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Science

41 Easy Hands-on Faith-Neutral Science Activities for Kids

September 21, 2024 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This list of 41 easy hands-on faith-neutral science activities for kids is not only fun, but simple to do at home. These awesome activities for kids can be used in multiple ways.

Look at these 4 ways on how to use these quick hands-on faith-neutral science activities.

  • If you’re homeschooling for faith-based reasons you want to add your own science worldview. Doing faith-neutral science activities doesn’t mean you need to leave your faith checked at the door; it does mean you can add your family’s values to an activity. Whether you homeschool for faith-based reasons or you’re a secular homeschooler, you can use these activities;
  • To respect a multitude of beliefs if you’re teaching a co-op, it’s best to have on hand science activities that all kids can do regardless of belief or lack of it;
  • Because activities don’t have to be complicated, these are ideas you can do at home with little prep; and
  • Last, but not least, the BEST list of ideas always comes from educators like us using what we have in our home or things we can purchase easily at the local store.
41 Easy Hands-on Faith-Neutral Science Activities for Kids

FAITH-NEUTRAL SCIENCE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

So these ideas comes from the brilliant and creative homeschool moms in my Facebook Group. (Yes, I’m biased). Hats off to them for being awesome home educators.

1. Check the Accuracy of the 5 Second Rule.

You need three petri dishes and gummy bears. Test the idea that if you pick up food from the floor before 5 seconds would it have bacteria.

One dish is labeled as the bacteria of a gummy bear which didn’t touch the floor, one for a gummy bear which was on the floor for 5 seconds, and one that was on the floor for a minute.

Put the dishes away for a week and check the results.

How to test the results?

After 3 days my son checked it and using a marker he circled areas where bacteria was growing and then checked again after a week.

2. Compare Transparency, Translucency, and Opacity.

Paint mason jars with a mixture of white glue and food coloring (or paint).

When you put a light inside, you can see how opaque or translucent the jar is.

3. Learn about Aerodynamics.

We rolled old socks into balls and threw them around.

Then, we compared the looser sock balls, tighter sock balls, and tried an unrolled sock. We talked about aerodynamics, then threw some more socks! 

4. Make a Fraction Salad.

Science includes math. So when you study fractions make a fraction salad.

Cut grapes in halves, apples in quarters, and bananas in sixths (or eighths, depending on the size of the fruit). Then we ate it!

5. Growing Ivory Soap Science.

Microwave Ivory soap for about a minute or stop every few seconds so your kids see the changes in the soap.

Discuss air pockets. Microwave another bar to compare to see why Ivory soap expands and why it’s lighter.

SCIENCE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

6. Investigate Condensation.

Review the terms condensation, precipitation, and evaporation.

Condensation is harder to understand and to see.

So place a pea seed in a jar with lid and moisten cotton balls.

Watch the pea sprout with the condensation built up inside.

7. Build a DIY Easy Bird Feeder.

You can use many things to build feeders, but we loved using left over pumpkin halves to build feeders in the fall.

Look at this other post How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders.

8. Science Art – Make Pressed and Painted Leaves.

After leaves fall from trees, press, then paint underside of leaves and make prints on canvas.

9. Sprout a Sweet Potato.

Sprout a sweet potato is easy fun science or just to have some pretty green in your house at the time of the year when all plants seem to die.

10. Learn About Patterns – Perler Beads Creations.

Make easy patterns while learning about them or create themed ones like Minecraft using the Fun-Schooling Book.

Use Perler Beads to make your creations for any science topic or a science fiction creation.

HANDS-ON SCIENCE AT HOME

11. Learn about traction.

You need leftover boxes from your Amazon orders or any box will do, but normally we have plenty of empty Amazon boxes.

Make two easy ramps with your leftover Amazon and run toy cars down them.

41 Easy Hands-on Faith-Neutral Science Activities for Kids

Then, try sticking different things to the surfaces to create traction for the cars, like sandpaper, bubble wrap, whatever you have in the house.

This is a quick and easy quick play to learn about ramps, speed, and different effects the surface provides.

12. What Affect Different Liquids has on Items?

Take gummy bears and put then in different liquids to see how it would effect them.

We used vinegar, salt water, baking soda, coke, water and just plain water.

Compare the fun results.

13. Edible Math Graphing.

Use a bag of skittles (preferable big so you have enough to eat afterwards) and separate by color. Graph the results.

Eat, enjoy and repeat. (oops with another bag)

Also, look at 25 Creative and Tasty Edible Math Activities That Keep Learning Fun.

14. Understand Dissolving.

Put salt in warm water and cold water and determine which ones dissolves more of the salt and why.

FAITH-NEUTRAL SCIENCE IDEAS

15. Learn about Yeast and How It Produces Gas.

Make home made pizza dough and individual pizzas.

Learn about yeast and the gas production that causes it to rise while enjoying the end results and the different flavors of pizza.

Look at my post How to Turn a Pizza Into a Fun Edible Human Cell Model.

16. Dissect Owl Pellets.

41 Easy Hands-on Faith-Neutral Science Activities for Kids

Easy science.

Grab a kit and read a book about food chains to round out the experience.

Grab the book Owl Puke.

And here is an Owl Pellet Dissection Kit.

17. Diorama of the Planets or 18. Diorama of Different Habitats.

Whether you use styrofoam balls, wood. or paper mache this is a fun project.

Another idea is to make a mobile of the planets.

If you do habitats you can easily use what you have in the house and do one for the tundra, rainforest, and a desert.

