We all want our little Einsteins to tinker and experiment—but we don’t always want them to do it near nice furniture. So how about taking all that drippy genius outside? Whether you want to play with paint-laden pendulums or watch epic (but safe!) explosions, making a mess is half the fun. These easy outdoor science experiments for kids allow you to set up for science in the backyard, but if you’re looking for indoor ideas, check out our ultimate list of science experiments for kids.
Unravel the mysteries of time. Or at least figure out the basics by setting up a sundial outdoor science experiment. Take time each hour to check the sun’s positioning and make note of it so your sidekick can see the bigger picture.
Insider tip: for even more fun-in-the-sun science for kids, check out these solar science experiments you’ll love.
Painting Pendulum
Here's a physics and an art lesson in one fun activity! Kids will learn about the forces of gravity and motion by designing a pendulum that can paint. Use watered-down craft paint and capture your art on paper, or mix your own sidewalk chalk paint and make swirled masterpieces on your driveway. Innovation Kids Lab has easy instructions.
A little glue, some corn starch, and borax powder are all you'll need to make bouncy balls worthy of a gumball machine. Kids will have almost as much fun playing with these balls as they do making them. Get the simple instructions for this backyard science experiment at Kids Activities Blog—or, if you only have clear glue, find an alternate recipe here.
Make Elephant Toothpaste
Melissa Heckscher
This is one of those oldies but goodies the kids will want to do again and again (so stock up on hydrogen peroxide and yeast now). This one guarantees a fun, foamy chemical reaction—with just a few simple steps. Scientific American has a great tutorial here.
Make Simple Explosions
Melissa Heckscher
Looking for a science experiment with a little POP? This easy science project takes cues from the vinegar-and-baking-soda bandwagon but does so with a bang. Get the easy steps for (harmless) explosive action at Science Bob (There's a great video to watch here, too.). Perfect for a day of science in the backyard.
Kids may not fully understand what Bernoulli's Principle is, but they'll love seeing it in action as they watch a beach ball "magically" floating above a leaf blower—even at an angle! Get the instructions (and other fun leaf-blower experiments) at Fizzics Education.
See Photosynthesis in Action
Allison Sutcliffe
It’s the things that kids can’t see that make science so exciting, and also a little confusing. That’s why we love this surprisingly simple experiment from Edventures with Kids. With a few supplies and a bit of wait time, your budding botanist can “see” photosynthesis in action.
Polymer Chains Experiment
Shelley Massey
Before you start this experiment, have your sidekick predict what will happen when they start pushing pencils through a water-filled bag. They'll have the chance to (literally) poke holes in their own theory once they give it a try, thanks to the polymer chains that keep the plastic from leaking. Get the important details to set up at Steve Spangler Science.
Wingardium Leviosa
Allison Sutcliffe
The (air) pressure’s on in this sweet outdoor science experiment that lets your kids levitate water over an unsuspecting friend’s… or better yet, a deserving sibling’s head. To try it at home, follow these easy instructions from Steve Spangler Science, and keep a towel at the ready… just to be on the safe side!
Balloon Rockets
Shelley Massey
What Do We Do All Day proves once again that science doesn’t have to be boring with this exciting experiment that’s a study in propulsion as much as it is a fast-paced racing game. Use her helpful suggestions to really delve into (and add scientific challenges to) this project. Get ready, get set, go!
The ebb and flow of ocean waters is the focus of this experiment designed by Buggy and Buddy. Find out how to set up the microcosmic world in your backyard, using a few easy-to-find supplies. Then let your budding oceanographer loose on this fun backyard science activity.
You gotta love a two-fer! Our current fave is this gorgeous art project from Tinkerlab that doubles as a backyard science experiment. All it takes is a little sunlight and artistic vision to give this one a try!
How far? How high? And how many? These are just a few of the questions your budding physicist will be able to answer after he builds a simple lever machine. Find out how to put it all together and design easy experiments at Buggy and Buddy. Who knew snow in the summer could be so fun?
Keep Paper Dry in Water
Allison Sutcliffe
This backyard science experiment will leave your kids wondering how the paper towel stayed dry… even after they dunk it in water. Psst… the secret’s in the air trapped inside the cup. Get more details from Cool Science Experiments Headquarters.
There’s a lot of great things about living in Chicago (the people, the sports teams, the hot dogs, the best pizza in the world) but let’s face it, the winters leave a bit to be desired. Cue Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports in Lisle for some much-needed winter fun for the whole family just 45 minutes west of Chicago. From ski and snowboard lessons for beginners of all ages to a challenging terrain park for the most adventurous of boarders, Four Lakes is the close-by cure for your winter blues.
The Basics
Maria Chambers
Four Lakes has been turning ordinary flatlanders into bona fide skiers and boarders through its Ski and Snowboard School programs for sixty years. A member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America, Four Lakes’ teaching methods are up-to-the-minute, reflecting the latest technical understanding and methodologies. Their experienced instructors make learning how to ski and board fun and safe, so you can rest assured that you and your mini snow carvers are in good hands.
Why It's Great for Budding Boarders and Skiers
Four Lakes is a great starter hill for kids with a budding interest in snow play. The facility itself is very small and is perfect when you're just looking for a couple hours of exhilarating fun, but aren't necessarily wanting to make a weekend of it. The hill little ones learn on is small, but not so small they get bored quickly. It'll take a couple of tries to master, but the tow rope makes getting to the top easy-peasy. Best of all, there's ample parking right at the entrance of the hill, so no lugging equipment (or tired skiers) too far.
Insider tip: If you're planning on hitting the hill regularly, we'd recommend investing in a pair of gloves with grippers on the palms. It helps little hands grip the tow rope and protects the gloves from tearing.
Have a budding Bode Miller or mini-Lindsey Vonn on your hands? Four Lakes offers lessons for all ages and skill levels, both for skis and snowboarding. For the 2021-22 season, these lessons will be private or semi-private to reduce contact students have with each other on the hill. One-on-one private lessons are $60/hour. Semi-private lessons will be limited to 2-5 students per class and run $35/hour. Both private and semi-private lessons are typically available 7 days a week.
Small, but Mighty
Four Lakes isn’t just for beginners. It's a great place to brush up on your skills before that vacation to Vermont or Vail. The entire area is open to skiers and snowboarders of any level, and they also offer race training for skiers and a terrain park with a variety of boxes, rails and pipes. Whatever your level of experience, Four Lakes can accommodate. Just ask any one of the 20,000 skiers and boarders who visited last season.
Day and Season Passes
You can purchase a season pass for $325 and rip it up on the pow pow (translation: ski or snowboard) from mid-December until the season’s over—usually late February or early March. Can’t commit to the whole season? Buy a daily pass when you get the itch—those range from $24-$30, depending on the day.
Birthday Parties
During non-COVID times, Four Lakes is a great place to throw a winter birthday party. The kids will enjoy getting outside in the fresh air for physical activity and you'll enjoy not having 15 kids in your home. Choose a package that includes slope tickets, lessons and rentals or any combination of the three. Pizza and unlimited soda are an additional fee, and they’ll block out a section of the cafeteria for your celebration.
‘Tis the season, so bundle up, grab your brain buckets (translation: helmets) and head to Four Lakes for outdoor fun this winter. Be sure to check their website to make sure the hills are open.
Who’s happier to ditch real school for summer fun, you or your minis? We’ve curated a list of tactile learning activities to keep the kiddos off screens and out of the summer slide. Read on for 15 creative learning ideas that’ll give those golden afternoons a little brain boost.
Story Cubes are a creative way to practice putting together stories, and your sidekicks won’t know that they’re learning. Roll the dice and use the results in a tall tale. These are a great way to pass the time on car trips. For the smallest fry, use three dice. For older scribes, use all nine and split the words up between the beginning, middle, and end of their stories.
Penpals! The kids can practice their fine motor skills while sending a little sunshine to a friend or relative. Or you can take the love up a notch and write to seniors in care homes. Contact your local senior residence, or check out one of these programs.
What’s better than learning to read with cookies? Nothing. Use this alphabet cookie cutter set to bake words in the ultimate tactile reading game. Spelling has never been more delicious.
