science experiments for key stage 2

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

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72 Easy Science Experiments Using Materials You Already Have On Hand

Because science doesn’t have to be complicated.

If there is one thing that is guaranteed to get your students excited, it’s a good science experiment! While some experiments require expensive lab equipment or dangerous chemicals, there are plenty of cool projects you can do with regular household items. We’ve rounded up a big collection of easy science experiments that anybody can try, and kids are going to love them!

Easy Chemistry Science Experiments

Easy physics science experiments, easy biology and environmental science experiments, easy engineering experiments and stem challenges.

1. Taste the Rainbow

Teach your students about diffusion while creating a beautiful and tasty rainbow! Tip: Have extra Skittles on hand so your class can eat a few!

Learn more: Skittles Diffusion

2. Crystallize sweet treats

Crystal science experiments teach kids about supersaturated solutions. This one is easy to do at home, and the results are absolutely delicious!

Learn more: Candy Crystals

3. Make a volcano erupt

This classic experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid), which produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate.

Learn more: Best Volcano Experiments

4. Make elephant toothpaste

This fun project uses yeast and a hydrogen peroxide solution to create overflowing “elephant toothpaste.” Tip: Add an extra fun layer by having kids create toothpaste wrappers for plastic bottles.

5. Blow the biggest bubbles you can

Add a few simple ingredients to dish soap solution to create the largest bubbles you’ve ever seen! Kids learn about surface tension as they engineer these bubble-blowing wands.

Learn more: Giant Soap Bubbles

6. Demonstrate the “magic” leakproof bag

All you need is a zip-top plastic bag, sharp pencils, and water to blow your kids’ minds. Once they’re suitably impressed, teach them how the “trick” works by explaining the chemistry of polymers.

Learn more: Leakproof Bag

7. Use apple slices to learn about oxidation

Have students make predictions about what will happen to apple slices when immersed in different liquids, then put those predictions to the test. Have them record their observations.

Learn more: Apple Oxidation

8. Float a marker man

Their eyes will pop out of their heads when you “levitate” a stick figure right off the table! This experiment works due to the insolubility of dry-erase marker ink in water, combined with the lighter density of the ink.

Learn more: Floating Marker Man

9. Discover density with hot and cold water

There are a lot of easy science experiments you can do with density. This one is extremely simple, involving only hot and cold water and food coloring, but the visuals make it appealing and fun.

Learn more: Layered Water

10. Layer more liquids

This density demo is a little more complicated, but the effects are spectacular. Slowly layer liquids like honey, dish soap, water, and rubbing alcohol in a glass. Kids will be amazed when the liquids float one on top of the other like magic (except it is really science).

Learn more: Layered Liquids

11. Grow a carbon sugar snake

Easy science experiments can still have impressive results! This eye-popping chemical reaction demonstration only requires simple supplies like sugar, baking soda, and sand.

Learn more: Carbon Sugar Snake

12. Mix up some slime

Tell kids you’re going to make slime at home, and watch their eyes light up! There are a variety of ways to make slime, so try a few different recipes to find the one you like best.

13. Make homemade bouncy balls

These homemade bouncy balls are easy to make since all you need is glue, food coloring, borax powder, cornstarch, and warm water. You’ll want to store them inside a container like a plastic egg because they will flatten out over time.

Learn more: Make Your Own Bouncy Balls

14. Create eggshell chalk

Eggshells contain calcium, the same material that makes chalk. Grind them up and mix them with flour, water, and food coloring to make your very own sidewalk chalk.

Learn more: Eggshell Chalk

15. Make naked eggs

This is so cool! Use vinegar to dissolve the calcium carbonate in an eggshell to discover the membrane underneath that holds the egg together. Then, use the “naked” egg for another easy science experiment that demonstrates osmosis .

Learn more: Naked Egg Experiment

16. Turn milk into plastic

This sounds a lot more complicated than it is, but don’t be afraid to give it a try. Use simple kitchen supplies to create plastic polymers from plain old milk. Sculpt them into cool shapes when you’re done!

