Experiments to do at HOME

Age 3 -6

Age 7 -11

Age 11 – 14

Age 14 to 18

Science Fair Help

Formal experiment Guide

Quick safety notes

  • Adult help for: cutting, heat, glass, pressure/launching, magnets, rooftop/gutter collections.
  • Eye protection for anything that launches. Keep a clear “range.”

If you have asthma/allergies, avoid fine powders/aerosols.

Ages 3–6 (15 experiments)

  1. Moon crater tray You need: Tray, flour (or sand), cocoa, marbles/foil balls. Steps: (1) Fill tray with flour; dust cocoa. (2) Drop “meteors” from different heights. (3) Compare crater size and “rays.”
  2. Phases of the Moon (biscuit model) You need: Iced biscuits/cookies, spoon/knife. Steps: (1) Keep one full (full moon). (2) Scrape icing to make crescents/quarters. (3) Line them up in order.
  3. Day/night Earth spin You need: Lamp/torch, ball/orange, sticker. Steps: (1) Put sticker on ball (your town). (2) Shine lamp as Sun. (3) Spin ball to see day/night.
  4. Shadow length “sundial” You need: Torch/lamp, toy figure, tape measure. Steps: (1) Place figure. (2) Move lamp higher/lower. (3) Measure shadow changes.
  5. Gravity drop race You need: Paper, small toy. Steps: (1) Drop toy + crumpled paper together. (2) Repeat with flat paper. (3) Talk about air resistance.
  6. Rocket “countdown” blow-launch You need: Paper tube, paper rocket, straw. Steps: (1) Roll paper tube. (2) Put rocket on straw. (3) Blow with countdown and see distance.
  7. Constellation torch cup You need: Paper cup, pin (adult), torch. Steps: (1) Poke a simple pattern. (2) Dark room. (3) Shine torch to project.
  8. Planet sorting (size/order) You need: Balls of different sizes, labels. Steps: (1) Label planets. (2) Sort by size. (3) Arrange by distance from Sun.
  9. “Meteor” streak art You need: Black paper, chalk/pastels, cotton bud. Steps: (1) Dot “stars.” (2) Drag chalk to make streak. (3) Add a bright head.
  10. Make a comet (dirty snowball) You need: Ice cubes, dirt/coffee grounds, foil tray. Steps: (1) Crush ice. (2) Mix in dirt. (3) Watch it melt and “outgas.”
  11. Aurora in a jar (simple) You need: Jar, water, food colouring, glitter. Steps: (1) Fill jar. (2) Add drops of colour. (3) Swirl gently.
  12. Moon “tides” with a bowl You need: Bowl of water, small ball, spoon. Steps: (1) Stir water slowly. (2) Move ball around rim (Moon). (3) Watch water bulge.
  13. Star brightness test You need: Torches (or phone lights), tissue paper. Steps: (1) Cover one torch with tissue layers. (2) Compare brightness. (3) Relate to distance/dust.
  14. Build a simple “rover” push toy You need: Bottle caps, cardboard, straw axles, tape. Steps: (1) Make 2 axles. (2) Add wheels. (3) Push and improve.
  15. “Spacewalk” balance challenge You need: Cushion, backpack, timer. Steps: (1) Wear backpack. (2) Stand on cushion. (3) Time how long you “spacewalk.”

Ages 7–11 (20 experiments)

