As well as more sunshine, longer days, and of course getting closer to a long summer break, June also means Father’s Day. Celebrated internationally around the end of the month, Father’s Day is a great reason to spend some quality time with the kids completing some fun science experiments.
Using mostly household items you probably have at home, these fun, hands-on, STEM-based activities are not only entertaining, but educational, too.
5 science experiments to do at home
1. Build a paper airplane launcher
What children will learn about: 3D design, aerodynamics What you will need: A paper airplane, a paperclip, an elastic band & a pencil
By taking the classic paper airplane and figuring out the best way to launch it, not only will you be keeping the kids entertained for hours, but you’ll also be helping them to develop essential skills.
Work with your children to design and construct a paper airplane, before hooking a paperclip onto the nose of the plane and then using that to hook over the elastic band. Pull on the elastic band to release.
You can take this experiment one step further by building your very own launcher using anything from cardboard to LEGO to wood and screws/nails, if you have the resources at hand. Take your plane and the launcher to an open outside space and maybe even make another plane to get a little competition going. This experiment is a great way to boost your children’s problem-solving skills as well.
2. Make your own backscratcher
What children will learn about: Construction, ergonomic design, sustainability What you will need: Cardboard, ice lolly sticks, paperclips (or whatever you find that you can make a back scratcher from!)
Is there anything that says “Dad” quite like a custom-made backscratcher? By selecting whatever you can find around the house, you can have a lot of fun by creating the long handle and teeth of a backscratcher.
With this one, you could challenge the kids to make one as aesthetically show-stopping as possible, or one that could even double up as another tool to really get their creative, problem-solving skills working.
3. Make a Newton's Cradle
What children will learn about: Momentum, energy, elasticity
What you will need: Jumbo craft sticks, six marbles, string, scissors, a pencil, tape & a glue gun with glue
Also known as Newton’s Pendulum, Newton’s Cradle is a device that demonstrates momentum and the conservation of energy through the use of swinging spheres that each have their own mass.
Named after 17th century English scientist Sir Isaac Newton, you’ve probably already seen these on many desks in offices everywhere. This experiment teaches children about force and collision, as the force of the collision travels through the balls and causes the end one to lift.
The ideal activity for Father’s Day, by building this DIY Newton’s Cradle with your kids, you’ll also have a souvenir to remember it by when you go back to work.
4. Create marbled art
What children will learn about: Art, ink transfer, marbling What you will need: Shaving foam, plain white paper, food coloring, a spatula & ice lolly sticks.
A fun activity that really puts the A into STEAM, making marbled art with your kids is a great way for them to unleash their creativity and even make something attractive for your fridge or walls.
Start by applying the shaving foam to a clean, flat, protected surface such as the kitchen counter (covered with a wipeable sheet!). Once the shaving foam is down, use a spatula to form a rectangular shape roughly the same size as your paper. Then add your drops of food coloring and use a popsicle stick to swirl the coloring around, which will make a marbled effect.
Once you’re happy with your design, lay the white paper on top of the foam and it will form a beautiful print!
5. Build your own robot at home
What children will learn about: Coding, robot design What you will need: An Arduino Student Kit
From water purification systems through to wrestling robots, the possibilities of the Arduino Student Kit are endless. For children who are familiar or interested in the world of robotics and technology, a great Father’s Day activity would be to work on an exciting Arduino project with them.
For even more science experiments, download the free Arduino Science Journal app, a pocket-sized science lab which allows children to become scientists, wherever they are!