How many words can your wordsmiths make with the sentence ‘Learning from home is fun?’ Take Anna Whiteley's idea a step further and create summer-themed sentences such as ‘Hot days are perfect for popsicles,’ and ‘Our family loves the beach.’
Get the crew reading and moving with one of our indoor/outdoor-friendly scavenger hunts. Early readers can use the pictures to puzzle out the words and avoid the summer slide. Veteran readers can solidify their spelling skills.
Activities to Promote Numeracy
Count the Beans
Teresa Douglas
Teaching math concepts is a snap when you use tactile learning aides like beans or grains of rice. Your minis will intuitively understand division if you swap the beans for candies and tell them to split the candies fairly.
Make Patterns
Teresa Douglas
Collect rocks, sticks, and other treasures from outside to make creative patterns. Your crew can learn to make patterns that repeat, grow, or spiral. The Artful Parent has beautiful photos for inspiration.
Take a math detective walk. Give your budding Sherlock a notepad and pencil and get outside. How many birds can your little spot? Pick different themes for each walk, or spend the week focused on just one.
Keep those measurement skills burning all summer long with the cookbook How Many Ways Can You Cut a Pie? If your crew prefers cookies, this three-ingredient oatmeal cookie is quick, easy, and healthy enough for breakfast!
Turn an ordinary deck of cards into a creative learning experience. We Are Teachers serves up math-tastic ideas for reviewing addition, subtraction and fraction concepts in spades.
Who’s bigger, your mini or a dolphin? Could you have a tiger over for tea? Would either fit in a chair? Whip out Wasecabiomes Animals of the world Measuring Tape and help your budding biologist find out!
Explore Science
Melissa Heckscher
Make some bouncy balls with ingredients you can find at the grocery store. The fine folks at The STEM Laboratory walk you through the activity and even explain the science behind it. Hint: You’ll never look at spaghetti the same way again.
Get Some Sun
Teresa Douglas
Practice the first step of the scientific method by measuring the amount of sunlight in a garden. This activity is a great excuse to get the kids outside. Every hour the littles mark whether the plants are in the shade, partial sun, or full sun. Give your scientist a clipboard for added pizzazz.
Engineer a Little Fun
Teresa Douglas
Introduce your engineer-in-training to Snap circuits, a tactile way to learn about electricity and closed circuits. As a bonus, your engineer will also learn to follow plans and problem solve.
Your little scientists will love learning about DNA through the magic of strawberries. Each strawberry cell has eight copies of DNA, which means you can see them without a microscope in this fun experiment. Slide over to Little Bins for Little Hands to see how it’s done.
It’s National Bike Month, and there’s still the long holiday weekend to get out and explore some bike trails! The metroplex has hundreds of miles of paths perfect for families, from the popular White Lake Park Trail to Trinity Trails in Fort Worth. Keep reading to see some of our favorites, and then hit the road!
Trinity Skyline Trail & the Trinity Strand Trail - Dallas
The Skyline Trail is a 4.6-mile trail that meanders along the Trinity River in the Dallas Floodway. Soon, the Trinity Strand Trail, which is a 2.5-mile trail through the Design District, will connect to the Skyline Trail and over 70 miles of other trails in Dallas.
With over 100 miles of trails, where do we begin? Maybe Trinity Park or perhaps Airhead Falls Trailhead? There are so many places to explore, you might want to take the whole weekend to bike this trail. There are even restaurants along Trinity Trails to stop at when the crew gets hungry!
This is one of Dallas’ most popular trails and for good reason. Circling the beauty of White Lake Rock, this 9.3-mile trail is great for families; there are several playgrounds along the way, as well as Mockingbird Point Dog Park.
This incredible nature preserve boasts 15+ miles of dirt trails, but don’t be scared! Much of it is very flat, so take your budding mountain bike rider out for a day of exploring. There are also picnic tables, so pack a lunch!
This paved trail is 14 miles long and wanders through Rowlett Creek and Cottonwood Creek. Part of a greater trail system, this is a fun bike path to ride with the kids.
