Great scientific discoveries aren’t always born in hi-tech laboratories. Many discoveries were made in unexpected places using everyday materials. The next great scientific discovery could be made in your home. Here are some home-based DIY science experiments to get you started on your journey of discovery. Having a Science-themed kids party may inspire your child and their friends to explore, experiment and discover the wonderful world of science. Here are three ideas for your party provided by the Cape Town Science Centre in Observatory.
DIY Science Experiments
No fancy or expensive equipment needed. Enjoy home-based science experiment using everyday home items!
Please perform all experiments with adult supervision.
1. Straw Trumpet, Science Experiment
You will need
- Straw
- Scissors
Challenge:
Challenge the kids to make a non-traditional "party horn" by making use of only the straws and scissors.
What to do (solution)
Flatten one end of the straw. Cut the corners of the flattened end of the straw so that it has a ‘V-shape’. Place the V-shape in your mouth and blow through the straw.
What to look out for
The straw will produce a trumpet-like sound. When you blow through the straw the V-shaped cuts will vibrate, producing the sound you heard. Change the length of the straw by cutting it shorter. This will change the pitch of the sound produced.
Anti-Gravity Cup, Science Experiment
You will need
- Balloon
- Cup
Challenge
With only the cup and balloon on the table - challenge the kids to pick up the cup without using their hands on the cup.
What to do (solution)
Inflate the balloon until it is slightly larger than the circumference of the cup. Hold the balloon firmly to the opening of the cup and inflate the balloon further.
What to look out for
Once the balloon has been fully inflated that plastic cup should ‘stick’ to the balloon. This is due to a change in the air pressure within the cup. As the balloon was inflated the air pressure within the cup was slightly lowered. This results in the anti-gravity effect of the cup holding onto the balloon and not falling.
Demonstrate the effect of acids and base on colour with the Kitchen Chemistry ‘Litmus Paper’, Science Experiment
You will need
- Ceres Grape Juice
- Vinegar
- Bicarbonate of soda
- Spoon
- Tray
- Glass cup
Challenge
Ask the children what they "think" will happen when you add the Bicarbonate Soda then ask them what they "think" will happen when you add the acid. If they have done some other science for kids experiments they may expect an explosion!
What to do
Place the glass cup in the centre of a tray. Pour about a ¼ cup of grape juice into the glass with an equal amount of water. Add ½ a spoon of bicarbonate of soda. Stir well. Do you notice any change? Now add ½ cup of vinegar. Stir well.
What to look out for
The grape juice, with the water added, has a reddish-pink colour (see glass 1 in the photograph). When the bicarbonate of soda was added, which is a weak base, the grape juice change a dark, almost black colour (see glass 2 in the photograph). When vinegar, which is a weak acid, the coloured reverted back to pink (see glass 3 in the photograph). The grape juice is acting as an indicator which is pink in an acidic solution and black in a basic solution.
Share the Fun
Post a picture of you performing your D.I.Y. Experiment on the Cape Town Science Centre Facebook page with the hashtag #MyFirstDiscovery and stand to win double tickets to the Cape Town Science Centre.