10 Exciting Science Experiments for Kids During British Science Week

When children are young, they are really curious and constantly exploring and experimenting with new things. They are excited to learn about topics that challenge them and keep them engaged. And what better than some intriguing science experiments to engage them?

You will teach them about scientific concepts as well as help them develop their critical thinking skills, encourage hands-on learning, and make study fun. We have created a list of 10 exciting science experiments that you can perform with your kids to celebrate British Science Week.

The best part about these experiments? The materials are readily available (some of them might come from your kitchen), and the steps are easy to follow.

But First, What Is British Science Week?

British Science Week, organised by the British Science Association, is a 10-day event that celebrates the STEM-Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields. This year, it will take place from 7th to 16th March.

Over these 10 days, the association organises a variety of activities and information-led initiatives across the country for people of all ages. For instance, one of their initiatives, Smashing Stereotypes, aims at encouraging young people to see themselves as scientists. It showcases the application of science for everyone, regardless of what your interest, background, or career path may be. They also organise a poster competition to highlight this year’s theme, ‘Change and Adapt.’

Let’s start experimenting with your little scientists!

Experiments To Try With Your Kids

#1 - Secret Invisible Message

If your kid loves magic and is expecting the unexpected, the invisible ink experiment is perfect. Imagine learning to write hidden messages and drawing pictures that only they know how to reveal. Sounds thrilling, right?

What you’ll need:

Lemon juice
Water
A bowl
A blank sheet of paper
A cotton swab or paintbrush
A lamp or any strong source of light

Steps

Start by pouring the lemon juice into the bowl and add some water to it to dilute the juice.
Dip a cotton swab (or paintbrush) into the juice and write a secret message on the paper.
Let the paper dry completely—it will look blank!
Ready to reveal? Hold the paper near a warm light bulb but be careful not to burn it! Slowly, your hidden message will appear!

The Science Behind

Lemon juice contains carbon-based compounds that are colourless at room temperature. However, when you heat the paper, these compounds break down and react with oxygen, turning brown—revealing your secret message!

#2 - Let the Volcanoes Erupt

This bubbly volcano experiment is a firm favourite with kids! Watch as it fizzes, foams, and overflows just like a real volcanic eruption.

What you need:

1 Plastic cup
Water
3-4 tablespoons of Baking soda
1 teaspoon of Dish soap
Food colouring (to make it more fun)
1 cup (240 ml) of Vinegar
Newspapers

Steps

Fill 2/3rd of the cup with water and place it on the newspaper.
Then, add baking soda, dish soap, and food colouring into the cup. Mix it well enough.
Finally, pour in the vinegar and watch the volcano erupt. The mixture will foam, fizzle, and flow over the edge of the cup.

The Science Behind

Vinegar is an acid, while baking soda is an alkali (a base). When they mix, they create carbon dioxide gas (CO₂)- the same gas that makes fizzy drinks bubbles! This gas creates bubbles, making the liquid foam spill over like lava.

For extra fun, try shaping a volcano out of playdough around the cup before starting the experiment to get a dramatic effect!

#3 - Breaking Down Colours

We all know that there are three primary colours – red, yellow, and blue. All the other colours you see are a mix of these three colours in different proportions. This experiment will help your kid know more about the proportion. You will need:

Coffee filters
Colour markers
Scissors
A pencil
Glasses
Water

Steps

Begin by cutting the coffee filters into long strips about 3 cm wide.
Draw a horizontal line about from the bottom on each strip using markers. Write the name of the colour at the top.
Place a pencil across the top of the glass and tape the strip to it so it hangs down into the glass. The bottom of the strip should touch the bottom of the glass.
Fill the glass with water until it reaches the bottom of the strip but below the coloured line.
Watch as the water travels up the strip, pulling the colour with it!
Once the water reaches the top, carefully remove the strip and let it dry.

The Science Behind

Ink is made of different pigments. Some pigments are lighter and travel quickly, while others are heavier and move slowly. As the water spreads, it separates the ink into its different colours, revealing what was hidden inside the marker!

#4 - Rock Candy Experiment

Want to grow your own crystal candy? This fun experiment lets you create sweet, colourful treats while learning about how crystals form! What you’ll need (for each colour):

2-3 cups of Sugar
1 cup of Water
Skewers
A jar or glass
A large saucepan
Pegs (clothespins)
Food colouring
Candy flavouring (optional)

Note: The sugar-to-water ratio has to be 3:1.

Steps

Heat equal parts of sugar and water in the pan and stir until the sugar dissolves.
Slowly add more sugar, stirring continuously. When the liquid turns slightly cloudy, you've reached saturation.
Stir in food colouring and flavouring. Keep heating until the liquid simmers, then let it cool.
Cut the skewers to fit your jar, dip them in water, roll in normal sugar, and let them dry. This helps crystals form faster!
Let the sugar solution cool down, then pour it into the jar.
Use pegs to hold the sticks in the jar. Make sure the sticks are 100% dry and not touching the bottom of the jar. Why? Because the rock candy will need sugar to grow. If it’s not dry, it will melt.
Watch the sugar crystals grow on the skewers over 3-5 days!

The Science Behind

Hot water can dissolve more sugar than cold water, creating a supersaturated solution. As the solution cools, the excess sugar has nowhere to go and starts to form crystals. Hence, the sugar-covered skewer provides a surface where sugar molecules begin to attach and form solid crystals.

