The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →You can find worthwhile hands-on science activities for children at home without buying a kit. Start with free collections from NASA/JPL, the NISE Network, or PBS KIDS, then choose an activity that fits your child’s interests, age, available time, and materials. Read its full directions and safety guidance before you begin.
Where to find free activities
| Collection | What it offers | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| NASA Learning Space With NASA at Home | Projects and other resources in Earth and space science, engineering, technology, robotics, and related subjects. Examples include building rockets, Mars rovers, and Moon landers from materials available at home. | Elementary through high school audiences and children drawn to space, engineering, or technology. |
| NISE Network: Do Science at Home | A collection from a network that develops hands-on activities for museums and science centers. NASA notes that most activities can use materials families may already have. | Families looking for ideas in several science categories without starting with a kit. |
| PBS KIDS Simple Science Activities | More than 60 activities were listed when the page was reviewed; topics include animals, nature, weather, and more. PBS KIDS also links to books and ideas for helping children think like scientists. | Younger children and families seeking simple activities with trusted-adult guidance. |
| NASA/JPL STEM Activities for Families | Many projects show intended grades and approximate time. Examples listed include straw rockets (grades 4–8, under 30 minutes), Moon journaling (grades K–8, 30 days), and a water-filtration design challenge (grades 5–12, one to two hours). | Comparing projects by grade and time before opening the full lesson. These labels are NASA/JPL’s guidance, not independent assessments. |
| U.S. Department of Education: Helping Your Child Learn Science | A family guide for preschool through grade 5 that connects science with curiosity, observation, questions, predictions, and everyday routines using home materials. | Parents who want ideas for making ordinary observations and activities a shared learning experience. The guide is older; treat it as family-activity advice, not current policy guidance. |
NASA/JPL’s Learning Space With NASA at Home guidance explains that materials vary by activity, some projects can be done independently or together, and some allow substitutions. It also notes that certain activities have companion educator guides with standards-alignment information.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How to choose an activity that fits
- Start with a question your child cares about. Ask what they wonder about: why some objects float, how a seed grows, what the weather is doing, or how an object moves. Observing, asking questions, and seeking explanations are useful starting points for science, as described in the Department of Education family guide.
- Check the age or grade guidance. A listed grade band can help you narrow choices, but it is not a guarantee that every step suits your child. Consider their abilities and whether they will need help with tools, small parts, reading, or setup.
- Read the specific lesson before gathering supplies. A broad collection does not have one shared materials list. Check what the activity actually requires, whether it allows substitutions, and whether you have the supplies. NASA/JPL says some activities permit alternatives when a suggested material is unavailable.
- Check the time commitment. Allow for setup and cleanup as well as the activity itself. A quick build, an hour-long design challenge, and an observation journal that continues for weeks need different plans. The JPL listings give examples of activities ranging from under 30 minutes to 30 days.
- Look for something to observe, test, or improve. A useful activity gives a child a chance to make a prediction, try an observation or design, describe what happened, and change one feature for another attempt. NASA/JPL’s family collection includes examples such as parachutes, straw rockets, rovers, and water filters.
Make the activity work with what you have
A science kit is optional. NASA describes home projects made from readily available materials, while the NISE Network says most activities in its collection can use materials families may already have. The Department of Education guide also describes science activities based on materials at home and everyday routines. Start with the lesson’s actual supply list; use a substitute only when the activity says one is suitable.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Keep the process simple: invite your child to predict what will happen, try the activity, and talk about what they noticed. If the activity involves building or testing a design, change one feature at a time so your child can compare attempts. You do not need to supply a formal explanation for every result; listening to the child’s questions and observations is part of doing the activity together.
#1 Best Overall
- OVER 100 EXCITING EXPERIMENTS - The science experiments in this kit let kids explore the wonders of hands-on science experiments. They'll make bubbling, color-changing solutions, glowing test tubes, a colorful bouncy ball, glowing worms, and more!
- EVERYTHING KIDS NEED - This kit includes all materials needed to conduct 15 stunning chemistry experiments, including growing a crystal tree, changing the color of liquid with their breath, and more.
- 85 BONUS EXPERIMENTS - Because we know your kids will want to conduct even more science experiments once they get going, we include a bonus experiment guide with 85 additional experiments that can all be done with common household items.
- HANDS-ON STEM - Our science toys are known for being hands-on, and this kids activity kit is no different. Your kids will use real scientific tools, like test tubes, beakers and pipettes, as they explore the fascinating world of chemistry.
- AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTS - Blue Marble, winner of the Toy Association's prestigious Toy of the Year Award, proudly develops products that foster education, imagination, and creativity, with a U.S. support team to ensure a stellar experience!
Check safety before you start
Read both the directions and the activity-specific safety notes before setting anything up. The American Chemical Society’s 2024 National Chemistry Week safety tips advise getting adult permission and help where needed, following the activity’s rules, using eye protection or other protective equipment when specified, not eating or drinking during an activity, and cleaning up and washing hands afterward.
For an activity involving flames or reactive or toxic materials, ACS says experiments should be conducted by a knowledgeable instructor. Do not casually adapt such demonstrations for home use. Adult involvement should match the actual steps, the child’s abilities, and any tools or materials involved.
Rank #2
- 150 EXCITING EXPERIMENTS FOR KIDS: DIY projects to get kids' minds humming, try one of these science experiments, which cover topics like earth, surface tension, chemistry, physics and more.
- EASY-TO-FOLLOW SCIENTIFIC MANUAL: Well-illustrated in a step-by-step format, which makes the experiments easy to follow. it is easy and fun to incorporate basic lessons when doing science experiments with your kids at home and in a hands-on way.
- ALMOST TOOLS & MATERIALS NEEDED INCLUDED: high-quality lab science tools and kids-friendly materials. kids can wear goggles to do experiments like real scientists. there are plenty of cool projects you can do with regular household items.
- FUN EXPERIMENTS TIME FOR LITTLE SCIENTIST: Nurture your kids' curiosity by introducing simple science experiments! Science experiments give children the opportunity to explore and learn in new ways.
- LEARNING & EDUCATIONAL SCIENCE GIFTS IDEAD: for Christmas, birthdays, summer-winter activities, school breaks, and weekend fun. The kids will get a good way to learn through play, and also parents will get some quality science time in with kids.
Do you need to buy a science activity book?
No. Free online collections and activities built around household materials are enough to get started. If you want ideas gathered in one place, a children’s science activity book can be optional enrichment; PBS KIDS links to books for young scientists, but that does not establish the availability or suitability of any particular current retail title.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- MASSIVE SCIENCE KIT FOR CURIOUS KIDS - More than 15 experiment activities including dueling water tornadoes, building an erupting volcano, growing a crystal, two geologic dig kits, and more!
- ENOUGH TO GO AROUND - This science lab allows kids to conduct multiple experiments and is great to share with family, friends, or classmates. Enjoy the magic of discovery together!
- THE SECRET IS THE SCIENCE - A detailed, full-color Learning Guide teaches the science at work in the experiments, allowing your child to develop a deep, lasting appreciation for a variety of Earth sciences.
- HASSLE-FREE EXPERIMENTS - Clear, easy-to-follow instructions build young scientists' confidence as they experiment, allowing them to focus on the joy of exploration and discovery.
- AMAZON EXCLUSIVE - Blue Marble has developed this product exclusively for Amazon.
Rank #4
- ✅ A SCIENCE KIT THEY’LL LOVE: Help your kids foster an early love for science with our innovative kit with 100+ mind-boggling experiments that will spark their interest, captivate their minds and encourage them to become problem solvers.
- ✅ STEM LEARNING MADE FUN FOR KIDS: Allow your kids to actively explore and apply STEM concepts designed to promote critical thinking by challenging them to ask questions, make observations & discover the world around them whilst having a lot of fun.
- ✅ THE PERFECT GIFT: Gift your child 100+ days of screen-free fun with this fantastic science kit specially curated for birthdays, holidays or any other occasion. Both Girls & Boys will feel like real scientists by uncovering a world of magical experiences like Water Fireworks, Walking Water, and many more. Combine with other Doctor Jupiter Science & Electricity Kits for even more experiments.
- ✅ EASY TO FOLLOW ALONG: This science kit includes instruction manuals that are well-illustrated in a step-by-step format, ensuring a seamless experience for both children and adults to understand and successfully perform all the experiments.
- ✅ HIGHEST STANDARDS IN TOYS: This kit meets all the U.S. safety standards of ASTM F963-17. Doctor Jupiter takes utmost pride in making highest quality of science kits & other learning toys backed by years of research & development. With premium equipment, innovative tools and comprehensive instruction manuals we are sure to provide a perfect experience for you & your child. If you are still not satisfied, we will refund you 100%, without asking any questions!
Rank #3
- AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTS - Blue Marble, winner of the Toy Association's prestigious Toy of the Year Award, proudly develops products that foster education, imagination, and creativity, with a U.S. support team to ensure a stellar experience!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
