10 Fun and Easy Science Projects for Grades 1-5

Today we are diving into 10 Fun and Easy Science Projects for Grades 1-5, that are perfect for homeschooling elementary students.

If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for fun, hands-on science projects that won’t leave you (or your house) in total chaos. As a homeschooling educator and mom, I’ve tried and tested quite a few science experiments with my curious crew, and I can tell you—these are winners! So, grab some household supplies, a FREE download of my Scientific Method Printables For Elementary School, and gather your little scientists!

1. Homemade Lava Lamp Grades 1-5 (aka The “Whoa, Cool!” Experiment)

If you want instant excitement, this is your go-to! The kids were mesmerized by how the oil and water just wouldn’t mix—science magic!

1. What You’ll Need: A clear jar, water, vegetable oil, food coloring, and Alka-Seltzer.
2. How We Did It: We filled the jar with water, topped it off with oil, and let the kids drop in food coloring (they went wild with this part). Then came the Alka-Seltzer and BOOM—bubbles everywhere!
3. What They Learned: Density (because oil floats) and chemical reactions (thanks to the fizz!). But mostly, they learned that science is awesome.

2. Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano Grades 2-5 (A Classic Never Gets Old)

I know, I know—you’ve probably done this one, but if you haven’t yet, it’s worth the mess.

1. What You’ll Need: Baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, food coloring, and a bottle (or homemade volcano if you’re feeling crafty).
2. How We Did It: We poured baking soda into our “volcano,” added a little dish soap and food coloring, then unleashed the vinegar. My kids’ eyes went wide as they watched their mini-Mt. Vesuvius erupt.
3. What They Learned: Acids and bases make for some explosive reactions!

3. Rainbow Walking Water Grades 1-5 (For the Little Artists in Your Life)

This one was a hit with my artsy kids—color mixing meets science!

1. What You’ll Need: Clear cups, water, food coloring, and paper towels.
2. How We Did It: We set up alternating cups with colored water and empty ones, then let the paper towels do their thing. Watching the colors “walk” was oddly satisfying.
3. What They Learned: Capillary action, color mixing, and a whole lot of patience as they watched the colors travel.

4. Sink or Float? Grades 1-2 (Because My Kids Love to Make Predictions)

The excitement of guessing which objects would sink or float was real—and honestly, so was mine!

1. What You’ll Need: A large bowl of water and random household items.
2. How We Did It: I had the kids pick small items from around the house (coins, spoons, toys, you name it) and made them predict whether it would sink or float before testing it.
3. What They Learned: Buoyancy, density, and how to make educated guesses (and sometimes be hilariously wrong).

5. Homemade Slime Grades 3-5 (For When You’re Feeling Brave)

I don’t think I’ve ever seen my kids more excited than when we made slime. Yes, it’s messy, but so worth it.

1. What You’ll Need: Glue, baking soda, contact lens solution, and optional glitter or food coloring.
2. How We Did It: The kids mixed the glue with baking soda, and we added contact lens solution until the slime formed. Then came the stretching, pulling, and maybe a little too much glitter.
3. What They Learned: Polymers and non-Newtonian fluids—but let’s be honest, they were just happy to make a mess.

6. Grow a Bean Plant Grades 1-5 (Or, Our Mini-Garden Adventure)

This was our low-effort, big-results project, and watching a tiny bean sprout into a plant was magical for the kiddos.

1. What You’ll Need: A clear cup, paper towels, and a dried bean.
2. How We Did It: We wedged a damp paper towel into the cup and stuck the bean between the towel and the cup. Every morning, the kids eagerly checked to see if their little bean was growing.
3. What They Learned: Germination and plant life cycles. Plus, they learned that patience really does pay off.

7. Balloon Rocket Grades 2-5 (Zoom Zoom!)

When I say this project was a blast, I mean it literally—our balloon rockets zoomed across the room at record speed.

1. What You’ll Need: A balloon, a straw, string, and tape.
2. How We Did It: We strung the straw onto a piece of string, taped the inflated balloon to the straw, and let it fly! You can bet we had a mini-race with our rockets.
3. What They Learned: Newton’s Third Law of Motion (for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction), but they just called it “cool balloon science.”

8. Magnet Exploration Grades 1-3 (Magnetic or Not?)

This was a simple but super engaging activity where the kids became little detectives, hunting for what was magnetic.

9. Cloud in a Jar Grades 3-5 (Who Knew You Could Make Weather at Home?)

This one felt like real-life weather magic. We made a cloud in a jar, and my kids were amazed.

1. What You’ll Need: A jar, hot water, ice, and hairspray.
2. How We Did It: We filled the jar with hot water, sprayed some hairspray inside, and topped it with ice. Within seconds, a mini-cloud appeared!
3. What They Learned: The water cycle, specifically condensation and how clouds form.

10. Egg Drop Challenge (Grades 4-5) (Our Greatest Engineering Feat!)

Okay, this one was a test of my kids’ creativity, but this classic engineering experiment encourages creativity and problem-solving.

1. Materials: Eggs, various household materials (straws, cotton balls, tape, etc.).
2. Instructions: Challenge your child to create a structure that will protect an egg from breaking when dropped. After building, test the designs by dropping them from a height.
3. Concepts Explored: Engineering, problem-solving, impact force, gravity.

Have Fun Learning

Each of these 10 easy homeschool elementary school science projects combines learning with fun, helping children explore scientific principles in a hands-on way. Best of all, they require minimal materials, making them accessible for any homeschool family. Encourage your child to ask questions, make predictions, and reflect on what they learn during these activities for a well-rounded educational experience. You can download my free Scientific Method Printables For Elementary School, to help your students not only have fun, but observe with a purpose!

Let us know how it worked out!

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