Summer holidays are the perfect time for children to explore, discover, and have fun while learning something new. If you’re looking for inspiration, there are so many summer science activities for kids that can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors. Science doesn’t have to stay in the classroom. With a little creativity, everyday activities can become exciting experiments that spark interest and build confidence.
Whether you’re a parent looking for ways to keep children entertained, a library planning holiday events, or a holiday club searching for engaging activities, science offers endless opportunities for hands-on learning.
Here are ten fun summer science activities for kids that they will love during the school holidays:
1. Create Giant Bubbles: A Summer Science Activity for Kids
Bubbles are always a favourite with children, especially on a warm summer day.
Making giant bubbles is not only fun. Additionally, it introduces children to the science of surface tension. They can experiment with different bubble wands, compare bubble sizes, and discover why some bubbles last longer than others.
It’s a simple activity that encourages observation, prediction, and experimentation.
2. Make Your Own Bath Bombs
Bath bomb making combines creativity with chemistry.
Children can mix safe ingredients, choose colourful decorations, and create bath bombs to take home. Along the way, they discover how citric acid and bicarbonate of soda react to create the exciting fizzing effect.
This activity develops creativity while introducing simple scientific concepts through practical learning.
3. Build and Launch Paper Rockets as a Summer Science Activity for Kids
Who doesn’t enjoy launching a rocket?
Children can design paper rockets, test different shapes, and see how changes affect how far they fly.
This activity introduces concepts such as:
- Forces
- Air resistance
- Gravity
- Motion
By testing different designs, children also develop problem-solving and engineering skills.
4. Discover Amazing Animals
Summer is a wonderful time to learn about wildlife.
Meeting fascinating animals gives children the chance to ask questions, observe different species, explore the life cycle of animals, and learn about animal classification, understanding how animals have adapted to survive in their environments.
We pride ourselves on maintaining RSPCA-aligned welfare standards.
Animal encounters encourage curiosity while helping children learn about habitats, food chains, biodiversity, and conservation.
Many children develop a greater appreciation for nature after meeting animals up close.
Ready to meet these animals in person? Book an Animal Party or contact us to find out more.
5. Explore the Science of Slime: Fun Summer Science Activities for Kids
Slime continues to be one of the most popular science activities for children.
Making slime is a fun way to introduce polymers and different states of matter. Children enjoy experimenting with colours, glitter, and textures while learning that science can be exciting and creative.
It’s messy, entertaining, and highly educational.
6. Investigate nature
The outdoors becomes a natural science classroom during the summer.
Children can collect leaves, observe insects, identify flowers, or search for mini-beasts in the garden or local park.
These simple activities encourage scientific observation and help children understand ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity.
Keeping a nature journal adds another enjoyable learning opportunity.
7. Experiment with Sound
Sound is something children experience every day, but many have never explored how it works.
Simple activities using cups, elastic bands, or homemade instruments allow children to discover how vibrations create sound.
They can compare different sounds, investigate pitch, and learn how music and science work together.
8. Create Colourful Chemical Reactions
Children are always fascinated by fizzing, bubbling experiments.
Safe reactions using household ingredients can demonstrate how chemicals interact while encouraging children to make predictions and observe changes.
Watching colourful reactions happen in front of them often inspires children to ask even more science questions.
Safety Note: Always ensure an adult supervises experiments and prepare your workspace in advance to ensure a safe and successful activity.
For more on the science behind these reactions, explore National Geographic educational resources.
9. Learn Through Soap Making
Soap making is another enjoyable activity that combines creativity with practical learning.
Children choose colours, fragrances, and moulds before creating their own personalised soap.
As they make their creations, they also develop fine motor skills, confidence, and creativity while learning about natural ingredients and simple manufacturing processes.
It’s an activity that children can proudly take home and use.
10. Join a Wild Science Workshop
One of the easiest ways to keep children engaged during the summer holidays is by attending a hands-on science workshop.
Wild Science delivers interactive workshops across the UK for schools, libraries, holiday clubs, birthday parties, and community events.
Children can enjoy exciting activities such as:
- Science of Slime
- Fizz Bang Pop Experiments
- Bubble and Balloons Workshop
- Bath Bomb Making
- Soap Making
- Animal Encounters
- Science of Sound
- Science of Flight
- States of Matter
Every workshop combines fun with practical STEM learning, helping children develop curiosity, confidence, and problem-solving skills.
Why Hands-On Science Matters
Science becomes much more memorable when children can actively take part.
Hands-on activities encourage children to:
- Ask questions
- Solve problems
- Think creatively
- Build confidence
- Develop observation skills
- Work as a team
- Discover how science applies to everyday life
Rather than simply reading about scientific concepts, children experience them for themselves.
Choosing the right summer science activities for kids is a great way to spark a lifelong interest in STEM.
Keep Learning Alive This Summer
The school holidays provide the perfect opportunity to inspire a lifelong love of science.
Whether children are creating bubbles, launching rockets, meeting animals, or making bath bombs, every activity encourages curiosity and discovery.
Hands-on science helps children develop valuable skills while creating memories they will remember long after summer ends.
If you’re planning activities for a school, library, holiday club, birthday party, or community event, Wild Science offers engaging science workshops at your own place across the UK that make learning exciting for children of all ages.
