Fall is the perfect season to incorporate science activities into a child’s curriculum. Halloween is just around the corner, making this a fun time to cook up science-themed “potions” and “brews.” At the same time, the trees put on a pretty impressive art show – their leaves change to gorgeous red and orange hues, inspiring curiosity about nature and the changing seasons.
As summer fades into fall, check out these tried and true science activities with a fun autumnal twist!
1. Brew a witch’s potion
As Halloween approaches, get into the spooky spirit by brewing Halloween potions using household ingredients like dish soap, food coloring, baking soda, and vinegar.
The options for potions are endless, from shaving cream and exploding colors potions to one-of-a-kind fairy potions using flower petals and leaf cuttings. Creating these concoctions together is a fun way to introduce kids to the scientific method and spark their creativity!
2. Experiment with Halloween candy science
Wondering what in the world to do with all that Halloween candy? Use it in a candy science experiment using chocolate bars or candy corn!
Kids can explore all parts of a piece of candy, from the outer shell to the filling, to discover why some pieces of candy float and why some melt faster than others, and they can even test the candy’s pH! These experiments encourage learners to keep guessing and testing, discovering that each tasty treat is more complex than it first appears!
3. Make an exploding pumpkin
Try out this fall twist on the classic exploding volcano science experiment. Using food coloring, glitter, and a few simple at-home ingredients, you can make foam explode out of your jack-o-lantern’s eyes and mouth!
Young scientists are encouraged to experiment with different ratios of ingredients to see how the explosion changes.
4. Learn about nature with leaf rubbing art
Kids love spending time outside collecting leaves. When they bring their loot home, encourage them to inspect the various shapes, colors, and textures of the leaves by rubbing them onto a piece of paper using a crayon.
You can use this leaf rubbing art for a variety of secondary activities to create leaf rubbing animals or a fall leaf rubbing wreath. Educators can also use this fall leaf pattern lesson plan to help kids learn about the different types of leaves found in nature during outdoor time.
