Have a favorite child with you on a snow day or winter day off from school? After some time outside and a cup of cocoa, how about having fun doing a green science experiment together and learning about the environment while you warm up?
Learning about the environment can be exciting when you get to see it in action. With just a few everyday supplies, adults and kids can try science experiments that teach important lessons about recycling, energy, and conservation in a hands-on way.
A compost-in-a-jar project shows how food scraps like fruit peels and coffee grounds break down over time, helping kids understand where waste goes and how it can return nutrients to the soil. An old pizza box can be turned into a solar oven, using aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and sunlight to heat up a snack (maybe s’mores!), showing the power of renewable energy. A homemade water filter made from gravel, sand, and a plastic bottle can demonstrate how nature cleans water, while also highlighting the importance of protecting streams and rivers from pollution.
These activities turn big ideas like waste reduction, renewable energy, and clean water into something kids can see and touch for themselves. Trying green science projects at home not only sparks curiosity but also gives kids a better understanding of how their everyday choices affect the planet.
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