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72 Easy Science Experiments Using Materials You Already Have On Hand

Because science doesn’t have to be complicated.

If there is one thing that is guaranteed to get your students excited, it’s a good science experiment! While some experiments require expensive lab equipment or dangerous chemicals, there are plenty of cool projects you can do with regular household items. We’ve rounded up a big collection of easy science experiments that anybody can try, and kids are going to love them!

Easy Chemistry Science Experiments

Easy physics science experiments, easy biology and environmental science experiments, easy engineering experiments and stem challenges.

1. Taste the Rainbow

Teach your students about diffusion while creating a beautiful and tasty rainbow! Tip: Have extra Skittles on hand so your class can eat a few!

Learn more: Skittles Diffusion

2. Crystallize sweet treats

Crystal science experiments teach kids about supersaturated solutions. This one is easy to do at home, and the results are absolutely delicious!

Learn more: Candy Crystals

3. Make a volcano erupt

This classic experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid), which produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate.

Learn more: Best Volcano Experiments

4. Make elephant toothpaste

This fun project uses yeast and a hydrogen peroxide solution to create overflowing “elephant toothpaste.” Tip: Add an extra fun layer by having kids create toothpaste wrappers for plastic bottles.

5. Blow the biggest bubbles you can

Add a few simple ingredients to dish soap solution to create the largest bubbles you’ve ever seen! Kids learn about surface tension as they engineer these bubble-blowing wands.

Learn more: Giant Soap Bubbles

6. Demonstrate the “magic” leakproof bag

All you need is a zip-top plastic bag, sharp pencils, and water to blow your kids’ minds. Once they’re suitably impressed, teach them how the “trick” works by explaining the chemistry of polymers.

Learn more: Leakproof Bag

7. Use apple slices to learn about oxidation

Have students make predictions about what will happen to apple slices when immersed in different liquids, then put those predictions to the test. Have them record their observations.

Learn more: Apple Oxidation

8. Float a marker man

Their eyes will pop out of their heads when you “levitate” a stick figure right off the table! This experiment works due to the insolubility of dry-erase marker ink in water, combined with the lighter density of the ink.

Learn more: Floating Marker Man

9. Discover density with hot and cold water

There are a lot of easy science experiments you can do with density. This one is extremely simple, involving only hot and cold water and food coloring, but the visuals make it appealing and fun.

Learn more: Layered Water

10. Layer more liquids

This density demo is a little more complicated, but the effects are spectacular. Slowly layer liquids like honey, dish soap, water, and rubbing alcohol in a glass. Kids will be amazed when the liquids float one on top of the other like magic (except it is really science).

Learn more: Layered Liquids

11. Grow a carbon sugar snake

Easy science experiments can still have impressive results! This eye-popping chemical reaction demonstration only requires simple supplies like sugar, baking soda, and sand.

Learn more: Carbon Sugar Snake

12. Mix up some slime

Tell kids you’re going to make slime at home, and watch their eyes light up! There are a variety of ways to make slime, so try a few different recipes to find the one you like best.

13. Make homemade bouncy balls

These homemade bouncy balls are easy to make since all you need is glue, food coloring, borax powder, cornstarch, and warm water. You’ll want to store them inside a container like a plastic egg because they will flatten out over time.

Learn more: Make Your Own Bouncy Balls

14. Create eggshell chalk

Eggshells contain calcium, the same material that makes chalk. Grind them up and mix them with flour, water, and food coloring to make your very own sidewalk chalk.

Learn more: Eggshell Chalk

15. Make naked eggs

This is so cool! Use vinegar to dissolve the calcium carbonate in an eggshell to discover the membrane underneath that holds the egg together. Then, use the “naked” egg for another easy science experiment that demonstrates osmosis .

Learn more: Naked Egg Experiment

16. Turn milk into plastic

This sounds a lot more complicated than it is, but don’t be afraid to give it a try. Use simple kitchen supplies to create plastic polymers from plain old milk. Sculpt them into cool shapes when you’re done!

17. Test pH using cabbage

Teach kids about acids and bases without needing pH test strips! Simply boil some red cabbage and use the resulting water to test various substances—acids turn red and bases turn green.

Learn more: Cabbage pH

18. Clean some old coins

Use common household items to make old oxidized coins clean and shiny again in this simple chemistry experiment. Ask kids to predict (hypothesize) which will work best, then expand the learning by doing some research to explain the results.

Learn more: Cleaning Coins

19. Pull an egg into a bottle

This classic easy science experiment never fails to delight. Use the power of air pressure to suck a hard-boiled egg into a jar, no hands required.

Learn more: Egg in a Bottle

20. Blow up a balloon (without blowing)

Chances are good you probably did easy science experiments like this when you were in school. The baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment demonstrates the reactions between acids and bases when you fill a bottle with vinegar and a balloon with baking soda.

21 Assemble a DIY lava lamp

This 1970s trend is back—as an easy science experiment! This activity combines acid-base reactions with density for a totally groovy result.

22. Explore how sugary drinks affect teeth

The calcium content of eggshells makes them a great stand-in for teeth. Use eggs to explore how soda and juice can stain teeth and wear down the enamel. Expand your learning by trying different toothpaste-and-toothbrush combinations to see how effective they are.

Learn more: Sugar and Teeth Experiment

23. Mummify a hot dog

If your kids are fascinated by the Egyptians, they’ll love learning to mummify a hot dog! No need for canopic jars , just grab some baking soda and get started.

24. Extinguish flames with carbon dioxide

This is a fiery twist on acid-base experiments. Light a candle and talk about what fire needs in order to survive. Then, create an acid-base reaction and “pour” the carbon dioxide to extinguish the flame. The CO2 gas acts like a liquid, suffocating the fire.

25. Send secret messages with invisible ink

Turn your kids into secret agents! Write messages with a paintbrush dipped in lemon juice, then hold the paper over a heat source and watch the invisible become visible as oxidation goes to work.

Learn more: Invisible Ink

26. Create dancing popcorn

This is a fun version of the classic baking soda and vinegar experiment, perfect for the younger crowd. The bubbly mixture causes popcorn to dance around in the water.

27. Shoot a soda geyser sky-high

You’ve always wondered if this really works, so it’s time to find out for yourself! Kids will marvel at the chemical reaction that sends diet soda shooting high in the air when Mentos are added.

Learn more: Soda Explosion

28. Send a teabag flying

Hot air rises, and this experiment can prove it! You’ll want to supervise kids with fire, of course. For more safety, try this one outside.

Learn more: Flying Tea Bags

29. Create magic milk

This fun and easy science experiment demonstrates principles related to surface tension, molecular interactions, and fluid dynamics.

Learn more: Magic Milk Experiment

30. Watch the water rise

Learn about Charles’s Law with this simple experiment. As the candle burns, using up oxygen and heating the air in the glass, the water rises as if by magic.

Learn more: Rising Water

31. Learn about capillary action

Kids will be amazed as they watch the colored water move from glass to glass, and you’ll love the easy and inexpensive setup. Gather some water, paper towels, and food coloring to teach the scientific magic of capillary action.

Learn more: Capillary Action

32. Give a balloon a beard

Equally educational and fun, this experiment will teach kids about static electricity using everyday materials. Kids will undoubtedly get a kick out of creating beards on their balloon person!

Learn more: Static Electricity

33. Find your way with a DIY compass

Here’s an old classic that never fails to impress. Magnetize a needle, float it on the water’s surface, and it will always point north.

Learn more: DIY Compass

34. Crush a can using air pressure

Sure, it’s easy to crush a soda can with your bare hands, but what if you could do it without touching it at all? That’s the power of air pressure!

35. Tell time using the sun

While people use clocks or even phones to tell time today, there was a time when a sundial was the best means to do that. Kids will certainly get a kick out of creating their own sundials using everyday materials like cardboard and pencils.

Learn more: Make Your Own Sundial

36. Launch a balloon rocket

Grab balloons, string, straws, and tape, and launch rockets to learn about the laws of motion.

37. Make sparks with steel wool

All you need is steel wool and a 9-volt battery to perform this science demo that’s bound to make their eyes light up! Kids learn about chain reactions, chemical changes, and more.

Learn more: Steel Wool Electricity

38. Levitate a Ping-Pong ball

Kids will get a kick out of this experiment, which is really all about Bernoulli’s principle. You only need plastic bottles, bendy straws, and Ping-Pong balls to make the science magic happen.

39. Whip up a tornado in a bottle

There are plenty of versions of this classic experiment out there, but we love this one because it sparkles! Kids learn about a vortex and what it takes to create one.

Learn more: Tornado in a Bottle

40. Monitor air pressure with a DIY barometer

This simple but effective DIY science project teaches kids about air pressure and meteorology. They’ll have fun tracking and predicting the weather with their very own barometer.

Learn more: DIY Barometer

41. Peer through an ice magnifying glass

Students will certainly get a thrill out of seeing how an everyday object like a piece of ice can be used as a magnifying glass. Be sure to use purified or distilled water since tap water will have impurities in it that will cause distortion.

Learn more: Ice Magnifying Glass

42. String up some sticky ice

Can you lift an ice cube using just a piece of string? This quick experiment teaches you how. Use a little salt to melt the ice and then refreeze the ice with the string attached.

Learn more: Sticky Ice

43. “Flip” a drawing with water

Light refraction causes some really cool effects, and there are multiple easy science experiments you can do with it. This one uses refraction to “flip” a drawing; you can also try the famous “disappearing penny” trick .

Learn more: Light Refraction With Water

44. Color some flowers

We love how simple this project is to re-create since all you’ll need are some white carnations, food coloring, glasses, and water. The end result is just so beautiful!

45. Use glitter to fight germs

Everyone knows that glitter is just like germs—it gets everywhere and is so hard to get rid of! Use that to your advantage and show kids how soap fights glitter and germs.

Learn more: Glitter Germs

46. Re-create the water cycle in a bag

You can do so many easy science experiments with a simple zip-top bag. Fill one partway with water and set it on a sunny windowsill to see how the water evaporates up and eventually “rains” down.

Learn more: Water Cycle

47. Learn about plant transpiration

Your backyard is a terrific place for easy science experiments. Grab a plastic bag and rubber band to learn how plants get rid of excess water they don’t need, a process known as transpiration.

Learn more: Plant Transpiration

48. Clean up an oil spill

Before conducting this experiment, teach your students about engineers who solve environmental problems like oil spills. Then, have your students use provided materials to clean the oil spill from their oceans.

Learn more: Oil Spill

49. Construct a pair of model lungs

Kids get a better understanding of the respiratory system when they build model lungs using a plastic water bottle and some balloons. You can modify the experiment to demonstrate the effects of smoking too.

Learn more: Model Lungs

50. Experiment with limestone rocks

Kids  love to collect rocks, and there are plenty of easy science experiments you can do with them. In this one, pour vinegar over a rock to see if it bubbles. If it does, you’ve found limestone!

