Science for kids: why do science experiments at home?
Science experiments are a brilliant learning tool and there are many reasons to bring them from the classroom into your own living room! Here are just some of the benefits:
Relevance to the real world. They show how science happens around us at all times and how we can engage with it outside a science lab or classroom.
Helpful for visual learners. Children who are stronger visual learners can grasp concepts quickly and securely once they see them in action.
Creates variety in teaching. The practical activities involved with doing an experiment means that your child will be more active in their own learning.
Teamwork practice. Your child may be creating the experiment with you and their siblings or friends which will help them to practise their interpersonal skills.
It’s fun! Science experiments can seem like magic and be very exciting. Your child might enjoy it so much that they’ll be the ones pushing you to do them!
Free science experiment worksheets
Important: make sure your child only tries science experiments under adult supervision.
Key Stage 2 biology experiments
Key Stage 2 chemistry experiments
Key Stage 2 physics experiments
Working scientifically at Key Stage 2
Key Stage 2 science students are asked to ‘work scientifically’ to practise practical scientific methods, processes and skills. Allow your child to take an active role in setting up the experiments, and help them to articulate what it is they're hoping to investigate.
While carrying out the experiments, encourage your child to think critically by having conversations about the things they are seeing. Discuss differences, similarities and changes related to the scientific ideas you are exploring.
This will prompt them to ask relevant questions and attempt to describe their findings. You could even suggest that they write down the results – this will allow them to practice becoming comfortable with written explanations.
More resources
For more ideas and free science resources, take a look at Atom’s everyday ways to engage your child with science:
Online learning
To maximise your child’s science education, you can complement these real life experiments with fun and engaging online learning!
Atom Nucleus is an adaptive platform that gives your child access to over 90,000 teacher-created questions, video tutorials, help sheets and recorded lessons. Start your 5-day free trial and begin your child’s personalised learning journey today.