Hands-on science experiments make for a fun and engaging science lesson. However, they sometimes take a lot of planning in advance to make sure you have all the supplies you need. If you need a quick experiment with supplies you can find around your house, here are some options:

Note: All these experiments should be done under adult supervision.

Lemon Volcano

The best part of this activity by The Best Smelling Science is that it produces a small bubbly eruption using citric acid which is found in citrus fruits and baking soda. Therefore, this “volcanic eruption” is less messy and does not use dangerous supplies. All you need are lemons, baking soda, dish soap and food coloring. It does not take much time and it teaches students about chemical reactions.

Electric Eel Gummy Worms

Here is a science experiment by Bitz & Giggles that uses ingredients you probably already have around the house. All you need are gummy worms, baking soda, vinegar, and water. The gummy worms will “animate” and bounce around in the solution as the baking soda interacts with the vinegar. You can also strain and reuse the gummy worms to redo the experiment a few times.

How Clouds Make Rain

This experiment by The Happy HouseWife teaches students how clouds create precipitation. For this activity, you need shaving cream, water, and food coloring along with a jar. The food coloring will drip down through the shaving cream to imitate rain falling from a cloud. Pair this with a discussion about clouds and different types of clouds and you have a hands-on science lesson!

Instant Ice Cream in a Bag

This experiment by Around the Kampfire would be a perfect summer activity to keep students entertained while cooling down from the heat. All you need is half and half, vanilla, sugar, salt, ice, and Ziplock bags. Adding salt to the mixture lowers its melting point while the ice absorbs heat from its surroundings, allowing the ice cream to freeze properly. Students will be able to watch the ice cream freeze, and it only takes about 7-10 minutes. A science experiment and snack all in one!

Rainbow Walking Water

This rainbow walking water experiment by Fun Learning for Kids is perfect for spring and summer. If you are looking for a super simple science experiment that will still amaze your students, this one is perfect! All you need are clear plastic cups, paper towels, food coloring, and water. This website also has a printable worksheet for students to fill out before they do the experiment. The colored water will move up through the paper towels and into the other cups, demonstrating how water moves up roots to the leaves of a plant.

Disappearing Egg Shell

This experiment by Premeditated Leftovers uses vinegar in a jar to dissolve the calcium carbonate egg shell from around the egg, leaving a squishy egg without a shell left behind. The only downside of this activity is that it does take about two days to sit. Therefore, it would be an activity that students would have to wait to see, so it might be more suitable for older children. Let the students pass around the egg after the experiment is completed. It feels similar to a bouncy ball!

Tornado in a Glass

Being from Ohio, we experience our fair share of tornadoes. This experiment by Rookie Parenting gives students the opportunity to learn about tornadoes while they see one in action. All you need is dish soap and water. When you stir the water with the dish soap, it creates a vortex in the center of the glass similar to one of a tornado. It is fun and super easy to do!

Science lessons are much more engaging when they are hands-on. The best part is that you don’t have to go shopping to do a science experiment. You can create science experiments to do with your students using things you have around the house. Check out Architecture for Design's website for more science experiments to do with your students.