5 Activities for Summer Science Fun

School still out for summer? It can be hard to avoid the summer time “brain drain”. Keeping kids busy and having fun during their much needed break from school is tricky. But keeping science alive during the summer is actually easier than you think. Science isn’t just laboratory work and complicated chemicals, it is such a great way to engage your kids and expand their brains through playing and exploration. Here are 5 ways that we use our scientific brains during the summer.

1. Plant A Garden– Planting a garden is a scientific experiment, even if we don’t always think of it that way. Kids love to get their hands dirty and there is nothing better than their excited smiles the first time a plant blooms or they are able to literally eat the fruits of their labor. Take the time while you plant to talk about plant cycles and how they work. If you don’t have room for an outside grade, try planting in pots or a plastic tub. We have even sprouted beans in a ziplock bag with wet paper towel in it taped to a window.  It is a great way to keep thinking like a scientist.

2. Go to a Museum– Or a Zoo or an a Aquarium. This is one of our favorite ways to learn. My kids adore animals and love learning their scientific names. This summer they have been pretty obsessed with the ocean and everything in it, so we took a trip to our local aquarium. They loved applying their knowledge and watching the animals that they have learned so much about in action. When you are there make sure to take the time and read the signs for facts about the animals, kids remember so much information from this type of experience.

3. Bake Something– Baking is a chemistry experiment. While at Grandma’s house this summer my kids helped her make pizza dough. They learned all about yeast and the reaction that happens to make bread rise. Punching the dough down was their favorite part, besides eating it of course. I personally think that baking is the tastiest kind of science there is.

4. Watch the Weather– Whether you are watching cloud formations or taking in a lightning storm, take some time this summer to watch the weather. We happened to have a really loud and crazy hail storm blow in. It was fun to watch and listen to the storm as we talked about what makes hail different from rain and snow. After the storm calmed down we went out and grabbed handfuls of hail to study.

5. Get Messy– My kids love this one. Get dirty and do an experiment. Finding science in your house can be so easy. Bayer Science takes all the work out of creating experiments at home. We used their Making Science Make Sense® Toolbox Experiment Guide Vol. 2 to make Strange Acting Goop (experiment #2).

It’s easy to be a scientist! Simply look around and ask “Why?” As a life sciences company, Bayer is committed to creating awareness of the importance of science and fostering curiosity, creativity and critical- thinking skills. Making Science Make Sense®, Bayer’s company- wide initiative, allows students to learn science by doing science through hands-on, inquiry-based experiences. Both experiment guides are packed full of fun activities for your little scientists and most of them use items you already have at home.

Make sure you take the chance to visit Bayer to find free experiment guides, as well as an interactive periodic table, and even video vingnettes to help science make sense!

How do you keep science alive during the summer?