17. Test pH using cabbage

Teach kids about acids and bases without needing pH test strips! Simply boil some red cabbage and use the resulting water to test various substances—acids turn red and bases turn green.

Learn more: Cabbage pH

18. Clean some old coins

Use common household items to make old oxidized coins clean and shiny again in this simple chemistry experiment. Ask kids to predict (hypothesize) which will work best, then expand the learning by doing some research to explain the results.

Learn more: Cleaning Coins

19. Pull an egg into a bottle

This classic easy science experiment never fails to delight. Use the power of air pressure to suck a hard-boiled egg into a jar, no hands required.

Learn more: Egg in a Bottle

20. Blow up a balloon (without blowing)

Chances are good you probably did easy science experiments like this when you were in school. The baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment demonstrates the reactions between acids and bases when you fill a bottle with vinegar and a balloon with baking soda.

21 Assemble a DIY lava lamp

This 1970s trend is back—as an easy science experiment! This activity combines acid-base reactions with density for a totally groovy result.

22. Explore how sugary drinks affect teeth

The calcium content of eggshells makes them a great stand-in for teeth. Use eggs to explore how soda and juice can stain teeth and wear down the enamel. Expand your learning by trying different toothpaste-and-toothbrush combinations to see how effective they are.

Learn more: Sugar and Teeth Experiment

23. Mummify a hot dog

If your kids are fascinated by the Egyptians, they’ll love learning to mummify a hot dog! No need for canopic jars , just grab some baking soda and get started.

24. Extinguish flames with carbon dioxide

This is a fiery twist on acid-base experiments. Light a candle and talk about what fire needs in order to survive. Then, create an acid-base reaction and “pour” the carbon dioxide to extinguish the flame. The CO2 gas acts like a liquid, suffocating the fire.

25. Send secret messages with invisible ink

Turn your kids into secret agents! Write messages with a paintbrush dipped in lemon juice, then hold the paper over a heat source and watch the invisible become visible as oxidation goes to work.

Learn more: Invisible Ink

26. Create dancing popcorn

This is a fun version of the classic baking soda and vinegar experiment, perfect for the younger crowd. The bubbly mixture causes popcorn to dance around in the water.

27. Shoot a soda geyser sky-high

You’ve always wondered if this really works, so it’s time to find out for yourself! Kids will marvel at the chemical reaction that sends diet soda shooting high in the air when Mentos are added.

Learn more: Soda Explosion

28. Send a teabag flying

Hot air rises, and this experiment can prove it! You’ll want to supervise kids with fire, of course. For more safety, try this one outside.

Learn more: Flying Tea Bags

29. Create magic milk

This fun and easy science experiment demonstrates principles related to surface tension, molecular interactions, and fluid dynamics.

Learn more: Magic Milk Experiment

30. Watch the water rise

Learn about Charles’s Law with this simple experiment. As the candle burns, using up oxygen and heating the air in the glass, the water rises as if by magic.

Learn more: Rising Water

31. Learn about capillary action

Kids will be amazed as they watch the colored water move from glass to glass, and you’ll love the easy and inexpensive setup. Gather some water, paper towels, and food coloring to teach the scientific magic of capillary action.

Learn more: Capillary Action

32. Give a balloon a beard

Equally educational and fun, this experiment will teach kids about static electricity using everyday materials. Kids will undoubtedly get a kick out of creating beards on their balloon person!

Learn more: Static Electricity

33. Find your way with a DIY compass

Here’s an old classic that never fails to impress. Magnetize a needle, float it on the water’s surface, and it will always point north.

Learn more: DIY Compass

34. Crush a can using air pressure

Sure, it’s easy to crush a soda can with your bare hands, but what if you could do it without touching it at all? That’s the power of air pressure!

35. Tell time using the sun

While people use clocks or even phones to tell time today, there was a time when a sundial was the best means to do that. Kids will certainly get a kick out of creating their own sundials using everyday materials like cardboard and pencils.

Learn more: Make Your Own Sundial

36. Launch a balloon rocket

Grab balloons, string, straws, and tape, and launch rockets to learn about the laws of motion.

