Preschoolers are naturally curious about the world around them, and introducing them to simple science experiments and activities can both entertain and educate them. These hands-on experiences can foster their love for science and develop their critical thinking skills from an early age. Here are 12 simple and fun preschool science experiments and activities that you can try at home or in the classroom.

1. Colorful Milk: Fill a shallow dish with milk and add a few drops of different food coloring. Dip a cotton swab with dish soap into the milk, and watch the colors swirl and mix as the soap breaks the surface tension of the milk.
2. Magic Pepper: Fill a small bowl with water and sprinkle some black pepper on the surface. Have your child dip their finger into a bit of liquid dish soap and then touch the surface of the water. Watch as the pepper magically scatters away from the soap.
3. Balloon Static: Blow up a balloon and rub it against your child’s hair or a woolen fabric. Hold the balloon near small pieces of tissue paper or confetti and watch them stick to the balloon due to static electricity.
4. Sink or Float: Gather various objects like toys, fruits, and small household items. Fill a basin with water and ask your child to predict whether each item will sink or float before placing them in the water. Explore different materials and sizes to test their hypotheses.
5. Dancing Raisins: Fill a glass with carbonated water and drop some raisins into it. Observe as the carbon dioxide bubbles attach to the rough surface of the raisins, causing them to rise and fall, creating a dancing effect.
6. Homemade Playdough: Make your own playdough with simple ingredients like flour, salt, water, and food coloring. Let your child mix and knead the dough together and explore its texture and moldability.

7. Ice Exploration: Freeze small toys or objects in ice cube trays. Provide tools like droppers, salt, and warm water, and let your child experiment with different ways to melt the ice and free the objects.
8. Rainbow Volcano: Create a mini volcano by making a dough volcano shape on a tray. Add baking soda and a few drops of different food coloring to vinegar and pour it into the volcano’s opening. Observe the colorful eruption caused by the chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar.
9. Sticky Web: Using painter’s tape or string, create a spiderweb-like structure between two chairs. Give your child small objects like pom-poms or cotton balls and challenge them to throw and land the objects on the web.
10. Sensory Bottle: Fill a clear plastic bottle with water and add glitter, small beads, or buttons. Securely close the bottle and let your child shake and tilt it to observe the swirling movement and different visual effects.
11. Nature Scavenger Hunt: Take a walk in nature and create a scavenger hunt checklist with simple items like leaves, rocks, or flowers. Encourage your child to search for and collect these items, discussing their different characteristics.
12. Bubble Wrap Stomp: Lay a large sheet of bubble wrap on the ground and let your child stomp and jump on it. Discuss the sound and sensation the bubble wrap creates and encourage them to explore different ways to interact with it.

These simple and fun preschool science experiments and activities are just a starting point to ignite your child’s curiosity and love for science. Remember to always supervise and engage with your child during these experiments, fostering their natural inquisitiveness and encouraging them to ask questions and make discoveries. Happy exploring!