Check out these simple science fair projects for elementary students! We’ve got 14 awesome ideas that are so easy that your child can take the lead in the project! As an added bonus we’ve included tips for a winning display, a free scientific method and recording sheet and some tips to help prevent parents from taking over!

We’ve all been there. One of our kids arrives home with the dreaded news that they have to do a science fair project.

And boom! You’re suddenly plunged into everything that accompanies such projects – procrastination, late nights, and sulks because you won’t allow them to set up an experiment called Jumping Off buildings: How High is Too High?

On the plus side science fair projects can be a lot of fun. Yes, really, they can! And they are a great way for kids to get some hands-on learning. But let’s be realistic they can turn into a trial for both parents and kids if we are not careful.

So let’s begin. How can we keep the fun part and make the thing less of a trial?

Helpful Resources

My #1 tip for navigating a science fair project

Resist the temptation to do the project for your kids.

The simple truth is that it is all too easy to jump in and take over. I’ve been there. You just want to lend a helping hand and somehow end up gluing together a million toothpicks to make a scale replica of the Brooklyn bridge.

I totally understand! We want our child to have the best presentation and there is nothing wrong with a wee bit of competition. BUT winning the prize is NOT what the science fair is about. It’s about YOUR child learning how to do scientific research and present their findings in their OWN way.

How would you feel if someone took over your work?

Think about it. How you feel when someone takes over something that was assigned to you. What does that say to you? Basically, the other person is communicating a lack of trust in your abilities. Their actions send a clear message that they don’t trust your work and don’t think you are capable of handling the task.

I think we can all agree that we do not want to communicate that kind of message to our kids!

So what’s the answer?

Think of yourself as a helpful resource NOT an assistant, and definitely not the boss. Your child should be the one in control.

Science Buddies has helpful tips for parents on the fine art of helping your child with their science project as opposed to taking over. It includes a handy table detailing how you can help at each stage of the project and include warning signs to help you recognize when you have taken over.

Where to begin?

Now you have vowed not to do the project for your kids. What’s next? How do you even go about helping your child find a project they will enjoy? It’s easier than you think.

Books To Help

Look for the questions

The best way to do this is to find a project that will engage your child is to

• Find  a subject that interests your child!
• Encourage them to jot down some questions they have about that subject.
• Help them find an experiment that answers one of those questions.

This is the easiest way to make sure that it is child-led and that your kid will want to find the answer to his/her question!

• Is your kid interested in plants? What questions do they have about plants that might be answered by an experiment?
• Is your kid interested in candy? What questions do they have about candy that might be answered by an experiment?
• Is your kid interested in poop? What questions do they have about poop? Hmmm maybe you don’t want to know!

To inspire you I’ve collected 14 science fair experiments that begin with a questions. To keep it simple they all use everyday household materials that are easy to find and safe to use.

14 Awesome Science Fair Projects For Elementary School Kids

All of these projects can be easily managed by your elementary school kids. They are simple enough that you child can take the lead. They also use common household items, so you don’t have to scour the stores for agar jelly or spend a fortune on electrical supplies.

Science Fair Projects Using Candy

• What happens when you leave gummy bears in water? | TinkerLab
• What Does Water Do To Peeps?| JDaniel4”s Mom
• What Do Different Solutions Do To Peeps? | Mom to 2 Posh Divas

Science Fair Projects With Plants

• How does water travel through leaves? |Buggy and Buddy
• How Does Water Move Through Plants? |TinkerLab
• What Plant Will Grow the Best? | Inspirational Laboratories
• What Happens When Bean Seeds Germinate? | The Imagination Tree

Science Fair Projects With Water

• Kitchen Science: What Kitchen Liquid Will Freeze First?| No Time for Flash Cards
• How Does Water Move? |Blue Bear Wood
• What Will Make Ice Met Faster? | The Chaos and The Clutter

Miscellaneous Science Fair Projects

• What Causes Storms? |Frogs and Fairies
• Fidget Spinner Science (Suggestions for many different investigations) |Red Ted Art
• Can you make plastic from Milk? |Steam Powered Family
• Which Material Insulating Best Against Heat? |Schooling a Monkey

Bonus: Extra Help For Budding Scientists and Their Harried Parents

• Handmade Kids Art has a brilliant post about creating a standout science fair board: 10 Tips for a Rockstar Science Fair Board 
• Teachers Take Out offers a free scientific method and recording sheet. These make the process super easy.
• And finally, a video for every parent counting the days until the science fair is over. Enjoy!

Need More Help?

Check out my other science posts here

Exclusive Bonus: Download a free activity sheet with more science activities you could use as a science fair project

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Good luck!

So here’s to a fun and educational science fair project. It may not be perfect and you kid may not win first prize. However, they get lots of hands on learning about scientific research and presenting their findings. They may even discover that science is very cool and in the end that’s all that really matters.

Good luck! Let me know what experiment your kids chose to do and how it all worked out for them and you.

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