37. Make sparks with steel wool

All you need is steel wool and a 9-volt battery to perform this science demo that’s bound to make their eyes light up! Kids learn about chain reactions, chemical changes, and more.

Learn more: Steel Wool Electricity

38. Levitate a Ping-Pong ball

Kids will get a kick out of this experiment, which is really all about Bernoulli’s principle. You only need plastic bottles, bendy straws, and Ping-Pong balls to make the science magic happen.

39. Whip up a tornado in a bottle

There are plenty of versions of this classic experiment out there, but we love this one because it sparkles! Kids learn about a vortex and what it takes to create one.

Learn more: Tornado in a Bottle

40. Monitor air pressure with a DIY barometer

This simple but effective DIY science project teaches kids about air pressure and meteorology. They’ll have fun tracking and predicting the weather with their very own barometer.

Learn more: DIY Barometer

41. Peer through an ice magnifying glass

Students will certainly get a thrill out of seeing how an everyday object like a piece of ice can be used as a magnifying glass. Be sure to use purified or distilled water since tap water will have impurities in it that will cause distortion.

Learn more: Ice Magnifying Glass

42. String up some sticky ice

Can you lift an ice cube using just a piece of string? This quick experiment teaches you how. Use a little salt to melt the ice and then refreeze the ice with the string attached.

Learn more: Sticky Ice

43. “Flip” a drawing with water

Light refraction causes some really cool effects, and there are multiple easy science experiments you can do with it. This one uses refraction to “flip” a drawing; you can also try the famous “disappearing penny” trick .

Learn more: Light Refraction With Water

44. Color some flowers

We love how simple this project is to re-create since all you’ll need are some white carnations, food coloring, glasses, and water. The end result is just so beautiful!

45. Use glitter to fight germs

Everyone knows that glitter is just like germs—it gets everywhere and is so hard to get rid of! Use that to your advantage and show kids how soap fights glitter and germs.

Learn more: Glitter Germs

46. Re-create the water cycle in a bag

You can do so many easy science experiments with a simple zip-top bag. Fill one partway with water and set it on a sunny windowsill to see how the water evaporates up and eventually “rains” down.

Learn more: Water Cycle

47. Learn about plant transpiration

Your backyard is a terrific place for easy science experiments. Grab a plastic bag and rubber band to learn how plants get rid of excess water they don’t need, a process known as transpiration.

Learn more: Plant Transpiration

48. Clean up an oil spill

Before conducting this experiment, teach your students about engineers who solve environmental problems like oil spills. Then, have your students use provided materials to clean the oil spill from their oceans.

Learn more: Oil Spill

49. Construct a pair of model lungs

Kids get a better understanding of the respiratory system when they build model lungs using a plastic water bottle and some balloons. You can modify the experiment to demonstrate the effects of smoking too.

Learn more: Model Lungs

50. Experiment with limestone rocks

Kids  love to collect rocks, and there are plenty of easy science experiments you can do with them. In this one, pour vinegar over a rock to see if it bubbles. If it does, you’ve found limestone!

Learn more: Limestone Experiments

51. Turn a bottle into a rain gauge

All you need is a plastic bottle, a ruler, and a permanent marker to make your own rain gauge. Monitor your measurements and see how they stack up against meteorology reports in your area.

Learn more: DIY Rain Gauge

52. Build up towel mountains

This clever demonstration helps kids understand how some landforms are created. Use layers of towels to represent rock layers and boxes for continents. Then pu-u-u-sh and see what happens!

Learn more: Towel Mountains

53. Take a play dough core sample

Learn about the layers of the earth by building them out of Play-Doh, then take a core sample with a straw. ( Love Play-Doh? Get more learning ideas here. )

Learn more: Play Dough Core Sampling

54. Project the stars on your ceiling

Use the video lesson in the link below to learn why stars are only visible at night. Then create a DIY star projector to explore the concept hands-on.

Learn more: DIY Star Projector

55. Make it rain

Use shaving cream and food coloring to simulate clouds and rain. This is an easy science experiment little ones will beg to do over and over.

Learn more: Shaving Cream Rain

56. Blow up your fingerprint

This is such a cool (and easy!) way to look at fingerprint patterns. Inflate a balloon a bit, use some ink to put a fingerprint on it, then blow it up big to see your fingerprint in detail.