Learn more: Limestone Experiments

51. Turn a bottle into a rain gauge

All you need is a plastic bottle, a ruler, and a permanent marker to make your own rain gauge. Monitor your measurements and see how they stack up against meteorology reports in your area.

Learn more: DIY Rain Gauge

52. Build up towel mountains

This clever demonstration helps kids understand how some landforms are created. Use layers of towels to represent rock layers and boxes for continents. Then pu-u-u-sh and see what happens!

Learn more: Towel Mountains

53. Take a play dough core sample

Learn about the layers of the earth by building them out of Play-Doh, then take a core sample with a straw. ( Love Play-Doh? Get more learning ideas here. )

Learn more: Play Dough Core Sampling

54. Project the stars on your ceiling

Use the video lesson in the link below to learn why stars are only visible at night. Then create a DIY star projector to explore the concept hands-on.

Learn more: DIY Star Projector

55. Make it rain

Use shaving cream and food coloring to simulate clouds and rain. This is an easy science experiment little ones will beg to do over and over.

Learn more: Shaving Cream Rain

56. Blow up your fingerprint

This is such a cool (and easy!) way to look at fingerprint patterns. Inflate a balloon a bit, use some ink to put a fingerprint on it, then blow it up big to see your fingerprint in detail.

57. Snack on a DNA model

Twizzlers, gumdrops, and a few toothpicks are all you need to make this super-fun (and yummy!) DNA model.

Learn more: Edible DNA Model

58. Dissect a flower

Take a nature walk and find a flower or two. Then bring them home and take them apart to discover all the different parts of flowers.

59. Craft smartphone speakers

No Bluetooth speaker? No problem! Put together your own from paper cups and toilet paper tubes.

Learn more: Smartphone Speakers

60. Race a balloon-powered car

Kids will be amazed when they learn they can put together this awesome racer using cardboard and bottle-cap wheels. The balloon-powered “engine” is so much fun too.

Learn more: Balloon-Powered Car

61. Build a Ferris wheel

You’ve probably ridden on a Ferris wheel, but can you build one? Stock up on wood craft sticks and find out! Play around with different designs to see which one works best.

Learn more: Craft Stick Ferris Wheel

62. Design a phone stand

There are lots of ways to craft a DIY phone stand, which makes this a perfect creative-thinking STEM challenge.

63. Conduct an egg drop

Put all their engineering skills to the test with an egg drop! Challenge kids to build a container from stuff they find around the house that will protect an egg from a long fall (this is especially fun to do from upper-story windows).

Learn more: Egg Drop Challenge Ideas

64. Engineer a drinking-straw roller coaster

STEM challenges are always a hit with kids. We love this one, which only requires basic supplies like drinking straws.

Learn more: Straw Roller Coaster

65. Build a solar oven

Explore the power of the sun when you build your own solar ovens and use them to cook some yummy treats. This experiment takes a little more time and effort, but the results are always impressive. The link below has complete instructions.

Learn more: Solar Oven

66. Build a Da Vinci bridge

There are plenty of bridge-building experiments out there, but this one is unique. It’s inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s 500-year-old self-supporting wooden bridge. Learn how to build it at the link, and expand your learning by exploring more about Da Vinci himself.

Learn more: Da Vinci Bridge

67. Step through an index card

This is one easy science experiment that never fails to astonish. With carefully placed scissor cuts on an index card, you can make a loop large enough to fit a (small) human body through! Kids will be wowed as they learn about surface area.

68. Stand on a pile of paper cups

Combine physics and engineering and challenge kids to create a paper cup structure that can support their weight. This is a cool project for aspiring architects.

Learn more: Paper Cup Stack

69. Test out parachutes

Gather a variety of materials (try tissues, handkerchiefs, plastic bags, etc.) and see which ones make the best parachutes. You can also find out how they’re affected by windy days or find out which ones work in the rain.

Learn more: Parachute Drop

70. Recycle newspapers into an engineering challenge

It’s amazing how a stack of newspapers can spark such creative engineering. Challenge kids to build a tower, support a book, or even build a chair using only newspaper and tape!

Learn more: Newspaper STEM Challenge

71. Use rubber bands to sound out acoustics

Explore the ways that sound waves are affected by what’s around them using a simple rubber band “guitar.” (Kids absolutely love playing with these!)

Learn more: Rubber Band Guitar

72. Assemble a better umbrella

Challenge students to engineer the best possible umbrella from various household supplies. Encourage them to plan, draw blueprints, and test their creations using the scientific method.

Learn more: Umbrella STEM Challenge

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Science Fun

Science Experiments for Kids:

Science experiments you can do at home!  Explore an ever growing list of hundreds of fun and easy science experiments. Have fun trying these experiments at home or use them for science fair project ideas. Explore experiments by category, newest experiments, most popular experiments, easy at home experiments, or simply scroll down this page for tons of awesome experiment ideas!

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Cool Crystals:

Balloon Pop! Not!

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Vinegar Pops:

Make It Rain:

Black Light Blue Beverage:

Changing of the Leaves:

Snowflakes:

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Olympic Medals:

Dyed Flowers:

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Science Worksheets For Preschool To Elementary

Try these printable, free science worksheets when your kids are ready to extend a science experiment and write and record their findings in a science notebook! Find various science activities for preschool through middle school. Also included are the steps for the scientific method and quick science information. You’ll find free science journal pages and a growing resource of science experiments and activity packs.

Free Science Process Pack

Within this free science process pack download , you’ll find science worksheets that work well for younger kids and then science worksheets that work well for older kids. Next, check out the cool printable science experiments below.

Note: Most of our science worksheets pair with fantastic hands-on activities!

Printable Science Worksheets, Experiments, and Activities

Here’s a fantastic collection, but not exhaustive of our printable science experiments. From preschool to 7th grade, there’s something for every age and stage . Plus, this is a growing resource. I have plenty more awesome science activities to add!

TIP: Almost every science project on this website has a free printable instruction sheet. Below is a sample of great projects, but you can use the search bar or menu to find specific activities!

Science Fair Resources

Setting up a science fair or need to participate in one this year? Our free science fair resources , including how to set up a science board, are here to help!

All About Scientists Lapbook

What is a scientist, and what does a scientist do? A lapbook is a fun way to create a mini book of information. Learn how to make a lapbook and grab a free download for the All About Scientists lapbook.

Variables are important to understand when setting up a science experiment or using the scientific method. What is a variable? Read, learn, and grab a free printable variable science worksheet .

The PH scale may seem intimidating, but this free printable PH sheet is a perfect way to dive into its science and try out a few neat experiments.

Physical Change

Understanding physical change in chemistry is easy once you get the hang of it. Plus, you can try out various hands-on activities to accompany this science worksheet.

What is Osmosis?

Set up an osmosis lab with gummy bears, potatoes, and eggs!

Atom Project for Kids

Build an atom, learn about parts of an atom, and create an atom model with these free science worksheets and easy-to-understand information.

What Absorbs?

This is an awesome kindergarten and preschool science activity with or without the science data worksheet. A hands-on and playful water absorption science experiment is always a hit.

Creative Coding

Screen-free coding activities are a great way to introduce coding concepts such as algorithms and binary code to kids of all ages. Free printable coding worksheets are a perfect way to spend the day.

What is DNA? Learn all about DNA, make a candy DNA model, and use this free DNA coloring worksheet.

Stroop Effect

How does our brain work when it comes to seeing color? Try the Stroop Effect experiment and learn a little more about how the brain works. Kids will love this science activity.

Color Taste Test

Does color affect taste? This color taste test experiment also is a great science fair project.

Starburst Rock Cycle

How are sedimentary rocks formed? What is the rock cycle? Even better, you can make this project out of candy to get a taste for geology. Grab this awesome rock cycle pack .

Water Refraction

Cool magic, but it’s science! Print this water refraction science worksheet and give it a try yourself.

Moon Phases

Study the moon phases with a favorite cookie! Make construction paper cookies if you don’t want to use cookies instead.

Plant Cell Model

This plant cell project is a fantastic easy science worksheet that everyone can use to explore biology.

Animal Cell Project

Grab this animal cell worksheet to use during your next biology lesson.

States of Matter

Study solids, liquids, and gasses with a hands-on experiment and this quick states of matter activity pack!

Start this sink or float activity for preschool science and keep reusing it as the kids get older by adding more exciting items. The youngest scientist can enjoy dropping small toys into water whereas older scientists can explore why an apple floats or a can of soda.

Dissolving Candy

Kids love candy labs, and this dissolving candy fish experiment is easy to set up at home or in the classroom.

Gummy Bear Osmosis

A gummy bear osmosis lab is another exciting candy-themed science experiment that is slightly different from the dissolving candy fish lab.

Layers of the Atmosphere

Learn about the layers of the atmosphere and their order!

Simple Machines

We have plenty of hands-on engineering projects for exploring simple machines along with these free simple machines worksheets .

Carbon Footprint Worksheet

This is a fun carbon footprint project for kids and is easy to use in the classroom and at home.

Layers of the Earth

The layers of earth are fun to build in LEGO or create with playdough while your kids work on this layers of Earth science worksheet pack!

Soil Layers

Learn about soil layers and build a model out of LEGO. What else can you use to build a model, grab your paints, and paint the layers? However you choose to demonstrate the soil layers, add this f ree soil layers worksheet pack to it!

Ocean Zones

The layers of the ocean are also called ocean zones. You can create an ocean zones model with common household supplies while working on this free ocean zones pack.

Science Experiments By Age

If you are looking for science experiments by age, we are organizing all of our experiments! Whether you need kindergarten science worksheets, science worksheets for first graders, or quick science homework activities… you’ll find everything here.

• Toddler Science
• Preschool Science
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• Elementary School Science
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Science Experiments by Branch

Additionally, if you are looking for experiments in a specific area of science, we are organizing all of our experiments here as well.

• Chemistry Projects
• Physics Projects
• Earth Science Projects (Land, Sea, Air, and Space)
• Biology Projects (Coming Soon)

Additional Science Experiment Collections

• Color Science Experiments
• Geology Projects
• Creative Coding Projects
• Famous Scientists

What is the Scientific Method for Kids?

The scientific method is a process or method of research. A problem is identified, information about the problem is gathered, a hypothesis or question is formulated from the information, and the hypothesis is tested with an experiment to prove or disprove its validity.

Sounds heavy… What in the world does that mean?!? It means you don’t need to try and solve the world’s biggest science questions! The scientific method is all about studying and learning things right around you.

As children develop practices that involve creating, gathering data evaluating, analyzing, and communicating, they can apply these critical thinking skills to any situation.

Note: The use of the best Science and Engineering Practices is also relevant to the topic of using the scientific method. Read more here and see if it fits your science planning needs.

💡 READ MORE HERE: Using The Scientific Method with Kids

More Helpful Science Resources

Science vocabulary.

