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homeschoolscience

How to Make Salt Dough Bug Fossils & Fossil Definition Kids

April 26, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re learning how to make salt dough bug fossils and learning a fossil definition kids. Also, you’ll love my Amber – Freezing Gold Lapbook and Unit Study.

Sometimes it’s easier to explain a definition like what is a fossil when kids do a hands-on craft.

Learning about bugs in the spring too when bugs seem to be plentiful makes a fun study.

How to Make Salt Dough Bug Fossils & Fossil Definition Kids

When people think of fossils, we think of huge dinosaurs but smaller fossils like bugs can be fascinating.

For example, amber traps bugs like glue. And bugs don’t have bones but their hard shells can still fossilize.

Bug fossils can show tiny details like eyes, wings, and even hair.

BOOKS ABOUT FOSSILS

Next, look at these books about fossils and of course dinosaurs which go hand in hand with learning about fossils

15 Books for Kids Crazy About Fossils and Dinosaurs

Your dinosaur loving kids will love some of these books and resources for a fun dinosaur unit study.

Fossils Tell of Long Ago

What is a fossil? Sometimes it's the imprint of an ancient leaf in a rock. Or it could be the skeleton of a dinosaur that has turned to stone. With clear prose and beautifully detailed illustrations, award-winning author and illustrator Aliki describes the different ways fossils are formed and what they tell us about life on Earth long ago.

This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. It includes a find out more section with a glossary and activity guide so kids can create their own fossils for someone to find a million years from now.

Dinosaurs! (New & Updated)

Gail Gibbons presents the most recent and up-to-date theories about the history of dinosaurs and dinosaur discoveries. She discusses the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods and the non-bird dinosaurs that lived during each time. Each dinosaur is explored in just the right amount of detail for young paleontologists, as this book brings these magnificent creatures to life again

Digging Up Dinosaurs (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

How did those enormous dinosaur skeletons get inside the museum? Beloved author-illustrator Aliki’s simple, engaging text and colorful artwork bring the long-extinct creatures to life for young dinosaur enthusiasts.

Long ago, dinosaurs ruled the Earth. Then, suddenly, they died out. For thousands of years, no one knew these giant creatures had ever existed. Then people began finding fossils—bones and teeth and footprints that had turned to stone. Today, teams of experts work together to dig dinosaur fossils out of the ground, bone by fragile bone

How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?

A playful peek into the homes of dinosaur babies and their parents at bedtime!How do dinosaurs say good night?Brimming with humor and familiar good-night antics, here is a playful peek into the homes of dinosaur children and their parents at bedtime. Perfect for sharing and reading aloud, this is one nighttime book your own little dinosaur will want to read again and again.

Dinosaur Roar!

A celebratory edition of this much loved classic picture book, now twenty-five years old. This rollicking rhyming text is a joy to read aloud, and the charming and colourful pictures will appeal to the very youngest dinosaur fans. Originally published in 1994, Dinosaur Roar! by Henrietta and Paul Stickland is now seen as a modern classic, a book that every preschool child should have.In the back of the book is a wonderful pull-out poster showing the dinosaur characters.The book carries the endorsement of the Earth Sciences Department at the Natural History Museum.

Dinosaur Bones

With a lively rhyming text and vibrant paper collage illustrations, author-artist Bob Barner shakes the dust off the dinosaur bones found in museums and reminds us that they once belonged to
living, breathing creatures. Filled with fun dinosaur facts (a T. Rex skull can weigh up to 750 pounds!) and an informational "Dinometer," Dinosaur Bones is sure to make young dinosaur enthusiasts roar with delight.

Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs

A long time ago there were dinosaurs. Big dinosaurs and small dinosaurs. Dinosaurs with horns on their heads or spikes down their backs. Dinosaurs with long, long necks and long, long tails. Imaginatively and with a masterful use of color, shape and composition, Bryon Barton brings to life a unique and endearing vision of what the world may have looked like once upon a time.

A long time ago there was dinosaurs. Big dinosaurs and small dinosaurs. Dinosaurs with horns on their heads or spikes down their backs. Dinosaurs with long, long necks and long, long tails.Imaginatively and with a masterful use of color, shape and composition, Byron Barton brings to life unique and endearing vision of what the world may have looked like once up ona time.

Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones

This STEM-friendly musical fossil dig will have dinosaur lovers singing along as they learn the science behind paleontology.

I Dreamt I Was a Dinosaur

If you could be a dinosaur, which would you be? Would you roar like the ferocious T-Rex? Or soar overhead like the pterodactyl? In this playful early-learning book, Stella Blackstone s lyrical, rhyming text takes readers on an unforgettable Jurassic journey, while fabric artist Clare Beaton recreates the prehistoric world of dinosaurs using a colorful array of felt, sequins, beads and buttons.

T Is for Terrible: A Picture Book

I am Tyrannosaurus Rex.

I am a dinosaur,

otherwise known as

a terrible lizard.

Tyrannosaurus rex is a terrible dinosaur; of this, everyone is certain. But is this dinosaur really so terrible? He IS very big and very hungry. True, he might even eat his neighbors for lunch. But from his point of view, he can't help it. After all, he's not a vegetarian . . .

