For most of us, the best part of science class was the fun experiments that we got to do every once in a while. And even if chemistry and biology will forever be subjects that go right over your head, that doesn’t mean you need to feel intimidated by science. There are actually a ton of awesome and super simple science experiments you can do right at home, even if you don’t happen to have a degree in quantum physics. Check out our 10 favorite experiments that are fun for the whole family!
1. Silver Egg
You’ll Need:
- egg
- lighter
- glass with water
Here’s How:
Hold a lighter to an egg so the shell turns black, place the egg in a glass of water, and watch the black peel turn silver. As soon as you take the egg out of the water, it’ll turn black again. Soot contains mostly carbon, and carbon and water do not get along all that well, which is why they form 2 separate layers. The rays of light that shine through the water are simply reflected back, like with a mirror. That’s why the egg is silver when it’s underwater and black when it’s not!
2. Dissolving Styrofoam
You’ll Need:
- aluminum foil pan
- acetone
- styrofoam cup
Here’s How:
Add acetone to an aluminum foil pan, put a styrofoam cup in it, and watch the cup slowly disappear. Acetone dissolves the long polystyrene molecule chains from each other that make up the styrofoam. As it dissolves, the styrofoam starts to bubble as the air in the foam is released.
3. Underwater Candles
You’ll Need:
- plastic tub
- water
- tea lights
- cylindrical glass
Here’s How:
Pour water into a plastic tub, light a few tea lights, and place them in the water. Now put a glass over the tea light and push it underwater – and the flame won’t go out! The flame expands the air under the glass and prevents the water from entering.
4. Waterproof Sand
You’ll Need:
- aluminum foil pan
- colored sand
- waterproof spray
- glass with water
Here’s How:
Add sand to an aluminum foil pan, spray waterproof spray over the sand, and mix it so it clumps a bit. Add the waterproof sand to a glass filled with water and watch as the clumps of sand sink down to the bottom of the glass without dissolving back into individual grains.
5. Sugar Sculpture
You’ll Need:
- sugar
- water
- food coloring
- bowl with ice cubes
Here’s How:
Heat the sugar and water in a saucepan to 300°F, stir in the food coloring, and pour the colored liquid over a bowl filled with ice cubes. The liquid sugar will solidify immediately because of the ice. Drain the remaining liquid sugar and you’re left with a fascinating sugar sculpture!
6. Swimming Tangerine
You’ll Need:
- 2 tangerines
- glass with water
Here’s How:
Peel a tangerine and put it in a glass filled with water. The peeled tangerine will sink immediately, but if you add an unpeeled tangerine to the glass, it will fl0at on top. That’s because there are air pockets in the peel that help the tangerine float, whereas the air pockets in the peeled tangerine are directly exposed to the water, causing the tangerine to sink.
7. Water Transfer
You’ll Need:
- 2 glasses
- 1 colored liquid
- 1 rope
Here’s How:
Add the colored liquid to the first glass and put the end of a piece of rope in it. Put the other end of the rope into the second empty glass. Now lift the glass with the liquid and slightly tilt it. The rope transfers the liquid from one glass to the other without dripping.
8. Lava Lamp Water
You’ll Need:
- 2 glasses
- water
- oil
- dish soap
- grain alcohol
- plastic card
Here’s How:
Fill one glass with water and another glass with oil in equal amounts. Add grain alcohol to the glass with oil and dish soap to the glass with water until both glasses are full. The water will settle on top in the glass with water and settle on the bottom in the glass with oil. Place a plastic card over the opening of the glass with water and soap, carefully flip it over, and place it on top of the other glass. The denser liquids will sink in both glasses, creating a lava lamp effect.
9. Karate-Chop A Wooden Ruler
You’ll Need:
Here’s How:
Spread out a newspaper until it reaches the edge of a table and slide a ruler halfway under it. If you hit the part of the ruler that is floating in the air very quickly, it will break in half. The quick blow causes the air to press down harder on the newspaper, weighing down the ruler underneath.
10. Glow-In-The-Dark Slime
You’ll Need:
- bowl with water
- contact lens solution
- clear glue
- baking soda
- fluorescent dye
Here’s How:
Mix water with contact lens solution, clear glue, and baking soda until the mixture reaches a goo-like consistency. Knead the slime with your hands a few times and mix in the fluorescent dye. Turn off all the lights and watch your slime glow in the dark!
Uncomplicated yet impressive experiments like these are always great for family time and get-togethers. So go ahead and give them a try to wow everyone around you!
Get the instructions for the 6 Fun Science Experiments With Candy and 7 Mind-Blowing Optical Illusion Experiments featured in the bonus video.