At-Home Chemistry Experiments: Safe Experiments for Young Scientists

Your home is not just a place to eat, sleep and work and repeat; it’s a hidden laboratory where astounding reactions, incredible transformations and scientific discoveries can take place – all using household items.

Involving kids into at-home chemistry experiments help shape the future of science, evoke them to discover unknowns and play with the magic of science firsthand.

We have rounded up a list of such activities with kids of ages 8-14 in mind. Thus, they can get their hands on scientific experiments and see how chemical reactions can turn two items into a completely new one.

Each experiment blends fun with learning, helping young scientists develop critical thinking skills while exploring the wonders of chemistry safely.

Safety First: Before You Begin

Experimenting with different colours, items or household stuff is great, never compromise your safety. Use protective measures before you delve deeper into a scientific experiment.

Key points to remember here:

• Ensure you conduct at-home chemistry experiments when your parents are present
• As we have already said, put on protective gear such as eye protection goggles, helmet, etc.
• Follow all safety instructions carefully
• Keep all materials at a safe distance from children
• Choose a well-ventilated place for the experiments

Recommended Safety Equipment

• Safety goggles
• Rubber or latex gloves
• Apron or old clothes
• Access to running water
• Paper towels for quick cleanup

Ready to Start Your Science Adventure?

Here you go! Buckle up and discover what we have for you!

Experiment 1: Rainbow in a Jar – Density Column

What You’ll Learn

After this experiment, you will have practical knowledge on the density of materials. It shows how liquids stack based on their density—the heavier ones sink while lighter ones float on top, creating visible layers that demonstrate an invisible scientific property.

Materials Needed

• Clear tall glass or jar
• Honey or corn syrup
• Dish soap (blue or green works well)
• Water with food colouring
• Vegetable oil
• Rubbing alcohol with different food colouring
• Turkey baster or spoon for careful pouring

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Take a transparent jar and fill it with honey or corn syrup (about 1 inch)
2. Next, add a layer of pour dish washing soap on top of it (about 1 inch)
3. Add food colour in a glass of water and keep aside
4. Now, carefully pour the coloured water down the side of the jar
5. Add the vegetable oil layer slowly
6. Add a different food colour to rubbing alcohol
7. Finally, add the coloured alcohol down the side of the jar very carefully and slowly

Output with Explanation

As you pour all liquids in the jar carefully, you see them stacked one after another, creating a separate layer for each. Similar to rainbows, these colourful bands don’t mix due to their difference in density. Honey is the densest liquid in the list, followed by dish soap, water, oil, and alcohol. These liquids are arranged in layers with the heaviest at the bottom and the lightest on the top. Do you know that density is that factor that causes some materials in the water while others float!

Warning: The experiment should be conducted under adult supervision. Be mindful while using the rubbing alcohol as it’s flammable and should be kept away from heat sources.

Experiment 2: Invisible Ink Secret Messages

What You’ll Learn

The experiment is based on the chemical reaction that occurs when an acid comes in contact with heat.

Materials Needed

• Water
• Bowl for mixing
• Lemon juice or white vinegar
• Cotton swab or small paintbrush
• White paper
• Lamp with incandescent bulb (or hairdryer)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Pour water and lemon juice/vinegar in the same quantity in a mixing bowl
2. Then, dip the paintbrush or cotton swab into the mixture
3. Write a secret message with the brush or swab on white paper
4. Let the paper dry completely (the message will disappear)
5. Now comes the long awaited moment – hold the paper near a light bulb. Don’t touch the bulb
6. You can see your secret message now!

Output and Science Explained

When you hold the paper with your message near the light or heat source, it will make the message visible. When you write the message on the paper using lemon or vinegar, it weakens the paper structure and breaks down the cellulose fibres of paper. It comes in contact with heat, the weakened areas turn brown and get oxidised faster than other parts of the paper. This oxidation process turns the previously invisible writing brown or yellowish-brown, making your secret message suddenly appear.

Warning: Always ask for adult supervision while working with the bulb. Don’t hold it directly against the bulb or flame.

Experiment 3: Homemade Slime Laboratory

What You’ll Learn

This fun experiment is aimed at introducing kids with the polymer science and non-Newtonian fluids. At the end of the process, you will create a semi solid material what we call slime.

