British Science Week is here, and what better time to embrace the wonders of science in your everyday lives? The great news is that you don’t need a lab coat or a degree in astrophysics to enjoy scientific exploration with your kids—science is all around us! Here are some fun, easy and sneaky ways to bring science into your everyday routine.
1. Kitchen Chemistry Baking is basically science in disguise! The next time you’re whipping up a cake or making bread, talk about how ingredients react. Why does bread rise? (Yeast releases carbon dioxide!) Why does cake batter become solid? (Heat causes chemical changes!) You can even get experimental—try baking a cake without eggs and predict what will happen!
2. Bath-Time Buoyancy Bath time isn’t just for splashing—it’s a mini physics lesson waiting to happen. Challenge your child to guess which objects will float and which will sink. Talk about density (heavy things don’t always sink!) and even experiment with how changing an object’s shape (like crumpling a ball of foil) affects whether it sinks or floats.
3. Nature Walks and Weather Wonders A simple walk to the park can turn into a biology or meteorology adventure. Spot birds, bugs and plants—why do some trees lose their leaves? Why do worms come out after it rains? Speaking of rain, why not keep a weather diary and track patterns? (Bonus points if you build a homemade rain gauge!)
4. Shadow Play and Light Tricks On a sunny day, explore how shadows change throughout the day. Why do they move? (Hint: Earth is spinning!) Or grab a torch at bedtime and experiment with shadow puppets—how does moving an object closer or further from the light affect the shadow?
5. DIY Volcanoes and Fizzing Fun For those who love a little mess (in the name of science, of course!), make a classic baking soda and vinegar volcano. Discuss how the reaction creates carbon dioxide, just like real volcanic eruptions (minus the lava, thankfully). If you fancy a cleaner version, drop an effervescent tablet in water and watch the bubbles form!
6. Growing Curiosity with Plants Planting seeds is a fantastic way to introduce the concept of life cycles. Grow cress on a windowsill or experiment with celery in coloured water to see how plants drink. If patience allows, track how fast a sunflower or bean plant grows over time.
7. Starry Nights and Space Chats A clear night sky is a perfect opportunity to talk about space. Spot the moon, discuss why it changes shape and try to find some constellations. If you’ve got a pair of binoculars, even better! You can also create a model solar system using balls or fruit—Mars might be a cherry tomato while Jupiter is a big grapefruit!
8. Sound Experiments and Music Magic Science isn’t just about what we see—it’s also about what we hear! Fill glasses with different amounts of water and tap them with a spoon to make music. Why do some make a high sound and others a low one? (It’s all about vibrations!)
9. Magnet Mayhem Magnets are a great way to explore invisible forces. Let your child test which household objects a magnet will stick to—why does it attract some things but not others? (Metallic objects contain iron, nickel or cobalt!)
10. Playful Predictions and Problem-Solving Science is all about asking questions and making predictions. Encourage your child to guess outcomes before an experiment and talk about why things happen the way they do. Did their prediction match the result? If not, why?
Science is everywhere—it’s in the bubbles of your lemonade, the rainbow after the rain and even in the way your toast turns golden brown. By making science part of your daily routine, you’ll not only spark curiosity but also show your kids that learning isn’t just something that happens at school—it’s happening all the time!
So go on, embrace science in your everyday life and have fun experimenting with the world around you!
For more advice and helpful guides, be sure to check out our Parents’ Guide to Learning, where we share tips and support for parents. If there’s a specific topic you’d like us to cover, or if you have any questions, feel free to contact us—we’re here to help!