It is never too early to introduce some fantastic science words to kids. Get them started with a printable science vocabulary word list . You will want to incorporate these simple terms into your next science lesson!

WHAT IS A SCIENTIST

Think like a scientist! Act like a scientist! Scientists like you and me are also curious about the world around them. Learn about the different types of scientists and what they do to increase their understanding of their specific areas of interest. Read What Is A Scientist

SCIENCE BOOKS FOR KIDS

Sometimes the best way to introduce science concepts is through a colorfully illustrated book with characters your kids can relate to! Check out this fantastic list of science books that are teacher approved, and get ready to spark curiosity and exploration!

SCIENCE PRACTICES

A new approach to teaching science is called Best Science Practices. These eight science and engineering practices are less structured and allow a more free – flowing approach to problem-solving and finding answers. These skills are critical to developing future engineers, inventors, and scientists!

Printable Science Projects For Kids

If you’re looking to grab all of our printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets and bonuses like a STEAM Project pack, our Science Project Pack is what you need! Over 300+ Pages!

• 90+ classic science activities  with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information.  NEW! Activity-specific observation pages!
• Best science practices posters  and our original science method process folders for extra alternatives!
• Be a Collector activities pack  introduces kids to the world of making collections through the eyes of a scientist. What will they collect first?
• Know the Words Science vocabulary pack  includes flashcards, crosswords, and word searches that illuminate keywords in the experiments!
• My science journal writing prompts  explore what it means to be a scientist!!
• Bonus STEAM Project Pack:  Art meets science with doable projects!
• Bonus Quick Grab Packs for Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics

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Fifth Grade Science Worksheets and Printables

Tips for Teaching Fifth Grade Science

• Bake a cake with your child and discuss the chemical reactions that take place between the various ingredients. Feel free to experiment with variations in the batter. For example, if you add an extra egg or a double dose of baking soda, what do you think will happen?
• Make a life-sized map of the human body on a long strip of parcel paper. Help your child draw and label all the different organs, bones and muscle groups.
• Make a paper airplane and discuss the physics of aerodynamics. Experiment with different airplane shapes and see which ones go the farthest and the fastest.

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50 Easy Summer Science Experiments for Kids

May 13, 2024 By Emma Vanstone 19 Comments

Summer is a brilliant time to explore science outdoors with children. You don’t have to set up fancy experiments, even just looking at properties of plants and leaves or testing to see if different items sink or float in a paddling pool is great simple science for little ones.

Older children will love building bottle rockets , setting up chain reactions and making square bubbles.

I’ve compiled a fun list of our favourite summer science ideas from Science Sparks and many other fantastic blogs to keep kids of all ages happy all summer.

My DIY science camp also has some great summer science ideas, so check those out, too!

Awesome summer science ideas for kids

Summer science experiments using water.

Set up an Aliens LOVE Underpants washing line to investigate how different materials absorb different amounts of water.

There are lots of fun water science experiments to try including a neat magic trick keeping a paper towel dry in water from Creative connections for Kids .

Next time you get the paddling pool out, try one of my five paddling pool experiment ideas . These include sinking and floating, making boats and learning about density!

Weather Science Investigations

Make an easy barometer to learn about air pressure!

Build a homemade wind vane to learn about wind strength, or follow Red Ted Art’s easy instructions for making a DIY kite  

Make a super simple rain gauge from a plastic bottle to measure rainfall.

A pinecone weather station is ALWAYS fun and a great example of super simple, inexpensive science for kids .

Find out how to tell the time with a sundial . This is another brilliant low resource science activity.

Summer Bubble Science Experiments

Make rainbow bubbles . Bubbles are great fun for any time of year, but there’s not much better than chasing bubbles around a sunny garden.

Bubble Snakes are fantastic fun, too! As an extra challenge, children can experiment with different materials on the end of the bottle to find out which makes the best bubbles.

Did you know you can make a square bubble ? All you need is a special frame!

Summer Science Experiments Using Sand

Last winter, we made an awesome snow volcano, but sand also works really well, and if you do it in a tray, it is a great low-prep volcano .

Learn about evaporation using sand and water on a sunny day. Another visual way to learn about evaporation is using coloured water and salt .

Investigate to find what you need to make the perfect sandcastle .

Set yourself up with a science lab in the garden and try a dissolving investigation.

Forces and Motion Experiments

How high can you get a bottle rocket to launch? Remember to stand back as these shoot up with a bang!

Make straw shooters with friends. We like to set up a competition to see whose mini rocket can travel the furthest.

Building a parachute for an egg is ALWAYS a fun activity. If you’re feeling brave, use an unboiled egg!

We once had a great summer creating chain reactions with lolly sticks . These take a bit of setting up, but are most definitely worth the effort.

Outdoor Kitchen Science for Summer

We can’t wait to try these goop and flower cupcakes from The Imagination Tree.

Make some ice cream soup with Rainy Day Mum to explore melting.

A solar oven is good for making s’mores, but you’ll need a hot, sunny day.

Learn, Play, Imagine has some great ideas for fun with  balloons in the garden . I especially want to try the baking soda activity.

Test out filtering by cleaning up dirty water in the garden.

Summer Nature Science Experiments

Find out how tall a tree is. You might be surprised at how easy this is!

Try colouring carnations like Kitchen Counter Chronicles .

Make  rose petal perfume  and explore mixing and scents with The Imagination Tree .

Find out all about  Earthworms and how useful they are with a wormery.

Watch butterflies grow with Red Ted Art. I also have a delicious edible butterfly life cycle activity .

Explore the lifecycle of a ladybird with a simple fingerprint activity  from Reading Confetti .

Make lovely Chromatography butterflies with Buggy and Buddy

Dissect a flower to learn about the different parts. This is a very visual, hands-on way for children to learn about the structure of plants and flowers.

Build a den with sticks and leaves. Do some research first. The Wildlife Trust has some great den-building tips .

Ice Experiments for Kids

Try some colour mixing with ice made from fruit juice. You’ll have a delicious cold smoothie to drink at the end.

Make lovely, pretty summery ice with The Imagination Tree . We like to either speed up the melting of the ice with a bit of salt or warm water or leave cubes of ice in different places to find out where they melt the fastest.

Giant or even mini ice excavations are great for summer. We once created one so big it took ALL day to melt.

Summer Science Challenges

We’ve got enough easy summer science challenges to keep you busy ALL summer, too!

Phew, can you think of any more summer science ideas for us?

I also have a delicious round-up of 50 kitchen science experiments for a rainy day or if you need to escape the sun for a while.

Last Updated on May 13, 2024 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

May 19, 2013 at 7:31 pm

What a great list! Thank you for sharing my Ice Pop Insulators science experiment.

May 20, 2013 at 1:06 pm

Wow! What a great selection of ideas! Thanks so much for linking to the Pin It Party. have pinned to our board and to my own too. http://pinterest.com/jbmumofone/ Will pop over and follow now too 🙂

May 20, 2013 at 3:16 pm

brilliant ideas!! that will be loads for us to get thru during the summer! will definitely keep coming back to get ideas 🙂

May 20, 2013 at 7:14 pm

Such fab ideas and cheap to do at home to. I have repinned this from the Pin it Monday to my money saving ideas.

May 23, 2013 at 2:22 am

Great round up! Definitely some here we would like to try! I would love for you to share over at Mom’s Library ( http://lifewithmoorebabies.blogspot.com/2013/05/moms-library-kids-crafts.html ).

August 03, 2013 at 9:17 am

Really great ideas! I love the butterfly one. They look so pretty!

August 03, 2013 at 6:58 pm

Some great ideas here – will have to try some over the summer holidays.

June 19, 2018 at 8:37 pm

cool now I can do stuff.

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Printable Science Worksheets

"The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge" - Thomas Berger. Develop curiosity, cultivate the questioning spirit, facilitate discussions in the classroom with this galore of science worksheets. Included here are topics like living and non-living things, five senses, states of matter, life cycle of a frog, parts of a plant and many more. Included here are vibrant charts, engaging activities, revision exercises and a lot more for kindergarten, grade 1 through grade 7.

List of Science Worksheets

• Plant Cell and Animal Cell

Explore the Science Worksheets in Detail

Animals and Their Young Worksheets

Barrel through this section of our printable science worksheets and enrich your kids’ vocabulary with the names of a host of animals and their offspring. Corralled here are flashcards and engaging fun activities to grab the attention of your preschool, kindergarten, and grade 1 kids.

Animal Habitats Worksheets

From camels in the desert to tigers in the forest, animal habitats are a hoot. Watch the young nature enthusiasts explore and answer our animals and their habitats worksheets as they warm up to a range of animals and their habitats with diverse, fun exercises.

Animal Sounds Worksheets

Introduce the sounds of animals to the tiny tots and learn the common animal sounds with this collection of animal sounds worksheets.

Atoms and Molecules Worksheets

Gain insight into atoms and molecules, and take home an invaluable stock of information about the two often-talked-about topics! Differentiate between elements and compounds, and become familiar with protons, neutrons, electrons, nucleus, and more!

Dinosaur Worksheets

Capitalize on your preschool through grade 4 kids’ love for dinosaurs and spark curiosity in them to know more about these colossal creatures with this section of our printable science worksheets. Corralled here are flashcards, and exercises like recognizing dinosaurs, matching dinosaurs, completing a research report, a reading comprehension to mention just a few!

Electricity Worksheets

The electricity worksheets contain ample charts and exercises to comprehend topics like identifying the electrical appliances, the power sources, recognizing the type of electric circuit, distinguishing between conductors and insulators, finding positive, negative and neutral charges and more!

Five Senses Worksheets

The objective of this set of five senses worksheets is to impart a thorough understanding of the concept with vibrant charts, engaging activities to recognize the senses and their functions. Motivate kids with activities to understand the concept to the fullest.

Flower Activities for Kids Worksheets

Our flower activities for kids capture the color and beauty of flowers with activities like labeling, matching, coloring, and unscrambling. Answer questions based on flower pictures and demonstrate how quick you are on your uptake of flower names.

Food Chain and Food Web Worksheets

These food chain worksheets give children a clear understanding of the food chains and food webs. Get acquainted with frequently used terms in the ecosystem vocabulary, learn to distinguish between a predator and a prey, producer and consumer, autotrophs and heterotrophs, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, energy flow in an energy pyramid and much more!

Food Groups and Nutrition Worksheets

Commence an eventful trip into the world of nutrition and food groups with these pdfs. Know what's on your plate, figure out the nutrients present in the food you eat, learn how they help the growth and development of your body, and much more.

Fruit and Vegetables Worksheets

Few people would disagree that fruit and vegetables ring in good health! A notch above, our exercises on fruit and vegetables not only have nutrition and the resultant great health flowing through them, they get the little biologists down to brisk business with activities like matching, drawing, identifying, and more.

Healthy and Unhealthy Food Worksheets

Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin said “Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you who you are”. Healthy food is key to physical and mental welfare, so children must abstain from eating fried food, candies, and processed meat as much as possible. Take more advice from our food worksheets!

Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores Worksheets

Classifying animals based on their choice of food is what this section of worksheets deals with. So get your little animal lovers of grade 2 through grade 5 ready to learn about the distinct characteristic features, and categorize animals according to the food they eat.

Human Body System Worksheets

Page through this collection of human body systems worksheets that are sure to walk your grade 3 through grade 6 kids through eleven major systems in the human body, and give them an insight into the functions of the organ systems and the major organs.

Landforms and Bodies of Water Worksheets

These landforms and bodies of water worksheets feature a multitude of exercises like identifying, labeling, naming the various landforms and bodies of water, cut and paste activity, matching, memory game, crossword puzzle, fill in the blanks to mention a few.

Life Cycle of a Butterfly Worksheets

Get acquainted with the four stages in the metamorphosis of a butterfly from egg to caterpillar, followed by chrysalis, and then into an adult butterfly with a variety of engaging exercises.

Life Cycle of a Chicken Worksheets

The young scientists will love our worksheets on the life cycle of a chicken for the wealth of labeling, matching, and sequencing activities they present. The science behind how an egg goes on to become a fully grown chicken is no longer a mystery.

Life Cycle of a Frog Worksheets

Equip children with adequate worksheets to achieve a deeper understanding of the life cycle of a frog. This unit of science worksheets contains visually appealing charts to introduce the lesson, followed by activities like matching and labeling the stages, cut and paste activities, spin wheel and more!

Living and Non-living Things Worksheets

Distinguish between living and non-living things and learn about the vital attributes that help tell them apart with this stack of amazing science worksheets. Reiterate concepts with cut and paste, classification and matching activities.

Magnetism Worksheets

Give children an opportunity to use magnets with these worksheets on magnets and magnetism. Learn the properties of magnets, the vocabulary-cum-definitions of frequently used terms, label the poles of a magnet, predict if the pairs of magnets will attract or repel and classify the objects as magnetic or non-magnetic. Get experimenting with metals and coins as well.

Materials and Properties Worksheets

Filled with activity ideas and exercises, this bundle of materials and properties worksheets is a perfect resource to learn about the properties of objects made of wood, glass, plastic and many other materials.

Needs of Plants and Animals Worksheets

Our plant and animals needs worksheet chock-a-block with amazing activities gets kids in kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2 thinking and discussing about the essential needs of plants, animals, humans, and pets.

Parts of a Flower Worksheets

Get to know in great detail the parts that make up the delicate structure of a flower, learn their names, and also understand the specific functions they perform.

Parts of a Plant Worksheets

Enrich your knowledge with these parts of a plant worksheets and charts. Identify the parts of plants and comprehend their functions. Additionally, identify the edible parts of a plant as well.

Parts of the Body Worksheets

Utilize these parts of the body worksheets to help kids identify and name the body parts. Learn to spell the body vocabulary words. Match words to parts, fill in the blanks and many more activity PDFs have been included to reinforce the concept.

Periodic Table Worksheets

Introduce students to the periodic table, a systematic display of all the chemical elements in order of increasing atomic number. The tasks in these periodic table worksheets include completing the periodic table and identifying the periodic table families, completing the missing pieces of information in a table, identifying elements based on facts, and more.

Photosynthesis Worksheets

This photosynthesis worksheet package is a great tool to help comprehend photosynthesis with ease. Included here are vibrant charts and activities of photosynthesis, learn photosynthesis equations, enhance photosynthesis vocabulary, distinguish between light reactions and Calvin Cycle, identify and label the reactants and products and much more.

Physical and Chemical Changes Worksheets

Highlighting the key differences between physical and chemical changes, these worksheets help students identify and tell them apart using examples aplenty.

Plant and Animal Cell Worksheets

Access this set of cell structure and function worksheets encompassing vibrant plant and animal cell diagrams. Understand the differences between plant and animal cells, find apt and precise definitions in the cell vocabulary chart. Identify and color the cell parts, solve a crossword and more!

Push and Pull Worksheets

Push and pull are opposite forces. Pushing moves the object away, while pulling brings it toward you. A push and pull can start or stop the motion. Learn all this and much more with our collection of push and pull worksheets.

Rocks and Minerals Worksheets

Planet Earth is replete with rocks and minerals! Earth science must be a key aspect of children’s science learning, and our worksheets on rocks and minerals are an excellent resource for the young scientists to get started with. Enjoy defining, characterizing, and illustrating rocks and minerals with our well-researched exercises.

Simple Machines Worksheets

The simple machine worksheets are a complete package offering exercises associated with the six types of simple machines - lever, pulley, wheel and axle, screw, wedge and inclined plane and the three classes of levers with adequate examples to correlate, charts to visualize the tools, riddles and hands-on activities.

Solar System Worksheets

Get ready to be teleported as you explore these solar system worksheets featuring vibrant teaching aid charts, solar system vocabulary, definition of various space objects, planets and their order, interesting facts on planets, phases of the Moon and a lot more!

States of Matter Worksheets

Constructively engage children with this myriad collection of states of matter worksheets. Recognize the three states of matter with activity formats like fill up, label, sort, cut and paste and much more with these worksheets comprising ample illustrations!

Symbiosis Worksheets

Students of middle school can exploit this incredible resource of our symbiosis worksheets to gain an in-depth understanding of symbiosis, its types, related terms and symbiotic relationships with our elucidatory charts, informing exercises, well-explained examples and engrossing activities.

The Rock Cycle Worksheets

The rock-solid knowledge offered in our printable rock cycle worksheets is a perfect fit for children in grade 3 through grade 6. Chock-a-block with engaging activities like making foldable charts, completing rock cycle diagrams, labeling stages, these worksheets have a lot in store!

Transportation Worksheets

Breezy and brimming with fun activities, our worksheets abound with exciting exercises in different means of transportation used on land, air, and water. Don’t miss the chart that’s replete with colorful pictures of vehicles you may or may not have traveled in!

Vertebrates and Invertebrates Worksheets

The vertebrates and invertebrates worksheets provide learning opportunities to identify, classify and compare the animals based on their property traits. Included here are vibrant charts, graphic organizers, cut and paste activities, worksheets to test comprehension and much more!

Water Cycle Worksheets

Walk through these water cycle worksheets and charts to learn the key terms and definitions of processes involved in the water cycle through myriad activities such as identifying, labeling, matching, filling in the missing phrases, cut and paste activities and a lot more!

Weather Worksheets

Explore different kinds of weather with vibrant charts and activities to identify the weather, comprehend the weather forecast, learn about weather instruments and their uses, dress up for the weather, observe and record weather and a lot more.

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Copyright © 2024 - Math Worksheets 4 Kids

.  Check out Fun recent research!  Check out Interactive Simulations for Science and Math from the University of Colorado.  Check out Free STEM curriculum for K-12 from the University of Colorado.   Weather is the current state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature, rain, humidity, wind, etc. for a specific location. Weather changes from minute to minute, and thus is considered short-term. Climate is essentially the average weather for a significant period of time for a particular region, and thus is considered long-term. Since climate is based on weather and weather changes, climate also changes. Despite their similar sounding names, dark matter and dark energy are not related. Dark matter is a hypothetical kind of matter that cannot be seen with telescopes. Dark energy is a hypothetical kind of energy that is thought to permeate space. The words extrasolar or exosolar literally mean outside our solar system. As you know, we live on a planet called Earth which orbits a star we call the sun. Together, the sun and the eight planets that orbit it are called our solar system. Scientists know our solar system formed when a cloud of atoms and molecules in outer space were brought together because of the gravitational force. This cloud collapsed into a disk, called the protoplanetary disk. Then, clumps of matter in the disk were attracted to each other because of gravity--eventually forming the sun in the center with the planets surrounding it. Thus, to summarize, all you need to make a solar system is matter in outer space, gravity and a lot of time. . : Interpretations of quantum mechanics (QM) fall within the realm of the philosophy of physics. They are a conceptual way to relate QM mathematics and concepts with QM observations and the physical meanings of these observations. There are three main types of interpretations: collapse theories, Many Worlds theories, and hidden variables. The idea of the Multiverse, or multiple parallel worlds comes from quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics (QM) is the branch of physics focused on very small things. Atoms are made of electrons, neutrons and protons. Neutrons and protons are made of quarks. Electrons and quarks are believed to be indivisible, and so are called elementary particles. Thus, the behavior of elementary particles is described by quantum mechanics. For more info see The Multiverse section of . Neutrinos are very small electrically-neutral elementary particles. The word 'neutrino' is actually Italian for 'little neutral one.' They're called elementary particles because they cannot be broken down into smaller particles. Sometimes, they're called subatomic particles because of their small size, but they aren't actually found inside atoms. . In QM, the quantum state of a particle is mathematically described by a wave function. Wave functions are considered the set of all probability amplitudes. Notice all probability amplitudes correspond to infinite probabilities. These probability amplitudes provide a relationship between the wave function of a system and the results of observations of that system. Thus, QM says that everything can be described in terms of probabilities. Quantum computing is a special type of computing which utilizes quantum phenomena to perform operations on data. This is a new and active area of research in the real world and many experts believe it may revolutionize computing. . Quantum mechanics (QM) is the branch of physics focused on very small things. Atoms are made of electrons, neutrons and protons. Neutrons and protons are made of quarks. Electrons and quarks are believed to be indivisible and so are called elementary particles. Thus, the behavior of elementary particles is described by quantum mechanics. The sun is powered by nuclear fusion. More specifically, hydrogen atoms combine to form helium atoms and emit energy, anti-electrons, and neutrinos. The emitted energy is known as heat and sunlight and enables life on earth to exist. Anti-electrons are just like electrons but have an opposite electrical charge. The special theory of relativity, often just called special relativity, is the branch of physics that applies to very fast things. It is one of Albert Einstein's main claims to fame. Special relativity relates space and time and is based on two primary postulates: the laws of physics are the same in all reference frames without acceleration, and the speed of light in the vacuum of space is the same for everyone. This speed, c, is specifically 186,000 miles per second. For more info see The speed of light is exactly what it sounds like: how fast light travels. There are a surprising number of terms to describe light. Light, also known as visible light is made up of a whole spectrum of other colors of light: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Rainbows, and splitting a beam of light with a prism, illustrate this. The different colors of light correspond to different wavelengths: red light has the longest wavelengths (and least energy) while violet has the shorted wavelengths (and highest energy). . Time is a complex concept. People typically think of time in terms of units such as seconds, minutes, hours, etc. On Earth, humans historically defined units of time such as day, month and year in terms of astronomy. A day is the amount of time it takes for one rotation of Earth on its axis. A month is the amount of time it takes for the moon to complete one orbit of the Earth. A year is the amount of time it takes for Earth to complete one orbit of the sun. Smaller units of time such as the hour, minute, and second are then just subdivisions of these. But units of time are completely arbitrary. Humans could have defined time units in other ways. Time units are not time.

