Fun Science Experiments for Children: Exploring States of Matter

Understanding the science behind matter might appear challenging, but Science Projects for Kids: States of Matter simplifies it, making it both accessible and engaging. Dive into the transformations between solids and liquids by creating ice pops and rock candy.

Observe the behavior of gas in soda pop using a balloon, and create a cloud inside a bottle. Discover surface tension by experimenting with soap bubbles, manipulating water surfaces, and exploring the merging and splitting of water droplets.

You’ll be amazed at how these straightforward experiments can deepen your understanding of states of matter. Collect everyday household items, gather the children, and enjoy some educational science activities.

Explore the links below to begin engaging science projects for kids that demonstrate the principles of states of matter:

Solid to Liquid to Solid

A simple and delicious way to grasp how matter transitions between states is by making homemade ice pops.

Sugar Crystals on a String

Reap the delicious benefits of this evaporation experiment.

Homemade Water Purifier

Build an easy-to-make water filtration system.

Soda Pop in a Balloon

Before sipping that soda, observe the fascinating reaction when the gas escapes from the bottle.

Cloud in a Bottle

Craft your own miniature sky with this fascinating experiment.

Soap Bubble Shapes

Enjoy blowing bubbles while discovering the science behind surface tension.

Water Surface Stretch

Discover how much you can extend the surface tension of water.

Cut and Connect Water Drops

Test your skills at splitting and rejoining water droplets.

Head to the next page to investigate state changes in matter -- and whip up a tasty treat.

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Solid to Liquid to Solid

Observe the fascinating shift from solid to liquid and back to solid in this states of matter experiment for kids -- and enjoy a tasty treat. Witness how solids can become liquids and liquids can turn into solids. Create orange juice ice pops to see both transformations in action.

Materials You'll Need:

Step 1: Open a can of frozen orange juice and transfer it into a large pitcher. Feel the frozen juice to notice its solid and cold state.

Step 2: Mix water into the pitcher as per the instructions on the package to prepare the orange juice.

Step 3: Pour the orange juice into several paper cups, filling each about two-thirds full.

Step 4: Insert a wooden craft stick into the liquid in each paper cup.

Step 5: Carefully place the cups of juice into the freezer, ensuring no spills occur.

Step 6: After two hours, check the cups. Can you gently lift the craft stick, or has the orange juice solidified around it?

Step 7: Once the juice is fully frozen, remove the paper cups. Enjoy a refreshing frozen treat with your friends!

Head to the next page to discover a science experiment that yields delicious results every time.

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Sugar Crystals on a String

Watching sugar crystals grow on a string is both fascinating and rewarding, especially when they’re ready to eat. As liquids evaporate into gases, they often leave behind solid materials, which can be quite delightful, as demonstrated by this states of matter experiment for kids. Please note: Adult supervision is required for this project!

Materials You'll Need:

Step 1: Heat a small pan of water on the stove until it boils, then turn off the heat.

Step 2: Mix in one tablespoon of sugar, stirring until it completely dissolves.

Step 3: Gradually add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, ensuring each spoonful fully dissolves before adding the next. Once the water can no longer dissolve additional sugar, let the saturated solution cool down.

Step 4: Attach a string to the center of a pencil and balance the pencil on the edge of a glass. Trim the string so it reaches the bottom of the glass, then secure a button to the string's end.

Step 5: Carefully pour the cooled sugar solution into the glass. Position the pencil on the glass rim so the string and button are submerged in the liquid.

Step 6: Let the glass sit undisturbed in a warm area for several days, allowing the water to evaporate. As the water disappears, sugar crystals will form on the string, creating homemade rock candy.

Proceed to the next page to discover how to build a basic water filtration system.

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Homemade Water Purifier

Test this DIY water purifier to observe how suspended particles can be removed from water. You might be amazed at how this states of matter experiment for kids functions.

Materials You'll Need:

Step 1: Place an eight-inch-tall cardboard box on a table. Position a bowl of clean water on top of the box.

Step 2: Carefully add a small amount of dirt to the water. Most of the dirt will stay suspended, turning the water cloudy and discolored.

Step 3: Place an empty bowl on the table directly beside the cardboard box.

Step 4: Twist several one-foot strands of wool yarn together to create a rope.

Step 5: Insert one end of the rope, or wick, into the bowl of dirty water. Place the other end in the empty bowl. Over time, clear water droplets will form and drip from the wick into the empty bowl.

What Happened?

