October 9, 2024
1 Solar System Way, Planet Earth, USA
Science And Technology

Summer science for hot days

It's very, very hot in the UK at the moment, so today I'm sharing something fun and refreshing. Summer science experiments Which are ideal for children of all ages on a sunny day!

Sometimes doing science experiments outdoors seems a lot easier than making a mess inside and they are a great way to keep kids entertained during the school holidays.

Prepare your own slush drinks with ice and salt, follow the movement of the sun with a Homemade sundialmake a solar oven and MUCH more Easy Science and STEM for Summer challenges!

Summer science for hot days

Scientific experiments with ice

5 Minute Summer Slushy Drink

One of our favorite summer activities is exploring color blending and mixing by making slush drinks with fruit ice.

You'll need salt, ice, two sealable plastic food bags, and several different fruit juices to make a colorful slushy drink in minutes!

Homemade slush drink for a science experiment
Homemade slush drink

Painting on ice

Can you make some summer-themed ice cream? Try adding flower petals or shells to your creations.

Painting on a sheet of ice It's also a lot of fun. The paint glides beautifully on the ice, making it a lovely sensory activity.

Ice stars in a courtyard painted with watercolors
Melted ice

Ice cubes melting

How about we make some ice cubes and investigate where they are? melt faster. Try them indoors, in the refrigerator, outdoors in the sun, and outdoors in the shade.

Or try creating a dig in the ice. You can go big and make one huge dig or lots of miniature digs to rescue the animals from the ice.

Lego figure in ice on a green plate
LEGO man frozen in ice

Making ice cream in a bag

Discover Why does salt melt ice?and use your new knowledge to make Ice cream in a bag or chill a drink quickly.

Chocolate milk, ice in a bag and a container with salt.
Ice cream with ice and salt

Science in the children's pool

If you have a kiddie pool, I have 5 scientific activities in the children's pool Which makes playing in the pool even more fun than usual!

Crab sand mold in a puddle of water

Candy Stick Races

Challenge your friends to a candy stick raceThey are a very fun activity and not common at a water table or in a children's pool.

Once you're done running, use the soapy water to clean your outdoor toys!

Popsicle sticks on a water table with dishwashing liquid for a surface tension science experiment

Sinking or floating experiments

Finally, test the objects to see if… sink or float It's always fun! Older kids can try wrapping sinking objects in bubble wrap to see if reducing the density helps them float, or making mini boats for sinking objects.

Sink or Float Science Challenge

Science in the kitchen

Do you love ice cream? How about making some? ice cream soup as Rainy Day Mum.

Or make s'mores the easy way solar garden oven?

Image of a solar oven made from a pizza box, aluminum foil and black cardboard.

Chill a drink quickly Using the cooling power of ice and salt. This uses the same scientific concept as bagged ice cream.

Adding salt to a mixture of ice and water lowers the freezing point of the ice. The melted ice absorbs heat from the drink and cools it down.

Orange juice bottle in a metal container with ice and salt to demonstrate freezing point depression.

Outdoor summer science activities

Homemade sundial

Follow the movement of the sun with a sundial made from a stick.

Simple sundial made with straw, paper and pen
Homemade sundial

Ideas for water walls

The little ones love water walls, we have some easy ones Homemade ideas for making water walls for you to try. Water walls are a great design challenge for older kids and fun for younger ones.

Easy homemade water wall made with colored pipes and jars

Shadow frames

Shadow frames These are a lot of fun. Another idea is to make an empty frame and draw a picture in the middle to cast a shadow.

You can also try drawing the shadow created by a toy. Does the shape of the shadow change throughout the day?

More summer science for kids

Our 50 fun science activities for summer It will keep you busy all summer!

If you prefer a challenge, our summer science challenges It could be just what you're looking for! NOW with FREE printable challenges!

Printable Science Challenges: Easy Summer Science Challenges for Kids
Collage of science experiments perfect for a hot day. Includes solar oven, ice painting and homemade sundial
Science for a hot day

Last updated on June 13, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

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