible DNA Model

58. Dissect a flower

Take a nature walk and find a flower or two. Then bring them home and take them apart to discover all the different parts of flowers.

59. Craft smartphone speakers

No Bluetooth speaker? No problem! Put together your own from paper cups and toilet paper tubes.

Learn more: Smartphone Speakers

60. Race a balloon-powered car

Kids will be amazed when they learn they can put together this awesome racer using cardboard and bottle-cap wheels. The balloon-powered “engine” is so much fun too.

Learn more: Balloon-Powered Car

61. Build a Ferris wheel

You’ve probably ridden on a Ferris wheel, but can you build one? Stock up on wood craft sticks and find out! Play around with different designs to see which one works best.

Learn more: Craft Stick Ferris Wheel

62. Design a phone stand

There are lots of ways to craft a DIY phone stand, which makes this a perfect creative-thinking STEM challenge.

63. Conduct an egg drop

Put all their engineering skills to the test with an egg drop! Challenge kids to build a container from stuff they find around the house that will protect an egg from a long fall (this is especially fun to do from upper-story windows).

Learn more: Egg Drop Challenge Ideas

64. Engineer a drinking-straw roller coaster

STEM challenges are always a hit with kids. We love this one, which only requires basic supplies like drinking straws.

Learn more: Straw Roller Coaster

65. Build a solar oven

Explore the power of the sun when you build your own solar ovens and use them to cook some yummy treats. This experiment takes a little more time and effort, but the results are always impressive. The link below has complete instructions.

Learn more: Solar Oven (Guide + Printable Reflection Sheet)

66. Build a Da Vinci bridge

There are plenty of bridge-building experiments out there, but this one is unique. It’s inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s 500-year-old self-supporting wooden bridge. Learn how to build it at the link, and expand your learning by exploring more about Da Vinci himself.

Learn more: Da Vinci Bridge

67. Step through an index card

This is one easy science experiment that never fails to astonish. With carefully placed scissor cuts on an index card, you can make a loop large enough to fit a (small) human body through! Kids will be wowed as they learn about surface area.

68. Stand on a pile of paper cups

Combine physics and engineering and challenge kids to create a paper cup structure that can support their weight. This is a cool project for aspiring architects.

Learn more: Paper Cup Stack

69. Test out parachutes

Gather a variety of materials (try tissues, handkerchiefs, plastic bags, etc.) and see which ones make the best parachutes. You can also find out how they’re affected by windy days or find out which ones work in the rain.

Learn more: How To Make a Parachute

70. Recycle newspapers into an engineering challenge

It’s amazing how a stack of newspapers can spark such creative engineering. Challenge kids to build a tower, support a book, or even build a chair using only newspaper and tape!

Learn more: Newspaper STEM Challenge

71. Use rubber bands to sound out acoustics

Explore the ways that sound waves are affected by what’s around them using a simple rubber-band “guitar.” (Kids absolutely love playing with these!)

Learn more: Sound Experiment

72. Assemble a better umbrella

Challenge students to engineer the best possible umbrella from various household supplies. Encourage them to plan, draw blueprints, and test their creations using the scientific method.

Learn more: Umbrella STEM Challenge

73. Grow rock candy

Turn science into a sweet treat by making rock candy. Dissolve sugar in hot water to create a solution, then let it cool as crystals slowly form on a stick or string. The best part is that the kids get to eat their experiment when it’s done!

74. Create a rain cloud in a jar

Bring weather science indoors with this fun hands-on project. Use shaving cream to mimic clouds and add drops of food coloring to simulate rain. It’s a great way to explore the water cycle without even having to step outside!

75. Brighten up with rainbow celery

Make your science lesson more vibrant with a splash of color. Drop celery stalks into glasses of water with food dye, and watch as the beautiful colors travel up through the stems.

76. Safely view a solar eclipse

Teach your students about the solar eclipse, and help them safely view this exciting event with just a few simple materials.

Learn more: Solar Eclipse Viewer (Guide + Printable Reflection Sheet)

Plus, visit our science hub for everything science for grades K-12!

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