The wool yarn absorbs water and pulls it from the dirty bowl, leaving the dirt behind. As a result, the water collected in the second bowl is clean and clear.

What occurs when the gas from soda pop is released into a balloon? Discover the answer on the next page.

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Soda Pop in a Balloon

Gases can dissolve in liquids, as demonstrated by this soda pop and balloon experiment. However, they escape when the pressure holding them is released. Try this states of matter project for kids to observe the results.

Materials You'll Need:

Step 1: Open a bottle of soda pop and place it on a table.

Step 2: Quickly stretch the opening of a balloon over the bottle's neck. Ensure the balloon fits snugly by pulling it down firmly over the bottle.

Step 3: Observe the balloon every 10 minutes to note any changes.

What Happened?

Soda pop contains carbonation, meaning carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in the liquid under high pressure.

When the bottle is opened, the pressure drops, allowing the carbon dioxide gas to escape from the liquid. The balloon captures the gas as it exits, causing the balloon to inflate.

Bored with the weather outside? Head to the next page to learn how you can create your own miniature weather system.

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Cloud in a Bottle

Create your own weather phenomenon by forming a cloud in a bottle. Clouds develop when warm, particle-filled air interacts with cool, moist air. This states of matter experiment for kids helps illustrate how this natural process occurs.

Materials You'll Need:

Step 1: On a calm, cool day, go to your backyard and locate a table.

Step 2: With adult supervision, have a child light a candle.

Step 3: Invert the two-liter glass bottle and hold the candle inside its opening for about 10 seconds. Avoid using a plastic bottle, as the heat could melt its opening.

Step 4: After the bottle's opening has cooled slightly, create a seal with your mouth and blow into it. When you remove your mouth, a cloud should form inside the bottle, mimicking the clouds in the sky above.

Discover the concept of surface tension on the next page while enjoying the creation of bubbles in various shapes and sizes.

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Soap Bubble Shapes

Who would have thought that blowing soap bubbles could double as a fun and simple science project for kids about states of matter? Watch as your children explore surface tension by creating bubbles of various shapes and sizes.

Materials You'll Need:

Step 1: Combine 1/2 cup of dish soap and two teaspoons of glycerin with 1/2 gallon of water in a large container.

Step 2: Stir the mixture thoroughly and let it rest overnight.

Step 3: The following day, transfer the solution into a plastic dishpan and take it outdoors.

Step 4: Bend pipe cleaners into circles of varying diameters.

Step 5: Cut a plastic circle from a soda pop ring and attach it to a wooden stick using a stapler.

Step 6: Immerse these tools into the bubble solution and gently blow through the circles to create bubbles. Different-sized circles will produce bubbles of varying sizes.

Can you stretch the surface of water? Head to the next page for step-by-step instructions and give it a try!

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Stretch the Surface of Water

It might seem unbelievable, but you can actually stretch the surface of water. Find out just how far you can go with this states of matter experiment for kids.

Materials You'll Need:

Step 1: Completely fill a small plastic cup to the brim with water.

Step 2: Hold an eyedropper filled with water close to the surface of the water in the cup and carefully release the water one drop at a time.

How many drops can you add to the cup after it's already "full"? Notice how the water level rises above the cup's edge. This happens because water molecules are strongly attracted to each other, allowing the water to hold together.

Water droplets are more flexible than you might imagine. Head to the next page to learn how you can split and reconnect them.

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Cut and Connect Water Drops

Experiment with cutting and reconnecting water drops in this states of matter project for kids. You can divide a water drop into smaller parts or combine small drops into larger ones. Try it out to gain a deeper understanding of liquid surface tension.

Materials You'll Need:

Step 1: Add a drop of food coloring to a glass of water and stir until the water is uniformly colored.

Step 2: Using an eyedropper, carefully place several drops of the colored water onto a sheet of waxed paper. Observe the round shape of the droplets.

Step 3: Attempt to split a water drop in half using a toothpick. Can you succeed?

Step 4: Use a drinking straw to gently blow air and attempt to merge two water drops. Were you successful?

What Happened?

Water's surface tension pulls its molecules inward, causing them to cluster together. The outer layer of molecules is drawn toward the center, creating the drop's spherical shape. This surface tension, which maintains the drop's form, also influenced how the water reacted when you applied force with the toothpick and straw.

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ABOUT THE DESIGNERS

Cloud in a Bottle by Maria Birmingham, Karen E. Bledsoe, and Kelly Milner Halls