Look at these fun and free printable planets and here is a printable to create a coral reef diorama , an Arctic polar animals diorama, an Amazon Jungle or Rainforest Animals, and Dinosaur habitat,

19. Grow (attempt) Celery.

Growing celery from the stump butt of one bought from the store can be fun even if it’s a fail.

Science is about attempting a variety of activities. Kids learn about what not to do in science.

BEST HANDS-ON SCIENCE ACTIVITIES

The celery did not grow, but the kids learned why to not over water vegetables.

20. Make an Outline of the Human Body and Add a Few Organs.

41 Easy Hands-on Faith-Neutral Science Activities for Kids
Picture courtesy luv of @loveandlearninghomeed

For younger kids make an outline of the human body and then have your older kids learn where body organs go.

Here is a link for the free printable organs.

21. Why do Leaves Change Color?

We looked at why leaves change color by soaking leaves in methylated spirit (denatured alcohol) which drew out the green (chlorophyll) and left the other colors.

41 Easy Hands-on Faith-Neutral Science Activities for Kids
Picture courtesy luv of @loveandlearninghomeed

22. Practical Math Using the Iditarod.

Make a litter of sled dog puppies (socks filled with rice) to study the Iditarod.

Practice math by weighing your puppies (sometimes adding or removing rice), calculating food amounts, etc.

Also learn how dog sled pups are named.

Make beef stew and serve in (brand new and washed) dog bowls and watch Sled Dog.

And look at my post How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study.

23. Make an easy spinal cord.

Make the spinal cord out of penne pasta and gummi rings, the pasta being the vertebrae and the gummi rings the disks.

41 Easy Hands-on Faith-Neutral Science Activities for Kids
Picture courtesy luv of @loveandlearninghomeed

I have more Build An Edible DNA Model and Fun Edible Spine.

24. Engineering Challenge.

Do an engineering challenge to build a shelter with materials you find.

41 Easy Hands-on Faith-Neutral Science Activities for Kids
Picture courtesy of @loveandlearninghomeed

Also, look at How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids.

25. Nature Observing.

Look for evidence of insects and animals. Read about habitats and trees in your local area, then take a nature hike.

Too, I have this post 26 Fun Nature Unit Studies for Multiple Ages.

26. Experiment with a resister to electricity.

Experiment with an electricity kit.

41 Easy Hands-on Faith-Neutral Science Activities for Kids
Picture courtesy of @loveandlearninghomeed

We determined that the current reduces when you add a resistor so the light bulb will be dimmer.

We also added a fan to a circuit.

HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE ACTIVITIES

27. Glow Germ Experiment.

This is a fun one to do in a co-op or with siblings.

Click here to read about how to do the glo germ activity.

28. Learn about Capillary Action.

We explained capillary action by cutting celery stalks at the bottom and putting them in containers with food dye.

After a few hours if you cut the stalk you could see the food dye had been drawn up.

Then, after a day or so the leaves were showing the food dye.

29. Apple science.

Cut open a few different apples and inspect the seeds. Look at my posts Apple Lapbook and Apple Unit Study.

Learn about how the number of seeds directly correlates with the pollination of the apples which of course will lead us into a study on pollination.

30. Understand about blubber.

Learning about the Arctic and Antarctica are doing a blubber hand.

You insert one hand in ice water with just a glove or ziplock bag and the second hand is immersed in shortening (blubber) before put in cold water.

The kids can compare the difference with the blubber.a

31. Dissect a Shark.

And look at How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity, Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity and How to Make A Megalodon Shark Tooth Fun Homeschool Project.

FUN SCIENCE AT HOME

32. Make bouncy eggs.

Make bouncing eggs by soaking eggs in vinegar for three days.

The calcium of the eggshell will dissolve and leave the membrane of the egg which will be bouncy.

This will be to demonstrate the effect of acid on minerals like calcium.

33. Learn about weight and floating.

Make boats out of tin foil and weigh them. Make a note.

Then find things around the house and weigh them before putting them in the boat, again taking note.

Find things like pennies, paper clips and small toys.

Make it a challenge by the winner being whoever gets the most things in their boat without it sinking. They can draw pictures in their science journals too.

34. Chemical reactions.

Use silly putty to show chemical reactions. Click here to learn about the chemical reactions.

35. Color of Leaves.

Pick up leaves and examine them with a magnifying glass.

36. Make balloon operated cars.

Here is a fun video lesson to watch on how to make an easy balloon operated car.

SCIENCE TO DO AT HOME

41 Easy Hands-on Faith-Neutral Science Activities for Kids

37. Study Arthropods.

Finish your unit with an Arthropod scavenger hunt!

Kids use a scavenger hunt to find certain arthropods, take pictures of them, and then create a beautiful power point presentation as their final assessment.

38. Make a Tree Book.

Put together a book on trees.

This is a great activity if you have a ton of trees around. Go on a leaf hunt.

Then iron them in wax paper and look up each leaf and write facts about them.

Put the wax paper in plastic sleeves and put them in a notebook and keep it as a keepsake to look at all year round to remind us of the different and beautiful trees we have around us.

39. Composting.

You get short term and long term benefits from this hands-on idea.

Composting is quick to set up, but you do have to wait a few years to eventually get new dirt.

Too, i have Gardening Projects For Homeschool Easy Composting With the Amazing Dr. George Carver (Free Printable About Compost).

40. How Does Drag Work?

Make paper airplanes. Here is a link on how to make a paper airplane.

