20 Awesome Science Fair Projects For Elementary School Kids
Check out these simple science fair projects for elementary students! We’ve got 20 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 and a free scientific method and recording sheet!
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 with a variety of experiments you can use.
To inspire you I’ve collected 20 science fair experiments that begin with a question. To keep it simple they all use everyday household materials that are easy to find and safe to use.
Jump straight to my tips for creating a winning science fair project.
20 Winning Science Fair Projects
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 Do Different Solutions Do To Peeps? This fun science fair project lets kids see how marshmallow Peeps change in different liquids.
- What happens when you leave gummy bears in water? This easy science fair project is fun, low-mess, and uses supplies you already have at home.
- What does water do to Skittles? This simple experiment turns candy into a colorful science fair project—just add water and watch diffusion in action as the colors spread.
- What happens if I put a stick into a saturated sugar solution? This easy science fair project lets kids explore crystallization while making a sweet treat—All you need is sugar, water, and patience.
- What happens if you microwave Peeps? This easy science fair project lets kids observe how heat affects air and sugar—watch those marshmallow chicks puff up and deflate in seconds.
Science Fair Projects With Plants
- How Does a Leaf Breathe? Submerge a fresh leaf in water and watch tiny bubbles form—an easy way for kids to see photosynthesis in action.
- How does water travel through leaves? Watch colors creep through leaf veins as kids explore how plants move water—easy to set up and fun to watch.
- Can a Plant grow through a maze? Set up a simple maze in a box and watch your plant twist and turn toward the light—it’s a fun way for kids to explore how plants respond to light.
- What Happens When Bean Seeds Germinate? With this simple, mess-free project using cotton balls and a jar, kids can watch roots and shoots emerge in days.
- How Does Water Move Through Plants? Place flowers in colored water and watch the petals change—an easy way to show kids how stems transport water.
- What soil type is best for growing seeds? Let kids test different soils to see which helps seeds sprout fastest—an easy, hands-on project perfect for science fairs.
Experiments With Water
- How Does Water Move? Set up a few cups, paper towels, and food coloring to watch colors “walk” between them—it’s a fun way for kids to explore capillary action and color mixing.
- What happens when you mix two liquids with different densities? Kids can explore how oil, water, and salt interact in this colorful experiment that reveals how density affects whether liquids sink or float.
- What Kitchen Liquid Will Freeze First? Kids can test common liquids like water, milk, and vinegar to see which freezes fastest—an easy experiment that turns your freezer into a science lab.
- What happens when you poke pencils through a bag filled with water? Kids will be amazed as pencils pierce a water-filled bag without spilling a drop—it’s a quick, mess-free way to explore polymers and molecular structure.
Miscellaneous Science Fair Projects
- What Causes Storms? This hands-on activity helps kids understand how warm and cold air interact to create stormy weather—simple materials, big learning.
- Can you get electricity from lemons? Yes! With just a few lemons, some pennies, and galvanized nails, kids can create a simple battery that powers a small LED.
- What conditions create bread mold the fastest? Kids can test how moisture, temperature, and air exposure affect mold growth on bread—an easy way to explore fungi and decomposition.
- Can you power a lightbulb with a balloon? Rub it to build up static electricity, then bring it close to a lightbulb and watch the magic—it’s a fun way to explore static charge with kids.
- Why Do Apples Turn Brown? This experiment walks kids through the scientific method step by step as they test how different liquids affect apple browning.
How To Survive The Science Fair Project
How can we keep the fun part of the science fair project and make the thing less of a trial?
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 Your Science Fair Project?
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.
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!
Ectra Help For Frazzled Families
Her are some helpful books
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- 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?
This post is part of my growing collection of science and STEM posts. Need more inspiration to keep kids busy? Head over to our Kids Activities page where you’ll find hundreds of fun ideas all in one place.
Exclusive Bonus: Download a free Science Activity Sheet from the library with more science activities you could use as a science fair project
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.
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