Start with a box
Use a sturdy plastic tub with a lid, or a shoebox for a start. Label it, keep it somewhere an adult can reach, and add a tray that fits on your kitchen table. Store kitchen ingredients with your food and only bring them out on science day, so nothing gets mixed up with cooking supplies.
The kit list
| Group | Items | Used in |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen ingredients | Baking soda, white vinegar, cornstarch, salt, food coloring, dish soap, vegetable oil | Kitchen chemistry |
| Containers | Clear plastic cups, a few jars, a shallow plate, small empty bottles | Most experiments |
| Measuring | Measuring spoons and cups, a ruler, a tape measure, a timer | Physics, fair tests |
| Building | String, tape, drinking straws, paper clips, paper, child-safe scissors | Rockets, helicopters, pendulums |
| Observing | A magnifying glass, a small clear container, a soft paintbrush | Nature |
| Recording | A notebook, pencils, colored pencils | Every experiment |
| Safety | Safety glasses, an old shirt as a lab coat, paper towels, a tray | Every experiment |
The adult shelf
A few things belong on a high shelf, out of the box, and only come out when an adult is running that step: balloons, a sharp knife, and anything heavy and glass. Keeping them separate means a child can explore the kit freely without reaching something unsafe.
What to leave out
Skip cleaning products, medicines, batteries, magnets small enough to swallow, and anything with a hazard label. You won't need any of them for the activities on this site. If an experiment you find elsewhere calls for them, check our safety rules first.
Adjusting for age
For preschoolers, a smaller box works better: cups, spoons, a magnifying glass, a tray and a few safe ingredients chosen for that day. Older children can help keep the kit organized themselves, with labeled bags for each group and a checklist taped inside the lid. Letting them own the box tends to make science day happen more often.
Keeping it going
Keep a list on the lid of anything that is running low. Save clean jars, bottles and cardboard tubes as you go, since they often become the next experiment. Once a season, check that ingredients are fresh and the safety glasses still fit.