76 Fabulous 1st Grade Science Experiments and Projects To Try

First graders will cheer when you announce that they’ll get to do a real, hands-on science experiment. These 1st grade science projects are easy for kids to do, with concepts that will help build their science knowledge for the future.

To make it even easier to find the best science projects for 1st graders, we’ve given each a rating based on difficulty and the materials you’ll need:

Difficulty:

Easy: Low or no-prep experiments you can do pretty much anytime
Medium: These take a little more setup or a longer time to complete
Advanced: Experiments like these take a fairly big commitment of time and/or effort

Materials:

Basic: Simple items you probably already have around the house
Medium: Items that you might not already have but are easy to get your hands on
Advanced: These require specialized or more expensive supplies to complete

Jump to:

Also, be sure to grab your free printable science experiment recording sheet to use with any of the experiments below.

third grade science experiments — Myranda McDonald for We Are Teachers

Animal Science Projects for 1st Grade

Learn about animals, plants, and the Earth in general with these fun science activities for first graders.

A young student looks through insect goggles made from toilet paper rolls and straws — Forage Create Love

1. Learn about how insects see

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Unlike humans, insects have compound eyes. Try this fun activity creating “insect goggles” to experience insect vision for yourself.

Learn more: Compound Eyes

Charts showing zoo animals sorted by category. — Fairy Poppins

2. Sort animals by features

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Use a printable or pull out the toy animals and have kids sort them into categories. It’s an early introduction to classification systems.

Learn more: Animal Sort and Classify

A series of images showing fish-shaped sponges in containers filled with oil, dirt, etc. — The Owl Teacher

3. Expose a sponge fish to pollution

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

It’s never too early to start learning about how important it is to protect the Earth. Use sponge “fish” to see how polluted water affects the wildlife living in it.

Learn more: Pollution Experiment

Platform-style bird feeder built from colorful wood craft sticks and filled with mixed seed as an example of First Grade Science Experiments — Mombrite

4. Build a Popsicle stick bird feeder

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Set young engineers loose with wood craft sticks, glue, and string to create a bird feeder. Then research the best seeds to fill them with, and hang them outside your classroom window to draw in some feathered friends.

Learn more: DIY Bird Feeder

Printed picture of a wildflower meadow with colored beads laid on top — The First Grader Roundup

6. Use colorful beads to learn about animal camouflage

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Animal camouflage is an important way for prey to protect themselves from predators. To learn how effective camouflage can be, place matching colored beads on top of a photo of wildflowers and see how long it takes students to find them all.

Learn more: Camouflage Beads

A girl and a boy stand next to a table in front of a construction paper flower filled with cheese puffs — Forage Create Love

7. Learn how pollination works

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Understand how flying insects flit from flower to flower to get nutrients with this fun activity. (And maybe sneak in a snack as well!)

Learn more: How Pollination Works

Collection of free printable life cycle of a butterfly worksheets and activities as an example of a first grade science activity — We Are Teachers

8. Learn about the butterfly life cycle

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Basic

Butterflies are endlessly fascinating for children of all ages! With this bundle of free printables and activities, your students can become junior butterfly scientists.

Learn more: Butterfly Life Cycle Bundle

Nature and Earth Science Activities for 1st Grade

A ball of play doh has a slice taken out of it. It has a yellow center, a brown layer, a red layer, and a blue and green outer shell — Evans Elementary School

9. Build the layers of Earth with play dough

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Another creative use for play dough! Teach your students about the different layers of Earth and then have them create the layers using different colors of play dough.

Learn more: Layers of the Earth

Pieces of fruit lined up by size in a solar system model — Me and B Make Tea

10. Make a solar system model out of fruit

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Talk with your students about the planets in our solar system. Then, using slices of fruit, guide them in making a model of the location of the planets. (Love Saturn!)

Learn more: Fruity Solar System

A bingo card says solar system bingo across the top. It has pictures of various things from space on it as an example of a first grade science activity — Artsy Fartsy Mama

11. Play solar system bingo

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Print the free bingo cards, then gather some glass gems or buttons to use to cover the spaces. This game would make for the perfect reward for good behavior since it is so fun!

Get printable: Solar System Bingo

12. Make a sundial

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Basic

Harness the power of the sun to tell time with this simple activity.

Learn more: DIY Sundial at All Science Fair Projects

Life Cycle of The Plant worksheets — We Are Teachers

13. Learn about plant life cycles

Difficulty: Medium/ Materials: Basic

Set the stage for 1st graders to learn all about plants with these foundational learning worksheets.