57. Snack on a DNA model

Twizzlers, gumdrops, and a few toothpicks are all you need to make this super-fun (and yummy!) DNA model.

Learn more: Edible DNA Model

58. Dissect a flower

Take a nature walk and find a flower or two. Then bring them home and take them apart to discover all the different parts of flowers.

59. Craft smartphone speakers

No Bluetooth speaker? No problem! Put together your own from paper cups and toilet paper tubes.

Learn more: Smartphone Speakers

60. Race a balloon-powered car

Kids will be amazed when they learn they can put together this awesome racer using cardboard and bottle-cap wheels. The balloon-powered “engine” is so much fun too.

Learn more: Balloon-Powered Car

61. Build a Ferris wheel

You’ve probably ridden on a Ferris wheel, but can you build one? Stock up on wood craft sticks and find out! Play around with different designs to see which one works best.

Learn more: Craft Stick Ferris Wheel

62. Design a phone stand

There are lots of ways to craft a DIY phone stand, which makes this a perfect creative-thinking STEM challenge.

63. Conduct an egg drop

Put all their engineering skills to the test with an egg drop! Challenge kids to build a container from stuff they find around the house that will protect an egg from a long fall (this is especially fun to do from upper-story windows).

Learn more: Egg Drop Challenge Ideas

64. Engineer a drinking-straw roller coaster

STEM challenges are always a hit with kids. We love this one, which only requires basic supplies like drinking straws.

Learn more: Straw Roller Coaster

65. Build a solar oven

Explore the power of the sun when you build your own solar ovens and use them to cook some yummy treats. This experiment takes a little more time and effort, but the results are always impressive. The link below has complete instructions.

Learn more: Solar Oven

66. Build a Da Vinci bridge

There are plenty of bridge-building experiments out there, but this one is unique. It’s inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s 500-year-old self-supporting wooden bridge. Learn how to build it at the link, and expand your learning by exploring more about Da Vinci himself.

Learn more: Da Vinci Bridge

67. Step through an index card

This is one easy science experiment that never fails to astonish. With carefully placed scissor cuts on an index card, you can make a loop large enough to fit a (small) human body through! Kids will be wowed as they learn about surface area.

68. Stand on a pile of paper cups

Combine physics and engineering and challenge kids to create a paper cup structure that can support their weight. This is a cool project for aspiring architects.

Learn more: Paper Cup Stack

69. Test out parachutes

Gather a variety of materials (try tissues, handkerchiefs, plastic bags, etc.) and see which ones make the best parachutes. You can also find out how they’re affected by windy days or find out which ones work in the rain.

Learn more: Parachute Drop

70. Recycle newspapers into an engineering challenge

It’s amazing how a stack of newspapers can spark such creative engineering. Challenge kids to build a tower, support a book, or even build a chair using only newspaper and tape!

Learn more: Newspaper STEM Challenge

71. Use rubber bands to sound out acoustics

Explore the ways that sound waves are affected by what’s around them using a simple rubber band “guitar.” (Kids absolutely love playing with these!)

Learn more: Rubber Band Guitar

72. Assemble a better umbrella

Challenge students to engineer the best possible umbrella from various household supplies. Encourage them to plan, draw blueprints, and test their creations using the scientific method.

Learn more: Umbrella STEM Challenge

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Science Experiments Teaching Resources for Key Stage 2 - Upper

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Science Experiment - Suck It Up!

A science experiment which investigates the absorptive properties of various materials.

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An educational teaching presentation introducing the students to the R.E.R.U.N. method for writing a scientific conclusion.

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An educational fact sheet introducing the students to the R.E.R.U.N. method for writing a scientific conclusion.

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An educational poster introducing the students to the R.E.R.U.N. method for writing a scientific conclusion.

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A worksheet for students to record observations of trees in their local environment.

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A hands-on science experiment about salt water density.

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Help students stay on task during STEM group work with these STEM job description posters and lanyards.

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Assign roles for group work in the science classroom with this set of 6 desk cards.