41. Make Crystals.

You can make crystals out of a solution and measured the temperature to start with, in the middle, and at the end.

Make different colors, discuss about geodes and how they form as well as other crystals like ice, salt, and sugar.

The best way to teach is hands-on and having these faith-neutral science kid’s activities at your finger tips allows you to plan quickly with just a few things on hand.

For example, look at How To Make Crystals | Facts About Crystals For Kids.

What easy science ideas have you done?

Look at these other fun ideas you’ll love:

  • Kinder Gardening to Celebrate Nature and Science
  • How to Easily Make Fun Seed Tape With Kids
  • How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer
  • Easy Seed and Gardening Unit Study for Kids (Middle – Upper Elementary)
  • 18 Amazing Kids Subscription Boxes to Try Right Now
  • 6 Fun and Free Nature Studies to Beat the Doldrums
  • 100 Brilliant STEM Activities Using Everyday Items

Hugs and love ya,

2 CommentsFiled Under: Hands-On Activities, How To - - -, Science, Science Based, Teach Homeschool Science Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, life science, physical science, science

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages

June 3, 2024 | 4 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We really love to do rock activities that are easy. Also, look at my Free Earth Science Lapbook & Unit Study Ideas.

There are so many different hands-on activities to do when learning about rocks.

We did a Metamorphic Edible Rocks & Notebooking Pages activity a while back and today we decided to whip out an edible rock cycle fudge. (yum)

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages

Your kids will love seeing the different processes of the rock cycle while making rock cycle fudge. This is great for your middle school kids to do.

Your kids will love seeing the different processes of the rock cycle while making rock cycle fudge. This is great for your middle school kids to do.

Make Edible Rock Cycle Fudge

Let the younger ones measure and stir the ingredients when they are not hot.

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages

Otherwise, turn this activity over to your kids. Yes, easy activities are my style.

Let’s go. Here is what you need.

  • Microwave | two bowls (one needs to be microwave safe)
  • spatula
  • wax paper
  • thin cookie sheet
  • liquid and dry measuring cups
  • 1/2 cup silt (sweetened condensed milk)
  • 1/2 cup quartz crystals (sugar)
  • 1 T. sediment (softened butter)
  • 1 cup limestone pieces (marshmallows)
  • 1/4 cup or more sandstone pieces (we used walnuts because we love them, but pecans are fine too)
  • | 3/4 cup basalt pieces (chocolate chips)
  • 1/2 t. vanilla extract

Add the milk, sugar and softened butter in microwave safe mixing bowl and stir to mix. Set aside.

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge

In the second bowl combine the one cup of marshmallows, 1/4 cup of walnuts or pecan pieces, 3/4 cup of chocolate chips, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages

Place the mixing bowl with the milk, sugar, and butter in the microwave.

Microwave it three times for 45 seconds each.

After each time, take it out, stir, and microwave again.

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages

After the third time, pour the marshmallows, walnuts and chocolate chips into the bowl.

Everything should start melting.

(By the way since the mixing bowl has been microwaved 3 times, it’s hot. So your kids may want to use an oven mitten.)

If it’s not hot enough and melting, stick it in the microwave again and give it a few more seconds.

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages

Pour out onto wax paper which is placed on a cookie sheet and refrigerate overnight.

Or, if you’re like us and can’t wait that long, stick it in the freezer for a while and cheat.

Here are some questions to ask about the rock cycle.

  1. What is the rock cycle? It’s how rocks are formed, it’s how rocks breakdown, and it’s how rocks form into other rocks.
  2. How is the fudge similar to the rock cycle? (Magma is chocolate, different pieces are sediment and when it cools, it’s igneous rock.)
  3. What is sediment? (Metamorphic rocks can break down and turn into sediment).
  4. What happens when we apply heat to a sedimentary rock?
  5. What is magma?

Look at some other hands-on rock activities I’ve rounded up and love.

 Rocks Unit Studies

  • Free Grand Canyon Unit Study.
  • Geology Leader Notebook 92 pages.
  • Free Homeschool Geology Unit Study And Easy DIY Eggshell Geode
  • Hands-on Science: Rocks & Minerals Unit.
  • Rocking the Cycle Unit Study 45 pages.
  • 4th Grade What are Minerals? 61 pages.

 Rock Printables, Lesson Plans and Activities

Now, look at some rock printables, lesson plans and activities.

  • Sedimentary Rocks Notebooking Pages.
  • Hands-On Rock Cycle: Crayons & Cookies.
    Metamorphic Rocks.
  • Rocks and Minerals: Scratch Test.
  • Geoscavenge – A Rock and Mineral Hunt & Printable
  • How Sedimentary Rocks are Formed.
  • 40+ Rocks and Stones Learning Activities for Kids.

Living Books About Rocks

And my favorite rock living book with hands-on activities.

6 Rock Unit Study Books & Fun Resources

Whatever grade you're teaching, you'll love adding one of these books or resources to your day.

1. A Rock Is Lively (Family Treasure Nature Encylopedias)

From dazzling blue lapis lazuli to volcanic snowflake obsidian, an incredible variety of rocks are showcased in all their splendor. Poetic in voice and elegant in design, this book introduces an array of facts, making it equally perfect for classroom sharing and family reading.

2. LED Lighted Pocket Microscope

 A pocket microscope is a great addition to a science shelf or to add to your bag for nature walks.