Learn more: Plant Life Cycle Resources

House made of green paper, with zip top plastic bag containing paper towel and sprouting seeds as an example of First Grade Science Experiments — Lessons for Little Ones

14. Turn a plastic bag into a greenhouse

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Turn your 1st grade science class into gardeners! Use a damp paper towel in a plastic bag to allow them to see a seed sprouting and growing roots.

Learn more: Greenhouse Bag

Young science students measuring the shadows on a sunny day on the playground as an example of a first grade science activity — The First Grade Roundup

15. See how shadows change throughout the day

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Start in the morning: Have kids stand in one spot on the playground while a partner traces their shadow with sidewalk chalk. Ask them what they think will happen when they stand in the same spot during the afternoon, then head back outside after lunch to find out.

Learn more: Shadow Experiment

Three glasses of water dyed different colors with a celery stalk in each as an example of first grade science projects — Lessons for Little Ones

16. Discover how plants drink water

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Capillary action is the name of the game, and your 1st grade science kiddos will be amazed at the results. Place celery stalks in cups of colored water, and watch as the leaves change color!

Learn more: How Plants Drink Science Experiment

Four jars with apple slice in each, filled with air, water, vinegar, and oil, with two magnifying glasses — Camping Teacher

17. Experiment with apples and oxidation

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Apples turn brown when they’re cut open due to oxidation. Is there any way to prevent that from happening? This experiment aims to find out. Explore more apple activities here.

Learn more: Apples Experiment

Student's hand wearing pink glove with plastic spoons attached to fingers, digging in dirt as an example of a first grade science activity — The First Grade Roundup

18. Dig in the dirt with claws

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Animal adaptations allow creatures to live in just about every environment on Earth. Learn how claws help some animals survive and thrive by gluing plastic spoons to a glove.

Learn more: Claw Glove

Tree branch with leaves covered with an air-tight plastic bag — Teach Beside Me

19. Observe plant transpiration

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Many plants take in more water than they need. What happens to the rest? Wrap a plastic bag around a living tree branch to see transpiration in action.

Learn more: Leaf Transpiration Experiment

20. Discover whether seeds germinate best in light or dark

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

There are many conditions that help a seed grow into a plant. See if light is one of the factors with this fun experiment.

Learn more: Light and Dark on Seed Germination at All Science Fair Projects

Food Science Experiments for 1st Grade

A glass of bubbly water with raisins dancing inside as an example of a first grade science activity — All Science Fair Projects

21. Make raisins swim

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Put together this “magic potion” and watch the bubbles cause the raisins to do a little dance.

Learn more: Swimming Raisins

Young student pouring yeast through a funnel into a plastic bottle — The STEM Laboratory

22. Blow up a balloon using yeast

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

This is similar to the classic lemon juice and baking soda experiment many kids do at some point. But this one is better for younger kids since you don’t have to worry about them splashing the juice in their eyes. Kids will be just as astonished at the results as the yeast eats the sugar and produces carbon dioxide gas.

Learn more: Yeast Balloon Experiment

Student building a structure from jellybeans and toothpicks — The STEM Laboratory

23. Build a jelly bean structure

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

If you’re doing this STEM project in the spring, jelly beans make the perfect base. If you can’t get a hold of jelly beans, try substituting tiny marshmallows in their place. Make sure to have some extras on hand since little hands are likely to snack as they build.

Learn more: STEM Jellybean Structures

Four plastic cups with liquid and gummy bears, sitting on a printable worksheet as an example of a first grade science activity — First Grade Buddies + Co.

24. Give gummy bears a bath

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Drop gummy bears into different liquid solutions to see how they change (or don’t) over time. Kids will learn about osmosis, as well as how scientists must be good observers.

Learn more: Gummy Bear Experiment

25. Baking soda volcano

Difficulty: Medium / Materials: Basic

This activity is a classic for a reason! And the first time students experience their very own volcano is magical. Watch the video and follow along with the free observation sheet provided at the link.

Learn more: How To Make a Baking Soda Volcano

Two glasses of water with eggs in them — Cool Science Experiments HQ

26. Float an egg in salt water

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Test the laws of density (with a little help from a pinch of salt) and discover just how easy it is to make an egg float.