Science Experiment - Blubber Me!

A science experiment which explores the structural adaptation of blubber.

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A poster containing a diagram with labels showing the key parts of a microscope.

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A science experiment which explores the sun as a heat source.

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Resources for teaching 7-9 years

Discover resources for teaching primary science to pupils aged 7-9 years

Solids, liquids and gases

Properties of solids and ‘biscuit bashing’

Try this investigation to observe the properties of granular solids, with detailed teacher notes, classroom slides and a video demonstration.

Investigating surface tension with milk

Using simple household equipment, you can explore surface tension with learners, and create amazing patterns in milk. Includes kit list and safety instructions. 

Solids | Primary science video demonstrations

Display some exciting solid properties to primary learners: including biscuit bashing, dissolving and heavy sugar.

How to make butter

Make science delicious with this experiment on how to make butter! Explore how fat molecules bind, and emulsions are created. 

Freezing and the ‘intriguing ice’ experiment

Try this investigation to explore how materials change when they freeze, with detailed teacher notes, classroom slides and a video demonstration.

The life of water

Get hands on with H 2 O, changing states of matter and the water cycle. These experiments and investigations involve water in the context of space

Solids, liquids and gases: primary science podcasts

Join Kareena and her superhero friend K-mistry for this short podcast introducing children to solids, liquids and gases.

Solids, liquids and gases: That’s Chemistry!

In association with ABPI

The ‘solids, liquids and gases’ chapter from That’s Chemistry! This chapter looks at key ideas and activities that can be used to help students learn about solids, liquids and gases, and understand that some materials change state when they are heated or cooled.

Recycling and melting plastics | 7–9 years

Connect your curriculum teaching on materials to engaging sustainability contexts. This topic web suggests classroom activities linked to sorting plastics for recycling and melting plastics for new uses.

Materials cards

Spark awareness of the properties and purposes of materials, while teaching terms like ‘permeable’, ‘transparent’ and ‘magnetic’.

Insulation investigation

Which material makes the warmest jacket? Investigate the insulating properties of various materials with this activity for ages 7–14

Chemistry and Sport - football

Materials chemistry has revolutionised the game of football and given us the balls, gloves, and goalposts we play with.

Temper, temper: edible experiments

Why is tempering chocolate so important? Discover the importance of chemistry in everyday eating experiences with this edible experiment.

The properties of materials and their everyday uses: That’s Chemistry!

The ‘properties of materials’ chapter from That’s Chemistry! This chapter looks at key ideas and activities that can be used to help students learn how the properties of materials affects their suitability for different uses.

Olympic materials Primary

This resource allows primary school students to explore the difference between a natural material and a synthetic material. The Materials used in different sports for the Olympic Games is then explored.

Smart materials in nappies: primary science podcasts

Join Kareena and her superhero friend K-mistry for this short podcast introducing children to absorbancy and comparing materials on the basis of their properties.

Mixing and dissolving materials: That’s Chemistry!

The ‘mixing and dissolving materials’ chapter from That’s Chemistry! This chapter looks at key ideas and activities that can be used to help students learn that mixtures are made up of more than one substance and that some mixtures can be separated.

Heating and cooling materials: That’s Chemistry!

The ‘heating and cooling materials’ chapter from That’s Chemistry! This chapter looks at key ideas and activities that can be used to help students learn how the properties of some materials change when they are heated, and that some of these changes are irreversible.

Magnets: primary science podcasts

Join Kareena and her superhero friend K-mistry for this short podcast introducing children to magnets.

Water and hydrogels

Challenge your students to answer the question: are we wasting water?

Teflon: kitchen science podcasts

Introduce your students to Teflon and the properties of materials with this short podcast.

Chemistry in sport: primary science podcasts

Join Kareena and her superhero friend K-mistry for this short podcast introducing children to how the properties of a material can make them suitable for a particular use.

Earth science

Saving water and pollution in the water cycle | 7–9 years

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Big Jurassic Classroom

A downloadable book, teacher guides and activity packs from the Primary Science Teaching Trust and Jurassic Coast Trust. Use these to support the teaching of rocks, fossils and evolution, and bring the wonder of the Jurassic Coast into your classroom.

