Science Fun for the Family

By: Katie Becker

 

In 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic confined many families to their homes, life took on a new rhythm. Many of our lives were turned upside down, and our worlds became physically smaller.

At this time, I had just transitioned out of the workforce and became a full-time stay-at-home mom, managing two energetic 3-year-olds (our son and our wonderful little neighbor).

Our days and experiences were limited to our house, backyard, and occasional park visits. During this time, amid the chaos, I discovered a silver lining: using our surroundings to spark curiosity and learning through simple, messy science activities. Here are some engaging ideas that helped me turn our home into a science lab:

Kitchen Chemistry

The kitchen became our science hub. We whipped up a baking soda and vinegar volcano and giggled as homemade slime oozed between our fingers. Exploring how yeast makes dough rise turned baking into a delicious lesson. (Trust me, the cookies were a hit!)

Backyard Biology

Our backyard transformed into a nature classroom. We hunted for insects, identified plants, and generally played in the dirt. We went on nature scavenger hunts, where the kids had to find something of every color in nature. Crafting dinosaur “fossils” from palm fronds made us feel like adventurous paleontologists.

Engineering Challenges

With toothpicks and marshmallows, we engineered towering structures. Building bridges from magna-tiles taught us about balance and resilience through trial and error.

Everyday Physics

We explored physics using everyday items. Using a Hot Wheels track, we made makeshift roller coasters showcasing momentum and acceleration.

Science Storytime

Books bridge bedtime stories with scientific wonder. From space adventures to animal tales, each book sparked discussions on the mysteries of our world.

Visit Science Centers and Museums

When outings became possible, science centers and museums became our oasis. Places like Mote Marine and The Bishop enriched our learning with interactive exhibits and hands-on experiments. The first Wednesday of the month, Soar in 4 hosts a free event that is open to local Manatee children and is a great way to learn about more community resources. https://soarin4.org/soar-in-4-events/

Online Resources and Experiments

From NASA’s kid-friendly activities to National Geographic’s educational videos, online resources provided endless inspiration for our home experiments. One of our favorite videos, and a song that will absolutely get stuck in your head, is the 8 Planets of the Solar System. You can click HERE for the YouTube video, but you’ve been warned…

One thing I tried to keep in mind when planning these activities was setting realistic expectations. Don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t always work out the way you envisioned. Were the kids going to follow all the rules, no. Were they ultimately going to make a huge mess, yes!  99 times out of 100 they enjoyed the activity for a few minutes and turned their attention to the next thing, but each experience was valuable and enriched their understanding of the world around them.

Science isn’t just a classroom subject—it’s a gateway to understanding our world. Embracing these activities as a family not only nurtures curiosity but also strengthens bonds and creates lasting memories. Let’s encourage every child’s natural wonder and creativity, one experiment at a time.