Learn more: Floating Egg Experiment

A hand reaches into a bowl of aqua blue slime — Instructables

27. Make Oobleck

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Named after a Dr. Seuss book, this mysterious slimy substance is simple to put together and always a huge hit with kids!

Learn more: How To Make Oobleck

Three cups labeled water, vinegar, and soda, each with a pink marshmallow bunny floating in it as an example of a first grade science activity — Gift of Curiosity

28. Experiment with marshmallow Peeps

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Peeps used to just be an Easter treat, but these days you can find them in different shapes throughout much of the year. Use them to practice making predictions and recording observations with this sweet experiment.

Learn more: Easter Peeps Science Experiment

30. Craft a DIY lava lamp

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Your firsties are too young to remember the lava lamp craze, but this science project will give them a taste of it as they learn about liquid density. All you need is ordinary kitchen staples like oil and salt.

Learn more: Salt Volcano Lava Lamp at What Do We Do All Day?

Worksheet labeled Will It Melt? with dish of various candies and a red crayon — Playdough to Plato

31. Use candy to learn the scientific method

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

See the scientific method in action as kids hypothesize what will happen to various types of candy in the hot sun. Observe, record, and analyze your results to see if their predictions were correct.

Learn more: Candy Scientific Method Activity

32. Conduct a dancing popcorn experiment

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

This fun experiment is sure to delight any kid (or adult)! In the dancing popcorn experiment, kids learn about simple chemical reactions using only a few ingredients found in most pantries.

Learn more: Dancing Popcorn Activity

33. Mentos and Coke Experiment

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

The several-foot-high geyser that shoots from the soda bottle is a fun and awe-inspiring hands-on activity that any scientist in the making can perform. Be forewarned though: You’ll probably want to perform this experiment outside.

Learn more: Mentos and Coke Experiment

34. Conduct the Egg and Vinegar Experiment

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

The Egg and Vinegar Experiment, also known as the “Naked Egg Experiment,” demonstrates osmosis. Placing an egg in vinegar triggers a reaction between the eggshell’s calcium carbonate and the vinegar’s acetic acid, producing carbon dioxide bubbles. As the acetic acid dissolves the eggshell over time, the semi-permeable membrane remains, permitting water molecules to enter via osmosis. This influx causes the egg to swell.

Learn more: Egg and Vinegar Experiment

Weather Science Experiments for 1st Grade

Try these science activities to explore wind, rain, and more with your firsties.

A weathervane is made from a pink container with a pencil with a sewing needle in the eraser coming out of it. A straw with a piece of paper are attached to the top horizontally as an example of a first grade science activity — Rookie Parenting

35. Create a weather vane

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

A weather vane is one of the oldest scientific tools—they help people know which way the wind is blowing. Learn how to make your own with this cool weather experiment.

Learn more: Weathervane Experiment

36. Make it rain

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

You need rain to make a rainbow. Simulate a rain cloud in a jar with shaving cream and food coloring, and see how the coloring saturates the “cloud” until it simply must fall.

Two glasses of water hold a strip of paper towel colored with marker forming a rainbow as the water seeps in — Mombrite

37. Grow a rainbow

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Kids learn the colors of the rainbow along with chromatography as they watch marker streaks climb up and meet across a wet paper towel. The word might be a big one for little kids to learn, but they’ll love to see it in action!

Learn more: Grow a Rainbow

A tin can has frost developing in it as an example of a first grade science activity — Kindergarten Worksheets and Games

38. Create frost in a can

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This is an especially fun experiment during those chilly winter months. First, fill the can with ice and halfway with water. Then have the kids sprinkle salt in the can and cover the top. Finally, shake it and wait about three minutes for the frost to begin to appear.

Learn more: Frost in a Can

Glass bowl holding blue water solution covered in crystals — Babble Dabble Do

39. Grow a crystal garden

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

First grade science students might not grasp the concept of supersaturated solutions, but they’ll still love a good crystal project! Grab some magnifying glasses and let them examine the salt crystals up close (try not to touch, as they’re very fragile) to see the cool geometric structures.

Learn more: How To Grow Salt Crystals Overnight

40. Learn about snow

Check out these free printables, slides, and videos all about the wonder of snow!

Learn more: Snow Science

Blue tray covered in flour and small pebbles are the materials for a first grade science activity — A Dab of Glue Will Do

41. Create an avalanche

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Learn about the destructive power of an avalanche in a safe way with this experiment. All you need is flour, cornmeal, pebbles, and a plastic tray.

