Cool Science Games for Kids
Children can learn science through cool hands-on games with basic materials found around the house. As in the PBS kids show "Zoom," games and activities are played with fun in mind. However, kids are learning real science at the same time. If you want to play cool science games with your kids, explore the topic with them beforehand.
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Preparation
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Be sure you choose activities that are appropriate for the age group. Ask your kids about the topics before you start a cool science game to have them explore the material before you start. Have the kids do the things real scientists do, such as observe, make predictions, test ideas, collect data, change variables and share the results.
Chemistry
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Chemistry is the study of the structure and properties of matter and its behavior in chemical reactions. Baking soda is a base, while vinegar is an acid. When you mix these two household chemicals, you get a fizzy chemical reaction. You can create a cool soda bottle boat by sprinkling baking soda on three sheets of toilet paper. Roll up the paper and stuff it into an empty soda bottle. Poke a hole in the cap of the bottle with a thumb tack and add a few marbles to weigh the plastic bottle down. Fill the bottle 3/4 full with vinegar and screw on the cap. Release the boat in a filled bath tub. The children can race their friends with their boats. An alternative is a "submarine" race by adding extra marbles in the soda bottles. Drop them in the water and the first one to surface is the winner.
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Physics
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Physics is the study of matter and its motion through space. Cool science games for kids could include an egg drop race, where kids experiment by creating a bungee cord out of old nylon stockings to hold eggs. The kids will wrap and knot stockings around their eggs and then drop the eggs in the stockings from about table height, trying to let them fall within two inches from the ground without breaking them. Those whose eggs break lose. A balloon car race is another physics game using balloons to power cars constructed from old cereal or tissue boxes. Kids can experiment with different car designs, while keeping in mind drag forces. Once the cars are built, kids will attach balloons to their cars with tape. The balloons will be blown up by inserting straws into the balloons. The race begins as the straws are released from the balloons to power the cars. The car with the best design should win.
Engineering
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Engineering is the application of math and science to build a structure. Kids can learn engineering by using household materials to build a structure. Building a straw bridge across two tables that is strong enough to hold a cup with 100 pennies is a cool game that kids can play. Kids can experiment with different designs using only straws, scissors and tape. Kids should try to figure out the best way to construct the bridge across the tables to stay strong. One example of a bridge could be an arch shape across the tables. Building a tower only using newspapers is another alternative game. Kids will have to innovate in tearing up the newspapers in different shapes when constructing the towers. Whoever can build the tallest tower wins.
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