Easy Winter Science Experiments Kids Will Love

Winter is a magical season filled with snow, ice, and plenty of opportunities for kids to explore science in fun, hands-on ways. At The Denman Homestead, we love using winter’s natural elements for experiments that teach and entertain. Here are some simple winter science experiments kids will love, using easy-to-find materials and a little bit of winter wonder!

1. Frost in a Can

This experiment shows how frost forms in cold weather, and kids will love watching it appear right before their eyes.

What You’ll Need:

- A metal can (a coffee or soup can works well)

- Crushed ice

- Salt

- Spoon

Instructions:

1. Fill the can halfway with crushed ice.

2. Add a few tablespoons of salt to the ice and stir.

3. Wait a few minutes and watch as frost forms on the outside of the can!

How It Works:

The salt lowers the freezing point of the ice, making the outside of the can colder than the air. When the moisture in the air hits the cold surface of the can, it forms frost, just like on a chilly winter morning.

2. Ice Lanterns

Create beautiful, glowing ice lanterns with this simple experiment that combines science and art.

What You’ll Need:

- Balloons

- Water

- Food coloring (optional)

- LED tea light or small candle

Instructions:

1. Fill a balloon with water and add a few drops of food coloring for a colorful effect.

2. Tie the balloon and place it outside in freezing temperatures (or in the freezer if it’s not cold enough outside).

3. Let the water freeze most of the way, but not completely. When the outside is solid and the inside is still liquid, remove the balloon and pour out the remaining water.

4. Place an LED tea light inside for a glowing ice lantern!

How It Works:

The freezing process creates a hollow ice shell, with the outer layer freezing first. The lantern glows beautifully as light shines through the ice, refracting to create a frosty effect.

3. Magic Expanding Ice

Kids will love this simple trick that shows how water expands when it turns into ice—using just a bottle of water and a little patience!

What You’ll Need:

- Plastic bottle of water

- Freezer

Instructions:

1. Place a bottle of water in the freezer for about two hours. You want it very cold but not yet frozen.

2. Carefully remove the bottle without disturbing the water.

3. Open the cap and watch the water instantly turn to ice, starting from the top and working its way down.

How It Works:

When water is supercooled (chilled below its freezing point without turning into ice), any movement can trigger it to freeze instantly. The bottle’s cap removal gives the water the disturbance it needs to crystallize, creating a “magic” effect.

4. Salt and Ice Experiment

This experiment shows how salt lowers the freezing point of ice, with cool visual effects kids will enjoy.

What You’ll Need:

- Ice cubes

- Salt

- String or a shoelace

Instructions:

1. Place an ice cube on a plate and sprinkle some salt on top.

2. Place the string across the ice cube and wait a few moments.

3. Gently lift the string—the ice will stick to it!

How It Works:

Salt lowers the melting point of ice, causing it to melt slightly. As the water refreezes around the string, it attaches, allowing you to lift the ice cube by the string.

5. Frozen Bubble Experiment

If it’s cold enough outside (or you have a freezer with clear space), try making frozen bubbles! Kids will be amazed by how bubbles freeze in intricate patterns.

What You’ll Need:

- Bubble solution (store-bought or homemade with water, dish soap, and a little corn syrup or sugar)

- Straw or bubble wand

- Freezing weather or a cold freezer

Instructions:

1. Take the bubble solution outside (the temperature needs to be below freezing) or place it in the freezer for a few minutes.

2. Blow a bubble slowly onto a surface, like a plastic tray or cold plate.

3. Watch as the bubble freezes, creating tiny frost patterns.

How It Works:

In sub-freezing temperatures, the water in the bubble solution begins to crystallize quickly. The cold surface helps the bubble form frosty designs, making a beautiful frozen bubble.

6. Snow and Food Coloring Creations

This experiment uses snow as a canvas for kids to create colorful art and learn about color mixing.

What You’ll Need:

- Snow (or crushed ice if you don’t have snow)

- Food coloring

- Small spray bottles or droppers

Instructions:

1. Fill the spray bottles with water and a few drops of food coloring to create different colors.

2. Go outside and spray or drop the colors onto the snow, watching them blend and spread.

3. Encourage kids to mix colors and create patterns or designs.

How It Works:

The food coloring adds color to the snow, showing how water moves through the snow’s structure. Kids can also learn about color mixing, blending colors like red and blue to make purple or yellow and blue to make green.

7. Melting Ice with Salt

This experiment shows how salt melts ice and lets kids get creative by making patterns in the ice with different colors.

What You’ll Need:

- Ice blocks (frozen in a bowl or container)

- Salt

- Food coloring or liquid watercolor

- Small spoons or droppers

Instructions:

1. Place the ice blocks on a tray.

2. Sprinkle salt over the ice and watch as it starts to melt and crackle.

3. Drop food coloring or watercolor into the melting areas to create beautiful patterns and tunnels in the ice.

How It Works:

Salt lowers the freezing point of water, causing the ice to melt faster wherever the salt is. Adding color highlights the paths of melting, creating unique, colorful designs.

Winter is filled with opportunities for kids to explore science through the elements. These easy winter science experiments use simple supplies to create hands-on learning experiences that are fun for kids of all ages. At The Denman Homestead, we love watching kids learn as they play, discovering winter’s wonders through experiments that bring science to life.

Happy experimenting and stay cozy this winter from all of us at The Denman Homestead!