Learn more: Avalanche Experiment

More 1st Grade Science Projects and Experiments

Looking for more? Try these experiments on a range of subjects to teach 1st graders all about science.

42. Learn how to make elephant toothpaste

While no actual toothpaste is produced, this experiment is an exciting and hands-on way to bring several science lessons to life. You’ll want to use some caution when performing it with kids. Some of the chemicals used can be irritating and the substance produced is hot, so you won’t want to actually brush anyone’s teeth with the foam, as tempting as that may be!

Learn more: Elephant Toothpaste

43. Learn how to mix colors of light

Using flashlights and colored plastic sheets, students will learn about what happens when you mix colors of light.

Learn more: Mixing Colors of Light at All Science Fair Projects

Two sheets labeled Magnetic and Not Magnetic with small u-shaped magnet and a basket of small objects — Fairy Poppins

44. Find out which objects magnets attract

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Equip students with magnets and send them out to explore and discover which objects the magnet will stick to and which objects it won’t. Record their findings on the free printable worksheet at the link.

Learn more: Magnet Activities

Collage of Volcano First Grade Science Experiments — We Are Teachers

45. Try even more volcano experiments

Difficulty: Moderate / Materials: Medium

Sixteen different ways—from baking soda to papier-mâché to lemon and more—to make a volcano.

Learn more: 16 Volcano Experiments

Materials for a static electricity experiment: balloons, tissue paper, pipe cleaner and more — Kids Activities Blog

46. Spark excitement with static electricity

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

No doubt your 1st grade science students have already encountered static electricity by rubbing a balloon on their hair. This experiment takes things a step further, letting kids explore which objects an electrically charged balloon can pick up and which it can’t.

Learn more: Static Electricity Balloons

A rainbow of crayons laid on white paper, melting and running down. Text reads Melting: Solid to Liquid, Solid plus Heat equals Liquid — First Grade Circle

47. Melt crayons to explore solids and liquids

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Dig out some old crayons and use them for this easy experiment that demonstrates the difference between liquids and solids. When you’re done, you’ll have a cool piece of art to display. Discover more uses for broken crayons here.

Learn more: Melting Crayons

Two green paper cups connected at the bottoms by long pink string as an example of a first grade science activity — There’s Just One Mommy

48. Learn how sound waves work

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This classic experiment will help your 1st grade science class understand that sound travels in waves, through the air, and across other objects. Watching their faces light up when they hear whispers in their cups will make your day!

Learn more: Paper Cup Phone

49. Make art with the sun

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

A wonderful activity to teach about the power of the sun. Take your students out on a nature walk and collect leaves, flowers, twigs, etc. Then, have students lay out their finds on colored paper. Place them in a safe place (optimally for a few days). Remove the items and see the beautiful prints underneath.

Learn more: Sun Prints at All Science Fair Projects

Boy playing a homemade pan flute — Buggy and Buddy

50. Play a DIY pan flute

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

These homemade flutes are fun to play, but they also help young kids learn about the properties of sound. Let them experiment with straw lengths to see what tones they can make.

Learn more: Homemade Pan Flute

Worksheet entitled Why Do I Have Bones with Play-Doh, drinking straws, and simple model of human figure as an example of a first grade science activity — Keeping My Kiddo Busy

51. Use play dough to learn why we have bones

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Ask kids to build a person from Play-Doh and see if it will stand on its own. Then show them how adding drinking straws gives it structure and strength, and explain that bones do the same for us! Get more clever ways to use Play-Doh in the classroom here.

Learn more: Play-Doh Bones

Paper plate divided in half, with night illustrated on one half and day on the other — Universe Awareness

52. Learn why we have night and day

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

The Earth’s daily rotation gives us days and nights. This simple demo helps kids understand that. They draw a day scene and a night scene on a paper plate, then cover it with half of another plate that can be moved. This is an art project and 1st grade science experiment all rolled into one.

Learn more: Night and Day Play

53. Drop water onto a penny

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Continue your exploration of surface tension by adding water drop-by-drop to a penny. The surface tension will allow you to add far more water than you might think.

A piece of paper titled Pushing On Air with a barrell, plunger, syringe, taped to it as an example of a first grade science activity — First Grade Adventurers

54. Test air pressure

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Teach your students about air compression and air pressure using a barrel, plunger, syringe, and flexible tube. Kids will definitely get a kick out of air wrestling and popping off their plungers using air pressure.