  1. Balloon rocket on a string You need: Balloon, string, straw, tape, two chairs. Steps: (1) Thread string through straw; tie tight. (2) Tape balloon to straw. (3) Inflate, release, measure time.
  2. Straw rocket launcher You need: Paper, tape, straw, scissors. Steps: (1) Roll paper around straw (loose). (2) Tape nose closed. (3) Blow to launch; compare fin shapes.
  3. Bottle “air pressure” rocket (safe pop) You need: Empty bottle, cork, pump needle (adult). Steps: (1) Fit cork. (2) Pump air carefully. (3) Observe cork launch; discuss pressure.
  4. Albedo test (black vs white) You need: Black/white paper, lamp/sunlight, thermometer. Steps: (1) Place papers side-by-side. (2) Measure temperature every minute. (3) Graph results.
  5. DIY spectroscope (CD) You need: Cereal box, old CD/DVD, tape, scissors (adult). Steps: (1) Cut a slit viewing window. (2) Tape CD at angle inside. (3) Point at light source; observe spectrum.
  6. Build a “Mars soil” filter You need: Bottle, cloth/coffee filter, gravel, sand, soil. Steps: (1) Layer gravel/sand/cloth. (2) Pour dirty water. (3) Compare clarity.
  7. Solar oven pizza box You need: Pizza box, foil, cling film, black paper, tape. Steps: (1) Make foil flap reflector. (2) Seal window with cling film. (3) Heat snack; time melting.
  8. Crater angle ramp test You need: Flour tray, marble, ramp (book). Steps: (1) Roll marble down ramp into flour. (2) Change ramp height/angle. (3) Measure crater ovalness.
  9. “Asteroid deflection” tabletop You need: Ball, ruler/card, target cup. Steps: (1) Roll ball toward cup. (2) Deflect with card at different times. (3) Record success rate.
  10. Paper helicopter (re-entry) You need: Paper, scissors, paperclips. Steps: (1) Make rotor cuts. (2) Add paperclip mass. (3) Drop from height; time descent.
  11. Parachute lander You need: Plastic bag, string, small toy, tape. Steps: (1) Cut canopy. (2) Tie 4 strings. (3) Drop and test canopy size.
  12. Egg “Mars lander” challenge You need: Egg, straws, tape, cotton, box. Steps: (1) Build a cradle. (2) Add “shock absorbers.” (3) Drop from increasing heights.
  13. Orbit with a marble funnel You need: Large bowl/funnel, coins, marble. Steps: (1) Spin marble around rim. (2) Observe spiral inward. (3) Relate to orbits/energy loss.
  14. Scale model Solar System (toilet roll) You need: Toilet roll, beads/peas, tape measure. Steps: (1) Pick a scale (e.g., Sun=10 cm). (2) Measure planet distances. (3) Place markers outdoors.
  15. Moon map (crater naming) You need: Printed Moon image, pencil, magnifier. Steps: (1) Mark major craters. (2) Compare to a Moon map. (3) Create your own “mission plan.”
  16. Build a simple anemometer (Mars wind) You need: Paper cups, straws, pin, pencil with eraser. Steps: (1) Make cross of straws. (2) Attach cups. (3) Count spins in 30 seconds.
  17. Water cycle in a bag (Earth from space) You need: Zip bag, water, marker, tape, sunny window. Steps: (1) Add a little water. (2) Tape to window. (3) Watch evaporation/condensation.
  18. “Space ice” (freezing point depression) You need: Ice, salt, bowl, thermometer (optional). Steps: (1) Add salt to ice. (2) Stir and measure temperature drop. (3) Discuss icy moons.
  19. Magnetic “solar wind” lines You need: Bar magnet, iron filings (or paperclips), paper. Steps: (1) Put paper over magnet. (2) Sprinkle filings. (3) Tap to reveal field lines.
  20. Pinhole Sun viewer You need: Cardboard, pin, white paper. Steps: (1) Make tiny hole. (2) Project sunlight onto paper (never look at Sun). (3) Trace the image.

Ages 11–14 (10 experiments)

  1. DIY barometer (pressure + weather) You need: Jar, balloon, rubber band, straw, card. Steps: (1) Stretch balloon over jar. (2) Tape straw as pointer. (3) Track pointer daily.
  2. Hygrometer (humidity) You need: Hair strand, paper pointer, cardboard, tape. Steps: (1) Tension hair between supports. (2) Attach pointer. (3) Compare bathroom vs bedroom.
  3. CO2 “Mars atmosphere” demo You need: Vinegar, baking soda, candle, jar. Steps: (1) Make CO2 in a cup. (2) “Pour” gas over candle. (3) Discuss thin atmospheres.
  4. Thermal insulation (spacecraft blankets) You need: 3 cups, hot water, foil, cloth, thermometer. Steps: (1) Wrap cups with different materials. (2) Pour equal hot water. (3) Measure cooling over time.
  5. Simple seismograph You need: Box, string, marker, paper roll, weight. Steps: (1) Hang weight with marker. (2) Pull paper slowly. (3) Shake table; compare “quakes.”
  6. Rocket stability fin test You need: Paper rockets, tape, ruler, straw launcher. Steps: (1) Make 3 rockets. (2) Change fin size/shape. (3) Launch 5 times each; average distance.
  7. Density “planet layers” jar You need: Honey/syrup, water, oil, small items. Steps: (1) Layer liquids. (2) Drop items. (3) Relate to core/mantle/crust.
  8. Inverse-square brightness test You need: Torch, ruler, phone light meter app. Steps: (1) Measure at 10 cm, 20 cm, 40 cm. (2) Record values. (3) Look for pattern.
  9. Angle finder “star tracker” You need: Protractor, straw, string, small weight. Steps: (1) Tape straw to protractor. (2) Tie string at centre. (3) Sight an object; read angle.
  10. Mini greenhouse effect You need: Two jars, cling film, lamp/sun, thermometers. Steps: (1) Cover one jar. (2) Heat both equally. (3) Compare temperature rise.

