Fun Summer Science Experiments for Middle School
Check out these summer science experiments for middle school.
Now that the school year is over, are you looking for a fun and educational way to keep your middle schooler engaged this summer? Look no further than summer related science experiments!
With a variety of hands-on ideas to choose from, your child can explore topics like chemistry and physics while having a ton of fun.
Whether they’re creating homemade slime, conducting experiments with ice and salt, or building their own solar oven, there’s no shortage of exciting science projects to choose from.
Not only will your child strengthen their critical thinking and problem solving skills, they’ll also have a blast.
So why wait? Start planning some summer science experiments today!
Summer Science Experiments for Middle Schoolers
Worried your tweens will hate the idea of working on science during the summer? Don’t be. The summer days can be long. And middle school students hate being bored.
Luckily, there are plenty of simple and fun summer science experiments that teens can easily do at home, especially when they can work outside. They’re actually excellent summer activities for tweens.
Wondering where to begin? Don’t stress.
With some simple materials and creative ideas, the projects below can be both fun and educational. Plus, most require few materials and are exciting enough for kids of all ages.
These are affiliate links.
Kids Safety Glasses
Bubble GlovesChildren’s Lab CoatsLow Temperature Gloves
What are the Benefits of Doing Science Experiments During the Summer?
There are many benefits to doing hands-on science experiments over summer break.
The main one is that the warmer weather makes it possible to do these labs outside. This helps minimize the mess and gives kids the chance to work on large, messy science projects (aka more fun).
When you combine the outdoors with science, you create a unique learning experience that gets kids engaged and excited.
Summertime experiments offer tweens an opportunity to explore new topics in a more relaxed setting. They get to learn at their own pace and dig deeper into scientific concepts.
And as a bonus, letting tweens work on these fun and simple projects is a great way to keep their bodies and minds active and engaged when school is out.
How to Stay Safe During Science Experiments
With all experiments, it’s important to keep safety in mind, even if working outdoors. Here are a few tips for making sure your teen stays safe while working on any experiments:
- Always read the instructions carefully and follow safety guidelines.
- Place all experiments on a flat surface in an open area.
- Make sure your child is wearing the safety gear, like goggles and gloves for their experiment. (Many of the experiments below don’t require specialized gear.)
- If they’re using any hazardous materials, take time to familiarize your older kids with their safety protocols.
- Supervise as necessary.
By following these safety tips, you’ll be able to give your child the opportunity to explore without worrying.
Summer is a great time to head outside with your tweens to work on some exciting projects. And by following the points above, you can make sure everyone stays protected while learning.
Summer Science Materials
While many of the science experiments below use common household items, you’ll also need to pick up a few items that you don’t have on hand.
Aside from a couple of specialized products, you should have no trouble finding the simple supplies you’ll need online or at a local store. Some will even be at the Dollar Store.
Here are a few things to keep in your science box for when you want to work on an experiment. Note that this isn’t an exhaustive list.
- Latex Balloons
- Bubble Wands
- Baking Soda
- Vinegar
- Film Canisters
- Clear Sheet Protectors
- Iron Oxide Powder
- Borax Slime Activator
Balloons Assorted ColorBubble Wands SetPlastic Film CanistersSheet Protectors
If cost is an issue, choose an experiment based on what you already have.
More Summer Fun for Tweens
Looking for more ideas to keep kids busy during summer break? Check these ideas out.
- Take a Summer Drawing Challenge
- Complete Summer Art Projects for Middle Schoolers
- Go on a Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt
- Play Summer Pictionary
- Make a Summer Craft
Ready to have some fun with your kids? Check out these 20 simple experiments that can be done outside, taking advantage of the summer weather.
You can even invite some friends over and turn it into an awesome summer camp!
Summer Science Experiments
Whether your middle schoolers struggle with the scientific method or science is their passion, there are plenty of awesome summer science experiments you can do in your backyard.
Here are 20 easy science experiments tweens and teens can do during the summer that will keep them engaged and excited.
They're the perfect way to keep everyone learning while also getting some fresh air.
What tween doesn't love hurling things through the air? Use that excitement to teach them about trajectory by building your own catapults this summer.
All you need is some wood and nails to start sending things flying.
Summer is the perfect time to build your own volcano!
Whether you make one out of paper mâché or buy a volcano kit, tweens will have so much fun watching the eruption up close.
Take advantage of the warm weather to raise butterflies as a family.
Kids love this simple project because it lets them get up close to these amazing insects!
Since you're able to work outside, take the opportunity to work on some chemical reactions with your middle schoolers.
They'll love watching things grow and ooze and you'll appreciate the easy clean up!
Summer often brings severe weather, so take this opportunity to build a data station with your tweens so they can keep track and study various weather patterns.
Of course, your older kids are familiar with bubbles.
But when they add in some chemistry, they'll learn a fun way to build larger and stronger ones!
Students can use dry ice and soap to create these cool smoke filled bubbles.
With easy-to-find household items, tweens can build a awesome bottle rockets that they can launch high into the air.
It's a fun activity to do with friends.
DIY Oobleck is an excellent project for teaching kids all kinds of science concepts, like density and states of matter.
They'll love creating this colorful non-Newtonian fluid!
Kids can use a chemical reaction to expand and eventually explode a plastic lunch bag.
A perfect outdoor science project!
Kids love this easy engineering project!
Give your kids an egg and let them gather household and recycled materials to build a cage for it.
Then let them drop it from various heights outside to see if their contraption was able to keep the egg safe.
This easy science experiment lets kids get creative.
They will use construction paper to make a rocket that they'll use to surround a common film canister.
Then, using a chemical reaction, they'll shoot their rockets into the sky.
Teach tweens about the sun's solar rays and solar power while cooking up a delicious summer treat!
This solar oven is a simple activity that uses easy to find items to build.
Teens love creating their own t-shirt designs and with these step-by-step instructions, they can use science to make one.
What's cooler than DIY slime? DIY magnetic slime!
This simple science experiment will teach kids about non-Newtonian matter and magnetism.
Summer is the perfect time to teach kids about fungi because the experiments can be done outdoors!
Kids will choose a variety of foods, place them outside and observe them, watching for mold to appear.
These DIY glass contained gardens are an excellent way to teach middle schoolers about plant life and the environment.
Tweens will have a lot of fun turning a plastic bottle into a self-propelled race car!
It's an easy STEM project to complete.
Use common materials to build a hovercraft and see how high and long you can get it to hover above the ground.
It's one of many excellent STEAM activities for kids.
This yummy chemical reaction experiment lets kids make their own ice cream.
A perfect summer project to make science fun!
Do you plan on doing any science during the summer with your middle schoolers?
Latest posts by Megan Zechman (see all)
- Easy Pumpkin Crafts - August 21, 2023
- Middle School Geography Curriculum - August 11, 2023
- Outdoor Geography Activities - August 4, 2023