3. Rock Cycle Kit, 12 Pieces - Includes Metamorphic, Igneous & Sedimentary Rocks

You can grab a set like this one to start your collection, it contains rocks from each of the 3 types- Sedimentary, Metamorphic, and Igneous.

4. My Book of Rocks and Minerals: Things to Find, Collect, and Treasure

Identify colorful gemstones, sparkly crystals, the toughest rocks, and ancient fossils. Packed with fun facts, information, and extensive photos all about the rocks and minerals that make up the world around us.

Basher: Rocks & Minerals: A Gem of a Book

Simon Basher is back with another zany primer to science! Following his 3 successful titles on the basics of chemistry, physics, and biology, BASHER SCIENCE: ROCKS AND MINERALS is an in-depth look at the ground beneath our feet. Like his other titles, Basher presents these topics through charming and adorable illustrations and pairs them with basic information told from a first person perspective. He develops a community of characters based on the things that form the foundations
of our planet: rocks, gems, crystals, fossils and more. And what's more, he makes it understandable, interesting, and cute. It's not what you expect out of a science primer.

Everybody Needs a Rock (An Aladdin Book)

Everybody needs a rock -- at least that's the way this particular rock hound feels about it in presenting her own highly individualistic rules for finding just the right rock for you.

Edible Rock Cycle Fudge | Hands-on Rock Activities & Free Notebooking Pages

Media About Rocks

  • Be a Rock Detective.
  • Fun – Sing Karaoka.
  • The Rock Cycle
  • The World Under a Rock
  • Our World – The Rock Cycle.

More Ideas for Edible Rock Activities

  • Rock Stacking.
  • Rock Activities For Kindergarten And Fun Edible Rock Cycle
  • Edible Rocks, Munching Meteorites
  • Metamorphic Edible Rocks & Notebooking Pages
  • Edible Sedimentary Rocks.
  • How to Identify Rocks Using a Nature Guide
  • Rock Candy Crystals.
  • DIY Agate Candy Slices.

Free 3 Notebooking Pages

Next, use my pages below to add your child’s thoughts about rocks.

  1. 3 Types of Rock Definition Page
  2. How Are Rocks Formed, Define Weathering, & Describe the Rock Cycle
  3. The ABCs of Rocks.

How to Get the Free Notebooking Pages

Now, how to grab the freebies. They are subscriber freebies.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) Sign up on my email list.
2) Grab the freebie now.
3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Don’t forget to follow BOTH of my Pinterest accounts for AWESOME pins.

Visit Tina Robertson’s profile on Pinterest.


Visit Tinas Dynamic Homeschool ‘s profile on Pinterest.

Your kids will love seeing the different processes of the rock cycle while making rock cycle fudge. This is great for your middle school kids to do. And grab some free hands-on homeschool ideas for studying about the fascinating topic of rocks. Click here to make this delicious and fun activity!

4 CommentsFiled Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic}, Geography, Hands-On Activities, Middle School Homeschool, My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas}, Science, Science Based Tagged With: earthscience, freeprintables, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschoolscience, rocks, science, sciencecurriculum

Fun Homeschool Science Ideas for K – 2

May 11, 2024 | 8 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I love sharing other tips and resources like homeschool science ideas for K – 2 that we used for Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum.

I have some fun and creative ways to keep science fun.

It’s important to adopt a philosophy for how you are going to teach science, not just at this age but throughout your homeschooling journey.

Your method changes of course as your children grow, but some foundational things should never change.

Fun Homeschool Science Ideas for K - 2

For example, during the K – 2 years, I think books should be used as guides and for the littles to poke their nose in them after they have had their delight of hands-on activities.

Next, look at this list of fun things to do with your younger budding scientist.

6 Homeschool Science Ideas for K – 2

Science in the younger years shouldn’t be hard, but should be hands-on, fun, and engaging. Too, play learning is a huge part of the natural development of children at these stages. I think you’ll love using an idea or two I have here.

National Geographic STEM Science Kit - 15+ Experiments, Crystal Growing, Volcano Kit, Dig Kits & Gemstones for Kids - Amazon Exclusive

I started putting together my science kits but have used wonderful science kits from the Young Scientists Series and Amazon Science Kits.

Sometimes, it’s just nice having the option when you have no time to have premade kits.

Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book 1 (Christian Liberty Nature Readers)

Then, all of my boys read the Christian Liberty Nature Readers at this age.This colorful reader will introduce students to God's marvelous creation and reinforce phonics principles. Students will also learn beginning vocabulary skills as he is exposed to new words. A glossary of terms is also provided at the end.

Photo Credit: sciencebob.com

Great collection of Science Experiments for home and school.

Too, activities and books at this age do not have to be expensive either. Look at this website Science Bob, which have activities listed to do at home all laid out for you.

Photo Credit: www.agirlandagluegun.com

the science box:

I love how The Girl and a Glue Gun made her own science kits and used the Science Bob website.

Photo Credit: www.msnucleus.org

MATH/SCIENCE NUCLEUS

Then also look at Msnucleus website because it has free workbooks to download along with activities listed on the site too. Nice!

The Magic School Bus - Chemistry Lab

Great hands on learning and educational science STEM kit for boys and girls which encourages STEM learning for ages 5+.

I loved this series because they spanned a few grades and I could get my money's worth out of these activities.

More Homeschool Science Ideas for K – 2

Look at these other ideas:

  • Check out a hands-on museum.
  • Check out science picture books at the library.
  • Check out your library to see if they loan out educational toys and things like microscopes. Our library back home had all kinds of neat things to rent.
  • Check out science videos/dvds/ at the library. They may be older but still good.
  • Check out the free science coloring pages too .

