How it Rains Experiments

Fill a clear cup with water and put shaving cream on top for a cloud. Explain that when clouds get really heavy with water, it rains! Then put blue food coloring on top of the cloud, and watch it rain. Kids will see the weight of the new water (blue food coloring) and how the cloud can not support it.

Good for ages 5 and up.

 

Weather wiz kids shares their version of the make it rain experiment for kids using a glass jar, plate, hot water, ice cubes and index cards.  The cold plate and the warm air in the jar create moisture and water droplets form. 

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/experiments-make-rain.htm

A rain experiment for the younger set is to have a bowl of cotton balls and a bowl of water.  Let kids drop the cotton in the water and see how it soaks up and then squeeze out the water to make it rain.  It's a great sensory experience too.  

Orange Bird Feeder

HGTV has a tutorial to make a natural bird feeder using a hollowed out orange, peanut butter, oats and sunflower seeds.

Good for 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.hgtv.com/gardening-club-bird-feeders/package/index.html

Sheri silver has the same tutorial but puts in a more attractive feed for the birds.

Get the instructions here:
http://sherisilver.com/2012/11/27/dailybuzz-moms-9x9-kids-holiday-crafts/

Plastic Bead Bowl

Plastic beads are great for melting into a new design, especially something functional such as a bowl or coaster, but beware they fall apart very easily.  You can get them at any craft store.

1.  Find a bowl that can withstand oven temperatures and wipe with a layer of oil.
2.  Place beads into the bowl making sure there are no gaps and that they lie even and flat.
3.  Put them in the oven at 200 degrees checking every 5 minutes to see if they've fused together.
4.  Let cool completely and remove.

Good for ages 9 and up.

How to Make a Boomerang

Man made diy has instructions for making an eco-friendly boomerang out of recycled cardboard boxes. It doesn't look like a traditional boomerang.  They say quad-boomerangs are the easiest for beginners to use.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://manmadediy.com/davideriknelson/posts/1568-how-to-make-diy-boomerangs-from-recycled-boxes

Indoor Fireworks

The homeschool den has a nifty science experiment using oil, water and food coloring showing how oil and water don't mix as the food coloring tries to make it's way through.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://thehomeschoolden.blogspot.com/2011/04/oil-and-water-fireworks-science.html

Meet the dubiens makes red ones and calls them lava bottles.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2011/01/lava-bottles.html

Education explains the science of chromatography -- how oil and water don't mix.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.education.com/activity/article/Chromatography_liquid_fireworks/

Leaf Skeleton Project

Esprit cabane has a tutorial on how to remove the pigment of a leaf using washing soda.  Make sure to use hearty leaves that can stand up to the washing.

Good for ages 12 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://en.espritcabane.com/eco-crafts/skeleton-leaves.php

Water Cycle Experiment

Corkboard connections has instructions for how to make a mini water cycle using a rotisserie chicken container, rocks, grass, and water contained within aluminum foil. Not sure what the reaction is but that's part of the fun.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://corkboardconnections.blogspot.com/2011/10/mini-water-cycle-fun.html