Looking for ways to keep the kids busy and away from computer games and the TV? Here are 21 awesome science art projects for kids. These ideas will have them experimenting, creating, and discovering all at once!

Let’s mix creativity with science and immerse them in inspiring fun.

The projects use everyday supplies you already have around the house. So, they’re easy to set up and budget-friendly.

From colorful chemical reactions to nature-inspired art, there’s something for every little scientist and artist to love.

1. Watercolor and Salt

Source: learnwithplayathome.com

Who knew that mixing watercolor and salt could be so magical?

This project is all about thinking outside the box and creating stunning results. By playing with different amounts of water and salt, kids will discover incredible textures and patterns.

It’s the perfect creative adventure for a rainy afternoon!

2. Straw Rocket

Source: teachbesideme.com

Blast off with these fun straw rockets!

This simple rocket is propelled by blowing through a straw to launch it across the room.

I LUV that kids can create colorful rockets in any style they imagine. Need some extra straws? Buy a budget-friendly bulk pack of straws like this.

3. How to Make a Kaleidoscope

Source: buggyandbuddy.com

I’m sure we all remember playing with kaleidoscopes when we were kids!

This fabulous STEM project teaches kids how to make a kaleidoscope using everyday home craft essentials. It’s such a fun way to explore light, reflections, and symmetry.

4. How to make Borax Crystals

Source: madetobeamomma.com

To make these awesome crystals, you need boiling water, Borax, colored pipe cleaners like these, string, and Popsicle Sticks.

The shimmering borax crystals images add a magical touch to a playroom or family space, making this the perfect DIY decor project.

5. Fizzy Galaxy

Source: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

By adding drops of food coloring like this to vinegar and mixing it with baking soda, you create a fun fizzy mixture!

Press paper onto the mixture to create a galaxy of unique shapes, patterns, and textures. Allow it to dry, then add stars, planets, and maybe a few hand-drawn aliens!

6. How to Make Invisible Ink

Source: mommypoppins.com

Unleash your inner spy with this fun and easy invisible ink experiment – it’s science and mystery in one!

You need everyday household supplies: lemon juice, milk, honey, and vinegar.

At room temperature, these compound liquids are colorless and can be used as ‘ink’ to write messages.

When the ink comes into contact with heat, oxidation causes it to turn brown, revealing the secret message!

7. Twirligig Paper Spinner Toy

Source: teachbesideme.com

Combine twirly and whirligig and you have a Twirligig!

Sounds like fun? Follow the easy steps to make a colorful spinning toy using strips of paper and a wooden skewer. 

As it twirls, it makes all kinds of beautiful patterns. Learn the science behind it to make this fun project also educational!

8. Bubble Painting Hydrangea Flowers

Source: apieceofrainbow.com

Did you know that adding dish soap to paint and blowing into it through a straw creates a fabulous bubbly mixture perfect for painting?

Let the kids make exquisite hydrangeas and add leaves to complete the scene. Thick white cardstock like this will create long-lasting artwork to decorate your living space.

9. Magic Paper Towel

Source: learningandexploringthroughplay.com

Here’s a magical art project that will thrill the whole family.

The secret (but don’t tell the kids!) – paint cute images onto paper towels in white paint and allow them to dry so they become ‘invisible’.

Let the kids mix colored paint with water and drip it onto the towels using a pipette.

The paper towel around the paint absorbs the colors, while the white painted lines stay clear, revealing the hidden designs and creating stunning artwork!

10. Fizzy Chalk Fireworks

Source: mommypoppins.com

Bring some snap, crackle, and fizz to your 4th of July festivities, without the fire hazard!

This STEM activity uses a few basic ingredients: baking soda, cornstarch, food coloring, and vinegar.

Turn your garden path or sidewalk into fizzing explosions of color, keeping the kids busy while you fire up the barbecue.

11. Tie-Dye T-Shirts with Permanent Markers

Source: sciencebuddies.org

This fun project is reminiscent of Hippie days without the messy dyes that stain your hands for weeks!

