16 Fall Science Experiments Your Family Should Try

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Fall is a fabulous time of year to try some STEM activities with your kids. I’ve collected 16 fall science experiments that will really wow your kids. Get ready to have some serious fun!

Note: If you are living in the southern hemisphere you’ll find some spring science experiments here.

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Looking for something fun and easy to do with your kids?

Why not try some fall science experiments?

If you’re a regular here you’ll know how much I love science. It’s such a fun way to HAVE FUN with kids.

I’m a BIG FAN of having fun!

Fall is the perfect time of year for a few science activities. The leaves are changing color, fall fruit is ripening, and bears are foraging in the backyard for food.

YEEK bears?!

Yup! Right now they need to fatten up for their winter sleep, so they are looking for food.

[yellowbox]Exclusive Bonus: Download a free activity sheet with more science activities you can enjoy with your family [/yellowbox]

Are you ready to see your children’s faces light up with excitement?

Let’s get started.

Looking for signs of Fall

Searching for signs of fall is a great way to encourage observation skills.

Keep it simple by inviting your children to point out the signs they see, hear, smell when you are out and about.

If you want to go a little further try keeping a record of your observations in a homemade book

Set up an fall exploration table.

Have you ever wondered what causes the seasons to change? Pose the question to your kids and then discover how the tilt of the earth causes the seasons.  Note: This experiment is for grades 4 and up

Leaves everywhere

Right now the leaves are changing and falling. This is the perfect time to try some science activities with leaves.

Learn about leaf colors and chlorophyll in this simple experiment.

Discover the hidden colors in fall leaves with some leaf chromatography.

Art meets science in this activity that looks at the parts of a leaf from KC Edventures.

“A leaf print is much more than just a pretty picture — it’s also a peek into the science of trees.” Jacquie Fisher

Leaf Detectives is a brilliant way to get kids to observe and keep a notebook while playing.

Apples galore

There’s lots of apples to be found at this time of year.

This experiment focused on how different liquids affect apples.

Make Toffee Apples and watch substances  change from solid to liquid and back again. This is yummy science.

Try these apple science investigations from Finding the Teachable Moments. Includes free printables to download.

Pumpkins

Pumpkins and fall simply go together. Why not try some pumpkin science experiments?

Invite children to use their 5 senses to explore the insides of a pumpkin. I love this hands on approach to science and your kids will enjoy making a gooey mess!Try these great outdoor experiments & activities!

What happens to a rotting pumpkin? Read this young boy’s science journal on his own rotting pumpkin, and then observe your own. Kids will love this activity!

Trees and seeds

Use seeds and leaves to identify trees. Learn a little about the trees in your back yard with this fun hands-on project that brings trees up close!

Discover what make pine cones open and close. You can even encourage kids test out an hypothesis.

Great resources to help you identify leaves

Find some beautiful fall leaf identification charts at Look We’re Learning.  Print these gorgeous leaf identification cards from Wildflower Ramblings.

One last activity

Squirrels store food ready for the winter. They need to have a good memory to find their secret hoards! Could you survive as a squirrel?

Collect 5-10 acorns or pine cones from the woodland floor. Find a good place to store or bury them. 
Now go off for a walk, then come back and see if you can find them!

Go one step further and store the acorns on one visit to the woodland, then look for them the next time you come! How did you do?

Some gentle encouragement

Kids love these kinds of activities. Don’t be intimidated by the words “Science experiment.” All of these activities are easy to set up and do.

Your kids will enjoy some hands on learning.

And you’ll get a reputation for being the coolest parent on the planet.

That can’t hurt can it?

Looking for more science activities?

Check out my science Pinterest board
Science Fun

Now it’s your turn

Have you tried any other fall science activities? Which one would you like to try? If you try one listed here I would love to hear how it went.