We know it’s not always easy keeping little people entertained during the school holidays, so we’ve put together this list of fun and easy science experiments to keep their hands busy and brains engaged! Science is all about exploration and discovery; with simple materials and a few minutes of setup, these five hands-on activities will entertain and educate young minds. Let’s dive in!
1. Magnetic Putty Monster
Materials:
- Professor Gauss Magnetic Putty and Skittle Magnet
- Warm and cold water (for temperature changes)
Instructions:
- Stretch out a piece of the magnetic putty and place it on a flat surface.
- Hold a strong magnet near the putty and observe how it reacts.
- Warm the putty in your hands (or briefly in warm water) and test how it responds to the magnet.
- Cool it down in the fridge for five minutes and repeat the experiment.
The Science Behind It: The putty’s consistency changes with temperature. When it’s warm, it becomes more fluid, and when it’s cold, it firms up, affecting how it interacts with the magnet. This is a fantastic way to explore both magnetism and temperature sensitivity in materials!
2. MAGNETic FISHING GAmE
Materials:
- Paperclips
- Small cutouts of fish (made from paper or cardboard)
- String
- A small magnet
- A stick or ruler
Instructions:
- Attach a small magnet to one end of the string and tie the other end to a stick or ruler to create a “fishing rod.”
- Clip paperclips onto the paper fish and spread them on a table.
- Try catching the fish by hovering the magnet over them!
The Science Behind It: The magnet attracts the metal paperclips, showing how magnetic forces work even without direct contact. This experiment introduces kids to attraction and repulsion in a fun way!
Tip! Easily attach the string to the magnet using Rainbow Coloured Plastic Mini Magnetic Hooks – 1kg Pull
3. Magnetic Compass
@first4magnets Legend has it, all ghosts point North 👻 Try this neat magnetic compass hack with the kids, a great way to learn #kidstok #science #compass #magnet
♬ original sound – FIRST4MAGNETS®
Materials:
- A small bowl of water
- A sewing needle
- A cork or piece of foam
- A strong magnet (adult supervision and guidance is highly recommended when using stronger magnets like these)
Instructions:
- Stroke the sewing needle against a magnet about 40 times in one direction to magnetise the needle.
- Push the needle through a small piece of cork or foam.
- Place the floating cork (with the needle) in a bowl of still water.
- Watch as the needle slowly aligns itself to point north!
The Science Behind It: The Earth’s magnetic field interacts with the magnetised needle, causing it to align with the planet’s North-South axis. This is the basis of how compasses work!
4. Magnetic Maze
Materials:
- A shoebox lid or a piece of cardboard
- Paper and markers
- A small magnetic object (paperclip, magnetic bead)
- A child-safe magnet (like this one!)
Instructions:
- Draw a simple maze on a sheet of paper and place it inside the shoebox lid.
- Place a small magnetic object at the start of the maze.
- Hold a magnet underneath the box and use it to guide the object through the maze without touching it directly.
The Science Behind It: Magnets exert forces, even through materials like cardboard, allowing an object to move without direct contact – a great introduction to magnetic fields and forces!
5. magnet-POWERED CAR
@first4magnets Half term science experiments to keep little minds busy 💡 Visit our blog for more magnetic ideas! #halfterm #scienceathome #schoolsout #kidsactivities #kidstiktok
♬ Happy Kids – Kidmada
Materials:
- A small toy car
- A strong magnet (this one’s the perfect size for a toy car)
- A second magnet (or another strong magnetic object)
- Tape
Instructions:
- Tape a small magnet onto the toy car.
- Hold another magnet in your hand and slowly move it in front of the car without touching it.
- Watch as the car moves forward, pulled by the magnet!
The Science Behind It: The invisible magnetic force moves the car without physical contact, demonstrating magnetic attraction and repulsion. This is a great way to introduce kids to force fields.
These five experiments are easy, safe, and packed with scientific fun! The kids will love getting hands-on with science in a way that sparks curiosity and learning. Or, if you fancy getting out the house, there are some incredible museums and activity centres all over the country, perfect for intriguing little minds.
UK SCIENCE ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT
The Science Museum is renowned for its interactive exhibits that cover topics from space exploration to climate science.
2. Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Halifax
Eureka! is an interactive museum dedicated to children aged 0–11. It offers hundreds of hands-on exhibits designed to inspire learning through play.
3. National Space Centre, Leicester
For budding astronauts, the National Space Centre provides an immersive experience into the wonders of space.
4. Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, Hampshire
The UK’s largest standalone planetarium offers a range of shows that explore the universe, making complex scientific concepts accessible and fun for young minds.
5. Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum, Widnes
Features include a glass lift ride to an observatory with panoramic views, a live science theatre, and family workshops during school holidays.
6. Lapworth Museum of Geology, Birmingham
For those interested in Earth’s history, the Lapworth Museum offers exhibits that showcase fossils, rocks, and minerals, telling the story of our planet over 4.5 billion years.
This interactive science centre encourages visitors to explore the world through hands-on exhibits. Activities range from experimenting with the science of food to creating giant bubbles and exploring illusions.
Visiting these science centres can provide memorable experiences that complement at-home experiments, further igniting your child’s passion for discovery and learning.