Learn more: Air Pressure Experiment

Blue ruler dropping into student's hand — Science Sparks

55. Test your reaction time

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Do your students have lightning-quick reflexes? Find out with this easy experiment. One student holds a ruler vertically, while another places their hand just beneath and waits. When the first student drops the ruler, the second catches it as quickly as possible, seeing how many inches passed through their fingers first.

Learn more: Reaction Time Experiment

56. Will it sink or swim?

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Ask students to predict whether a variety of items will sink or float in water. Then test each object to check their hypotheses.

Young student's hand holding a mirror on a piece of paper with the letters A I U, showing symmetry as an example of a first grade science activity — Buggy and Buddy

57. Look into mirrors to discover symmetry

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

By now, 1st grade science students may have noticed that mirrors reflect objects backward. Ask them to write the alphabet in capital letters, then hold it up to the mirror. Which letters are the same when they’re reflected? Use those findings to talk about symmetry.

Learn more: Mirrors and Reflections

A child's hands are shown holding large batteries, tin foil, and a small light. — What Do We Do All Day?

58. Create a super-simple circuit

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

This is the perfect way to introduce the concept of electricity to young students since the materials and steps are minimal. You will need a D battery, tinfoil, electrical tape, and a light bulb from a flashlight.

Learn more: Super-Simple Circuit

Mason jar of water with a pencil in it, viewed from the side — STEAMsational

59. “Bend” a pencil using light refraction

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Tell your students you’re going to bend a pencil without touching it. Drop it into a glass of water and have them look at it from the side. Light refraction makes it appear to be in two pieces!

Learn more: Bending Pencil Experiment

Hands are shown punching holes into small plastic cups as an example of a first grade science activity — wikiHow

60. Weigh things with a DIY scale

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Make a simple balance scale with a coat hanger, yarn, and some plastic cups. Have students gather items from around the classroom, make predictions about which will be heavier, then test their hypothesis.

Learn more: DIY Balance Scale

A ruler propped on one side on a flat book, with a marble rolling down it toward a folded index card — Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

61. Roll marbles to explore momentum

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Momentum is “mass in motion,” but what does that really mean? Find out by rolling marbles of different sizes down rulers placed at various slopes.

Learn more: Momentum Experiments

62. Make gigantic bubbles

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

There is just something mesmerizing about bubbles and their iridescent shimmer. This activity, creating giant bubbles, will give your students a chance to examine them in a big way.

Learn more: How To Make Giant Bubbles

A series of plastic cups filled with varieties of soda, juice, and other liquids, with an egg in each as an example of a first grade science activity — First Grade Funtastic

63. Dunk eggs to understand dental health

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Grown-ups are always telling kids sugary drinks are bad for their teeth, so try this experiment to put your money where your mouth is! Eggshells are a good substitute for teeth since they’re both made of calcium. Leave eggs in different kinds of beverages to see which ones do the most damage to the shells.

Learn more: Dental Health Egg Experiment

Plastic containers holding colored ice cubes floating in water of different colors as an example of a first grade science activity — Gift of Curiosity

64. Melt ice cubes to make new colors

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Color mixing is one of those incredibly cool activities that kids will want to try again and again. Make ice cubes using primary colors, then let them melt together to see what new colors you can create.

Learn more: Color Mixing

65. Learn about aerodynamics

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Kid absolutely love creating and flying paper airplanes, so this experiment is sure to be a hit. Have your students create different-style planes and then experiment with thrust and lift to see which fly the farthest, highest, etc.

66. Learn about what scientists do

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Scientists have very important jobs and they can specialize in many different kinds of science. Learn the basics with this sweet video.

A young girl records answers on a worksheet — Forage Create Love

67. Dig for fossils

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Create an edible dig site and have a blast with your students as they dig for dinosaurs.

Learn more: Dinosaur Dig

68. Learn how easily germs spread

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

We love science activities that remind kids of the importance of good handwashing. Help them see why it’s so important with this simple experiment that uses glitter to stand in for germs.

Green oxidized pennies as an example of a first grade science activity — Blue Marble

69. Turn pennies green

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

This awesome experiment leads you through three steps: shining up pennies, turning them green, and turning them dark brown.

Learn more: Turn a Penny Green

70. Balloon baking soda experiment

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

The baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction between an acid and a base. The baking soda acts as the base and the vinegar as the acid. When the two combine, carbon dioxide (CO2) escapes the container and causes the balloon to blow up.