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Science Worksheets Listed By Specific Topic Area

Science is an area of study which involves anything and everything in the entire Universe. It helps us understand who we are as humans and what we need in order to survive. You learn about the different compounds, atoms, and molecules that make up the different foods and beverages that we consume. It is a necessary area of study for students to learn, understand, and explore.

We offer tons of exciting science worksheets for teachers to print out. We have a variety of different and interesting subjects that can be taught and studied. We have fun activities to add to your science lessons. We are constantly adding new science worksheets to our site for all grade levels. If there is a certain topic of interest that you need but do not see on our site, please let us know and we will do the best we can to help you! You will find well over 1,000 worksheets in this area. We try to make plenty available for all grade levels. New complete sections are on their way.

• Animals - Our most complete science area. Includes great printables for acquainting students with their Kingdom.
• Arbor Day Trees - Take a little time to appreciate where our oxygen comes from.
• Biology Labs - Some great hands-on basic biology labs.
• Cells - A thorough offering of both plant and animal cell curricula.
• Chemistry Labs - Very simple chemistry labs that require few supplies, but a very fun.
• Coronavirus: COVID-19 - These are much needed worksheets for right now. (Note: this takes you to another site.)
• Dinosaurs - Fun sheets involving our favorite extinct organisms.
• Earth - Planet Earth Worksheets. Great for Earth Day!
• Elements and Compounds - Practice for learning your chemical element symbols, a printable periodic table, and a great deal more!
• Environment - Worksheet that bring awareness to pollution and taking care of Mother Nature!
• Farm Worksheets - Great for Agriculture Day.
• Food - A look at the basic nature of food.
• Forces Of Nature - Worksheets that help students learn about hurricanes, tornadoes, and other conditions humans encounter.
• General Activities - The activities in this section require student to use basic skills.
• Human Body - Fun activities and worksheet for introducing the human body.
• Hurricane and Tornadoes - Focuses on this specific aspect of nature.
• Influential Scientists - The people who helped drive science throughout the world.
• Insects - Worksheets for Insect fun!
• Inventors - These worksheets really help kids appreciate inventors!
• Magnets / Electricity - Examine the finer points of magnets and their relationship to electricity.
• Measurement - Metric and U.S. Standards of Measurement.
• Oceans - Students learn about the nature of oceans and ocean life.
• Physics Labs - From the laws of motion to magnets. Labs can be adapted to just about any level.
• Plants - Learn about plants and their relationship with other living things.
• Rainforest - Learning about the wonders of this beautiful biome.
• Safety Form - Use this form to make students and parents aware of your safety rules.
• Scientific Method Worksheets - We look at the practical uses of the scientific method.
• Simple Machines - My how machines make our lives easier!
• Sorting and Classifying - Great for meeting national standards.
• Space - We explore the entire Solar System!
• Tsunamis - Take an in depth look at this phenomenon!
• Volcanoes - Examine the dangerous, yet intriguing nature of volcanoes.
• Water - The Compound of life is explored. Common questions and chemical questions are answered.
• Weather - Take a look at the power and mystery of the Earth's weather patterns.

What are the High School Science Courses?

From space missions to high-tech gadgets, the possibilities of discovery and invention are endless using the power of science.

People often associate sciences subjects with biology, chemistry, and physics. However, there is a wide variety of subjects taught to high school students that fall under the category of 'science.'

Some of these science subjects are optional, while others are mandatory for your high school graduation. These courses build the foundation for students, especially those looking to make a science career.

Students interested in this subject are likely to build their careers around it and make significant future discoveries to help improve our lives and the environment we live in!

Science-focused high schools offer a highly focused curriculum centered on these types of courses like environmental science.

So, if you are intrigued by nature of topic and enjoy exploring and discovering new things, a curriculum like this would help build your knowledge and provide you a stepping stone toward getting a college degree in science and building a career.

Let's see what these types of courses are offered to high school students. High schools that focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning also offer more science courses than ever before.

Important High School Science Courses You Should Know About! Here are some high school courses commonly taught in schools and are available for students with an interest or background in science.

1. Biology - Biology is one of the most popular science subjects students opt for in high school. These classes focus less on math, allowing students to take a math class to develop their math skills before being required to apply mathematical concepts in these type of courses.

In biology, students primarily cover the following topics:

- Cells - Organisms - Ecology - Human Growth and Development - Genetics

Biology is relatively easier than other science subjects, and it prepares them for other harder types of subjects.

2. Chemistry - Unlike biology, chemistry requires students to have a stronghold on math. It is popularly known to be the toughest subject among high school students. However, with the right teacher and dedicated learning effort, chemistry can be fun.

Chemistry does require extra practice to understand and master. Remember, practice makes perfect! Solve as many practice problems as you can. Core chemistry concepts taught in high school include Periodicity and atomic structure, chemical reactions, Kinetics, Electrochemistry, etc.

3. Physics - Physics is often a subject of choice for high school students as it adds value to their college applications. It involves numerous complex concepts that are challenging and require a lot of practice.

A good grade in chemistry does look good on your college application! Like chemistry, physics also requires a stronghold in math and covers concepts like Matter, motion, forces, space and time, etc.

Pro tip: For most science courses, you will be required to have a stronghold on mathematical concepts. These concepts may be tough, but practicing is the only way for the topics to sink in fully. So, make use of all the available resources to you. You can refer to several YouTube tutorials and textbooks available online.

4. Earth or Physical Science - Students often opt for Earth or Physical Science as it does not involve a lot of math and the difficulty level is rather low compared to other primary science subjects like physics and chemistry.

The name of this course varies from school to school. It is often referred to as Earth or Physical Science and covers topics like organic chemistry, types of rocks on earth, atmospheric study, etc. Some schools often offer an option to students to choose between Physics or Earth Science.

5. Environmental Science - Environmental explores, identifies, and analyses environmental problems we face and their solutions. These environmental issues include natural problems and those created by people.

In this science course, students learn how to assess the impact of these issues and the risks associated with them. Students are also encouraged to come up with environmentally-friendly solutions to these issues. Common topics include pollution, water availability, usage, energy shortages, etc.

6. Astronomy - Students often confuse astronomy with astrology which is the study of stars focusing on horoscopes. Astronomy is an interesting science course that covers topics like black holes, the development of the solar system, the motion of objects, laws of gravity and motions, and so on.

Students also learn about radiation, magnetism, nuclear reactions, and other topics related to physics. This foundational course is taught in high school for students hoping to build a career as an astronomer.

7. Computer Science - These types of courses are ideal for students looking to build a career in the IT or software industry. With the rapid increase in the demand for IT specialists, this course forms a strong foundation for students interested in this field.

Students cover topics like computation, algorithms, computational complexity, computer design, programming languages, etc.

8. Sports, Exercise, and Health Science - Health driven courses cover topics like human anatomy, physiology, and things related to your general well-being in terms of health. This discipline focuses on humans' physical and behavioral well-being.

This introductory course aims to expose students to various healthcare industry options. Students can explore them and choose a career path accordingly. For example, sports medicine, dentistry, etc.

While most science courses are difficult and complex, they do brush up your college applications, provided you have scored well in them.

Practice your science skills and improve upon your mistakes. Good grades are a surefire way to impress college recruiters. It displays dedicated and consistent academic efforts made on your part. Participate in extracurricular activities like science fairs that allow you to be innovative and display your science projects. Activities like these give students a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Don't be demotivated if you don't understand concepts in the first go. Learning and understanding these courses require a constant effort on your part. Ask as many questions from your teacher as you possibly can to improve your science skills.

Science Fun at Home

Animals, Biodiversity & Habitats, Energy, Forces, Light, Plants, Properties & Uses of Materials, Sound, Space, States of Matter

Outdoor Learning, Practical Science, Science Enquiry

5-7, 7-9, 9-12

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Practical activities to support learning science at home or at school.

Science Fun at Home provides simple and engaging practical science activities. Originally created to support learning at home, the activities are equally useful for learning at school. The activities are open ended and adaptable for any age.

Each two-page sheet has activities that are:

• clear and simple, using household resources
• accessible and manageable for all
• fun for children and their families to do
• linked to follow up activities

The Science Fun at Home resources were created by Ali Eley (Outreach Director) and Tom Holloway (Regional Mentor) working with Science Sparks .

• Clear filters
• All Science Topics Animals Biodiversity & Habitats Energy Forces Light Plants Properties & Uses of Materials Sound Space States of Matter
• All Activity Types Outdoor Learning Practical Science Science Enquiry

Energy, Light

National Puzzle Day

Outdoor Learning, Practical Science, Science Enquiry | 5-7, 7-9, 9-12

Christmas Special

Practical Science, Science Enquiry | 5-7, 7-9, 9-12

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Clean Air Day

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Fun science activities to try at home

Science can not only lead to well-paid and exciting jobs (think doctor, sports technologist, space craft engineer), it also opens up children’s minds to new ideas and encourages a curiosity about the world around them. Here are some fun activities that you can do with your child to inspire their interest in science (thanks to science teacher Pippa Hardisty), plus links to some Royal Institution ExpeRimental hands-on experiments.

Cabbage water indicator

Aim: To determine which substances are an acid and which ones are an alkali.  The cabbage water acts as an indicator, changing colour if it is in contact with an acid or an alkali. Even if the concept of acids and alkalis is too complex for your child, they will wonder at the amazing colour changes in this experiment.

• Chop and boil a quarter of a red cabbage
• Strain off the cabbage water and keep it
• Note what colour the cabbage water is
• Place the cabbage water in several clear glasses or in several bowls
• Place some washing soap powder in one of the glasses or bowls and note down any colour changes
• Try the same thing with other household substances e.g. vinegar (acid), lemon juice (acid), orange juice (acid), soap (alkali), shampoo (alkali), conditioner (alkali)

The cabbage water should turn pink in acidic solutions, and blue or green in alkaline solutions.

Kids could also go on to make and try different indicators such as the juice from freshly boiled beetroot, blackberry juice or strawberry juice. They could also go on to use these natural colourings to dye some scrap materials.

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Make your own lava lamp

Understand the science and download a free activity information sheet from ExpeRimental.

Which egg will cook first?

Aim: To guess which egg will cook first.

• Take two pans and fill them with the same amount of water
• Boil two eggs, one in each pan, but over two different sizes of flame - one larger than the other. Boil both eggs for four minutes
• Ask your child to guess which egg they think will cook first
• Then crack them both open and look inside.

Answer: Both eggs should be the same when you open them up, because the water boils at 100 degrees, so even if the one flame is hotter the water will not get any hotter!

Race a balloon-powered car

Build a race cars out of cardboard, straws and a balloon and investigate physics, engineering and motion! Get step-by-step balloon car racer instructions from ExpeRimental .

Chromatography colours

Aim: To explore how soluble different colours are…or to make pretty patterns!