The Shy Stegosaurus of Cricket Creek

Meet George. He's strong, as a giant dinosaur should be, strong enough to wreck a plane! (Of course he thinks it's his old enemy, the flying Pteranodon.) He's loyal. He'll do anything to help Joan and Joey save their mother's ranch at Cricket Creek, even chase a bank robber. He's shy. He's so shy he gets Joan and Joey into hilarious, dinosaur sized trouble!

The Magic School Bus in the Time of Dinosaurs

The classroom is decorated as Dinosaur Land, but Ms. Frizzle-inspired by an archeological dig-craves a more authentic experience. The Magic School Bus turns into a time machine and transports the class back millions of years to an adventure where they learn about dinosaurs, their habitats and diets, and even a Maiasaura nesting ground.

Fossils (A True Book: Earth Science)

Fossils are one of the most important tools we have for learning about long-extinct wildlife.

A True Book: Earth Science series presents fascinating facts and fun activities that will engage the budding earth scientist, while exploring the fields of geology, meteorology, ecology, and more. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study. In the 4.6 billion years since Earth was formed, many plant and animal species have come and gone. Readers will discover how fossils are formed, how paleontologists search for them, and what kinds of information they can provide.

Paleontological Fossils Sample- Paleontology Trilobite Fossil, Scientific Amber Specimen

A box of ten fossils: A box of this paleontological fossil sample contains ten of fossils, including sea clam fossils, trilobites, ichthyodonts, porphyrites, copal amber, graptolites, nematodes, phylloceras, corals, and spirals. Fossil specimen of algae.

Ancient Fossils TOOB - Figurines: Dino Footprint, Giant Crab, Ammonite, Raptor Claw, T-Rex Tooth, Frog Skeleton, Sea Scorpion & More

Step into Prehistory: This Toob contains 10 expertly hand-painted mini figurines of ancient fossils, including a Dinosaur Footprint, Giant Crab, Ammonite, Raptor Claw, Fossilized Frog, Trilobite, T-Rex Tooth, Fossilized Fish, Dinosaur Skin, and a Sea Scorpion.

Next, look at more activities to include with this one.

MORE FOSSIL ACTIVITIES FOR FOSSIL DEFINITIONS KIDS

  • Fun Facts About Mold Fossils & 4 Types of Fossil Activities For Kids
  • Make Fun Edible Fossils and Free Magic School Bus Fossils Worksheet
  • Science Fiction for Middle School Fun Jurassic Park Quick Unit Study (DIY Insect in Amber)

ACTIVITIES ABOUT BUGS AND INSECTS

  • Bugs Facts For Kids And Free Paper Bug Bracelets
  • Free Ant Study
  • Fascinating and Fun Honey Bees Unit Study and Lapbook for Kids
  • 4 Cicada Insect Fun Facts For Kids | How to Make A Cicada Clothespin Craft
  • Free Kids Insect Unit Study
  • How to Make a Fun Ladybug Watercolor Labeled Picture
  • Free Butterfly Unit Study For Kids and Fun Sponge Stamping
  • Fun and Easy Hands-on Life Cycle Butterfly Activity for Kids
  • 8 Insect Fun Facts About Texas For Kids | Easy Dragonfly Craft
How to Make Salt Dough Bug Fossils & Fossil Definition Kids

FOSSIL DEFINITION KIDS

In addition, learn what is fossil definition. A simple definition of what is a bug fossil can be easy to explain.

A bug fossil is the preserved remains or impression of an ancient insect or arthropod. For example, think about spiders and centipedes.

And there are two main ways bugs can become fossils like sedimentary rock fossils and amber fossils

Finally, look at how to make salt dough bug fossils.

HOW TO MAKE SALT DOUGH BUG FOSSILS

First, look at this list of supplies.

  • 1 Cup flour
  • ½ Cup salt
  • ½ Cup water
  • Bowl
  • Spoon
  • Round biscuit cutter (or a cup)
  • Rolling pin
  • Parchment paper
  • Small cooking sheet
  • Plastic bugs
  • Paint (optional)
How to Make Salt Dough Bug Fossils & Fossil Definition Kids

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Add flour and salt to the bowl, and stir to combine.

How to Make Salt Dough Bug Fossils & Fossil Definition Kids

Pour the water into the flour and salt mixture.

How to Make Salt Dough Bug Fossils & Fossil Definition Kids

Stir until a dough ball forms.

Knead the dough with your hands until the salt dough is completely incorporated.

How to Make Salt Dough Bug Fossils & Fossil Definition Kids

Place a piece of parchment paper on a flat surface. Use the rolling pin to roll the dough out.

How to Make Salt Dough Bug Fossils & Fossil Definition Kids

Use the round biscuit cutter or a cup to make round cutouts.

How to Make Salt Dough Bug Fossils & Fossil Definition Kids

Remove the extra dough.

Leaving just the cutouts on the parchment paper.

How to Make Salt Dough Bug Fossils & Fossil Definition Kids

Carefully press a plastic bug into the salt dough, then gently remove the bug.