#5 - Super Bubbles

Blowing bubbles is fun, but what if we could make them last even longer? What you will need:

1.4L of distilled water
60 ml light corn syrup
An empty container with a lid
240 ml dish soap
A straw or bubble wand

Steps

Mix 6 cups of water with 1 cup of dish soap in a container. The tricky part here is to mix it in a way that does not create bubbles or foam.
Add ¼ cup of light corn syrup and stir it. Again, avoid making any bubbles.
Let the solution sit overnight for the best results.
Next day, dip a bubble wand or straw into the solution and blow your super bubbles!

Science Behind

A bubble pops when the water evaporates. However, the corn syrup thickens the water and slows down the evaporation process which makes the bubbles last longer.

#6 - Apple Oxidation

Have your kids ever asked for white apples and not brown, and you’re confused about how to explain it to them? Show them why with this experiment! You will need:

1-2 Apples
Plain water
Saltwater (1/8 tsp salt + 1 cup water)
Sugared water (1 tbsp sugar + 1 cup water)
Honey water (1 tbsp honey + 1 cup water)
Pure lemon juice
Lemonade
Apple juice
Orange juice
Small labelled bowls

Steps

Pour each of these liquids into a separate labelled bowl.
Slice the apples and place one slice in each of these bowls.
Leave one slice of apple out to show what happens with no protection.
Put on a timer for 3 minutes. Remove the slices and place them on the plate. Record your observations.
Observe again after 6 minutes, take a look and note down the observation.

What you can expect:

Apple slice left out → Turns brown the fastest.
Slice in plain water → Slightly brown.
Lemon juice, orange juice, and lemonade → Best at preventing browning.
Saltwater and honey water → Help slow browning.
Sugared water and apple juice → Slows the browning but are not as effective.

The Science Behind

This experiment shows oxidation—a process where oxygen reacts with the apple’s enzymes, turning it brown. Acidic liquids (like lemon/orange juice) lower the apple’s pH, slowing oxidation. In contrast, saltwater and honey water act as barriers. This is why lemon juice is often used to keep cut fruits fresh for longer!

#7 - Floating Stickman!

Imagine making a stick figure doodle that comes to life in water. Curious? Let’s see it how it happens! Here’s what you will need:

A Plate (glass or ceramic)
A dry-erase marker
Water

Steps

Take a smooth plate (glass or ceramic works best).
Using a marker, draw a stickman figure or any doodle you’d like.
Slowly pour a small amount of water onto the plate. Tilt the plate slightly if needed.
The marker doodle will lift off from the plate and float on the water.

The Science Behind

Dry-erase markers use a special ink that doesn’t stick strongly to surfaces. The ink is also insoluble (doesn’t dissolve in water) and less dense than water. So when you add water, the drawing lifts off and floats! Thus, when you pour water, the doodle lifts off and starts to float!

#8 - Beat Gravity

What are the odds that you will succeed in beating gravity? Find out with this experiment. You will need:

A glass or plastic cup
Water
A sturdy index card

Steps

Fill the cup almost to the brim with water.
Place the index card firmly over the opening.
Holding the card in place, carefully flip the cup upside down.
Slowly remove your hand—the card stays in place, holding the water inside!

The Science Behind

The real reason is air pressure. Even though gravity pulls the water down, the air pressure pushing up on the card is stronger. This keeps the water from spilling until the air finds a way in! This simple yet fascinating trick is a fun way to explore the power of air pressure.

#9 - Flame-Proof Balloon

Can a balloon survive a flame? Let’s find out!

What You’ll Need:

2 Balloons
Matches or a lighter
Cold water
Tea light or small candle

Steps

Blow up one of the balloons and tie the end.
Have an adult light the candle or the lighter.
Hold the balloon over the flame and see what happens. It’ll pop!
Now, add some cold water to the second balloon, blow it, and tie off the end.
Hold this water balloon over the flame and see what happens. It won’t burst!

The Science Behind

The real hero of the experiment is water. Water absorbs heat much better than air. Hence, when you hold the water balloon over the heat, the water absorbs it making the balloon flame-proof. As the heat continues, the water will heat, eventually leading to the balloon popping.

#10 - Dry Paper Dunk

What happens when you dunk a paper into the water? It should get wet, right? Well, not this time! What you’ll need:

A piece of newspaper
Glass
Sink or large bowl full of water

Steps

Crumble the newspaper into a ball.
Place the ball at the bottom of the glass, making sure it stays in place when turned upside down.
Hold the glass upside down and slowly push it straight down into the water until it is fully submerged.
Wait a few seconds, then lift the glass straight back out.
Check if the paper is wet or dry.

Tell us what you find!

The Science Behind

The air pressure around the cup is the same as the air pressure in the cup. The air trapped inside the glass creates a cushion that stops the water from getting in. Since air takes up space, the water cannot enter to soak the paper. This experiment shows how air pressure can keep things dry—even underwater!

Conclusion

Science is super fun with these experiments, you will not only be enjoying a good time with your kids but also forge a positive association with learning for them.

Want to explore even more? Don’t forget to check out our STEM toys and some learning games collection, Stem Toys For Kids and Learning Resources. These resources come in different formats to keep kids engaged, inspired, and loving science!

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