Science at this age is all about examining a tree, looking under a log, investigating a pond, start a birding journal, growing a bean, going on nature walks, going to the zoo, setting up an aquarium and instead of planting a whole garden, which sounded like too much energy when I was sleep deprived, we grew a few veggies in a pot on the back porch.

Homeschool Science Ideas for K - 2

It had just the same ewwww and awwww factor as a garden when we grew tomatoes and a few other veggies in a pot.

Science at this age doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to consume their interests and stir their sense of wonder.

More Homeschool Science Ideas for K – 2

  • Homeschool Science Ideas for K – 2
  • 18 Kindergarten Science Homeschool Curriculum For Active Kids
  • Simple and Easy Instant Ice Kids Activity Homeschool Science Experiments
  • Rainforest Science Activities For Kindergarten Amazing and Fun Living Terrarium
  • 10 Affordable and Complete Homeschool Kindergarten Curriculum
  • BEST Free Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum With A Gentle Approach (List)
  • Homeschool Kindergarten Life Science – Hands-on Fun Nature Tree Study
  • 10 Favorite Science Movies and Documentaries for Homeschooled Kids
  • 18 Amazing Kids Subscription Boxes to Try Right Now
  • 10 Fun Amazon Prime Movies for the Youngest Homeschoolers
Homeschool Science Ideas for K - 2
Homeschool Science Ideas for K - 2 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

8 CommentsFiled Under: Science Tagged With: elementary, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, kindergarten, life science, science, sciencecurriculum

Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook

March 13, 2024 |
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Whether you study a pond in winter or summer, a pond unit study makes for a great hands-on science project. You can add many different nature topics. Also, look at my other Best Homeschool Unit Studies and Lapbook Ideas.

There are just as many things that grow above a pond as there are that live below in a pond.

Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook

Too, look at the free minibooks included in this download which are our subtopics.

  • Define limnology
  • How to define a pond
  • Types of pond
  • 3 characteristics of water
  • Types of pond plants
  • Other pond & shore plants
  • Major groups of pond animals
  • Plants and animals on the food chain
  • Woody plants

Look at these resources that I gathered up for a pond unit study and then I have a nifty lapbook for you too.

Like most all of my unit studies, I give you ideas for Prek to High school.

Also, you’ll love some of these books about ponds.

11 Fun Pond Life Resources for Kids

Add one or two of these resources to you learning day or to a pond unit study.

Over and Under the Pond: (Environment and Ecology Books for Kids)

In Over and Under the Pond, readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. Over the pond, the water is a mirror, reflecting the sky. But under the water is a hidden world of creatures—minnows darting, beavers diving, and tadpoles growing.  
These secrets and many others are waiting to be discovered over and under the pond in this sweet children’s book from Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal, the latest in their beloved series that offers kids a peek into hidden ecosystems.

Natural and Earth Science Educational Flash Card

This set of 48 cards features a colorful illustration on one side and informational facts on the other side.

CARD SIZE: 4.5 x 6 inches. Each card is double-sided and durable.

Rivers, Ponds, and Lakes (Collins Nature Explorers)

Have you ever wondered:

  • How to find life in a puddle?
  • What lives in your local river?
  • How to make a micro zoo?
  • How pond snails breathe?

Now you can become an expert nature explorer and learn fantastic facts to impress your friends and family!

You'll love that these hands-on books contain straightforward and safe step-by-step projects, allowing you to help your children discover the natural world. They are ideal supplements to school science projects and the perfect activities for weekends and vacations.

Pond Life: Revised and Updated (A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press)

This guide describes and illustrates, in full color, the plants and animals that live in or near ponds, lakes, streams, and wetlands. It includes surface-dwelling creatures as well as those of open water, the bottom, and the shore and tells how various animals and plants live together in a community.Plus suggestions for:Where and when to lookObserving and collecting specimensMaking exciting discoveries

Photo Credit: ourjourneywestward.com

Peaceful Ponds

Using Peaceful Ponds, you’ll have so much fun learning about pond plants and animals, as well as earth science topics as they relate to ponds. 

Lakes and Ponds!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

Imagine the smooth, glasslike surface of a pond, the water mirroring a bright moon or a crystal blue sky. The water appears perfectly calm and still. What’s going on underneath the surface?

Lakes and Ponds! With 25 Science Projects for Kids invites kids ages 7 though 10 to investigate the bodies of water that might look calm from the shore but which are teeming with life and activity! Through fun facts and engaging content, readers explore the plants and animals living in lakes and ponds, from fish darting about to dragonfly nymphs gestating in the shallows to algae and aquatic plants converting sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. Discover fun facts about the duckweed, water lilies, and cattails growing in and around the waters of lakes and ponds. It’s a busy place!

Keystone Species that Live in Ponds, Streams, & Wetlands (Kid's Guide to Keystone Species in Nature)

The same thing is true in nature. Certain species of animals and plants are so important to their ecosystems, that if they disappear, the whole system may collapse. They are called keystone species.

Frogs and Toads and Tadpoles, Too (Rookie Read-About Science: Animals)

What's the difference between a frog and a toad? The natural world comes alive for young readers (Ages 6-7) with Rookie Read-About "RM" Science! With striking, full-color photos and just the right amount of text, this series immediately involves young readers as they discover intriguing facts about the fascinating world around them.This book discusses the likenesses and differences between frogs and toads.