How to Make Salt Dough Bug Fossils & Fossil Definition Kids

Repeat the step above until all the salt dough cutouts have a fossil imprinted.

Carefully place the parchment paper onto the cooking sheet.

Bake for 1 hour. Carefully flip the salt dough cutouts over and continue to bake for an additional hour.

Let the salt dough fossil cool completely before handling. Paint salt dough fossils (if you choose to).

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: bug, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, insects, life science, science

Fun Moon Facts For Kids And Free Moon Phases Printable

April 25, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some fun moon facts for kids and a free moon phases printable. Also, look at my page Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages for more ideas.

Because the moon can appear to have a different shape every night, it makes for a fascinating study for any age.

And the moon goes through something called lunar phases and we’re learning about them today.

Fun Moon Facts For Kids And Free Moon Phases Printable

The moon is earth’s only satellite.

Too, it doesn’t have any light of its own but reflects the sun’s light.

Too, the moon doesn’t change shapes. It looks different depending on how the sunlight hits it.

Also, look at these fun moon books to include while learning fun moon facts for kids.

BOOKS ABOUT THE MOON FOR KIDS

12 Resources and Books For Studying About the Moon and Galileo

If you want to focus on the moon in your astronomy and space unit study, add one of these fun resources to your day.

1. Who Was Galileo?

Like Michelangelo, Galileo is another Renaissance great known just by his first name--a name that is synonymous with scientific achievement. Born in Pisa, Italy, in the sixteenth century, Galileo contributed to the era's great rebirth of knowledge. He invented a telescope to observe the heavens. From there, not even the sky was the limit!

2. The Moon Book (New & Updated Edition)

This newly revised edition, available in time for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, incorporates new, up-to-date information based on recent discoveries, and includes an updated map of the moon's surface. Thoroughly vetted by an astrophysics expert, The Moon Book is a perfect introduction to lunar phases, orbit, the history of space exploration, and more.

3. Galileo and the Magic Numbers

Sixteenth century Italy produced a genius who marked the world with his studies and hypotheses about mathematical, physical and astronomical truths. His father, musician Vincenzio Galilei said, “Truth is not found behind a man’s reputation. Truth appears only when the answers to questions are searched out by a free mind. This is not the easy path in life but it is the most rewarding.” Galileo challenged divine law and the physics of Aristotle, and questioned everything in search of truths. And it was through this quest for truth that he was able to establish a structure for modern science.

4. Moon: A Peek-Through Picture Book

It’s the perfect light nonfiction book for young stargazers—and an ideal bedtime book, ending with a giant moon hovering over a sleepy town hunkered down for bed.

5. Moon Lamp

Novelty Moon Lighting: Realistic Colorful Star Galaxy printed 🌌 Moon Lamp with advanced 3D technology. Now decorate your bedroom, hall, office or desk with our Space Theme gorgeous Galaxy Lamp. Your guests will definitely admire the beauty of this lively moon light.

6. Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners

Quality Optics: 400mm(f/5.7) focal length and 70mm aperture, fully coated optics glass lens with high transmission coatings creates stunning images and protect your eyes. Perfect telescope for astronomers to explore stars and moon.

7. Jupiter (Planets in Our Solar System)

Everything about Jupiter is big! Its size is big. Even its storms are big! Get the big and small facts about this gas giant that can be seen glowing in the night sky.

8. Galileo Galilei (Genius Series)

Astronomer, physicist, and philosopher Galileo Galilei was referred to as "The Father of Modern Science," because of his groundbreaking research. Making observations about nature, and using mathematics to back them up, he proved the Copernican Theory true: the Sun, not the Earth, is the center of the universe. Join Galileo on his pioneering journey to see why his work had such long-lasting implications, and why the Catholic Church even condemned him for heresy.

9. What the Moon is Like

Imagine that you're walking on the moon. What is it like? For thousands of years people looked up at the moon and wondered about it. Now we know what the moon is like. There is no air on the moon and nothing grows, but there are towering mountains and deep craters—and much more.

Colder than the desert, the hotter than the desert, the moon is an amazing place to explore.

10. A Kite for Moon

What would it be like if the moon was your friend? Find out as you walk alongside a little boy who journeys through life to achieve his dream of becoming an astronaut. And then blast off with your little one as you zoom to the moon together!

The story begins when a little boy, who is flying his kite, notices a sad Moon. He sends up kites to her, writing notes promising he will come see her someday. This promise propels him through years of studying, learning, and training to become an astronaut. Until … he finally goes up, up, up in a big rocket ship with a fiery tail.

A Kite for Moon:

  • Features over 20 gorgeous illustrations by award-winning artist Matt Phelan
  • Is the perfect storybook for children ages 4 to 8
  • Celebrates every child’s fascination with space

11. Large Massive Meteorite Specimen

You could also grab these meteorite specimens (artificial) to let your child use for impact craters!

Moon! Earth's Best Friend (Our Universe, 3)

Meet Moon! She's more than just a rock―she’s Earth’s rock, her best friend she can always count on. Moon never turns her back on her friend (literally: she's always facing Earth with the same side!). These two will stick together forever. With characteristic humor and charm, Stacy McAnulty channels the voice of Moon in this next celestial "autobiography" in the Our Universe series. Rich with kid-friendly facts and beautifully brought to life by Stevie Lewis, this is an equally charming and irresistible companion to Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years and Sun! One in a Billion.

