Whether you’re looking for an insanely cool science gift for kids or you need a list of go-to science supplies, this DIY home science kit has you covered. Most of the supplies are available at the Dollar Store and the free experiment cards include four ready to go activities little Einsteins will love.
You can grab our complete science kit in our shop!
Getting Ready
A quick stop at the dollar store was enough to gather most of our supplies:
- A big plastic tub for storage
- Olive oil
- Raisins
- Safety goggles {from the tool aisle}
- Balloons {from the party section}
- White coffee filters
- A box of tea
- Alka Seltzer tablets {from the grocery store}
- Funnels
- Bottle of water
- Magnet {from the toy aisle}
- Skittles
- Baking soda
- Pipe cleaners
- Dish soap
- Food coloring {from the grocery store}
Total cost: $20. Not bad at all.
The Science Experiments
You’ll be able to do a ton of science experiments with this DIY science kit but, to get young scientists started, I included a set of cards ( available below) walking them through four of our favorites:
Preparation
I printed the cards on cardstock to give them extra durability, cut them out and bound them with a book ring.
I added the flip book to our big plastic tub and our work was done.
That’s it!
A little prep work that is sure to bring hours of bubbling, flying, morphing fun.
Grab Your Download
Click the blue download button below to snag your four free science activity cards.
Then extend the fun with 24 more activity cards and a no prep science journal kids can use to record their observations.
Grab our Super Cool Science Kit in our shop!
Malia I would love to purchase the DIY science kits for a kindergarten or first grader. I understand that I will buy the materials, How do I get the instructions/lesson plan?
Hi Carm! I’m excited that you’re a fan of the DIY science kit. Here’s the direct link to the experiment cards:
https://www.playdoughtoplato.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Science-Kit.pdf
Enjoy! 🙂
This is brilliant. When I get back in the classroom I need to put one of these together and the winning group of the week could play with it and do the activities.
Julie
This came at the perfect time! And, such a fantastic set of activities! A family friend turned 6 last week and is really into science. I was able to get everything at the dollar store (minus the safety goggles and the other items you had said) and got enough for my 4 year old daughter to use. I had wrapped everything up in tissue paper and stuck it in the big bin. The birthday boy’s reaction was priceless!! He pulled out a few items before he saw the instruction cards and said, “what the…?” thinking it was a pretty stinky gift! BUT then he realized what it really was and LOVED it and said it was the best ever! He couldn’t wait to do the volcano! My daughter was really excited as well. Her favorite was the magic worms, as she called them (the magnetic pipe cleaners) and brought them for her share day last week. Thank you so much for putting it all together! Really great!
Your note made my day, Leia!! I’m THRILLED that the home science kit was a hit. Thanks for taking the time to share an update. 🙂
I read this post completely concerning the comparison of most up-to-date and previous technologies, it’s awesome article.
Hi Malia,
I LOVE your resources! I am planning on purchasing your “30 Science Experiments” download for $9.99, but before I do I just have a few questions…
1. Does the download come in the same format as these four freebie experiments linked in this web page (meaning, 4 experiments to 1 page)?
2. Are there many other materials that would need to be purchased to successfully complete the experiments other than the ones already listed on this web page? If so, can you please give me an idea on how many more/what types of materials would be needed?
I am hoping to make a science kit for my niece for Christmas so I’d love to get started on the kit as soon as possible! I’m also excited to try some of these with my Kindergarteners! 🙂
Thank you SO much!!
Hi Anna,
What a wonderful idea for your niece!
1. Yes, the experiments come in the same format a the free experiments on this page. However, it also includes science journal pages that are a full page each experiment.
2. Yes, there are several other materials that you will need to complete all of the experiments. The download includes a supply list; however, many of the items are common household items, or items that can be purchased at the grocery store.
Let me know if I can be of any further help.
Warmly,
Ashley // Happiness Ambassador
The download link is not working 🙁
Oh no! I am so sorry that was working for you, Rheanna! We have updated that link so you can hop on and download it!
Have a great week!
Download link still broken