Must Do Science Activities That Should Be Performed Outside

Keep the mess outside with these fun science activities.

There are so many great science labs.  Sometimes we have a classroom that is not situated for these activities.  If you are an elementary teacher you may not have a lab at all.  There could even be carpet in the room.  Don't let that stop you.  Take it outside.

Create a Memory

Hands-on science is so important.  It creates a positive and memorable learning experience.  Students don't remember all the details of what you taught them in that year, but they will remember that time their teacher took them outside erupting geysers, blowing bubbles, or using a solar oven.  Those memories matter.  Here are some fun science activities that are perfect for taking outside.

Try These

1.  Learn the science of soap and water.  Bubbles are lots of fun.  Take it a notch up from just blowing bubbles.  Catch a bubble or even put your hand in a bubble.  A great bubble recipe will take your activities to a whole new level.  

2.  Make ice cream.  Teaching ice cream expands on kids knowledge of freezing and melting.  Sure it can be done in class, but making and eating it outside is just easier.  Students have plenty of room to shake their bags outside.  If a spill happens it is easier to clean up.  Zip-lock Bag Ice Cream is my recipe of choice.  

3.  A solar bag must be done outside.  These are just amazing.  Beware it will disrupt any kid sitting in their class looking out the window.  It may even stop traffic.  Steve Spangler has a great solar bag.  Make sure it is a nice sunny day and not too windy.  The best time is when the sun is high in the sky.  Perfect for teaching about temperature and pressure.  

4.  Animal behavior Games.  These games are easy set-up.  Sometimes all you need is students.  Other times it may require some fabric or notecards.  Outside gives them space to run and move around.  The classroom can be too constricting.  If I do them inside the kids get loud.  I then spend most of my time quieting them down instead of focusing on the activity.  Try games like "Oh Deer"  and "Muskox Maneuvers"  from Project Wild.  

5.  The ultimate outdoor science for me is Mentos/Diet Coke Geysers.  It really can not be done inside unless you have a high ceiling and put down a lot of plastic tarps.  Take this one outside.  It is so worth it.  I use it to teach about gas and air pressure.  You can make it simple by just letting them erupt geysers or teach them the science behind.  The science of geysers is very interesting.  

On that next sunny day get out and create some memories with your students they will never forget.  You will always remember them too.