Science Activities: Preschoolers

From LoveToKnow Kids

Preschoolers are curious about the world around them and enjoy science activities; preschoolers enjoy exploring everyday objects in the world around them. Science activities for preschoolers should involve hands-on experiences; it’s better to show a preschooler a science concept than to tell him or her about it.

Science activities that focus on plants, animals and everyday objects found in the home and garden are easy and fun. Preschoolers’ curiosity about weather and other natural phenomena makes it easy to capture their interest with science activities. You will probably want to tailor some of the kids' activities to your local area.

[edit]

Water, Ice and Steam

This activity allows a child to see matter (water) change its physical state from liquid to solid to liquid and then to gas. The only object required for this preschoolers' science activity is an ice cube and a heat-proof cup or dish. Let your child watch you put water in an ice tray and place the tray in the freezer. When it has frozen, take an ice cube from the freezer and ask your preschooler to feel it. Then ask questions such as:

Is the ice cube hard or soft?
Can you see through the ice cube?
Is it hot or cold?
How cold is it?

Place the ice cube in heat-proof measuring cup. Leave it at room temperature long enough to melt. When you return to look at the ice cube, ask your preschooler:

Do you see the ice cube?
- Where did the ice cube go?
Why do you think there is water in the cup?

Talk about the fact that water can change from liquid to solid and back. Then, place the measuring cup with the melted ice in the microwave. Heat until the water is steaming. Remove from microwave. Make sure your child does not touch the cup or get too close to the steam. Show the child the steam coming from the cup. Ask:

Is the water from the melted ice hot or cold?
What do you see?
Where does the steam come from?

Talk about how the water can take three different forms.

[edit]

Garden in a Paper Cup

This science activity for preschoolers allows a child to see a plant grow from a seed. At the nursery or home store, buy lima bean seeds. Soak the seeds overnight in room temperature water. Place the seeds on a bed of wet paper towels inside a paper cup. Place the cup in a warm place and wait several days, making sure the paper towels stay moist. (Don’t use too much water or the seed may deteriorate.) When the seed sprouts, place potting soil in another paper cup that has a few holes in the bottom for drainage. Place the seed in the soil with the sprout towards the top of the container. Place the paper cup on a small plate or plastic tray. Keep the soil moist. Within a few days, you’ll have a lima bean plant. If the season is right, you can transplant your bean seedling to your garden outdoors.

[edit]

Matching Animals with Their Habitats

Cut animal pictures from magazines or print them from the Internet. Mount the pictures on card stock. Depending on the size of the pictures, you can mount them on large index cards of 8.5” x 11” cover or card stock. Find pictures of various animal habitat, for example desert, ocean, pond, forest, or jungle. Mount those pictures on cards, as well.

With your child, play a game in which the child matches the animal with an appropriate habitat. Talk about any features of the animal that make it easier for the animal to survive in its home. For instance, you can point out that ducks have webbed feet to make it easier to swim in a pond or river and that fish have gills so they can breathe in water. You can talk about what the animal can find to eat where it lives.

[edit]

Science Activities: Preschoolers Summary

This is just a small sample of the science activities you can do with your preschooler. Many web sites are full of activities for both life science and physical science. They suggest not only activities, but experiments you can perform at home. Here are a few free sites where you might find activities that match your child’s interests: