This Ultimate List of 34 Science Activities for Toddlers is full of fun, hands on science for toddlers including experiments and projects through a STEAM learning.

We have been having a ton of fun doing science activities for toddlers here at our house!   (Actually she’s 2 1/2!)  She is so intrigued with the science projects we have done with colors and water, so I have been trying to expand our science experiment list!  Although with spring and summer quickly approaching I know we’ll be doing a lot more science experiments for preschoolers with water!!

Science Activities for Toddlers

Through my searches I thought I’d share my results with you all and make it easier as you are prepping science projects as well.  I have broken them down into categories as well as wanting to give you a bit more info on WHY incorporating Science into your STEAM curriculum is important for early childhood education.

Maybe you already know of all of these things…but the more I read and learn I get excited…it’s kind of a like a whole new world to me as mom, not so much for dad who is an engineer!!!!

Remember that your 2 or 3 year old…or even preschooler and kindergartner won’t have the attention span of what you think as a Science experiment.  These are all going to be quick and easy (easy prep for mom/teacher!)  I highly suggest not even trying long experiments or projects that take numerous steps and days, only because their little minds won’t follow along for that period of time.

Science can be weather, nature, and biology to so much more such as classifying, sorting and physics which begins to blend with math as well!

Science activities can be exploring, observing and taking notes.

Science is about experimenting, trial and error.

Why Science Activities for Toddlers?

Toddlers and Preschoolers obviously aren’t going to understand everything about science in their first years of life. They will probably not even grasp the basics…but introducing them to concepts and ideas can be so engaging and fun for them.

First – If you’ve been following me for any period of time you’ll know by now that I’m a HUGE advocate for letting my little one explore materials before we even start a science experiment.

Second – you know I’m a huge fan of the STEAM philosophy and if you aren’t familiar with the basics I highly encourage you to read EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STEAM ACTIVITIES before you move on in this article.

Third – Don’t stress during an experiment with your preschooler or toddler, have fun, let them fail so they learn and engage their minds in problem solving!

I came across this amazing article by Jamie of Preschool Steam this past week (and I have it book marked for future reference)!  I love what she says ” The goal of science activities at the preschool age is not to memorize facts but rather how to gain knowledge through observations, experimentation, and play!

Science is about connecting children’s senses to the world around them. As educators, we must spark this curiosity and sense of wonder especially when they are young so they continue to ask questions as they grow older.

One easy way to foster a sense of wonder and incorporate the five senses is through open sensory play.”

Wow so much truth!!!

Food Coloring Experiments for Preschoolers

One of the first areas of learning your child engages is through colors.  We want to teach them their colors as soon as we can because then the world around them and the beautiful God given creation begins to fascinate them.  You can teach your toddler and preschooler colors through everyday life, talking about what color a bucket is or while you’re on a walk what color the flowers are.

Through colors your toddlers world will be magical.  Incorporating color through food coloring science experiments will be fascinating to them.  Have fun because these activities are bright, colorful and fun…making the world around you happy!

Sixth Bloom – How to Dye Easter Eggs with Shaving Cream

Buggy and Buddy – Colorful Chemical Reactions

Buggy and Buddy- Exploring Colors with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Messy Little Monster – Magic Milk Fireworks Science Experiment

Natural Beach Living – Easy Flower Science

Fun Learning for Kids – Magic Milk Science Experiment

Very Simple Science Experiments for Kids

There are some great science activities here that are simply, easy and take very little prep time.  Including Physical Science, Earth Science, Life Science and various science experiments.  Again many of these science activities can be adapted to 4 and 5 year olds and even a bit older.  To adapt it to older children consider asking them questions about the activity prior to doing it, to engage their minds to think ahead of what may happen.  Then let them observe and listen during the activity and after the science activity let them share and reflect.  Step through the process verbally (more with older kids rather than the toddlers and preschoolers) and thoroughly.

Sixth Bloom – Leaf Rubbing Science + Art

Sixth Bloom – Sprout House Science Project for Preschoolers

Sixth Bloom – How to Make Butter

Sixth Bloom – How to Clean Pennies (Chemistry!)

Buggy and Buddy – Playground Science

Buggy and Buddy – Toilet Paper Holder Binoculars for Cloud Observation

School Time Snippets – Leaf Matching Activity

Buggy and Buddy – Homemade Pan flute

Rainy Day Mum – Growing Crystals

Edventures with Kids – Moon Phases

Edventures with Kids – How Fast does a Plant Grow

Wise Owl Factory – Penny Cleaning Science Experiment

Pink Stripey Socks – Lets Study Seeds

Pink Stripey Socks – Lets Build a Bird Nest

The Art Kit – Orange Volcanoes An Easy Science Experiment for Kids

Rhythms of Play – Sundial Shadow Science Experiment

The Keeper of the Memories – Science Lab: Exploring Mixtures with Toddlers

Science Experiments for Preschoolers with Water

Like I said earlier our weather is starting to heat up here in South Mississippi so we will be frequenting these water activities for sure.  I have yet to meet a toddler or preschooler who doesn’t like playing with water…don’t get me wrong that is different than getting IN water!! hah I have met those little ones that don’t like getting in it, but really not too many don’t like playing with water!  I know my toddler does and it’s a life saver some days because it keeps her attention so well.

Sixth Bloom – Floating Peep Boats Science Experiment

From Engineer to Stay at Home Mom – Learn about Forces at the Splash Pad

Messy Little Monster – Floating Foil Boat Experiment

Look We’re Learning – Floating Egg Experiment

Moments with Miss – Melting Frozen PomPoms

Pink Stripey Socks- How Can We Stay Dry in the Rain?

Homeschool Preschool – How to Make a Rain Jar for Preschoolers

Science Experiments for Preschoolers with Color

Sixth Bloom – Coffee Filter Science Experiment for Toddlers

Buggy and Buddy – Rainbow Science Exploring Prisms

Rainy Day Mum – No Mess Color Theory Experiment

Messy Little Monster – Rainbow Skittles

We are a husband and wife team, pairing our strengths together to teach our preschooler in the most fun and engaging way we possibly can.  The mister is a high school educator at Northlake Christian school in Covington Louisiana and over the Innovation Center, which is all things STEAM.  I am a SAHM that blogs pretty much everything we do in our little paradise, from what we eat, to where we travel to how we teach our little one.  We hope you are inspired to incorporate STEAM into learning with your children.