Science Concept Cartoons: Acid rain

In association with Millgate House Education

Spark discussion and stimulate thinking about acid rain in a way that encourages pupils to share their ideas

Found in the ground

Give your pupils the knowledge and the opportunity to classify materials according to rocks, minerals and fossils.

Virtual rock kit

A collection of common sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks. Each rock has images showing particle arrangements, the rock after weathering, hand sized specimens and the rock in use.

The water cycle: That’s Chemistry!

The ‘water cycle’ chapter from That’s Chemistry! This chapter looks at key ideas and activities that can be used to help students learn how different liquids evaporate at different rates, and the factors that affect these rates.

Rocks and soils: That’s Chemistry!

The ‘rocks and soils’ chapter from That’s Chemistry! This chapter looks at key ideas and activities that can be used to help students learn that different types of rocks and soils have different properties.

Curriculum maps

England national curriculum guide: key stage 2 science

A linking document for primary science teachers in England, which maps Royal Society of Chemistry resources to statements from the key stage 2 science sampling framework, which aligns with the national curriculum science programmes of study.

Wales national curriculum guide: key stage 2 science

Use this document when planning schemes of work or when looking for resources that are related to specific national curriculum statements.

Scotland curriculum for excellence guide: early to second level science

A linking document for primary science teachers in Scotland, which maps Royal Society of Chemistry resources to experiences and outcomes from the Curriculum for Excellence. 

English chemistry curriculum map

Use this map to get an overview of the English chemistry curriculum, from primary to undergraduate level.

Northern Ireland chemistry curriculum map

Plan your implementation and delivery of the Northern Irish chemistry curriculum, whether you teach at foundation phase or undergraduate level. 

Science ideas webs

Space: science ideas webs

A web of suggested ideas for linking science with the topic space. You can learn history and science together with activities for different age groups.

The Victorians: science ideas webs

A web of suggested ideas for linking science with the topic the Victorians. You can learn history and science together with activities for different age groups.

The Stone Age: science ideas webs

A web of suggested ideas for linking science with the topic the stone age. You can learn history and science together with activities for different age groups. 

Maya and Aztecs: science ideas webs

A web of suggested ideas for linking science with the topic the Maya and Aztecs. You can learn history and science together with activities for different age groups. 

The Romans: science ideas webs

A web of suggested ideas for linking science with the topic the Romans. You can learn history and science together with activities for different age groups. 

Ancient Egypt: science ideas webs

A web of suggested ideas for linking science with the topic Ancient Egypt. You can learn history and science together with activities for different age groups. 

Sustainability

Sustainability contexts for primary science

Electricity and batteries | 7–9 years

Protecting animals and their habitats | 7–9 years

Wind power challenge

In association with Practical Action

Water! Water!

Plastics challenge

Power for the world

The 2011 International Year of Chemistry Experiment

Streamwatch - a UK water analysis science project

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What your child learns in Key Stage 2 science

Science in Years 3 and 4

In Years 3 and 4, children will be encouraged to ask questions about scientific concepts and then carry out experiments to find out the answers. In doing this they will:  

• learn what a ' fair test ' is.
• take measurements from a range of equipment.
• gather and record data.
• report their findings orally and in writing.

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• Experiments And Science Fun pack
• Science Learning Programme for each school year
• All the instructions, questions and information you need

Science in Years 5 and 6

In Years 5 and 6, children will continue to practise the above skills, but with more depth and precision. When carrying out experiments they will:  

• understand what variables are and how to control them.
• take measurements from a range of equipment, understanding the need for repeated measures to increase accuracy.
• gather and record data using labels, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs.
• use test results to make further predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests.
• make conclusions on the test carried out, orally and in writing.

Key Stage 2 science topics year by year

Year 3 science

• Plants , including parts of plants, needs of plants and their life cycle .
• Animals , including humans , focusing on nutrition, skeletons and muscles.
• Rocks , including comparing rocks, looking at fossils and understanding how soil is made.
• Light , looking at how light is reflected, how shadows are formed and can change.
• Forces and magnets , focusing on attraction and repulsion of magnets, magnetic materials and the two poles of a magnet.