Amphibian

Frogs, toads, newts, salamanders, and the rare caecilians come in a stunning array of colors, shapes, sizes, and habitats. They live both in water and on land and move in a variety of ways from swimming to hopping and even flying. With a series of specially commissioned photographs, DK Eyewitness Books: Amphibian takes a close look at the fascinating natural history of these creatures from the bright green, red-eyed tree frogs to dull, burrowing, wormlike caecilians; from startling black and yellow fire salamanders to tiny transparent glass frogs.

Pond Life: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Plants & Animals Living in or Near Ponds, Lakes & Wetlands (Wildlife and Nature Identification)

So many people get their start in nature study by exploring ponds. These small bodies of calm, standing water are fascinating living laboratories of plant and animal life at all scales, from microscopic algae to iconic birds like Great Blue Herons or ecosystem engineers like Beavers. To better understand how a pond ecosystems functions, it helps to get familiar with its living parts, namely its flora and fauna. The portable reference Pond Life is an excellent tool to bring on your next pond study, as it includes beautiful illustrations of 140 common and familiar birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, insects, and other invertebrates as well as trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, waterproof, 12-panel folding pocket guide is the perfect tool for educators, learners, naturalists, botanists, and wildlife enthusiasts to use the next time they go searching for minnows, tadpoles, or dragonfly nymphs at their local pond.

Pond Wildlife (Adventures in Nature)

Get ready to take a leap into the water in this exciting exploration of pond habitats. This volume examines different kinds of pond habitats, and the creatures that are found both in the water and on its edge, from bass to grass snakes to herons. Readers will learn about life cycles, ecosystems, and conservation, which are important curricula-based science topics. This volume pairs compelling text with vivid color photographs to bring readers on a nature walk they won’t soon forget. Diagrams, activities, and quizzes provide greater opportunities for exploration. This book is perfect for nature-enthused readers to get their feet wet identifying creatures and understanding the wonder of pond wildlife!

Pond Unit Study and Lapbook

  • Ron’s pond scum. Neat site with pictures taken through a microscope.
  • Earth’s Kids – ponds and wetlands science.
  • A virtual pond dip.
  • Water holes to mini-pond lesson plan.
  • At the pond for the littles.
  • Small pond creatures.
  • Pond water web.
  • Pond life identification.
  • Pond animal life printout.
  • 15 Swamp Craft & Activity Ideas.
  • Missouri pond handbook. Neat resource with lots of information.
  • Pond ecology.
  • Pond Theme Activities – Stem – Free Printables
  • What’s in this water.
  • Pond life theme for Prek.

Pond Hands-on Ideas

  • Plastic bag pond.
  • Tadpoles and frogs.
  • Free land and water form cards.
  • Wide mouthed frog craft printable.
  • 25 Water Hands-On Activities for Kids.
  • Pond Sensory Bin.
  • Cattails craft.
  • Coffee filter lily pad.
  • Duck craft handprint.
  • Pond Dipping Spotter Form.
Looking for a fun and free multiple age Pond Unit Study and lapbook? You’ll love these resources whether you study a pond in the winter, summer, spring or fall. Check out this what is above and what is below in a pond homeschool unit study and free awesome lapbook. CLICK HERE!!

More Pond Resources

  • Make Way For Ducklings Fun Duck Pond Playdough Invitation to Play
  • Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam
  • Why Is a Toad An Amphibian And Pondlife Facts & Make a Fun Toad House
  • 8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers Who Love Pond Animals

Nature Study: A Week at the Pond.
Identifying pond animals.
Life in a pond study guide.

Spring to life ponds teachers guide.
Learning Places Pond Unit.
Beaver’s teachers guide.
Vernal Ponds: Seasonal Habitats for Wildlife. 

Above and Below in the Pond

Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook

  • Cattail – this edible plant is also an excellent source of weaving material, tinder, and insect repellent.
  • Macroinvertebrate Match-Up Cards.
  • Wetlands Ecosystem teacher’s guide.

When we did our unit study, I used one book that we had and one book that we wanted.

One book I have because it has easy hands-on activities.

It’s the book Rivers, Ponds, and Lakes (Collins Nature Explorers) and the one I had to have is Pond Life: Revised and Updated (A Golden Guide from St. Martin’s Press) because it’s packed with so much information about pond life.

Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook

Together these two books made for a great pond study.I was SO pleased with this tiny little guide packed with a HUGE amount of information.

Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook

Literally, this guide could fit in a shirt pocket. It’s the perfect size to take to study a pond, stream, or other wetland area.

Besides having colorful illustrations which are not goofy looking but perfect for the science-minded, it is chock-full of facts about plants and animals of the pond.

Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook

The chapters like Characteristics of Water, Habitats, Food Webs, Observing and Collecting, and then Plants and Animals.

The plants and animals sections are divided into groups along with pictures of each group.

I’m really pleased with this little guide Pond Life: Revised and Updated (A Golden Guide from St. Martin’s Press).

Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook

Then the second book, Rivers, Ponds, and Lakes (Collins Nature Explorers) is one I have and we used it to because it has fun outdoor activities.

A few of the activities are build your own backyard pond, use light to catch fish, and race snails.

Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook

The chapters in this book are Freshwater habitats, Puddles, Ponds and Lakes, Rivers and Streams and Boggy, soggy swamps.

We love the one above about collecting skins and mud tracking.