Materials Needed

• Water
• School glue (white or clear)
• Borax powder
• Food colouring (optional)
• Glitter (optional)
• Two mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing spoon

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Pour 1/2 cup of school glue and 1/2 cup of water in one bowl and mix them well
2. It’s optional, but to make your slime shiny or colourful, you can add food colouring and glitter
3. Take another bowl, put 1 teaspoon of borax powder and 1 cup of warm water and mix them until the powder dissolves completely in the water
4. Now, slowly pour the borax solution into the glue mixture and keep stirring
5. Keep mixing well until you get a mixture of semisolid slime
6. Remove the slime from bowl and knead with hands until it reaches the desired consistency

Output and explanation

At the end of the experiment, you will get slime, a long polymer. The borax creates cross-links between the polymer molecules in the glue, creating a flexible, semi-solid structure. This is why slime can flow like a liquid when poured slowly, but resist quick movements like a solid – making it a non-Newtonian fluid.

Warning: Don’t forget to put on your protective hand gloves during the experiment because borax can cause irritation to your skin and eyes. Once you are done with the experiment, wash your hands thoroughly. Keep the slime away from toddlers and kids as they may put it into their mouth.

Experiment 4: Erupting Volcano with Baking Soda and Vinegar

What You’ll Learn

This famous experiment is based on acid-base reactions that release carbon dioxide gas as a byproduct.

Materials Needed

• Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
• Vinegar
• Dish soap
• Red or orange food colouring
• Small plastic bottle or cup
• Tray or baking dish (to contain mess)
• Optional: Clay or paper mache to build a volcano shape

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Take a tray and place the cup or bottle on it
2. To add a real touch, you can use clay or paper mache to create a volcano shape around it
3. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the bottle
4. Add a few drops of food colouring and a squirt of dish soap
5. In a separate cup, take 1/4 cup of vinegar
6. Now, quickly pour the vinegar into the bottle and step back! Boom! You get volcanic eruption

Output and Explanation

As you mix a base (baking soda) and acid (vinegar) it produces carbon dioxide gas as a byproduct. The dish soap captures this gas in its bubbles and creates the foamy “lava” effect.

Warning: Mess alert! The experiment can create a mess in the surroundings. We recommend performing it outdoors.

Experiment 5: Colour-Changing Cabbage Indicator

What You’ll Learn

This experiment is all about pH levels and acid-base indicators. You’ll create a natural pH indicator from red cabbage that changes colour when exposed to acids and bases.

Materials Needed

• Red cabbage
• Hot water
• Strainer
• Clear cups or glasses
• Various household substances to test:
  • Lemon juice or vinegar (acids)
  • Baking soda solution (base)
  • Water (neutral)
  • Soap solution (base)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Take a red cabbage and chop its quarter into small pieces
2. Take a bowl, put the cabbage pieces in it and fill it with hot water
3. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes until the water turns deep purple
4. Strain the liquid (your natural indicator) into a container
5. Pour a small amount of indicator into each clear cup
6. Add different substances to each cup and observe the colour changes

Output and Explanation

As you use the indicator in an acidic solution, it will turn red. The colour of the indicator will change to blue for a basic solution. For a neutral solution, it stays purple. The key player in this colour changing experiment is the anthocyanin present in red cabbage that acts as the indicator.

Warning: Cut the cabbage under adult supervision and be careful while using hot water.

Document Your Discoveries: Creating a Science Journal

Why Keep a Science Journal?

Scientists keep their journals with them even if they are on the fly! Documenting experiments help develop the following critical skills from an early age:

• Systematic data recording
• Observation and attention to detail
• Data-based decision-making
• Communication skills
• Coordinating scientific results
• Building on previous experiments

What to Include in Your Journal

Your science journal should include:

• Materials used
• Date and experiment name
• Hypothesis (what you think will happen)
• Step-by-step process
• Observations and results
• Essential images, graphs or diagrams
• Conclusions and questions for future experiments

Journal Prompt Ideas

Try answering these questions in your journal for each experiment:

• What made you interested in this experiment?
• Is there any impact of a change in variables, such as temperature or pressure on the output?
• Is there any significance of this experiment in your day to day life?
• What new questions do you have after completing this experiment?

Continue Your Chemistry Adventure

Don’t let anything stop you! Start with these easy yet fun experiments and let the adventure begin. Continue exploring and you will find your surroundings filled with science and experiments. Your home, bedroom, kitchen, garden, or bathroom, science prevails everywhere.