Skip to content
Home / Fun Science Experiments for Toddlers

Fun Science Experiments for Toddlers


From exploring nature in the backyard to using chemistry in our kitchen, science is a big part of our everyday lives. And that’s one of the best parts about science – it’s easy to demonstrate and create teachable moments every day.
It’s never too early to start teaching basic science concepts. Yes, even to toddlers. Since science is about exploration and learning how things work, it’s a natural fit for curious toddlers.

3 Fun Science Experiments for Toddlers

Here are three fun science experiments that you can do with your toddler to introduce science this summer.

Bug Hunt

Teach young children a basic understanding of where bugs live and examine different types of bugs. 

  • Take your child into the backyard and go on a bug hunt. 
  • Move planters, rocks and logs to look underneath and discover what lives there. 
  • Toddlers can learn to identify a spider from a centipede and a ladybug from a worm. 
    • You do not have to be an entomologist to teach bug identification, though it may be handy to have a simple field guide.
  • Most toddlers will notice the different shapes and movements of each type of bug as you point and say the name of the bug. 
  • Soon your toddler will be pointing out and naming bugs for you.

Build a Volcano

Whether you homeschool, use a private or public school, sooner or later, you’re going to be building a volcano. This simple chemistry experiment teaches what happens when different chemicals are mixed together. 
  • Take your toddler outside, because you will be making a mess, and have them experiment on their own.
  • Give him an empty cup or bowl to make his own mixture.
  • You supply the baking soda, spoon and different amounts of vinegar in different cups. 
  • Then sit back and watch him learn from his own creations. 
  • He can choose how much of each ingredient to mix together to see the results. 
  • He will quickly learn that some mixtures make few bubbles while others create a volcano of bubbles.

A note of caution: Although the resulting gases (carbon dioxide) are benign, you may want to have your child wear sunglasses or goggles to prevent the vinegar from splashing in his eyes. Simple swim goggles will do the trick.

Liquids and Solids

This is one of my favorites! This simple and classic experiment uses just cornstarch and water. 
  • In a large, deep pan or bowl, mix cornstarch and water together, then let your child dive in with his hands. 
  • Squeezing the cornstarch creates a packed ball that is almost a solid. Release the ball and it returns to a more liquid form. 
  • You and your child can experiment mixing different amounts of water and cornstarch and feel the results.
  • Try putting your feet in it and squishing your toes!

Teaching youngsters about science doesn’t need to be overly complex. Just look around – science is everywhere!