How to Test Pond Water – Older Kid Outdoor Science Lab

We loved reading and studying about pond life.

Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook

There are many fun things to do for younger kids/

But one thing we did for an older kid to make it more of a lab is to use a water testing kit.

Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook

The water testing kit came with a mini notebook, a cool TDS meter, vials and test strips.

It’s a great way of learning about the water in your area and to do a lab with an older learner. 

You’ll want to find 4 different water sources.

We used the ditch in the back of our house, the creek from the local park on our walk, bottled water, and tap water.

The instructions are on the chart and it gives you an order in which to do the tests.

Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook

We checked each sample for chlorine/copper/nitrate/nitrite, then alkalinity/pH/hardness, and lastly the iron.

And another resource we love for nature studies are the NaturExplorers. Look at this one about ponds.

Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook


I think you’ll love this next free lapbook in my nature series which is about ponds.

Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook

 

How to Get the Free Pond Lapbook

Now, how to grab the free lapbook. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie now.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Look at these other links:



Pond Life Printable Pack from Emily at Table Life Blog
Aquatic Science Studies: 10 Activities for Teens from Eva at Eva Varga
Online Book Study about water cycle from Dachelle at Hide the Chocolate

An InLinkz Link-up


Looking for a fun and free multiple age Pond Unit Study and lapbook? You’ll love these resources whether you study a pond in the winter, summer, spring or fall. Check out this what is above and what is below in a pond homeschool unit study and free awesome lapbook. CLICK HERE!!

You’ll love these other resources:

  • Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Super Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook
  • Humboldt Who? Hands On to Understand Ocean Currents & Their Effect On The Galapagos Islands

Filed Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic}, Hands-On Activities, Lapbook, Lapbooks, My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas}, Science, Science Based Tagged With: earthscience, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, lapbook, life science, nature study, ponds, science, The Nature Book Club Link Up

How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer

March 7, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, you’ll love this fun kids root viewer. Also, look at this post Easy Seeds and Gardening Unit Study for Kids (Middle – Upper Elementary) for more ideas.

While planting and watching a garden grow is tons of fun you kind of miss out on some of the fun and learning.

You don’t really get to see what is going on under the soil and that is where the real action takes place, at least in the beginning.

How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer

Giving kids a chance to really see what is happening underground really helps the idea of seed to plant take shape even more in their minds.

They do sell plastic root viewers online but really I enjoyed making our own for some hands-on fun and also because it only cost $3 to make it with tons of leftover seeds and soil for other garden activities or planting.

DIY Fun Kids Root Viewer

We will use ours over and over checking out how different plants look, how long it takes them to germinate, and how big they grow.

1. root viewer vertical How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer

Next, look at some of these garden and seed books for kids as you make this kids root viewer.

Make this a complete unit study with fun hands-on ideas.

11 Gardening With Kids Books & Fun Resources

As a true bibliophile no unit study would be complete without a strong list of books to support a topic. Here is a great list for everyone in the family.

Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life

Learn the difference between a farrow and a barrow, and what distinguishes a weanling from a yearling. Country and city mice alike will delight in Julia Rothman’s charming illustrated guide to the curious parts and pieces of rural living. Dissecting everything from the shapes of squash varieties to how a barn is constructed and what makes up a beehive to crop rotation patterns, Rothman gives a richly entertaining tour of the quirky details of country life. 

The Garden Classroom: Hands-On Activities in Math, Science, Literacy, and Art

Packed with garden-based activities that promote science, math, reading, writing, imaginative play, and arts and crafts, The Garden Classroom offers a whole year of outdoor play and learning ideas—however big or small your garden.

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt:

Explore the secret realm beneath the dirt that brings the world of nature to life: Follow a young girl and her grandmother on a journey through the year planning, planting, and harvesting their garden—and learn about what's happening in the dirt to help make it all happen.Up in the garden, the world is full of green—leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But down in the dirt exists a busy world—earthworms dig, snakes hunt, skunks burrow—populated by all the creatures that make a garden their home

Gardening Lab for Kids: 52 Fun Experiments to Learn, Grow, Harvest, Make, Play, and Enjoy Your Garden

A refreshing source of ideas to help your children learn to grow their own patch of earth, Gardening Lab for Kids encourages children to get outside and enjoy nature. This fun and creative book features 52 plant-related activities set into weekly lessons, beginning with learning to read maps to find your heat zone, moving through seeds, soil, composting, and then creating garden art and appreciating your natural surroundings.

The Ultimate Guide to Gardening: Grow Your Own Indoor, Vegetable, Fairy, and Other Great Gardens

Whether inside or outside, decorative or edible, this book is full of gardening projects large and small. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions are accompanied by photographs that guide the aspiring gardening through planting all kinds of gardens.

Kids Gardening Set

MONTESSORI FOR TODDLERS: Our gardening tool set encourages kids to play outside & learn about plants, nature & sustainability. Perfect for the yard and sand box.

OUTDOOR LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Our Kids Garden Set is great for Occupational Therapy & Developing Fine Motor Skills. Suitable for Boys and girls.

Do-It-Yourself Garden Research Handbook - The Thinking Tree: How to Design, Plant, & Care for Your Own Garden! Homeschooling Science, Nature & Home Economics

A Gardening Research Workbook & Planning Guide for Teens, Kids and Families! Perfect for Homeschooling Science, Nature Study, Botany and Home Economics!

Designed for teens, but perfect for Ages 9+ (Younger students will need some extra help).