• Cut a circle of filter paper (such as coffee filter paper)
• Place a dot of water soluble felt tip pen in the centre
• Cut a narrow strip and fold back so that it hangs down (but is still attached at the centre)
• Fill the bottom of a glass with water
• Sit the filter paper on top of the glass of water, with the cut-out strip dangling into the water.

As the filter paper absorbs the water, colours will emerge and spread across the paper. Try it again with other colours – they will spread to different distances depending on how soluble they are. Note which colours travelled the furthest; these ones are the most soluble.

You can create some great patterns with this. You can also try the same thing with food colours, colourful sugar-coated chocolate sweets (wet them a bit and rub them on the paper), and also with hot and cold water to see if there is any difference in how quickly the colours spread.

Make giant bubbles

A couple of wooden spoons and some string are all you need to make truly giant soap bubbles! You'll also find out why bubbles are always round with a giant bubbles experiment guide from ExpeRimental .

Kitchen science experiments to do at home

Looking for more easy investigations for young scientists? Try some milk magic or a silly egg trick and experiment with gravity-defying water with the Science Museum's free Kitchen Science activities .

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Science Projects > Chemistry Projects > 50 Super Summer Science Projects  

50 Super Summer Science Projects

School’s out! Now what? Make it the best summer yet with these 50 simple science projects to do at home. We’ve searched for the best warm weather projects to provide the perfect antidote to boredom. Start a fun and easy activity or experiment today!

Summer Science Projects To Do Outdoors

Get out and explore nature! The following summer science projects are best to do outside on a sunny day.

Make a Super Bubble Solution  – why are bubbles round? Find out, plus add a secret ingredient to make extra strong bubbles that will last longer!

• Balloon Rocket Car + Video  – watch our video demonstration of the homemade rocket car in action! Spend some time building your own using a plastic bottle.
• Build a Wormery  – go digging in the backyard or garden to find 5 earthworms, and build them a habitat or wormery where you can observe how they aerate soil.
• Flower Dissection  – summer is the perfect time to learn about the parts of a plant. Use any flower from your yard, but lilies and irises work especially well.

• Scavenger Hunt Activities  – plan a nature scavenger hunt this summer. Use our scavenger hunt list, or make your own of objects to find in nature.
• Solar Oven from a Pizza Box  – do a summer cookout with science style! Make hot dogs, grilled cheese, or even s’mores with this homemade solar oven.
• Solar Water Purifier  – use heat from the sun to turn salt water into fresh water. It may seem like magic, but it works because of the scientific principle of evaporation.
• Sun Prints  – Learn about UV rays as you make unique art pieces. The sun will fade the color from construction paper, leaving a print of objects you place on top of the paper.

• Crack Open a Geode + Video  – learn how to safely crack open a geode to see if there are crystals inside!
• Make a Paper Flying Machine  – you can make your glider inside, but its more fun to fly it outside! Test different designs to make the best paper flying machine.
• Launch a Bottle Rocket – Study Newton’s laws of motion as you build rockets that soar up to 150 feet.
• Make a Mushroom Spore Print  – this art project teaches kids about fungi. Create a high impact nature print of white mushroom spores on black paper.

• Explore the Beach  – next time you visit the seashore, be a beach scavenger! Use our printable coloring page and worksheet to study animals and plants that live near the ocean.
• Make a Rainbow  – you can make a rainbow using light from the sun and water from a garden hose! Study light and color with this quick project.
• Water Glass Xylophone  – show how sound travels through air and water using glasses filled with different levels of liquid. It’s the visible way of learning about sound waves! Set it up outside for easy clean up.
• Make a Terrarium  – make a self-watering miniature garden! It’s easy to gather soil and rocks from your backyard, then keep the terrarium inside or out.
• Build Your Own Anemometer  – make a homemade anemometer to measure wind speed. Track your weather results for several days to study wind power where you live.
• Make Quicksand – read all about quicksand and how it forms, and make your own non-Newtonian substance using cornstarch and water. Do this outside for easy cleanup.

Summer Science Projects To Do Indoors

If it’s cloudy or rainy, or you need a break from the sun, try one of these summer science projects to add some fun to your day!

• Quick Crystal Cup  – grow needle-like crystals in just a few hours! Make a crystal growing solution out of water and Epsom salt. Stick it in the refrigerator and prepare to be amazed.

• Make Jell-O Play Dough  – explore kitchen science with this recipe! The play dough is fully edible, and will last for weeks of squishing, rolling, and shaping fun.
• Homemade Butter – shake and roll whipping cream into fresh butter! This project is a lot of fun, and it teaches about the science of emulsion.
• Make a Rubber Ball  – learn about polymers by making your own colorful bouncy ball! You’ll need household items like glue, borax, and cornstarch.
• Chromatography + Video  – watch our video to see how to separate the colors from a black marker. You may be surprised!
• Make Invisible Ink  – make three different kinds of invisible inks with this science project. Learn about chemical reactions, too.
• Elephant Toothpaste  – use yeast and hydrogen peroxide in this spin-off of a classic chemistry experiment. Foam will come streaming out of a flask!
• Homemade Lava Lamp + Video  – watch bubbles sink and rise, and learn about polar and non-polar substances with this cool experiment using household items.

• Make Your Own Slime  – see four different kid-tested recipes for making the best slime around. Make classic slime, oobleck, glooze, or transparent slime.
• Egg in a Bottle + Video  – learn about the relation of temperature and pressure as you watch an egg get sucked into a bottle. See our video, then try it for yourself.
• Watch Seeds Grow  – start plants indoors, and watch their roots form. You just need a few household items to see what happens beneath the soil when you plan a seed.
• Collapsing Styrofoam Cup + Video  – use acetone to instantly melt a styrofoam cup! If you don’t have the materials right now, take a look at the video demonstration.
• Cartesian Diver  – learn more about submarines and scuba divers with this mini diver that will go deep into the water, then rise back up. Discover buoyancy and liquid density.
• Make a Simple Motor + Video  – see for yourself how the forces of electricity and magnetism can work together by building a motor using simple materials.
• DIY Sugar Scrub  – make a sugar scrub, and learn how it benefits the skin. This spa science project also makes a great gift.
• Traveling Plant Roots  – see how the roots of a plant take up water from the soil. You will need a carrot, water, and food coloring. You can also try this experiment with celery. Look for vegetables that have leaves attached.
• Homemade Whale Blubber  – learn how animals like whales, seals, and penguins keep warm in freezing temperatures. Make homemade insulation and see if it works to block out cold.
• Make a Fossil Cast  – demonstrate how fossils are made by using modeling clay and plaster of paris. You can turn any plant or toy animal into a fossil.

• Milk Carton Periscope  – look forward but see behind you? It’s possible with a periscope. Build your own using a milk carton and two mirrors.
• Go on a Magnet Hunt  – print out this worksheet to go on a magnet hunt around the house! This activity is perfect for rainy day fun.
• Make a Balloon Jet – learn about thrust with this super simple rocket. You will need some string, a straw, tape, and a balloon. Try it today!
• Explore Liquid Density  – try out four different science projects that will teach you about liquid density. Why do objects that are the same size sometimes have different weights? Find out.

• Grow Stalactite Crystals  – use Epsom salts to grow your own crystals similar to cave features! Plus, learn the difference between a stalactite and stalagmite.
• Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag  – make a tasty treat in under an hour using our recipe for homemade ice cream. Get your friends to help with this hands-on project!
• Homemade Glue  – learn about polymers by making your own glue using household items. Experiment to find the best mixture with the most adhesive power.

Welcome! Read other Chemistry articles or explore the rest of the Resource Center, which consists of hundreds of free science articles!

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One-off summer science lessons

Tes resources team.

Bring an element of fun to your end-of-term biology, chemistry and physics lessons with this collection of topical quizzes and activity ideas

There’s no better time to have some fun in your lessons than at the end of term. So why not refresh the toolkit of classic resources that you usually bring out at this time of year by taking inspiration from this collection? Here we’ve hand-picked some of the most engaging cross-disciplinary quizzes, games and stand-alone lessons for the delight of both you and your students.

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KS3 Science Project

Researchers are exploring new ways to learn that make science more relevant to everyday life, and more fun

by Andrew Dunne, Horizon: The EU Research & Innovation Magazine

Frank Täufer, a scientific assistant at Campus Wiesengut—the University of Bonn's ecological teaching and research farm—asked a group of visiting 8-year-olds to speculate on why the rye plants in his field were all different heights. He was surprised by their insightful range of responses.

Some of the children suggested that the tall plants at the farm received more sunlight. Others thought there could be different types of rye in the field, or that insects may be blighting the crop. One student, after digging up a plant to inspect its roots, thought that the soil must be different across the field.

"They really asked questions and thought of ideas that I wouldn't have myself," said Täufer. "I regularly ask these questions to my university students , and they don't have as many ideas. And none of them has ever dug up a plant to look at the roots."

Taking children outside the classroom

Täufer's work is part of the three-year MULTIPLIERS project that aims to explore ways of making science more appealing to young people .

They are doing this through the creation of what they call Open Science Communities, or OSCs. The idea is to create collaborative networks among schools, universities, informal education providers, museums, local associations, and industry and civil society in order to expand the opportunities for students to learn about science in real-world settings—like the farm.

"I think it's very important to bring students outside the classroom in order to have authentic themes to work on and to make learning about science relevant to everyday life ," said Professor Annette Scheersoi, a specialist in sustainability science education from the University of Bonn and coordinator of MULTIPLIERS.

"When you are interested, you remember better, but you also connect more and feel the value and relevance," she said.

Connecting science and real life

OSCs have so far been set up in six European countries: Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. Students in all six countries were given the opportunity to interact with science experts from a wide range of backgrounds to explore science-based solutions for modern-day problems.

The idea is to help young people relate to the real-life science challenges we face every day, ranging from antimicrobial resistance to clean water and sanitation.

In Barcelona, for example, secondary school students were invited to apply what they learned in chemistry classes to measure air pollution in the school playground and at home. Then they presented the results.

In Germany, Slovenia and Sweden, students took to the forest to learn about sustainable forestry and biodiversity. With the guidance of local foresters and scientists, students studied different trees up close and made decisions on whether they should be felled or not.

"The approach was to consider forestry as a complex dilemma with trade-offs between the ecosystem and wood production," Scheersoi said.

Multiplying the impact

Crucial also for Scheersoi has been the multiplier effect—turning the students into teachers and giving them the chance to share their newfound knowledge with others.

Schoolchildren on the ecological farm invited their parents to a tasting session where they discussed the benefits of organic produce. In the forest, parents were invited to a Forest Day under the trees, where the children shared what they had learned.

Students have also been encouraged to share their knowledge by creating podcasts, science blogs, or organizing science fairs for families. Now the hope is to build on this work and further embed the approach beyond the project.

