Kindergarten Science Topics & Activities for the Year!

Kindergarten is an exciting time for young scientists! Science at this stage is all about exploring, observing, and hands-on discovery. Throughout the year, we cover a variety of science topics that help kids build a strong foundation for understanding the world around them.

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of key kindergarten science topics by season and a list of 20+ engaging activities to bring science to life in fun, hands-on ways!

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Fall Science (Sept – Nov)

• The 5 Senses – How we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the world
• Living vs. Non-Living Things – What makes something alive?
• Weather & Seasons – Observing fall changes and comparing to other seasons
• Plant Life Cycles – Apples, pumpkins, and leaves changing color

Fall Science Activities:

1. Leaf Chromatography – Separate colors in leaves using coffee filters
2. Apple Investigation – Sink or float, taste test, and apple stamping
3. Pumpkin Exploration – Count seeds, test if pumpkins float, and carve one open
4. 5 Senses Sensory Bin – Gather items with different textures, smells, and sounds
5. Weather Charting – Observe and track sunny, rainy, and cloudy days

Winter Science (Dec- Feb)

• Day & Night – Why does the sun go up and down?
• States of Matter – Solid, liquid, and gas
• Animal Hibernation & Adaptations – How animals survive winter
• Ice & Snow Experiments – Melting, freezing, and insulation

Winter Science Activities:

6. Salt & Ice Experiment – Sprinkle salt on ice and observe how it melts
7. Winter Animal Sorting – Match animals to their winter survival strategies
8. Glow-in-the-Dark Moon Phases – Explore day and night sky changes
9. Snowstorm in a Jar – Make a swirling snowstorm with oil and water
10. Blubber Experiment – Use shortening to show how animals stay warm

Spring Science (Mar- May)

• Plant Growth & Needs – What plants need to survive
• Insects & Life Cycles – Butterflies, bees, and ladybugs
• Earth Science – Rocks, soil, and taking care of the planet
• Sun & Shadows – How light creates shadows

Spring Science Activities:

11. Planting Seeds – Grow beans in a clear cup to watch roots form
12. Butterfly Life Cycle Craft – Make a pasta model of a butterfly’s stages
13. Shadow Tracing – Trace objects outside at different times of day
14. Soil Layers in a Jar – Explore different types of soil by layering them
15. Bee Pollination Demonstration – Use a cotton ball to move “pollen” between flowers

Summer Science (Jun- Aug)

• Water Science – Exploring liquids and floating/sinking
• Ocean Life & Habitats – What lives in the ocean?
• Simple Machines – Ramps, wheels, and levers in action
• Heat & Temperature – Learning how the sun warms the earth

Summer Science Activities:

16. Sink or Float Experiment – Test different objects in water
17. Building a Sandcastle STEM Challenge – What makes a strong sandcastle?
18. Rolling Ramp Race – Test how different objects roll down ramps
19. Melting Ice Cube Race – Which melts faster in the sun?
20. Homemade Ocean in a Bottle – Create an ocean habitat with water, oil, and sea creature toys

How to Use These Science Activities

• Pair science with books – Read a story that relates to the science concept
• Set Up a Science Center – Create a small exploration station with printables, real objects, and simple experiments.
• Make it hands-on – Let kids explore through touching, observing, and experimenting
• Ask questions – “What do you think will happen?” or “What do you notice?”
• Keep it simple & fun! Science at this age is about exploring, not memorizing facts