You need a few plain white T-shirts and a set of colorful permanent markers like this.

Follow the steps for a fun and hands-on learning experience. Then let the kids strut their stuff on a homemade garden runway, showing off their fabulous creations!

12. Sun Prints

Source: intheplayroom.co.uk

Explore sunography – a creative art technique that uses sunlight to create prints on specially treated paper or fabric.

It’s mess-free and a great way to get kids outdoors into the sunshine.

Kids can experiment with leaves, flowers, wooden shapes, cookie cutters, bottle tops, or other objects to make stunning designs.

13. Flower Petal Fingerpaint

Source: thechaosandtheclutter.com

Turn nature into art by making a mixture of water and mashed petals to create vibrant, eco-friendly finger paint!

Kids will love using their fingers to make beautiful, nature-inspired masterpieces.

The colors might surprise you, but that’s part of the magic! Plus, the paint carries the delightful fragrance of the petals, making this project even more special.

14. Leaf Rubbing

Source: kcedventures.com

Plan an afternoon of leaf rubbing and give kids a peek into the science of trees and nature.

This is a great project for fall when beautiful colored leaves cover the ground.

To add to the creativity, you can use a variety of paper types like wax paper, tracing paper like this, and parchment paper. And, you can also explore different mediums like crayons, oil pastels like this, and colored pencils.

15. Let’s Make Rain

Source: mrsjonescreationstation.com

Making rain may sound impossible as an indoor activity, but this smart science project proves me wrong!

It’s easy – fill a cup with water (to represent air), add a thin layer of shaving cream (for the clouds), and place drops of blue food coloring on top of the shaving cream (the water droplets).

Wait for the “rain” to fall. It’s a great learning experience that’ll turn little learners into meteorologists!

16. Static Electricity Butterfly Experiment

Source: iheartcraftythings.com

Static electricity always brings giggles and squeals in my house when the kids accidentally get a little “zap.”

This cool project uses balloons and pretty butterflies made from colorful tissue paper like this to teach kids about static electricity.

It’s safe and fun and will intrigue little minds.

17. Exploring Absorption

Source: funathomewithkids.com

Teach kids about absorption!

This clever idea uses textured objects like cotton balls, watercolor paper, white felt, computer paper, a coffee filter, facial tissue, a wax coated paper plate, and more – all attached to a board. 

Kids drip watercolor paints onto the different objects and observe how well they absorb (or don’t!).

Use a budget-friendly glue gun like this to easily attach all the objects.

18. Shadow Puppets

Source: sciencebuddies.org

Create shadow puppets and let the kids dive into the magic of light and shadows!

They’ll have a blast experimenting with angles and distances to see how they can stretch, shrink, or twist their puppet’s shadow.

From geometric shapes to puppets, pretty flowers, and even spooky ghosts (for older kids), they can get creative with fun objects.

19. Make a Walking Water Rainbow

Source: mommypoppins.com

This walking rainbow is pure magic and guaranteed to captivate even the most reluctant little scientist.

Watch in awe as vibrant colors travel and blend, creating a mesmerizing masterpiece!

You’ll need 7 wide mouth clear jars like this, food coloring, water, scissors, and paper towels.

20. Ice Cube Art

Source: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

Painting with ice is an innovative and fun project for all ages. So gather the family for a heart-warming bonding session while you get your fingers cold!

You’ll need some extra ice cube trays like these, food coloring, a large tray, craft sticks to create handles in the cubes (if you don’t want cold hands), and poster board for the art creations.

21. Fizzing Baking Soda Paint

Source: everydaychaosandcalm.com

Add a cool element to a painting session with fizzy baking soda paint.

It’s fun and safe, and the results are spectacular. All you need – baking soda, watercolor paint, water, and a muffin tray to mix the paints.

Frame their finished artworks so they can cherish and admire them as they grow older, turning their creations into lasting memories!