Two words parents are all too familiar with: “I’m bored.” Two words that can instantly help: Google Families. This site helps parents navigate their family’s ever-evolving tech journey through educational—and really fun!—digital content to explore together. A go-to hub of interactive resources, families.google lets you take virtual field trips, travel to unexpected places, get creative and master new skills.
Here’s a snapshot of the cool content that will tap into your kiddo’s budding curiosity and creativity. (Be prepared to pick up some new hobbies and interests, too!)
Introduce your kiddo to computer science by coding their own super hero. Through short, instructional videos, kids learn how to use Scratch for CS First, a block-based coding editor. Create the hero, make her move, fly and spin. Add background music, transform it into a game and even add another character. Keep exploring the many coding lessons available to hone those stellar computer science skills. Good news for parents, you don’t have to be an expert coder or even know how to code at all. The instructions are easy to follow and fun for everyone involved!
Ready, Get STEM, Go!
Attention budding scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and tech stars… Explore Google Arts & Culture on the web or download the free app to open your eyes to our awe-inspiring world (and beyond!). Go on virtual reality tours of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. With 100 interactive online exhibits, you’ll feel like you went to the museum, without having to find a parking spot. Other STEM activities give you the chance to climb inside a space shuttle, conduct an orchestra in your browser, build your own voice controlled object, and see a prehistoric “sea dragon” in 360 VR. Use Google Earth to go on an intergalactic space adventure with legendary explorers and travel to meet the most iconic women in science. Learn about everyday inventions (yep, even the toilet), incredible inventors, and so much more. Your littlest learners will love the Sesame Street science activities.
From touring art museums around the world to playing interactive games, there are countless ways to let your creativity flourish. Play “I spy” with the world’s most famous artwork or try a visual crossword puzzle. Use the art coloring book to add a fresh spin to famous paintings. See what’s happening at the Louvre or check out the most famous works of art around the world at any museum. Learn how to make an origami crane. And be sure to capture the family fun with an “art selfie.” This great content ties art, history and important icons together for a truly enriching experience.
Wonders of the World
Whether you want to go back in time or take a journey through Thailand, you don’t actually need to leave your home. Get immersed in cultures around the world, learn about trailblazers and pioneers, and important moments in history. Discover the ruins of the Colosseum, the Pyramids of Giza, the Versailles Hall of Mirrors, and many national parks. Join Mission Blue on the high seas and then scope out the fanciest rooms at the White House. Even better? You can do all of this without packing a suitcase. You’ll enjoy being part of this exploration with your children and opening their eyes to everything our world has to offer.
Who doesn’t love games? From playing old school PAC-MAN to hosting a digital puzzle party, there are lots of quality games, playlists, and kids apps to check out. Your resident Rockstar will love the Chrome Music Lab for hands-on experiments that make learning about music even more fun. And in case you’re in need of a new emoji, it can be created here.
As if we couldn’t be excited enough for the slew of Disney movies to debut this summer, the powerhouse has just dropped the second trailer to the highly anticipated Cruella. It was just over a month ago that the studio shared the first sneak peak, and its successor brings the queen of mean to a whole new level.
In the newest trailer, we get a bigger backstory on Estella de Vil, the budding fashion designer who comes under the tutelage of the Baroness. To put it bluntly, the film is Emma (Stone) vs. Emma (Thompson) in the best way.
Estella turned Cruella gets her due in the subsequent scenes as we finally get a peak at a few Dalmatians, Horace and Jasper and some of the crazy driving you’ll recognize from 101 Dalmations.
Catch Cruella in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access starting May. 28.
Are you still reeling from the news that Broadway’s Frozen won’t reopen? If your kids are obsessed with the show or if you have a budding thespian on your hands, the perfect gift is available. Parents who weren’t able to take their kids to see the show before it closed, can now book a virtual meeting, voice lesson or birthday party with the show’s original Anna, Patti Murin.
Murin just started working with Broadway Plus, the VIP service that virtually connects Broadway actors with fans for virtual meet-and-greets, acting and voice lessons, and custom parties. Parents can pick from the company’s roster of 125+ Broadway actors and work directly with the Broadway Plus team to create an unforgettable experience the whole family will love.