Next, look at these facts about the moon.

FUN MOON FACTS FOR KIDS

  1. There’s no wind or weather on the Moon.
  2. The lunar phases are new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, and waning crescent.
  3. The full cycle takes about 29.5 days. This is known as a lunar month.
  4. The Moon rotates on its axis at the same rate that it orbits Earth.
  5. And the moon’s gravitational pull tugs on Earth’s oceans, causing the water to rise and fall. This is why we have high tide and low tide.
  6. The first human to walk the moon was Neil Armstrong, who famously said: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
  7. The moon has no atmosphere.
  8. There is no air to breathe.
  9. Temperature can vary from boiling hot to freezing cold.
  10. Astronauts foot prints can last a long time because there is no wind or rain to erase them.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE FREE MOON PHASES PRINTABLE

  • 10 page download
  • Phases of the moon cycle
  • Cut/Paste phases of the moon cycle
  • 3 pages phases of the moon cards
  • 3 pages phases of the moon flash card

These pages are perfect to motivate the self-learner or to use with my large Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages.

Fun Moon Facts For Kids And Free Moon Phases Printable

Also, look at more learning about the moon activities.

MORE LEARNING ABOUT THE MOON ACTIVITIES

  • Free Moon Journal For Homeschool Science
  • Galileo Discovery of Jupiter Moons and Fun Hands-On Moon Crater Experiment
  • Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)
  • 10 Moon Craft Ideas and Wrapped Crescent Moon Craft For Kids
  • 5 Facts About The Moon Landing and Make Fun Astronaut Ice Cream

HOW TO GET THE FREE PHASES OF THE MOON PRINTABLE

Now, how to grab the freebie.  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 instantly.

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

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschoolscience, moon, science

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

March 27, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

While it is a very simple one, this M&M science experiment is a fun one that demonstrates colors, color mixing, and even the effect of warm water on sugar.

Not only do they get to see the colors run through the water, but they can watch the M itself lift and move off the candy.

You have two great experiments in one.

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

What I love is that it is easy enough for kids to run completely on their own.

And it takes just a couple of supplies and is so quick to set up making it an easy one for mom as well.

This would be a fabulous activity to add to a preschool letter M unit, because a candy-filled study is sure to be a memorable one.

BOOKS ABOUT CHEMISTRY FOR KIDS

12 Chemistry Books & Resources for Kids of All Ages

But first here are some resources that are a great introduction and more to chemistry for kids.

Superstars of Science

Discover fun facts about the greatest scientists from history through Basher's fresh and unique illustration style.

Did you know that Marie Curie used to keep radioactive materials in her pockets? Or that Mendeleyev literally dreamed up his famous periodic table? Superstars of Science tells the stories behind the big ideas in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, mathematics, cosmology, earth sciences, and engineering. Read about 40 great scientists including Newton and Einstein who produced theories that explained the way in which the Universe works, Crick and Watson who uncovered the structure of DNA, and Alexander Graham Bell who had the big idea that became the telephone. Each one of these greats of science has had some vital flash of insight that has changed the way we see the world and the way we live. Come meet the superstars of science!

Basher Science: Chemistry: Getting a Big Reaction

Discover the secrets of chemistry, and learn about the properties of matter and the ways in which they interact, combine and change. Chemistry is a compelling guide to a community of characters who make up everything around us.

Crucibles: The Story of Chemistry from Ancient Alchemy to Nuclear Fission

This book is a classic in the field of popular science. Standard reading since the 1930s, it is one of the few histories of chemistry to concentrate on the lives of the great chemists. Through these dramatic and human stories, it gives an authoritative and entertaining account of the great discoveries and advances in this scientific field. After many printings in three previous editions, this book has been newly revised by the author for this fourth edition. Beginning with Trevisan and his lifelong search for the "philosopher's stone," the author narrates the lives and discoveries of such towering figures as Paracelsus and his chemical treatment of disease; Priestley looking for phlogiston and finding oxygen and carbon dioxide, Lavoisier creating a new language of chemistry; Dalton and his Atomic Theory; Avogadro and the idea of molecules, Mendeleeff arranging the table of elements under his Periodic Law; the Curies isolating radium; Thomson discovering the electron; Moseley and his Law of Atomic Numbers; Lawrence and the construction of the cyclotron; and more. Probably the most dramatic chapter in the book, the account of the development of nuclear fission, ends the story of chemistry at its most monumental achievement.

The Chemistry of Cola

You’ll be amazed at all you can learn from this favorite drink – what’s in it, why it fizzes, what you can do with it, the containers it’s in, and more!

Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History

Napoleon's Buttons is the fascinating account of seventeen groups of molecules that have greatly influenced the course of history. These molecules provided the impetus for early exploration, and made possible the voyages of discovery that ensued. The molecules resulted in grand feats of engineering and spurred advances in medicine and law; they determined what we now eat, drink, and wear. A change as small as the position of an atom can lead to enormous alterations in the properties of a substance-which, in turn, can result in great historical shifts.