"Across MULTIPLIERS we have seen how students, teachers and outside science experts have engaged in these lessons. We want these networks to not only stay, but to grow, bringing in more people and bringing forward this new way of learning for students," said Scheersoi.

Science for sustainability

As part of its open science policy, the EU is supporting open schooling for science education, recognizing that Europe needs more scientists, including citizen scientists.

This is something that is also important to Jelena Kajganović, a sustainability expert at Geonardo, a Hungarian innovation and technology company active in the energy, environment and sustainable development fields.

Kajganović led a three-year project called OTTER which, like MULTIPLIERS, aimed to inspire a different approach to science learning and connect students to real-world challenges outside the classroom. They call this approach education outside the classroom (EOC).

Taking learning out of the school setting through things like outdoor activities and fieldtrips, has proven positive effects, says Kajganović. OTTER investigated how EOC could also help improve the acquisition of new knowledge and skills, specifically in the field of environmental sustainability.

"The core ideas behind OTTER are how to make science education more attractive, how to encourage students to learn and apply their knowledge," she said.

Although Kajganović observes a general apathy towards science in many classrooms, she sees this as untapped potential to do more to connect learning with pressing sustainability challenges.

Working with partners in Finland, Hungary, Ireland and Spain, OTTER sought to connect science lessons in the classroom with local issues. Very quickly students in OTTER schools began to link theory and practice.

In one school, near Barcelona, a group of 14-year-olds took samples from the local river to test water quality and were alarmed by the results. Based on their findings, the students organized an online petition calling for the river to be cleaned up.

"By testing the water, they could see the problem and they could see the connection with their own lives. It really clicked in their heads," said Kajganović.

Sharing knowledge across Europe

To spread the impact of their work further, the OTTER team created an online learning platform with a range of interactive teaching materials that educators can use to help them carry out education outside the classroom activities.

Looking ahead, OTTER now hopes to get teachers across Europe to use the platform to explore ways to get involved in outdoor science learning. Longer term, Kajganović believes it could spark a new way of thinking about science and inspire the next generation.

"I would really like to see our approach to science education changing by giving young people more space to think about science and its application in their lives," she said. "In terms of sustainability, if we don't solve our problems, no one will, and it was amazing to see young people taking the lead."

• MULTIPLIERS
• EU open science policy
• European Research Area

Provided by Horizon: The EU Research & Innovation Magazine

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NEWS ALERT: 3 Taylor Swift concerts in Austria canceled after arrests in foiled plot to attack shows, Islamic State material found in suspect's home

Russian pianist dies in jail after criticizing Moscow’s action in Ukraine

The Associated Press

August 6, 2024, 1:42 PM

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MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian piano player has died in jail while awaiting trial on charges linked to his criticism of Moscow’s military action in Ukraine, news reports said Tuesday.

Mediazona, an independent Russian news outlet, reported that pianist Pavel Kushnir died on July 28 in a jail in Birobidzhan, a city in fareastern Russia near the border with China. He was 39.

It quoted his mother, Irina Levina, as saying that an investigator told her that Kushnir died while being on a hunger strike. Russian authorities haven’t issued any statements on Kushnir’s death.

Kushnir was in custody after his arrest in May on charges related to his criticism of the Kremlin and its action in Ukraine on his YouTube channel.

After graduating from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Kushnir performed as a soloist at philharmonics in Kursk and Kurgan before joining Birobidzhan’s philharmonic last year.

The Kremlin’s crackdown against opposition activists, independent journalists and government critics has intensified since President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Hundreds have faced criminal charges over protests and remarks condemning Moscow’s action in Ukraine, and thousands have been fined or briefly jailed.

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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Airway Hills Driving Range & Miniature Golf

This course is not the typical putt-putt golf. There are no windmills or clowns. These holes are fun, challenging and built for beauty. For more information, visit http://airwayhills.com/ or call (509) 872-3092.

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Appaloosa Horse Museum

The Appaloosa Museum is located in the heart of Palouse Country – considered the home of the Appaloosa breed. The museum is a non-profit organization established in 1975 to collect, preserve, study, and exhibit objects and information that illustrate the history of the Appaloosa horse. Visit www.appaloosamuseum.org or call (208) 882- 5578 for more information.

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Craft Artbar and Studio

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231 Warbonnet Dr., Moscow, ID 83843

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Hamilton-Lowe Aquatic Center

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Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre

This historic building located in downtown Moscow, offers high quality entertainment including live theatre, films, concerts, lectures and other performing arts.

Join the Kenworthy for everyone’s favorite summer tradition! The Saturday Market Cartoons are every Saturday, June through September from 9AM to noon.

Visit http://www.kenworthy.org or call (208) 882-4127 for more information.

508 S Main St., Moscow, ID 83843

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The two-story house is a blend of Victorian, Queen Anne, and Eastlake styles. The rooms on the first floor have been restored to historic periods reflecting the house’s history, from turn-of-the-century parlors to the 1930s kitchen. A friendly volunteer will give you a tour of the rooms and information about the house, Moscow, and Latah County. Upstairs are two exhibit areas which offer well-researched and interpreted perspectives on people, places, and events of Latah County.

Visit http://www.latahcountyhistoricalsociety.org/#!about-us/cxwc or call (208) 882-1004 for more information.

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The ice skating season at the Pavilion typically runs from late October to early April; however other activities are planned throughout the summer. Winter fun for both kids and adults includes hockey tournaments, open skate, and lessons. Summer-time can include rollar-skating, floor hockey and roller derby!

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The line this year is awesome. Check it out below!

Friday, July 19, 2024 – Gates open at 4:30 PM , Show starts at 5 PM 

Diggin’ Dirt, Josh Ritter, Yellow Dog Flats.

Saturday, July 20, 2024 – Gates open at 4:30 PM, Show starts at 5 PM

Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Muzzie Braun & Friends, Hurricane Surfers, and Delta G Band.

East City Park, Moscow, ID 83843

Virtudome is a Virtual Technology Experience with several different immersive virtual worlds for you to see. Our combat arena can accommodate 6 people and can participate in 5 different games in a free-roaming arena. We have 4 different booths with virtual reality headsets connected to power gaming PCs. This allows for a higher graphic experience pushing the limits of technology. These booths power 11 different escape rooms, premium zombie experiences, and over 100 different games for you to play.

670 West Pullman Rd., Moscow, Idaho 83843

(208) 669-3004

WSU Bear Center, Pullman

This facility offers visitors the chance to observe live grizzly bears up close! Here they study the effects of hibernation and how the heart can adapt to stressful conditions. For more information, visit   http://nrs.wsu.edu/Research/Bear-Center/index.html

or call (509) 335-3009.

Terre View Dr., Pullman, WA 99163

(509) 335-3009

Zeppoz Family Fun Center, Pullman

A recreation center for the whole family! Zeppoz is home to state of the art bowling, arcade, full-size regulation tournament pool tables, card room, sports bar and restaurant/snack bar. Located at 780 SE Bishop Boulevard in Pullman. Call (509) 334-7101 or visit www.zeppoz.com for more information or to reserve a lane.

780 SE Bishop Blvd., Pullman, WA 99163

(509) 334-7101

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Experimentanium Museum of Entertaining Sciences

• Sokol • 6 min walk

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Experimentanium Museum of Entertaining Sciences - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Russia battles Ukrainian troops for a third day after major incursion into Russian territory

Around 1,000 Ukrainian troops crossed the border into Russia's Kursk region on Tuesday, supported by tanks, armoured vehicles, drones and artillery.

It's one of the largest Ukrainian attacks on Russia of the two-year war, and comes at a critical juncture in the conflict.

What's next?

The incursion appears designed to show the West that Ukraine can still fight, but it has caused some Russian officials to float the idea of expanding their war on Ukraine.

Russian forces battled Ukrainian troops for a third day on Thursday after they broke through the Russian border in the Kursk region —an audacious attack on the world's biggest nuclear power that has forced Moscow to call in reserves.

In one of the biggest Ukrainian attacks on Russia of the two-year war, around 1,000 Ukrainian troops crossed the Russian border in the early hours of Tuesday with tanks and armoured vehicles, covered in the air by swarms of drones and pounding artillery, according to Russian officials.

Ukrainian forces swept through fields and forests towards the north of the border town of Sudzha, the last operational shipping point for Russian natural gas to Europe through Ukraine.

A state of emergency was declared in Kursk, and several thousand people were being evacuated from the area, according to Russian media.

President Vladimir Putin cast the attack as a "large-scale provocation" , while the White House said the United States — Ukraine's biggest backer — had no prior knowledge of the attack and would seek more details from Kyiv.

Russia's most senior general, Valery Gerasimov, told Mr Putin on Wednesday that the Ukrainian offensive had been halted in the border area, while the defence ministry added on Thursday that the army and the Federal Security Service (FSB) were battling Ukrainian units in the Kursk region.

"Units of the Northern group of forces, together with the FSB of Russia, continue to destroy armed formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Sudzhensky and Korenevsky districts of the Kursk region, directly adjacent to the Russian-Ukrainian border," the ministry said.

It said Ukraine had lost 82 armoured vehicles including eight tanks in the attack.

The Ukrainian army has remained silent so far on the Kursk offensive.

Meanwhile, some Russian bloggers have criticised the state of border defences in the Kursk region, saying it had been far too easy for Ukrainian forces to slice through them.

"The enemy passed through our line of defence quite easily," said Yuri Podolyaka, a popular Ukrainian-born pro-Russian military blogger.

Ukraine's defence enters critical juncture

The battles around Sudzha come at a crucial juncture in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has become the biggest land war in Europe since World War II.

Kyiv is concerned that US support could drop off if Republican Donald Trump wins the November presidential election.

Mr Trump has said on several occasions that he could end the war within one day if elected — without explaining how — and both Russia and Ukraine are keen to gain the strongest possible bargaining position on the battlefield.

Ukraine wants to pin down Russian forces, which control 18 per cent of its territory, though the strategic significance of its incursion into Russia was not immediately clear.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said the Ukrainian attack was an attempt to force Russia to divert resources from the front in Ukraine and to show the West that Ukraine could still fight.

As a result of the Kursk attack, Mr Medvedev said, Russia should expand its war aims to include taking all of Ukraine.

"From this moment on, the SVO [Special Military Operation — what Russia calls its invasion of Ukraine] should acquire an openly extraterritorial character," he said, adding that Russian forces should go to Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Mykolayiv, Kyiv "and beyond".

"We will stop only when we consider it acceptable and profitable for ourselves."

Gas was still flowing through Sudzha on Thursday. Russia's National Guard said it had also beefed up security around the Kursk nuclear power station, which lies about 60 kilometres north-east of the town.

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“In Moscow I live like a king”: why Russian exiles return

Two friends fled putin’s mobilisation. what made one go back.

By Camilla Bell-Davies

S ergey and Nikolai became friends after they met through Moscow’s tech scene, nearly a decade ago. They were in their early 20s and life was about coding, earning money and having fun. Although they didn’t like Vladimir Putin , politics was something they could afford to ignore.

