Teachers, this one's for you! If you're on the hunt for exciting science projects suited to 1st graders, look no further. Follow along as we unpack 25 possible projects to enjoy with your class. Your students will learn scientific fundamentals about the world around them- best of all, they'll be doing so in a fun and memorable manner!
1. Color Mixing
Teach your students about primary colors and how they mix to form new colors. Fill an ice tray/ cups with water and use food dye to create red, yellow, and blue cubes. Once frozen, place 2 primary color cubes together in a larger container, watching them melt and reveal their new color.
Learn more: Gift of Curiosity
2. Celery Science
Discover how quickly plants drink their colored water by placing food-dyed water into a cup and placing a leafy stalk of celery in it. After 1 day, come back to the project and observe how the leaves on the stalk have changed in color.
Learn more: lessons4littleones.com
3. Playdough Bones
Build 2 playdough bodies- one with and one without bones (short straw supports), and ask your class to compare the two. Explain the following to your students: As the straws act as supports and keep the one body up, bones do the same for our human bodies- allowing us to be strong and not as weak as jellyfish.
Learn more: weareteachers.com
4. Molecule Monster
Introduce your class to molecular or structural changes by making slime. Demonstrate that when certain ingredients are combined, their properties may also change.
Learn more: science4us.com
5. Magnetized Money
Make science fun by exploring the magnetic properties of US dollar bills.
Learn more: rookieparenting.com
6. Blubber Buffer
Explore the effects of temperature on animals and how they keep warm. Cover the inside of a plastic bag in vegetable shortening and then place a gloved hand inside of the shortening bag. Then place your hand in ice water and discover that fat forms a protective layer.
Learn more: littlebinsforlittlehands.com
7. Paper cup Phone
This fun experiment, using paper cups, teaches children about how sound waves travel.
Learn more: thestemlaboratory.com
8. Solar Crown Creation
Solar science hats are the perfect way to introduce outer space to the class. Color, cut, and paste the planets, in order, onto a pre-prepared crown.
Learn more: thestemlaboratory.com
9. Electrified
Blow up balloons and teach your class about static electricity. Challenge your students to see how much of their hair they can get to stand up and what objects they can lift using the electrically charged balloon.
Learn more: weareteachers.com
10. Lava-lamp Creator
Mix water, oil, and food coloring together in a bottle. Drop in 1 antacid tablet, close the lid, and watch the chemical reaction. Compare the soluble and insoluble reactions of the liquids.
Learn more: 123homeschool4me.com
11. Sprout House
Introduce plant science by having your students plant seeds and create a sprout house.
Learn more: thestemlaboratory.com
12. Apple Volcano
This simple chemical reaction experiment is one that is sure to wow! Mix together baking soda and white vinegar and watch the magic unfold as your apple volcano erupts.
Learn more: littlebinsforlittlehands.com
13. Weathervane Creation
Explore weather science and direction by creating your very own weathervane using inexpensive household items!
Learn more: rookieparenting.com
14. Water Floater
Investigate the idea of density by evaluating what floats in different types of waters.
Learn more: instructables.com
15. Slingshot Rocket
Help develop engineering skills at an early age by engaging your class in fun engineering activities such as building slingshot rockets.
Learn more: instructables.com
16. Ladybug lifecycle
Explore natural science themes by analyzing various animal and insect life cycles.
Learn more: thestemlaboratory.com
17. Temperature tester
Introduce the concept of temperature by making a thermometer. Mix water, alcohol, oil, and food coloring in a jar. Place a straw in and use molding clay to secure it in the jar so that it rests 1'' from the bottom of the jar. Move the jar between hot and cold temperatures and watch the liquid level rise in the straw.
Learn more: littlebinsforlittlehands.com
18. Bouncy bubbles
Create a bubble solution by mixing dish soap, corn syrup, and water together. Use a baster to blow into the mixture and help create bouncing bubbles.
Learn more: littlebinsforlittlehands.com
19. Fountain maker
Discover more about the expansion of liquids and gases whilst you learn to make a fountain.
Learn more: hellokids.com
20. Rock-on
Non-porous objects and properties are perfect points of study when analyzing rocks submerged in water.
Learn more: sciencebuddies.org
21. Melting Crayons
Teach your students about melting points, solids, and liquids by creating a wax painting. This experiment is great for combining both science and art projects into one fun lesson.
Learn more: firstgradecircle.blogspot.com
22. Marble Momentum
Set out to roll a marble down a ramp in order to bump and move a folded card. The further the card moves, the more momentum the marble has gained.
Learn more: frugalfun4boys.com
23. Rock candy
This edible rock classification is sure to rock the socks off your 1st grade class! Growing sugar crystals is one of the best edible science experiments for kids. Learn more about crystal and rock development by conducting the experiment below.
Learn more: growingajeweledrose.com
24. The floating egg experiment
Learn about density with the help of everyday kitchen ingredients and materials.
Learn more: giftofcuriosity.com
25. Colorful Chromatography
Draw circles of color on coffee filters, add 5ml of water, and then watch as the colors start to disperse.
Learn more: 123homeschool4me.com
26. Growing Gummies
If you're looking for a simple science project, then look no further! Learn about expansion and discover the properties of gelatin with this easy gummy growing experiment!
Learn more: Growing Gummies
27. Sunscreen Science
Teach learners about the importance of using sunblock to protect their skin, with the help of some sunscreen and black construction paper. Learners dab sunblock onto one half of their piece of paper and leave it in the sun for about 5 hours. Notice that the side with no sunblock has faded significantly in color!
Learn more: Sunscreen Science
28. How Color Affects Eyesight
Using a common eye chart that contains colorful letters, challenge learners to consider how color affects their eyesight as they look at the chart.
Learn more: How Color Affects Eyesight
29. Soil type and liquefaction
Test out various soil liquefaction by measuring how much water gets absorbed by each type. Consider what makes some soils more or less absorbent than others.
Learn more: Soil type and liquefaction
30. The Power of Bleach
Compare the properties of bleach, an alkaline fluid, and water, a neutral pH fluid, in this experiment to discover how bleach absorbs color.
Learn more: The Power of Bleach
31. Make A Penny Disappear
This magical project is sure to fascinate your learners! Make a penny disappear with the help of a glass, some water, and a penny.
Learn more: Make A Penny Disappear
32. Inventor poster project
Inventor poster projects are perfect for your 1st grade class. Students can be asked to design a creative poster about any scientific inventor of their choosing.
Learn more: Inventor poster project
33. Water Xylophone
Craft a water xylophone to learn more about sound science. You'll simply require the use of 4 mason jars, a few wooden skewers, food coloring, and water to help you bring this glass orchestra to life!
Learn more: Water Xylophone
34. Fossilized Footprints
Discover how fossils are formed as you create unique imprints with your class, allowing the students to either use their hands and feet or even small toys!
Learn more: Fossilized Footprints
35. Blood molecules
Edible experiments are a 1st grade fan favorite! Replicate the 4 blood components with candy equivalents in this creative science project.
Learn more: Blood molecules
Take these science activity ideas into your own classroom and develop an exciting way in which 1st grade science class is conducted! Inspire your students to learn in a hands-on manner and help them conduct simple experiments that dramatically increase their physical science knowledge!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest science fair project?
When searching for easy science fair projects for children, remember to keep it simple and fun. Color, temperature, and food experiments are fairly easy science fair areas to tackle. Explore littlebinsforlittlehands.com to source inspiring ideas!
20 Fun 1st Grade Engineering Projects For Kids To Explore