If your little one has their heart set on a meet-up with another character from Frozen instead, Broadway Plus has you covered. You can also book a meeting or lesson with the show’s Elsa (Caroline Bowman) and Hans (Austin Colby).
Kids love pretend play, so it’s no surprise when toymakers start to make toys that mimic real life with crazy cute play sets like a home office, charcuterie board, sushi and cake pops. Now, Disney is getting in on the action with a new Minnie Mouse Barista set that’s perfect for your budding java-lover.
The adorable pink and mint green play set comes with everything your barista needs to whip up a cappuccino or latte. In addition to accessories, the toy comes with faux coffee beans inside the grinder!
The set also includes two cups, spoon, milk and sugar containers. Coffee anyone?
You can purchase the set this fall from shopDisney.com for $29.99.
Have you ever wanted a quick chat with one of your fave BSC members? Now you can because starting today, Netflix is putting the members of the Baby-Sitters Club at your fingertips with a brand new hotline.
As of Jun. 26, just hop on the phone and dial 203-456-9090 to reach Kristy, Claudia, Mary Anne, Stacey and Dawn! The interactive experience lets callers get advice from Stoneybrook’s finest, in addition to taking a quiz to find out your BSC sole sister.
In addition to the quiz, callers can apply to join the Baby-Sitters Club, then get both their membership cards and quiz results via text message.
Perfect for OG fans and budding babysitters, the new hotline is here to get everyone excited about the new Netflix show that debuts on Jul. 3. Be sure to tag @NetflixFamily and use #babysittersclub when you share your results (and excitement) on social media!
Ready for an engaging opportunity to get out of the house while staying safe and close to home? With an eye on the wonder of nature and a healthy dose of curiosity, venture yonder with your sidekicks to look for these eleven critters, plants and objects in your neck of the woods. Scroll down for the ultimate neighborhood scavenger hunt for kids in San Diego.
Your little social butterfly can spot an orange and black Monarch butterfly in the garden or nearby. Monarch butterflies like the Milkweed plant––another native to San Diego. Be on the lookout for fluttering wings!
Fun Fact: Monarch butterflies fly up from Mexico to San Diego in the late spring and summertime.
Be book smart! These bright boxes filled with books are scattered throughout San Diego neighborhoods. Spot one, check it off your scavenger hunt list, then, grab a few stories to read to the crew.
Fun Fact: Find the Little Free Library closest to you on this map, here.
Can you spot a bee in the air? What is this busy bee doing? Bee sure to approach the these cute critters quietly and see if you can spot one on a flower getting nectar.
Fun Fact: One bee per trip can collect 1/12th teaspoon of honey to bring back to the hive.
Nothing says living the good life in San Diego more than a beautiful, iconic palm tree. These towering treasures can be found around every corner. Keep an eye out for one to marvel at its beauty!
Fun Fact: There are 2,500 types of palm trees. The California fan palm cam live between 80-90 years.
Zip and zoom! Hummingbirds are all around backyards in San Diego. You may hear one before you see it. These little birds make a humming sound from how fast their wings go up and down. Swoosh.
Fun Fact: A hummingbird flaps its wings up to 70 times per second!
Budding artists can easily spot creative sidewalk chalk art. From wonderful words to beautiful rainbows or even hopscotch, you’re sure to catch a glimpse of a few masterpieces along your route.
Fun Fact: Humans have been using chalk to draw pictures since the age of cavemen.
San Diego is home to many skateboarders including Tony Hawk and Shaun White. See if you can spy a skateboarder rolling by or even better, doing a trick!
Fun Fact: The west coast's first skate park was built in San Diego, which is considered to be a major birthplace of skateboarding.
Spot a Succulent
Olivia Shea
There's an endless array of SoCal's favorite plants, succulents, to be spotted all over the city. These colorful plants adorn neighborhood streets and yards in gorgeous varieties.
Fun Fact: Succulents symbolize enduring love due to their hearty nature and knack for thriving in arid habitats.