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Safe Fun Science
Experiments for Kids
Back Yard Fun for
Kids
It's always exciting to find safe fun
science experiments for kids.
We particularly like this fun science activity for kindergarten kids
and
preschoolers.
It's a simple, low cost, fun science
activity as well as an opportunity for grown ups to interact with their
young kids outdoors.
"Why aren't the kids playing outside?"-
you probably need some fun outdoor activities for kids to take part in
like this. You'll find this play idea will encourage your young kids to
play outside and to take a closer look at the world around them.
Besides kindergarten lessons with magnifying glasses this activity will
give your child lots and lots to talk about and encourage her use
of vocabulary.
Recording her findings in her science scrapbook/journal and receiving
praise - lots of
praise - for her work will boost her self
esteem. Remember a kids digital camera is a wonderful way for little
ones to record what they observe.
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"A
Science Walk"
- For
Preschool–Kindergarten.
Even a walk around
the yard can provide many opportunities to introduce children to
scientific concepts and processes by helping them to gain the
scientific habit of observing what's around them.
Observing closely is an important part of science, and tools such as a
magnifying glass help scientists—even young ones—to observe, measure
and do things that they otherwise could not do.
What You Need
- A magnifying
glass
- Science journal (a
notebook or scrapbook your child can use)
What to Do
- Take a walk outside
with your child—around the yard, to the end of the block, in the
park—anywhere that's convenient. Invite her to bring along her science
journal and show her how to use a magnifying glass.
As you walk, stop
and—depending on the season—ask her to use the lens to examine things
such as the following:
- dirt
- leaves (from the same
tree, one on the ground and one on the tree)
- a flower
- snowflakes
- icicles
- bugs
- a mud puddle
- a rock
- Ask her to talk about
what she observes. Ask, for example:
-"What's on each side of this leaf?"
- "How is this leaf on the ground different from the one on the tree? "
- "Are
all the petals on this flower the same size and color?"
- "Are
these snowflakes exactly alike? How are they different? "
- "How
many legs does this bug have? "
- "How many colors
can you see in this mud puddle?"
- Other questions you
might ask as she observes and examines things along the way include the
following:
- Is it smooth or
rough?
- Is it
hard or soft?
- Is it
dry or wet?
- Is it alive? How do
you know?
- What shape is it?
- Give your child two
different kinds of rocks or flowers and ask her to tell you how they
are alike and different.
- Make sure she records
her observations, reactions, findings and opinions in her science
journal. Drawing pictures and taking photos are good ways to record
observations, and you can help her to write appropriate captions.
Encourage her to share her journal with others and to talk about her
experiences.
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This article was
produced by :
U.S.
Department of Education
Office of Communications and Outreach
Helping Your Child Learn Science
Washington, D.C., 2005
Enjoy your walk on the wild side!
"How much outdoor excercise do kids need?" We say the more the
better.
Safe fun science experiments for kids like this have the added
advantage of
persuading your children to play outdoors and to experience their world
at first hand.
For more fun outside activities for kids, why not look at crafts & science activities for kids to do now.
In our newsletter, "Toddler Report",
we often describe
safe, fun and free science experiments for kids and childrens outdoor
activities. Why not get your copy now? |
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