But when Putin’s forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Sergey’s and Nikolai’s carefree lifestyle came to an end. That summer the Ukrainian army embarked on a successful counter-offensive , taking back territory that the Russian army had seized in the spring. When Putin announced that 300,000 reservists would be called up, many Russians took this as a sign that all men of fighting age might soon be mobilised. Sergey and Nikolai joined hordes of other men racing to the border to avoid having to go to war.

The friends left behind their homes, but not their well-paid jobs. Both worked for private Russian tech companies that let their staff work anywhere and offered generous relocation packages, so fearful were they of losing employees to Putin’s war machine. Nikolai was joined by his girlfriend, Anya, who also worked in tech.

Assuming they would be digital nomads until at least the end of the war, they studied a list of places that let Russians stay without a visa. After stints in various countries, including Georgia, the friends decided to move to Belgrade, Serbia – one of the most popular destinations for Russians fleeing the draft. Sergey found the Serbs more welcoming than the Georgians, many of whom saw the war in Ukraine as history repeating itself: in 2008 Russia invaded Georgia and still occupies a fifth of its territory.

By contrast, many Serbs are pro-Russian and despise NATO for bombing the country 25 years ago during the Kosovo war. A poll by the Open Society Foundations found that roughly two-thirds of them blamed the West for the war in Ukraine. Although the Serbian government condemned the Russian invasion, it has refused to join international sanctions against the Kremlin.

Sergey loved Belgrade and immersed himself in the lively expat social scene. Many Russian artists and musicians have moved to the city, and Sergey likes going to gigs at venues opened by expats. But Nikolai and Anya were hesitant about staying. They missed Russia and were sick of living out of a suitcase. Moreover, Nikolai’s initial panic about mobilisation had subsided. He noticed that middle-class men who worked in tech weren’t being conscripted en masse, and that most conscripts seemed to be a few years younger than him. By this point, there was also plenty of advice available online on how to escape the draft (avoid all contact with the state, for instance, and move away from your registered address).

Last autumn the couple returned to Moscow. “We loved every country we lived in,” said Nikolai in April, when Sergey and I spoke to him over a video call from Sergey’s flat in Belgrade. “But who should stop me from enjoying my own home?”

I f it’s hard to say how many people have left Russia since the war began – up to 1.3m in 2022, according to the British Ministry of Defence – it’s even harder to say how many have returned. Last summer Putin said that half the émigrés had returned, a claim we should treat with extreme scepticism.

When the couple got back to Moscow, Nikolai’s employer offered him a better-paid job. He and Anya bought a flat, helped by a government-subsidised mortgage. In 2020, to boost the housing market during the pandemic, the Russian government launched a scheme to give buyers of new-build apartments lower mortgage rates. Despite the central bank hiking interest rates to 16% in an attempt to curb inflation, buyers could obtain mortgage rates of just 8% until as recently as July. There are separate schemes to subsidise the mortgages of IT workers and young families.

As a result, said Nikolai, Moscow’s property market is hot: “There were queues for viewings and flats got snapped up fast.” The couple have started their own small business: they rent apartments, spruce them up, then sublet them to other young professionals. They hope to start a family soon, said Nikolai, who praised government handouts for new mothers and Russia’s “good maternity clinics”.

So far, he has not felt inconvenienced by sanctions. “If you have money you can still buy any Western goods.” (Russia has found ways to evade sanctions, for instance by importing European goods via Central Asian countries and Turkey.)

Moscow is thriving, said Nikolai, “even more than before [the war]. Bars are packed even on Monday evenings, all the tables are occupied.” He has money to burn – most Russians pay just 13% income tax, with high earners paying 15% (although these rates are now set to rise slightly). “Stable countries are expensive. In Moscow I live like a king.” He and Anya go to nice restaurants and get frequent takeaways. He often buys new clothes and gadgets online: products are delivered to his door in 20 minutes by Yandex, a Russian tech company. He gets taxis everywhere – it’s only $2 for a 20-minute ride, he said.

After Nikolai hung up, Sergey paced around his flat in Belgrade, agitated. “Imagine someone murders someone in front of you and you just walk away saying ‘it’s not my business,’” he said. “It’s like that. They block out reality. All they do is just buy shit: new flat, new car, new clothes. Just grabbing all these nice temptations the government gives them, they’re basically funding a war they say they want to end. They don’t understand that they’re living in a cage that is getting smaller and smaller each day.”

He paused for breath. “You know, in some ways I’m jealous of them. They’re earning pots of money, while I’m paying loads of tax here [in Serbia]. What’s the point in having principles? Shall I go live in Russia again, block my ears like this [he pushed his fingers in ears] and sing lalalala ?”

L ife in Moscow isn’t completely stress-free. Wherever Nikolai goes he sees Z symbols and posters imploring people to join the army. But he told me he wasn’t worried because IT workers were exempt from military service. (In fact it appears that only employees of IT firms with government contracts are exempt. Private firms such as Yandex offer legal advice to employees trying to escape the draft.)

Sergey thought his friend’s optimism was misplaced. “If Putin wants 600,000 new troops he will get them,” he said. “Local military headquarters will grab anyone if they are desperate to fill quotas.” A friend from Belgrade who returned to Russia for two weeks to see his family told Sergey he took taxis everywhere to avoid being press-ganged in the street.

I asked Nikolai if he was scared of political repression in Russia. “More people are arrested in the West for posting anti-environmental or anti- LGBTQ + views,” he said. “Maybe I’m wrong,” he added, correctly. “But that’s what I heard.” Nikolai would never express political opinions in public. “Know the rules,” he said.

On the whole, Nikolai seemed optimistic about Russia’s future. “I believe Russia is a European country and this border with Europe is unnatural. Russia’s problem is this gerontocracy. Change the dictator and us young people will build a better society. But we also need a strong leader because we are a big country and it’s the only way we can be strong.”

Sergey, who has travelled to more parts of Russia than Nikolai, disagreed: “Russia is too big and ethnically diverse, and needs to be broken up into republics. The only way to achieve this, or to change anything, will be using extreme violence. Our history has always been like this: bloody.”

The more time he’s spent away from Russia, the more Sergey has decided he never wants to go back. He misses his family and his dog, and his phone screensaver shows a view of Moscow from his old bedroom window. But he loves Belgrade, a city he compares to “Moscow in the early 2000s”. He is proud that hundreds of Russians in Belgrade went to a vigil for Alexei Navalny, after the opposition leader’s death in February, and joined an anti-Putin protest in March.

Sergei would eventually like to move somewhere with better public services and a more “progressive” mindset – maybe London or Berlin, he said – and is applying for jobs at Western companies. But Belgrade suits him for now. In two years he will be able to apply for a Serbian passport, which will give him more freedom to travel. Europe’s travel restrictions on Russians frustrate him: “All this stuff about freedom and democracy is hypocritical: they’ve closed their borders to people who also hate Putin.”

Recently, he watched an interview on TV Rain, an independent Russian news channel run from the Netherlands, with a businessman who had left Russia and decided to cut ties with friends who stayed behind. Sergey still speaks regularly to his half-dozen friends who live in Moscow – they beg him to return, he said.

He hopes Nikolai will visit him one day, although he may be waiting a while. Nikolai recently told Sergey he would only leave his homeland again if “a big war” with Europe broke out. “Then I would hide,” the returned exile explained. “Because I don’t want to kill anyone.” ■

Camilla Bell-Davies is a freelance writer

ILLUSTRATIONS: MICHAEL GLENWOOD

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My wife isn't 'just' a stepmom to my son. He sees her as his other mom.

• My wife has been in my son's life since he was 6 years old.
• She has taken on a parental role, stepping in whenever I need extra help.
• Even though she's his stepmom, my son considers her his other mom.

After Vice President Kamala Harris announced she was running for president, one criticism lobbed against her was that she is not a parent because she has never given birth to children. But she is the stepmother to her husband Doug Emhoff's two children.

Like Harris, my wife is a stepmother to my son.

I am no longer in a relationship with his father and have been in a new relationship for four years. My wife came into my son's life when he was 6 years old and quickly stepped into a parental role. It was a role she enthusiastically took on.

Although she didn't give birth to my son, my wife is absolutely his second mother.

My son and wife's relationship started friendly

My wife didn't immediately take an authoritative role or force him to treat her like a parent. At first, she was more like a grown-up friend — someone he knew he needed to respect, but someone who would take him on drives to get ice cream or let him pretend to drive her car while I was inside the grocery store.

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I was worried about parenting with another person all the time. As the primary parent, I wasn't used to dividing parenting duties . My wife was aware of that and always deferred to me as the primary parent.

But the bond between my son and my wife was instant. He had never met someone I was dating before, but he liked her immediately.

My wife has taken on more responsibility as a stepmom

Over the last four years, she's taken on more parental responsibility but never tried to act like she was more of a parent than myself or my son's father. She is a bonus mom, someone there to kiss him goodnight , help him with his homework, and love him unconditionally.

During the pandemic, my wife volunteered to take the lead in helping my son with virtual school so I could focus on work. She created a schedule for him, made him lunch, and ensured he kept up with assignments. When the playgrounds opened, she would take him to play, armed with a backpack full of whatever was needed.

I have gone on several overnight trips , leaving the two of them alone together. My son doesn't even call or text me when I'm gone because he's having so much fun hanging out with my wife. I never have to worry about him; I know my wife will make sure he takes a bath and goes to bed on time.

There are days when I will ask her to tag in and do the bedtime routine because I'm working or want a break, and she does it without question. My son knows that if he needs something, he doesn't have to come to me all the time.

Seeing my wife willingly step into a parental role with my son has strengthened our relationship. I knew I loved her almost immediately after we met, but seeing how my son responded to her made me more secure in my decision.

Sometimes, she still refers to him as mine, and I always remind her that she's his mom, too. We do everything as a team: school meetings, performances, birthday parties . Everyone knows us as his two moms, and there's no one else I could imagine doing this with.

My son now sees my wife as the missing piece to our family puzzle. He proudly claims her as his other mom.

"You're my mom too," my son will say when my wife calls herself his stepmom. He made that decision. My wife never wanted to force a close relationship on him, but he pushed for it.

Media has warped the perception of stepmoms

Popular media depictions of stepmoms are largely negative. The common trope is that they're evil.

For example, you have characters like Meredith Blake in the Lindsay Lohan version of "The Parent Trap," the Baroness von Schraeder in " The Sound of Music ," and, of course, the prototype: Cinderella's Evil Stepmother.

These women are always seen as temptresses who come in and seduce the father into marrying them before revealing they intend to get rid of his daughter so that she will be the only woman in his life.

Maybe there are stepmoms out there who fit this description, but by and large, stepmoms are there to be whoever their step kids want them to be.

I know that's exactly the role my wife plays, and my son and I are all the more lucky for it.

Watch: Why one mother fled Texas to keep her child safe

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