52 Extreme Kids Chemistry Experiments Set - STEM Activities & Science Kits

If you want your child to be able to explore and complete some simple chemistry experiments without running around grabbing all the items an all in on kit is just the thing to add to your chemistry studies.

The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements

Why did Gandhi hate iodine (I, 53)? How did radium (Ra, 88) nearly ruin Marie Curie's reputation? And why is gallium (Ga, 31) the go-to element for laboratory pranksters? The Periodic Table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, betrayal, and obsession. These fascinating tales follow every element on the table as they play out their parts in human history, and in the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them. The Disappearing Spoon masterfully fuses science with the classic lore of invention, investigation, and discovery -- from the Big Bang through the end of time.

Chemistry Fluxx Card Game - Science Games Card Games for Kids

 Chemistry EditionChemistry Fluxx is the perfect compound of chance, skill and strategy-use atoms and laboratory tools to match the current goal of the game and win! The rules are always changing in Fluxx. The Keepers, Goals, Rules and Action cards determine how the game will be played.

Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture (DIY Science)

For students, DIY hobbyists, and science buffs, who can no longer get real chemistry sets, this one-of-a-kind guide explains how to set up and use a home chemistry lab, with step-by-step instructions for conducting experiments in basic chemistry -- not just to make pretty colors and stinky smells, but to learn how to do real lab work:

  • Purify alcohol by distillation
  • Produce hydrogen and oxygen gas by electrolysis
  • Smelt metallic copper from copper ore you make yourself
  • Analyze the makeup of seawater, bone, and other common substances
  • Synthesize oil of wintergreen from aspirin and rayon fiber from paper
  • Perform forensics tests for fingerprints, blood, drugs, and poisons
  • and much more

The Joy of Chemistry: The Amazing Science of Familiar Things

Written for lay readers, provides an introduction to the principles of chemistry and includes quotations from popular literature to show how chemistry and everyday life intertwine.

The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry (Cartoon Guide Series)

If you have ever suspected that "heavy water" is the title of a bootleg Pink Floyd album, believed that surface tension is an anxiety disorder, or imagined that a noble gas is the result of a heavy meal at Buckingham Palace, then you need The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry to set you on the road to chemical literacy.

You don't need to be a scientist to grasp these and many other complex ideas, because The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry explains them all: the history and basics of chemistry, atomic theory, combustion, solubility, reaction stoichiometry, the mole, entropy, and much more—all explained in simple, clear, and yes, funny illustrations. Chemistry will never be the same!

Air Is Not Oxygen: Essential Science You Should Have Learned ... But Probably Didn't!

AIR IS NOT OXYGEN is a fun way to brush up on essential science concepts you missed in school. (Admit it. You probably thought you had better things to do than study!) Clear, short chapters focus on mastering key concepts instead of memorizing facts. Dozens of optional hands-on activities make science come alive! In a style described as “Dave Barry meets Bill Nye with a touch of the Mythbusters,” award-winning author, Bill Morelan, debunks common misconceptions about basic science. Reflecting both the National Science Content Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards, AIR IS NOT OXYGEN covers Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, and Science Methods.A fun, informative read, AIR IS NOT OXYGEN helps fill the gaps in your science education. (Never be humiliated by science geeks again!) Perfect for sharing, or as a handy basic reference tool. Makes a great book for kids, too.

While it is an easy activity it introduces some more complex science

THE SCIENCE OF THE M&M EXPERIMENT

Dissolving: Because the colored coating of M&Ms is made of sugar and colored dye when it is put into water the water molecules pull on the sugar and dye molecules and cause them to dissolve.

Diffusion: When the sugar and dye dissolve, they move from areas of high concentration (covering the M&M) to areas of low concentration (the water around it). This movement of the molecules is called diffusion.

Rainbow Effect: Immediately after the water covers the candy you see distinct lines of color as the dye diffuses into the water, creating a “rainbow” effect before they mix.

Water-Soluble Vs. Insoluble: The Floating M part of the experiment introduces the ideas of water-soluble and insoluble properties.

The M part of the candy is printed onto special edible paper that is water-insoluble so instead of just fading away quickly like the dye on the candy it separates as the other layers break down and just…floats away.

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

We of course aren’t just going to try the one M&M science experiment,

Grab a big bag of M&M’s for all the other cool experiments and activities using these tasty little treats that I found for you.

M&M SCIENCE EXPERIMENT AND OTHER M&M ACTIVITIES

  • Give this painting with M&M Chocolate Candy as a new art medium a try for your next art project.
  • Try this colorful Printable Letter A M&M Color Sorting Activity to develop letter recognition in a unique edible way.
  • Here are 10+ ideas to show that M&M’s are Marvelous & Magical indeed, for counting, art, and more!
  • How cute are these M&M Flower Pretzels? What a yummy way to do some basic cooking and explore colors together.
  • Watch Unwrapped’s How M&M’s are made in a 12-hour process. From start to packaging there is so much to learn in these videos.
  • Make some M&M’s Pixel Art  for fine motor skills, creativity, and just for the fun of it.
  • Change things up and take a break from sweets by recreating them with a M&M Painted Rock Tutorial, a great garden addition.
  • The Fast-Moving M&M Game That Everyone Will Love sounds like a great idea for a family or co-op activity.