Year 4 science

• Living things and their habitats, including classifying living things and looking at changes to environments.
• Animals, including humans, focusing on eating: teeth, the digestive system and food chains .
• States of matter , including grouping materials, changing state, evaporation and condensation.
• Sound , looking at creation of sound through vibration and changes in pitch and volume.
• Electricity , including constructing a circuit and understanding conductors and insulators.

Year 5 science

• Living things and their habitats, including life cycles of a mammal, amphibian, insect and bird.
• Animals, including humans, focusing on changes from birth to old age.
• Properties and changes of materials , including dissolving, separating and reversible changes.
• Earth and space , looking at the movement of the sun, earth and moon.
• Forces, including gravity, air resistance, water resistance and friction.

Year 6 science

• Living things and their habitats, including classifying micro-organisms, plants and animals.
• Animals, including humans, focusing mainly on diet and exercise.
• Evolution and inheritance , looking at fossils, reproduction and adaptation.
• Light, looking closely at how it travels and how shadows are made.
• Electricity, analysing the function of lamps, buzzers, cells and switches.

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More like this

Key Stage 2 science: what your child will learn

By Atom | Oct 23, 2023, 10:36 AM

Science is one of the compulsory subjects on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum. As a hands-on subject, many children enjoy learning about science by interacting with the world around them.

In this article, we’ll help you understand what your child will learn in Key Stage 2 science. Keep reading to find out:

Which topics are on the KS2 science curriculum

How to help your child build science skills at home

What is the national curriculum?

The national curriculum is a programme of study for primary and secondary schools in England. State schools teach the same subjects and standards so that children across the country all learn the same things.

The national curriculum is organised into ‘key stages’, which span different age groups. Tests at the end of each key stage assess your child’s performance and understanding of what they have learnt.

Early years: ages 3–5 (nursery and reception)

Key Stage 1: ages 5–7 (years 1–2)

Key Stage 2: ages 7–11 (years 3–6)

Key Stage 3: ages 11–14 (years 7–9)

Key Stage 4: ages 14–16 (years 10–11)

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What’s on the KS2 science curriculum?

Here’s a breakdown of the topics your child will learn on KS2 science national curriculum.

Year 3 science curriculum

Describe the functions of parts of flowering plants

Understand how the requirements for life and growth vary between plants

Investigate how water is transported within plants

Understand the role of flowers, including pollination, seed formation and seed dispersal

Here’s an example of a Year 3 science question on Atom – the online learning platform for ages 7–11.

Year 4 science curriculum

Recognise and use classification to group, identify and name living things in the environment

Understand that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things

Take a look at an example Year 4 science question on Atom .

Year 5 science curriculum

Describe the life cycles of mammals, amphibians, insects and birds

Describe the life process of reproduction in some plants and animals

Here’s a science question appropriate for Year 5 on Atom .

Year 6 science curriculum

Classify microorganisms, plants and animals based on similarities and differences

Give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics

Take a look at a Year 6 science question on Atom below.

Year 3 & Year 4 science worksheets

Download free English, maths and science worksheets to support your child's learning! Includes Year 3 and 4 science worksheets covering:

Animals including humans

How is KS2 science tested?

Key Stage 2 science is no longer formally tested . Only English and maths are tested in Year 6 SATs .

Instead, your child’s scientific knowledge and skills will be assessed by their class teacher. They will look at whether your child is working at the expected standard in each topic. This information is usually available in your child’s school report.

KS2 science experiments to try at home

Here are some practical activities you and your child can try at home!

1. Plants: experimenting with flowers

In this activity, your child will need to identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants. They will see how the relationship works between structure and function. They will observe the way that water is transported in plants.

White flowers (white carnations work well)

Food colouring (a variety of colours)

Drinking glasses

A pair of scissors

A kitchen knife

2. Changing materials: make bath bombs

In this activity, your child will learn how some changes are irreversible and result in the formation of new materials. They will observe what a chemical change looks like.