Ages 14–18 (10 experiments)

  1. Kepler pattern (period vs distance) with data You need: Spreadsheet, online planet data. Steps: (1) List planet distance + orbital period. (2) Plot graph. (3) Describe the relationship.
  2. Water rocket (outdoors) You need: Bottle, fins, cork/launcher, pump, water, tape. Steps: (1) Build fins + nose. (2) Add measured water volumes. (3) Launch and estimate height from video.
  3. Drag comparison (re-entry shapes) You need: Paper, scissors, stopwatch, stairwell. Steps: (1) Make different shapes same mass. (2) Drop from same height. (3) Time and compare.
  4. Radiation shielding model (light proxy) You need: Lamp, phone light sensor app, materials (foil, paper, plastic). Steps: (1) Measure baseline. (2) Insert material. (3) Compare % reduction.
  5. Crystal radio kit (space comms intro) You need: Crystal radio kit (recommended) or parts, headphones. Steps: (1) Assemble per kit. (2) Tune. (3) Discuss why radio travels through space.
  6. Reaction wheel demo You need: Spinning bike wheel (or heavy disc), swivel chair. Steps: (1) Sit holding wheel. (2) Spin wheel. (3) Tilt wheel and feel rotation.
  7. Solar panel angle test You need: Small solar panel (toy), multimeter (optional), lamp/sun. Steps: (1) Set different angles. (2) Record voltage/current. (3) Find best angle.
  8. Lander legs stability test You need: Cardboard, straws, rubber bands, weights. Steps: (1) Build 3–4 leg designs. (2) Drop from same height. (3) Score stability.
  9. Micro-meteorite hunt (advanced) You need: Magnet, bag/jar, permission, magnifier. Steps: (1) Collect fine sediment. (2) Use magnet to separate. (3) Inspect for tiny spheres.

DIY star photometry (phone camera) You need: Phone camera, tripod, star app. Steps: (1) Photograph same star nightly. (2) Keep settings constant. (3) Compare brightness values.

Science fair section: how to turn any activity into a project

1) Choose a testable question

Pick something you can change and measure. Examples:

  • How does fin size affect a paper rocket’s distance?
  • How does surface colour affect warming (albedo)?
  • How does parachute size affect landing time?

2) Write a hypothesis

Use an “If…, then…, because…” sentence.

  • If I increase parachute area, then landing time will increase because air resistance increases.

3) Variables (this is what judges look for)

  • Independent variable (change): the one thing you change (e.g., fin size).
  • Dependent variable (measure): what you measure (e.g., distance).
  • Control variables (keep the same): launch angle, same straw, same balloon size, same room, same drop height.

4) Do repeated trials

  • Aim for 5–10 trials per setting.
  • Calculate average (mean) and note any outliers.

5) Record results (simple, clear)

Use a table like this:

Trial

Setting (e.g., fin size)

Result (e.g., distance cm)

Notes

1

Small

  

2

Small

  

3

Small

  

Then add a summary table:

Setting

Average

Best

Worst

Small

   

Medium

   

Large

   

6) Graph your data

  • For most projects, a bar chart works best (average result per setting).
  • If your independent variable is continuous (distance from lamp), use a line graph.

7) Take evidence photos

  • Photo of setup (shows fairness/controls)
  • Photo of measuring method (ruler/thermometer)
  • Photo of results table/graph

8) Write your conclusion

Answer:

  • What happened?
  • Did it support your hypothesis?
  • What errors/limitations were there?
  • What would you test next?

9) Display board layout (easy template)

  • Title
  • Question + hypothesis
  • Materials
  • Method (numbered steps)
  • Results (tables + graphs)
  • Conclusion
  • What I’d do next

Results recording tips (quick)

  • Measure the same way every time (same ruler start point, same timing method).
  • Write down results immediately.
  • If something goes wrong, record it in “Notes” rather than hiding it.
  • Use units (cm, seconds, °C) on every result.

Space-Themed At-Home Experiments: Formal Experiment Guide

Easy-to-Follow Procedures for Ages 3–18

Introduction

This guide contains over 50 space-themed experiments suitable for ages 3–18. Each experiment is presented in a formal format designed for science fair projects or at-home learning. Clear instructions, safety notes, and age-appropriate procedures are provided for easy execution.