Finally, look at how to do this fun experiment.

EXCITING M&M SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

You will need:

  • M&M’s
  • Dish or shallow bowl with a flat bottom
  • Warm water
Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

First, gather up your supplies and have them ready so your child can begin immediately, nothing turns a quick and easy experiment into a frustrating one faster than scrambling around for supplies while your child waits.

Place the dish where you will be completing the experiment, you don’t want to move it once you begin.

Have them place M&Ms around the outer edge of the dish in any pattern they like.

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

Slowly pour warm (just from the tap) water into the center of the dish until the candy is completely covered with water.

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

Watch as the colors begin to dissolve off the candy shell and begin to spread throughout the water.

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

After just a couple minutes the colors begin to mix and muddy.

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

Look closely and you can see the M’s lift and float away too.

Colorful Chemistry: Exciting M&M Science Experiment To Try At Home

To take this experiment to the next level and introduce your child to scientific terms like hypothesis, variable, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions (all parts of the scientific method) you can try different things.

For instance, use different types of candies. Too, use different types of liquids to see which melts the fastest. For example, use water, salt water, milk,etc

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: chemistry, elementary science, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschoolscience, m&m, science

Sir Isaac Newton’s First Law Of Motion Simple Experiment

March 22, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This easy Sir Isaac Newton’s first law of motion experiment is one kids love. Also, look at my post 4 Weeks Free Physical Science Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas for more activities.

Sir Isaac Newton was famous for his work with gravity and motion.

He was born on December 25, 1642 in England and he spent his day looking at things closely and asking questions why they happened that way.

Sir Isaac Newton's First Law Of Motion Simple Experiment

He’s the reason we understand so much about how things move.

Newton’s First Law of Motion is sometimes called the Law of Inertia.

The law is “An object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will stay in motion, unless acted upon by an external force.”

It may sound easy to understand, but we’re doing an experiment to visualize it.

However, you can explain to your children that an object will stay still unless it is pushed or pulled.

That is an external force.

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT SIR ISAAC NEWTON

Before we do this easy experiment, look at these fun books I’ve rounded up to add to your day of learning.

7 Books For Kids Who Love Learning About Sir Isaac Newton

He was one of the most important scientists of his times. Your children will love adding some of these books to their reading day.

Newton's Rainbow: The Revolutionary Discoveries of a Young Scientist

Famed for his supposed encounter with a falling apple that inspired his theory of gravity, Isaac Newton (1642–1727) grew from a quiet and curious boy into one of the most influential scientists of all time. Newton's Rainbow tells the story of young Isaac―always reading, questioning, observing, and inventing―and how he eventually made his way to Cambridge University, where he studied the work of earlier scientists and began building on their accomplishments. This colorful picture book biography celebrates Newton's discoveries that illuminated the mysteries of gravity, motion, and even rainbows, discoveries that gave mankind a new understanding of the natural world, discoveries that changed science forever.

Isaac Newton

A biography of Isaac Newton.

Isaac Newton: Greatest Genius of Science (Genius Scientists and Their Genius Ideas)

A biography of the seventeenth-century English scientist who formulated the theory of gravity.

World History Biographies: Isaac Newton: The Scientist Who Changed Everything

Born in England in 1643, Isaac Newton grew up in the age when Renaissance thinkers were challenging accepted ideas throughout Europe. Fascinated by all earthly science, Newton developed laws of motion and universal gravitation which also furthered our understanding of the movement of celestial bodies. This vibrant biography profiles the famed physicist as an acclaimed mathematician, astronomer, alchemist, philosopher, and inventor as well. Readers will discover the genius who inspired Alexander Pope to write.

The Ocean Of Truth: The Story Of Sir Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton is one of history's most renowned scientists. He independently developed the mathematical technique known as Calculus, wrote a treatise on the properties of light and color that is still consulted by scientists, and worked out the mathematical details of the law of gravity. What is less well known is the depth of his Christian faith, and the amount of writing, speaking, and research he devoted to defenses of the tenets of Biblical belief. This book makes Newton come alive for readers.

Isaac the Alchemist: Secrets of Isaac Newton, Reveal'd

A surprising true story of Isaac Newton’s boyhood suggests an intellectual development owing as much to magic as science. Before Isaac Newton became the father of physics, an accomplished mathematician, or a leader of the scientific revolution, he was a boy living in an apothecary’s house, observing and experimenting, recording his observations of the world in a tiny notebook. As a young genius living in a time before science as we know it existed, Isaac studied the few books he could get his hands on, built handmade machines, and experimented with alchemy—a process of chemical reactions that seemed, at the time, to be magical. Mary Losure’s riveting narrative nonfiction account of Isaac’s early life traces his development as a thinker from his childhood, in friendly prose that will capture the attention of today’s budding scientists—as if by magic. Back matter includes an afterword, an author’s note, source notes, a bibliography, and an index.

