Here at Everything Energy, we think learning about electricity and energy is pretty neat — and we’re excited to pass that feeling on to the next generation’s young, eager minds. We’ve gathered six fun, exhilarating, and enlightening home energy science experiments for kids that demonstrate different types of electricity in action. Pull a few of these out on a rainy day, and watch their inner scientists awaken.
Experiment #1: Bend water with static
Who doesn’t love static electricity experiments?! They’re usually fairly quick to conduct, and the results are amazing. This science experiment is no different and sure to elicit many “wows” from kids!
Materials you’ll need:
- Plastic comb or inflated balloon
- Water faucet
- A head of hair
Experiment instructions:
Run the comb through or balloon against your hair several times to “charge” it. Then, hold it close to a very thin stream of water from the faucet and watch the stream bend.
Why it works:
Static electricity results from an imbalance between positive and negative charges within a material, which happens when electrons move from one material to another.
Here, electrons in your hair collect on the comb or balloon, creating a negative charge. When the item is placed near the water’s positive force, the attraction is strong enough to pull the water toward the comb.
Experiment #2: Build your own potato clock
See chemical energy in action when you turn a pair of spuds into a digital LED clock!
Materials you’ll need:
- 2 large potatoes
- Marker
- Scissors or wire cutter
- Two galvanized nails
- Copper wire
- 3 alligator clip jumper wires
- Digital LED clock that uses 1 AAA or AA battery
Experiment instructions:
See the complete instructions here.
Why it works:
When the metal parts are inserted into the potatoes, a chemical reaction occurs between the metals and the potato’s juices. This creates a flow of electrons, causing an electric current, which powers the clock.
Experiment #3: Make raisins dance
Here’s a fun science experiment for kids that demonstrates kinetic energy in motion.
Materials you’ll need:
- Raisins
- A glass of clear, carbonated soda
Experiment instructions:
Drop the raisins into the glass of fizzy soda and watch them bounce and dance around.
Why it works:
The soda’s bubbles attach to the raisins’ rough edges, carrying them to the surface. Then they pop, releasing gas into the air and causing the raisins to fall back down.
Experiment #4: Cook with a DIY solar oven
This is one of the solar energy experiments you can revisit again and again, cooking up different snacks while learning about solar power. S’mores, anyone?
Materials you’ll need:
- Empty pizza box
- Aluminum foil
- Clear plastic wrap
- Tape
- Scissors
- Wooden ruler or skewer
- Paper plate
- Full, direct sunlight
- Warm weather (> 75°F)
- Food to cook (we suggest graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate to make s’mores)
- Glue stick (optional)
- Small fan (optional)
- Thermometer (optional)
Experiment instructions:
See the complete instructions here.
*Safety note: Because this involves high temperatures, make sure an adult supervises the experiment.
Why it works:
The solar oven is designed to absorb more heat than it releases. The foil absorbs the sun’s rays and converts them to thermal energy. This heat raises the temperature inside the pizza box, making it hot enough to cook food.
Experiment #5: Use static to separate salt and pepper
Hurray, another static electricity experiment! It’s another quick and easy activity that kids will love sharing with their friends over and over again.
Materials you’ll need:
- Empty plate
- 2 Tablespoons of table salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- Plastic comb
- A head of hair
Experiment instructions:
Place the salt and pepper on the plate and gently mix them together. Run the comb through your hair several times, then place the comb above the salt and pepper mixture to watch the power of static electricity.
Experiment #6: Make an electromagnet
Explore the power of electromagnetic energy with just a few simple objects.
Materials you’ll need:
- Long, thin-gauge, coated copper wire
- Iron nail (3-6”)
- Sandpaper
- Size D battery
- Small paper clips
- Electrical or duct tape
Experiment instructions:
Use sandpaper to remove 1 cm of coating from both ends of the wire. Tightly wrap the wire around the nail as often as possible, in the same direction, but leave about 2” free on each end. Tape one end of the wire to the (+) end of the battery and tape the other end of the wire to the (–) end of the battery.* Use the magnetized nail to pick up the paper clips.
*Safety note: Make sure an adult supervises the experiment. Once the wires are connected to the ends of the battery, electricity will run through the coil and nail. It will heat up and could cause burns if touched. Use caution when handling the electromagnet. You can use a towel to hold the wires to the ends of the battery if it gets hot. Detach the wire ends from the battery when you’re done.
Why it works:
The battery is a source of electrons. Connecting the wire to the battery sends those electrons through the wire, creating a magnetic field and magnetizing the nail.
Conclusion
Now that you’re armed with these easy science experiments for kids, there’ll always be something fun and interesting to do on a rainy day.
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