Raised Garden Bed Wood Planter Boxes Outdoor for Kids with Legs

{Raised Garden Bed for Kids} We designed the children raised garden bed carefully, so that your children can feel the happiness of plant growth and the magic of natural life. Our raised garden bed deep enough to provide your plants and vegetables with ample room to breathe and grow healthy.

From Seed to Plant

Flowers, trees, fruits—plants are all around us, but where do they come from?  With simple language and bright illustrations, non-fiction master Gail Gibbons introduces young readers to the processes of pollination, seed formation, and germination.  Important vocabulary is reinforced with accessible explanation and colorful, clear diagrams showing the parts of plants, the wide variety of seeds, and how they grow.  The book includes instructions for a seed-growing project, and a page of interesting facts about plants, seeds, and flowers.   A nonfiction classic, and a perfect companion for early science lessons and curious young gardeners.

National Geographic Readers: Seed to Plant

Kids see plants, flowers, and trees around them every day. In this lively and educational reader, they'll learn how those plants grow. Kids will take this magical journey from seed pollination to plant growth, learning about what plants need to thrive and grow with the same careful text, brilliant photographs, and the fun approach National Geographic Readers are known for.

Oh Say Can You Seed? All About Flowering Plants

An easy and fun introduction to plant biology! With the able assistance of Thing 1 and Thing 2 - the Cat in the Hat explores the world of plants. Kids will learn about the various parts of plants, seeds, and flowers; basic photosynthesis and pollination; and seed dispersal.

Kids Spring Activity Root Viewer

To make your own diy root viewer you will need:

  • a smooth cylinder vase-glass or plastic
  • Potting soil
  • Garden seeds- radishes, marigold, melon, and squash sprout quickly
  • A handful of large rocks or pebbles
  • cardstock/construction paper
2. root viewer supplies How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer

Gather up all your supplies and begin by placing a layer of rocks about 3” deep in the bottom of your vase carefully.

You can use plastic but I like the transparency and durability of the glass one better, so we chose a tall cylinder vase at Dollar Tree.

For stones, we just used some that we had in our driveway.

3. DIY root viewer adding rocks How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer

Next, add the potting soil to fill your vase to about 1”-2” from the top of the rim. We were also able to get a nice sized bag of potting soil at Dollar Tree and there is plenty left in the bag for more projects.

Add 1-2 seeds to the soil 1” deep, press them in with your finger.

We spread ours out in 3 different spots around the vase in case some didn’t take.

How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer

Be sure to place your seeds right up against the glass so you can watch them sprout clearly, you will also be able to see some of the roots as they reach down.

Easy Kids Root Viewer

We choose radishes to plant in ours because they generally sprout pretty quick, this lets you get to the action much quicker but we will rotate our “crops” to observe other types of plants.

4 diy root viewer water How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer

Water the seeds/soil well.

Now, in order for a seed to sprout it needs a moist but also dark environment, so we need to cover the vase as if the seed were in the ground.

5. root viewer soil How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer

Measure the height and diameter of your vase and cut a piece of thick dark cardstock or construction paper to fit, wrap it around and tape snugly in place, tape it to the other end of the paper, not the vase so that you can easily lift it off the vase and view the process.

We made ours 2 layers thick to give the tiny seeds as much protection as possible.

6 root viewer horizontal How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer

Place the cover on your vase and put your root viewer in a sunny window so that the soil can be warmed by the sun and provide the ideal conditions for your seeds to sprout.

As you put together your diy root viewer and watch the growth it’s a great time to talk about what a seed needs-water, oxygen, and proper temperature for optimal growth.

Kids DIY Root Viewer

Our viewer held a lot of water and we only needed to add just a bit of water directly to the top to keep the seeds moist.

Every day slide up the cover and check out the progress. Make notes and drawings in a journal to track your plant’s growth.

7. root viewer cover How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer

Ask your child some open-ended questions to encourage their curiosity.

  • What is happening?
  • How has the plant changed?
  • What will happen next?
  • After how many days did the seed begin to open?
  • How long before the leaves sprouted?

Kids Root Viewer

Here are our sprouts on day 1, day 3, day 5, and day 15

The kids really enjoyed being able to see a normally hidden magical process.

8 root viewer sprout growth How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer

We could see the seed as it broke open, roots as the grew down, and the stem and seeds as they reached upward for the sun.

The other thing seeds need to sprout is contained inside them- nutrients.

Once they sprout in the right conditions and roots take hold and the leaves sprout they are then able to use the process of Photosynthesis to make food.

How to Make a Fun Kids Root Viewer

Here are some terms to go over with your child while building and watching the process…

  • Photosynthesis– The process where green plants and organisms use sunlight to create food from water and carbon dioxide.
  • Germination– The development of seed after planting in soil.
  • Sprout– Germination process where the seed puts out roots.
  • Nutrients– Something in food that helps plants, animals, and people grow.
  • Dormant– The state of rest for seeds before they sprout.

Go a little deeper by learning about the basic parts of a plant- roots, stem, leaves.

You’ll also love these other activities:

  • Easy Seed and Gardening Unit Study for Kids (Middle – Upper Elementary)
  • Fall Unit Study (Includes Apples, Sir Isaac Newton, Art, and Appleseed)
  • Foraging and Feasting Nature Unit Study and Lapbook 
  • Wildflowers Unit Study & Lapbook
  • How to Easily Garden Plan With Kids Using LEGO

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities, Science Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, nature study, plants, science, seed

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