It’s important to keep kids engaged during the last week of school because it helps them end the year positively, with a sense of accomplishment and excitement about learning. While their energy might be focused on summer, continuing to explore through fun, hands-on activities keeps their brains active and helps reinforce the idea that learning is enjoyable—even during “fun time.” When students stay engaged, it reduces behavior issues, builds classroom community, and leaves them with lasting memories tied to curiosity and creativity. It also gives teachers a chance to review, reflect, and celebrate growth in a meaningful, low-stress way.
Here are some easy and super fun science experiments that are perfect for the last week of school! They require minimal prep, use simple materials, and let kids explore science hands-on while having a blast:
1. Volcano Eruption
- Materials: Baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, red food coloring, plastic cup or bottle.
- How: Add baking soda, a squirt of dish soap, and red food coloring to the bottle. Pour in vinegar and watch it erupt!
- Why It’s Fun: Kids love the fizzy explosion—and you can do it outside for easy cleanup.
2. Dancing Raisins
- Materials: Clear soda (like Sprite or 7-Up), raisins, clear cups.
- How: Drop raisins into the soda. They’ll sink, bubble up, and float back to the top!
- Why It’s Fun: It’s a cool visual of gas bubbles at work—and kids love watching the "raisin dance."
3. Rainbow in a Jar
- Materials: Sugar, water, food coloring, cups, spoon, clear jar.
- How: Mix different sugar amounts in water and color each cup. Carefully layer them in a jar from heaviest to lightest.
- Why It’s Fun: Teaches density while making a beautiful, colorful creation!
4. Elephant Toothpaste (Kid-Safe Version)
- Materials: Hydrogen peroxide (3%), dish soap, yeast, warm water, food coloring, bottle.
- How: Mix yeast in warm water. In the bottle, mix peroxide, soap, and food coloring. Add the yeast mix—and foam shoots out!
- Why It’s Fun: BIG foamy explosion and lots of laughs.
5. Walking Water Rainbow
- Materials: Cups, paper towels, food coloring, water.
- How: Fill cups with colored water and place dry paper towels connecting them. Watch the water "walk" and mix colors.
- Why It’s Fun: It’s magical to see how water travels and blends—great for patience and observation.
6. Oobleck (Non-Newtonian Fluid)
- Materials: Cornstarch, water, optional food coloring.
- How: Mix cornstarch and water until it’s gooey. It’s solid when you punch it and liquid when you let it drip!
- Why It’s Fun: It’s weird and messy—in the best way.
7. Balloon Rockets
- Materials: Balloon, string, straw, tape.
- How: Thread string through a straw and tape the balloon to it. Let go and watch it rocket down the string.
- Why It’s Fun: Kids love races—plus it’s a simple lesson in propulsion and air pressure.
Some other fun ideas.Check out these resources:
. Ice Cream Activity to Learn about Energy
These experiments make the last week of school feel like a science party!
Check out my store, Elly Elementary, for all your K-5th grade curriculum needs. I have resources for many of your end of year curriculum areas that your class will love. Also, plan for the start of the school year and enjoy yourr summer !!!
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