Lately it seems my 5 year-old is into my stuff ALL THE TIME. I keep finding miscellaneous items squirted on my bathroom counter: toothpaste, strawberry shampoo, various lotions…and then there’s the mixing of food at meal time.
It drives me nuts, but then I remember doing some of the same stuff.
So, this week, I decided to actually ENCOURAGE that experimentation by setting up our own Mad Science Activities for Preschool.
This is perfect for kids 3-5.
Mad Science Activities for Preschool
Because they love fizzing science experiments so much, the first thing I did was I fill a couple small squirt bottles with colored vinegar and put baking soda in one small bowl.
Then I hunted through my cabinets to find other fun “potions.”
My brother-in-law had given me some super old flavorings he had found in the back of his cabinets. I don’t want to use them to cook with, but they are great for play! I added a little water to a small bottle of vanilla extract, and poured a little of the anise flavoring into a small container.
I found a fancy jar of capuccino I was never going to drink, put some flour in a small bowl, grabbed the plastic test tubes I had bought at the dollar store and loaded a few up with shampoo and a couple with some of the broken bay leaves I had. I also filled a small container with cinnamon — just love the smell!
Then I added a couple eye droppers, measuring spoons, funnels, and long handled spoons for stirring.
I set it all up on a small table, out in the garage where clean up would be easier. I made sure to bring several mixing containers and helped my little scientists get in their “costumes” to protect their clothes.
We started off smelling each of the ingredients.
And then I told them to mix whatever they wanted to their heart’s content.
They had a blast.
I THOUGHT they would actually use the eye droppers and measuring spoons to carefully measure ingredients, and maybe they will the next time we do it…
But this time around? Who has time to measure???
There was a lot of excited pouring and stirring and tons of smiles, all without the use of small measuring devices.
They REALLY loved it when they added baking soda to their rapidly filling mixing bowls and squeezed the colored vinegar into the mixture. (And I was really glad we were outside!)
I have to say, with all the flavorings, cinnamon, and the shampoos, this Mad Science Preschool Activity was a pretty good smelling preschool science activity to observe.
And clean up wasn’t too bad, either. (Got to love the garden hose!)
More Science Experiments You’ll Love:
NJ @ A Cookie Before Dinner says
That looks like a blast. I’m going to pin it for our “unschooling” this summer!
OneMommy says
It got 4 thumbs up from my 2 kids! Hope yours enjoy it just as much!
Jackie says
What an amazing invitation to play! I so want to do this with the hooligans!
OneMommy says
It’s amazing how excited they get when they see something like that set up. π
Antionette Blake says
I remember these fun days…enjoy because the years will fly by!
OneMommy says
They do! It seems you blink and they are starting kindergarten!
Lisa Isabella Russo says
Aww, adorable! I love that you did this for them, it looks like they had a blast!
Jennifer @ Sweet Plantains says
This is awesome! My kids would love this.
Tara from The Magnolia Barn says
Looks like so much fun. My little girl has a science kit and she LOVES it! Keeps her busy for literally hours.
OneMommy says
I definitely see a science kit in our future!
Shelley says
Super fun! Kids love this kind of play!!!
Thanks for sharing at Party In Polka Dots!!
Shelley
OneMommy says
Oh, they do! Anything with water and mixing!
Thanks for hosting!
Carrie @ Chockababy says
Oh my son would love this too! Good call on doing somewhere that can be hosed off! Thanks for sharing π
Crystal says
What a great idea! Found you via the Family Fun link party! Feel free to link up at our party, too!
OneMommy says
Thanks so much for stopping by! Can’t wait to check out your linky!
Melinda@LookWhatMomFound...andDadtoo says
that looks like so much fun! hope you come by and share on #kidsinthekitchen this week π
OneMommy says
Thanks! π I did! Have a great weekend!
Sugar Aunts says
AGAIN, I love your ideas!! Thanks for sharing this with us at Share It Saturday! You are so inspiring π
Colleen at Sugar Aunts
Sarah says
Love it! We will totally be doing this soon. Outside, of course π
OneMommy says
Yes, outside definitely makes clean up easier! (And it is less stressful for Mom, too!)
Have fun!
Sara Phillips says
HOW FUN!!! I love this!
OneMommy says
My kids are itching to do it again soon!
Definitely fun!
Kierna Corr (@CiarnaC) says
What an amazingly fun way to use up old ingredients. It looks like they were really engaged in this activty too. Thanks so much for joining in the Outdoor Play Party this week too.
OneMommy says
I have to admit, it was better than just pitching some of it. And they did have a blast!
Carrie says
What a great idea!! It looks like so much fun. Thank you for sharing on Sharing Saturday!!