Food colouring

Flower petals or biodegradable body glitter

Sweet almond oil

A scented oil of your choice (e.g. lavender)

A small glass jar

A muffin tin

Bicarbonate of soda

Citric acid

Two large bowls

Rubber gloves

A tablespoon

3. Gravity-defying magnets

In this experiment, your child will learn how magnetic forces can act at a distance and how they attract or repel each other.

Strong magnets

A metal ruler

A few books

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KS2 Science Interactive Video Series

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Fun Easter Science Experiments for Kids

April 11, 2022 By Emma Vanstone 8 Comments

We’ve just broken up for the Easter holidays and I have big plans for lots of fun Easter Science Experiments while everyone is off school. I’ve put together a collection of old favourites, new ideas from us and some great Easter science activities from other bloggers too. If a STEM Challenge is more your thing, we’ve got some easy Easter STEM Challenges you will LOVE as well.

You might also like my science activity Easter egg hunt ! It includes codes and mirrors to interpret the clues!

Egg Experiments for Easter

Save the egg.

Build a vehicle designed to save an egg in a collison . We used K’nex, but you could use LEGO or even wrap the egg in different materials and drop it from a height.

Try an egg drop experiment with a twist . We made ours Humpty Dumpty themed. Maybe you could build him a wall too?

Easter STEM Challenges

Try one of our easy Easter and egg themed STEM Challenges . These include catapulting eggs, dropping eggs down an egg chute, an egg zip wire and magnet-powered egg cars.

Eggy Experiments

Find out how to make an egg you can’t break . This involves a bit of science trickery but is great fun to impress your friends.

Did you know you can  make an egg bounce ? You just need to remove its shell first!

Roll eggs down a ramp wrapped in different materials to see how each affects the speed of the egg. This is a great activity for learning to think scientifically . Remember to keep the gradient and length of the ramp the same for each test.

Find out how to remove the shell from an egg without touching it ! This clever trick just needs vinegar and an egg!

Make a very cool spider egg in this clever activity from JDaniel4’s Mum.

How about making an egg shrink , expand and even squirt water? This is a great activity for learning about a principle called osmosis .

How many books can you balance on balance on eggshells ?

Watch as an egg drops into a jar in this fun egg air pressure experiment

Can you make an egg float? You’ll need salt and water for this one!

Watch egg white transform as you whisk it up to make meringue , you can even stack them up to make meringue towers!

Try dropping eggs using one of these great egg drop ideas from Inspiration Laboratories.

Fun with chocolate eggs

Do you have an Easter egg mould? How about learning about melting and changes of state by making your own chocolate Easter Eggs.

Practice drawing maps and map reading by hiding eggs and marking their location on a map.

Make up some codes and get children to decipher them to find eggs or Easter treats. You could even get the children to create their own codes.

Easter Chemistry Experiments

These Egg Geodes look AMAZING from Tinkerlab.

Watch our fun fizzy, frozen eggs melt and fizz.

Fun at Home with the Kids has some brilliant magic egg s for even more fizzy fun.

How about making decorated egg shaped filter papers using chromatography?

Have you ever tried making your own scratch art paper? We loved making these egg scratch art pictures .

Unusual Easter Gifts

We love these play dough surprise eggs from The Imagination Tree. Play dough is brilliant for exploring forces with little ones, can you push, pull and stretch the play dough?

Easter Science for Little Ones

Work on those all important fine motor skills with some chick sorting.

How about setting up a chicken life cycle sensory bin?

Dye some egg shells and make a pretty picture in this fun activity from Rainy Day Mum.

Try hiding small Easter treats in plastic eggs and trying to guess what is hidden in each by shaking the eggs and listening to the sound made.

Set up an Easter themed ice excavation where the challenge is to rescue small chicks from the ice. Try using warm water and salt to see which works best.

Do you have any more Easter science experiment idea s for us?

Last Updated on March 22, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

April 09, 2014 at 5:10 pm

Lovely collection of ideas! I see several we need to try. 🙂

April 09, 2014 at 7:45 pm

Thank you for including my spider egg in this amazing round up!

March 19, 2018 at 2:57 pm

I’m really enjoying these ideas!

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