Isaac Newton and Physics for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities (30) (For Kids series)

Isaac Newton and Physics for Kids paints a rich portrait of this brilliant and complex man, including 21 hands-on projects that explore the scientific concepts Newton developed and the times in which he lived. Readers will build a simple waterwheel, create a 17thcentury plague mask, track the phases of the moon, and test Newton’s Three Laws of Motion using coins, a skateboard, and a
model boat they construct themselves. The text includes a time line, online resources, and reading list for further study. And through it all, readers will learn how the son of a Woolsthorpe sheep farmer grew to become the most influential physicist in history.

Next, look more hands-on activities about Sir Isaac Newton.

MORE ACTIVITIES TO PAIR WITH SIR ISAAC NEWTON’S FIRST LAW OF MOTION

  • How To Make A Newton’s Cradle With Popsicle Sticks | 5 Sir Isaac Newton Facts.
  • Gravity experiments for kids.
  • Then grab some minibooks About Sir Isaac Newton and His Apple on my Apple Unit Study and Lapbook page.
  • Newton’s egg
  • 5 Facts About Inertia And Easy Coin Drop Inertia Experiment
  • Egg Drop Experiment (Newton’s First Law of Motion)
  • 20 Lessons on Forces and Newton’s Laws Your Students Will Thank You For
  • Newton’s Laws of Motion Project
Sir Isaac Newton's First Law Of Motion Simple Experiment

Finally, look at how to do this easy Sir Isaac Newton’s First Law Of Motion experiment.

NEWTON’S FIRST LAW EXPERIMENT

First, look at this easy list of supplies.

  • Sweet potato
  • Knife *Adult help required
  • Mallet
  • Flat surface Adult supervision and help are required
Sir Isaac Newton's First Law Of Motion Simple Experiment

On a flat surface, insert the knife tip into the sweet potato. (make sure to point the blade away from your body)

Sir Isaac Newton's First Law Of Motion Simple Experiment


Lift the knife and sweet potato off the flat surface.


Using the mallet tap the handle of the knife.

Sir Isaac Newton's First Law Of Motion Simple Experiment


Watch as the knife moves through the sweet potato.

Sir Isaac Newton's First Law Of Motion Simple Experiment

Why does this happen? Newton’s First Law of Motion!

This states that objects at rest stay at rest.

An object in motion stays in motion until an object acts upon it. A force (knife) is acting and the object (sweet potato) is at rest.

Substitution for the sweet potato:
● Russet potato, apple, beet or parsnip

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: elementary science, first law of motion, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolscience, inertia, science, Sir Isaac Newton

Famous Stem Figures And Easy Stem Activities At Home

March 5, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some fun STEM activities at home. And I have a free notable figures in stem printable.

The 5 notable figures I have today are Albert Einstein, Jane Goodall, Nikola Tesla, Grace Hopper and Katherine Johnson.

Each of these famous STEM people has made incredible contributions to the world.

Kids should explore the world of science, technology, engineering, and math through fun experiments, building projects, coding, and more.

Famous Stem Figures And Easy Stem Activities At Home

Too, learning about STEM is more than a subject, it’s a way to teach kids how to think critically.

Besides, we’re teaching kids about life skills. STEM helps a child to cultivate patience and to learn how to not give up when a solution to a problem is not obvious.

Also, what I have learned in teaching STEM is that it is about more than technology. It is a way for children to foster their creativity skills.

For example, many solutions are out of the box. STEM activities at home create an environment where a child is not rushed and can try varied approaches to problem solving.

And in their future, careers and jobs will focus on STEM.

Let’s keep it fun though.

BOOKS ABOUT FAMOUS SCIENTIST FOR KIDS

First, look at some of these notable stem figures and famous scientist.

Notable STEM Figures

Add some of these books to your reading day about science and famous inventions.

Michael Faraday: Father of Electronics

Charles Ludwig retells Michael Faraday’s remarkable life story in fictionalized form. Here is the father of the electric motor, the dynamo, the transformer, the generator. Few persons are aware of the brilliant man’s deep Christian convictions and his determination to live by the Sermon on the Mount. For ages 12 to 15.

Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity

Einstein's astonishing theory of relativity transformed every aspect of physics-from the study of atoms to the study of stars. Relativity is described here in simple, accurate language that young readers can comprehend.

Nikola Tesla, Electrical Genius

Electrical engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) was indeed an electrical genius. In language suitable for both young and old, author Arthur J. Beckhard describes all aspects of Tesla’s personal and professional life, including Tesla’s childhood and his education at primary school, at the Higher Real Gymnasium, and at the Polytechnic Institute; his years working for the telegraphic engineering department of Austria, then as an engineer in Paris, and then as an employee of Thomas Edison in America; his substitution of alternating current for direct current—a simpler and more economical method of converting electrical into mechanical energy; his rotary magnetic field, which was used in transmitting the power of Niagara Falls to nearby cities; his independent research at his own electrical laboratories in New Your City; and much more. Originally published in 1959 as part of Messner Publications' "Men of Science" series

Hidden Figures Young Readers' Edition

Before John Glenn orbited the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used pencils, slide rules, and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space.

This book brings to life the stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden, who lived through the Civil Rights era, the Space Race, the Cold War, and the movement for gender equality, and whose work forever changed the face of NASA and the
country.

Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson

As a young girl, Katherine Johnson showed an exceptional aptitude for math. In school she quickly skipped ahead several grades and was soon studying complex equations with the support of a professor who saw great promise in her. But ability and opportunity did not always go hand in hand. As an African American and a girl growing up in an era of brutal racism and sexism, Katherine faced daily challenges. Still, she lived her life with her father’s words in mind: “You are no better than anyone else, and nobody else is better than you.”

Grace Hopper: The Woman Behind Computer Programming (Little Inventor)

Computers touch our lives everyday, in countless ways, but how do they know what to do? How do we communicate with them and they with each other? Language! Grace Hopper was a pioneer in computer programming, a woman whose scientific research led to computer-language tools and technology still in use today. Her story is filled with trial and error, and readers can follow the journey step by step.

Who Is Jane Goodall? (Who Was?)

Jane Goodall, born in London, England, always loved animals and wanted to study them in their natural habitats. So at age twenty-six, off she went to Africa! Goodall's up-close observations of chimpanzees changed what we know about them and paved the way for many female scientists who came after her. Now her story comes to life in this biography with black-and-white illustrations throughout.

Great Inventors and their Inventions

Can you imagine how different life would be without the printing press? It's unlikely you'd ever have held a book. And your clothes would look very different without the invention of spinning and sewing machines. Without boats, trains, and planes, even our diets would be changed.Read about the fascinating creators of these inventions and the struggles they faced. Some got rich, some fought for every penny, but they all changed the way we live our lives today. Inventors profiled in this collection include James Watt (the steam engine), Elias Howe (the sewing machine), Cyrus McCormick (the reaper), John Gutenberg (the printing press), Alexander Graham Bell (the telephone) as well as many more.This reprinting is complete and unabridged featuring all the original illustrations and reformatted text for easier reading.

Then, look at these stem activities at home.

Add them to your science day.

STEM ACTIVITIES AT HOME

  • Hands-on Ancient Mesopotamia: Easy STEM Irrigation Activity
  • 100 Brilliant STEM Activities Using Everyday Items
  • STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship
  • STEM: Build a Da Vinci Parachute Activity
  • Electricity STEM: Lighting Up a Shoebox Tiny House
  • National STEM Day – Popsicle Sticks for Creative DIY STEM Projects
  • Kids Fun Pumpkin Catapult STEM Challenge for Medieval Unit Study
  • 11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment
  • How to Build a LEGO Swiss Family Robinson STEM Challenge Treehouse
  • How to Spark Learning with a Candy Cane Maze STEM Activity
  • 8 The Water Princess STEM Activity Ideas and African Clay Pot Craft
  • How to Make a Popsicle Stick Stem Dogsled | Balto Unit Study
  • Fun Candy Corn Stem Activity Which Liquid Dissolves Candy Corn Faster
  • 5 Easy Bat Stem Activities and Create a STEM Bat Habitat
  • How Do Sharks Float STEM Activity Free Shark Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
  • 15 Star Wars STEM Activities Ideas | Fun Flashlight Science and DIY Lightsaber
  • Dive Into STEM Learning With An Exciting Jello Earthquake Experiment

Next, look at a few facts about these 5 notable STEM figures which you can use alongside the free printables.

FACTS ABOUT STEM FIGURES & ABOUT THE FREE PRINTABLE

There is 1 page per famous STEM figure. Each page has facts along with a few activities or two.

Add these pages to your notebooking pages or lapbook.

Look at my post How to Turn Boring Worksheets into Fun Minibooks – From Boring to Interactive to fold them into minibooks.

The five scientist this freebie is focused on are: Albert Einstein, Jane Goodall, Nikola Tesla, Grace Hopper and Katherine Johnson.

And here are a few facts about each one.

ALBERT EINSTEIN FEW FACTS

  • He is known for the Theory of Relativity.
  • The famous equation E = mc², helped us understand the relationship between energy and matter.

JANE GOODALL FEW FACTS

  • She is known for being an Primatologist, Ethologist, and Anthropologist.
  • She was the first to study chimpanzees in the wild.

NIKOLA TESLA FEW FACTS

  • He was known for being a pioneering inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and physicist.
  • Tesla invented the first remote control in 1898.
Famous Stem Figures And Easy Stem Activities At Home

GRACE HOPPER FEW FACTS

  • Grace Hopper was one of the first people to work on computers.
  • Grace Hopper created the first compiler. It is a tool that translates computer programming code into a language that computers can understand.

KATHERINE JOHNSON FEW FACTS

  • Katherine Johnson was an African American woman mathematician who worked for NASA.
  • She helped send John Glenn into orbit.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE NOTABLE FIGURES IN STEM PRINTABLE

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

When you sign up to follow me, you get access to this freebie.

1) Sign up on my email list to follow me and get this freebie and many others.
 2) Grab the printable.
3) Last, look for my emails in your inbox as a follower. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Science Tagged With: Albert Einstein, elementary science, Grace Hopper, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, high school science, homeschool, homeschoolscience, Jane Goodall, Katherine Johnson, Nikola Tesla, science, STEM

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