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Preschool Potions

Nurture your child's curious mind with simple science experiments that make the most of basic cooking supplies.

by Catherine Newman and Jodi Butler

Ages: 3 years and up

Nurture your child's curious mind with simple science experiments that make the most of basic cooking supplies.

Materials

Instructions

Ooey-Gooey Goop: This classic recipe (seen above) turns cornstarch and water into an irresistible-to-the-touch, non-Newtonian fluid: a substance, like quicksand, that acts sometimes like a liquid and sometimes like a solid. To make a batch, combine 1 cup of cornstarch and 1/2 cup of water in a shallow bowl or rimmed baking sheet (if the goop isn't drippy enough, add more water, a tablespoon at a time). As your child plays with the substance, ask him some questions: What happens when you squeeze it? Pour it? Press on it? Chances are, you'll both be amazed by the results.
Color-Mixing Station: Fill a clear glass or plastic container with water. Have your child add a few drops each of red, yellow, and blue food coloring (a thrill in itself!) and watch as the colors swirl and blend to create new hues.
Mini Volcanoes: Set a small bowl on a tray. Place a tablespoon of baking soda into the bowl, add a tablespoon of white vinegar, then sit back and observe the mixture bubble and fizz. For an even more dramatic eruption, first tint the vinegar with a few drops of food coloring.