Learn more: Baking Soda and Vinegar Balloon Experiment

71. Do the Egg Drop Challenge

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Watch our how-to video for easy step-by-step instructions on the intricacies of the Egg Drop Challenge! The video includes fun ideas to spice up the Egg Drop Challenge and a few examples of how to craft the best device to hold your egg.

Learn more: Egg Drop Challenge How-To

72. Learn how to make your own bottle rocket

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Basic

Bottle rockets are a fun and educational activity that can engage students in hands-on learning. By building and launching their own bottle rockets, students learn about the principles of physics, engineering, and aerodynamics.

Learn more: Bottle Rocket Experiment

74. Whip up some fluffy slime

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

What’s better than a slime recipe? A fluffy slime recipe!

75. Sidewalk chalk paint

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

Sidewalk chalk paint is a fun and easy way to add some color to your outdoor activities. Whether you’re looking to create vibrant designs or just have some creative fun, this simple recipe will let you make your own chalk paint at home.

Learn more: Sidewalk Chalk Paint

76. Demonstrate the “magic” leakproof bag

Difficulty: Easy / Materials: Medium

So simple and so amazing! All you need is a zip-top plastic bag, sharp pencils, and some water to blow your students’ minds. Once they’re suitably impressed, teach them how the “trick” works by explaining the chemistry of polymers.

Learn more: Pencil Through a Bag Experiment (Guide + Printable Reflection Sheet)

Get your free printable science experiment recording sheet!

Just fill out the form on this page to get instant access to your free printable experiment recording sheet.

Animal Science Projects for 1st Grade

1. Learn about how insects see

2. Sort animals by features

3. Expose a sponge fish to pollution

4. Build a Popsicle stick bird feeder

6. Use colorful beads to learn about animal camouflage

7. Learn how pollination works

8. Learn about the butterfly life cycle

Nature and Earth Science Activities for 1st Grade

9. Build the layers of Earth with play dough

10. Make a solar system model out of fruit

11. Play solar system bingo

12. Make a sundial

13. Learn about plant life cycles

14. Turn a plastic bag into a greenhouse

15. See how shadows change throughout the day

16. Discover how plants drink water

17. Experiment with apples and oxidation

18. Dig in the dirt with claws

19. Observe plant transpiration

20. Discover whether seeds germinate best in light or dark

Food Science Experiments for 1st Grade

21. Make raisins swim

22. Blow up a balloon using yeast

23. Build a jelly bean structure

24. Give gummy bears a bath

25. Baking soda volcano

26. Float an egg in salt water

27. Make Oobleck

28. Experiment with marshmallow Peeps

30. Craft a DIY lava lamp

31. Use candy to learn the scientific method

32. Conduct a dancing popcorn experiment

33. Mentos and Coke Experiment

34. Conduct the Egg and Vinegar Experiment

Weather Science Experiments for 1st Grade

35. Create a weather vane

36. Make it rain

37. Grow a rainbow

38. Create frost in a can

39. Grow a crystal garden

40. Learn about snow

41. Create an avalanche

More 1st Grade Science Projects and Experiments

42. Learn how to make elephant toothpaste

43. Learn how to mix colors of light

44. Find out which objects magnets attract

45. Try even more volcano experiments

46. Spark excitement with static electricity

47. Melt crayons to explore solids and liquids

48. Learn how sound waves work

49. Make art with the sun

50. Play a DIY pan flute

51. Use play dough to learn why we have bones

52. Learn why we have night and day

53. Drop water onto a penny

54. Test air pressure

55. Test your reaction time

56. Will it sink or swim?

57. Look into mirrors to discover symmetry

58. Create a super-simple circuit

59. “Bend” a pencil using light refraction

60. Weigh things with a DIY scale

61. Roll marbles to explore momentum

62. Make gigantic bubbles

63. Dunk eggs to understand dental health

64. Melt ice cubes to make new colors

65. Learn about aerodynamics

66. Learn about what scientists do

67. Dig for fossils

68. Learn how easily germs spread

69. Turn pennies green

70. Balloon baking soda experiment

71. Do the Egg Drop Challenge

72. Learn how to make your own bottle rocket

74. Whip up some fluffy slime

75. Sidewalk chalk paint

76. Demonstrate the “magic” leakproof bag

Get your free printable science experiment recording sheet!

If you love 1st grade science, be sure to check out these 1st Grade STEM Challenges.