Safety Precautions

  • Adult supervision is required for activities involving cutting, heat, glass, pressure/launching, magnets, and rooftop/gutter collections.
  • Wear eye protection for any experiment involving launching objects and maintain a clear “range” for safety.
  • If you have asthma or allergies, avoid experiments with fine powders or aerosols.

Experiment Format

Follow these sections for each experiment:

  • Title
  • Objective/Question
  • Hypothesis
  • Materials
  • Method (Procedure)
  • Variables
  • Data Collection (Results)
  • Analysis
  • Conclusion
  • Next Steps

Sample Experiment (Ages 7–11): Balloon Rocket on a String

Title

Balloon Rocket on a String

Objective/Question

How does the size of the balloon affect the distance traveled by the rocket?

Hypothesis

If I increase the size of the balloon, then the rocket will travel a greater distance because more air provides greater thrust.

Materials

  • Balloon
  • String
  • Straw
  • Tape
  • Two chairs
  • Ruler/measuring tape

Method (Procedure)

  1. Thread the string through the straw and tie the ends tightly between two chairs.
  2. Tape the balloon to the straw.
  3. Inflate the balloon to a specified size and release it, measuring the distance it travels.
  4. Repeat for different balloon sizes (small, medium, large).
  5. Record the distance for each trial.

Variables

  • Independent Variable: Balloon size
  • Dependent Variable: Distance traveled
  • Control Variables: String length, straw type, launch angle, room conditions

Data Collection (Results)

Trial

Balloon Size

Distance (cm)

Notes

1

Small

  

2

Small

  

3

Small

  

 

Balloon Size

Average

Best

Worst

Small

   

Medium

   

Large

   

 

Analysis

  • Calculate the average distance for each balloon size.
  • Identify the best and worst results from your trials.
  • Graph your data using a bar chart (for average distance per balloon size).

Conclusion

  • What happened?
  • Did results support your hypothesis?
  • What errors or limitations were there?
  • What would you test next?

Next Steps

Try changing other variables (e.g., string length, straw diameter) to explore further.

Science Fair Project Steps

  1. Choose a Testable Question: Pick something you can change and measure (e.g., fin size and rocket distance, surface color and warming, parachute size and landing time).
  2. Write a Hypothesis: Use an “If…, then…, because…” statement (e.g., “If I increase parachute area, then landing time will increase because air resistance increases.”).
  3. Identify Variables:
  4. Independent variable: what you change
  5. Dependent variable: what you measure
  6. Control variables: what you keep the same
  7. Do Repeated Trials: Aim for 5–10 trials per setting. Calculate averages and note any outliers.
  8. Record Results: Use tables to organize trial data and summary statistics.
  9. Graph Your Data: Use bar charts for most projects. Use line graphs for continuous variables.
  10. Take Evidence Photos: Document your setup, measurement methods, and results.
  11. Write Your Conclusion: Summarize findings, evaluate your hypothesis, discuss errors/limitations, and suggest future tests.
  12. Display Board Layout: Follow this template:
  13. Title
  14. Question + hypothesis
  15. Materials
  16. Method (numbered steps)
  17. Results (tables + graphs)
  18. Conclusion
  19. What you’d do next

Results Recording Tips

  • Measure the same way every time (consistent start points, timing methods).
  • Write down results immediately.
  • If something goes wrong, record it in “Notes” rather than ignoring it.
  • Use units (cm, seconds, °F/°C) for every result.

Experiment Index by Age Group

  • Ages 3–6: Moon crater tray, phases of the Moon, Earth spin, sundial, gravity drop race, rocket blow-launch, constellation torch cup, planet sorting, meteor streak art, make a comet, aurora in a jar, moon tides, star brightness test, rover toy, spacewalk balance challenge.
  • Ages 7–11: Balloon rocket, straw launcher, bottle rocket, albedo test, spectroscope, Mars soil filter, solar oven, crater ramp test, asteroid deflection, helicopter, parachute lander, egg Mars lander, marble funnel orbit, scale solar system, moon map, anemometer, water cycle, space ice, magnetic solar wind, pinhole viewer.
  • Ages 11–14: Barometer, hygrometer, Mars atmosphere demo, insulation test, seismograph, rocket stability fin test, density jar, inverse-square brightness test, star tracker, greenhouse effect.
  • Ages 14–18: Kepler pattern, water rocket, drag comparison, radiation shielding, crystal radio kit, reaction wheel, solar panel test, lander stability, micro-meteorite hunt, star photometry.

Conclusion

Use this format for any space-themed experiment or science fair project. Adapt each experiment to your age group, follow safety guidelines, record results formally, and display your findings clearly. This structure will make your project easy to follow and impressive to judges and educators.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email