Chemistry for Kids: Fun Experiments Books and Activities!
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Is there such a thing as chemistry for kids?
Absolutely — and it can be a blast (sometimes literally)!
This year in our homeschool, my 4th grader has been diving into chemistry using the Noeo Chemistry curriculum. It’s more self-guided, which I love. Along the way, we’ve collected tons of fun chemistry learning resources, activities, and experiments perfect for kids.
Today I’m sharing some of our favorite ways to explore chemistry at home or in the classroom — plus a free printable to make learning even easier!
Why Teach Chemistry to Kids?
Introducing chemistry early builds:
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Curiosity about how the world works
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Problem-solving and critical thinking skills
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A strong foundation for future science learning
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A love for hands-on, experimental learning
When you frame chemistry as an adventure, kids are excited to jump in!
Fun Chemistry Experiments for Kids
Here are some of our favorite simple chemistry experiments — perfect for homeschooling, classrooms, or weekend science fun:
Basic Chemical Reactions:
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Baking Soda and Vinegar Balloon – Watch a balloon inflate from a chemical reaction!
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Make a Volcano – Classic eruption experiment kids never tire of.
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Seashell Acid-Base Experiment – See how acids affect calcium carbonate!
Food Chemistry:
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Green Eggs Food Chemistry – Explore acids and bases with breakfast!
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Juice Noodles Experiment – Turn fruit juice into wiggly noodles.
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Cake Chemistry – Learn how baking is science in action.
- Apple Browning– Learn why apples brown and how to stop it!
- Lemon Volcano– Watch the fun fizzy reaction between lemons and baking soda!
Colorful Chemistry:
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Cabbage Juice pH Test – Test household substances and watch the colors change.
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Poinsettia pH Experiment – A festive chemistry twist!
Exciting Reactions:
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Elephant Toothpaste – Create a foamy chemical eruption.
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Homemade Paintball Bombs – Safe, colorful chemistry fun outdoors.
- How to Make Slime– Â This playful hands on activity is always a favorite!
Energy and Chemistry:
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Make a Coin Battery – Power a light bulb with pennies!
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Make a Lemon Battery – Turn lemons into electricity!
Chemistry and Cleaning:
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How to Clean Pennies – Discover why acids make coins shine.
Molecular Models and Structures:
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Building Atomic Models – Hands-on molecule exploration with marshmallows, clay, or model kits.
We also have a bunch of books on chemistry that he enjoys reading. Here are the ones we have and enjoy. . .
Chemistry Books for Kids
 The Mystery of the Periodic Table by Benjamin D. Wiker
Adventures With Atoms and Molecules by Robert C. Mebane & Thomas R. Rybolt
Basher’s Chemistry by Dan Green
The Periodic Table by Simon Basher
Chemistry for Every Kid by Janice VanCleave
Fizz, Bubble & Flash by Anita J. Brandolini
The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe by Theodore Gray
DK Eyewitness: Chemistry by Ann Newmark
Chemistry: The Atom and Elements by April Chloe Terrazas
Chemistry Pre-Level 1 (Real Science 4 Kids) by Rebecca W. Keller
Chemistry Games & Toys Kids Love
One simple way to help kids learn the elements is to print out a Periodic Table and make it into a puzzle for your kids to put back together. This has been good practice for my son.
Have you seen my Periodic Table Battleship post? Â If not, that’s a REALLY fun one! Check it out.
We have a really fun game called Elementeo that teaches the different properties of the elements. My son loves playing this game!
We don’t have these Periodic Table Playing Cards, but I am thinking they would be a great one to get soon! Â Don’t they look neat?
I got my son this Molecular Model building kit for Christmas & he has been having fun with it. Â We like to use this Molecule app with it to get ideas of what to build & know what things he is making.
I made a pretty cool set of Printable Chemical Compound Cards.  They are a great thing to use to practice the compounds with your kids. It includes 19 different chemical compounds!
Grab this printable in my shop!
Educational Benefits of Chemistry for Kids
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Boosts scientific vocabulary
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Builds early lab skills and observation abilities
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Strengthens math skills (measuring, counting, ratios)
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Encourages creative problem solving
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Fosters a lifelong love of STEM
Chemistry for kids doesn’t have to be complicated or boring — it can be colorful, messy, silly, and memorable! Whether you’re teaching at home or in the classroom, adding just a few of these experiments, games, and books will make chemistry one of your kids’ favorite subjects.
What chemistry activities do your kids love? I’d love to hear more ideas in the comments!
I am trying to download the sanitation and chemistry freebies. The chemistry freebie asks for a password I can’t seem to find and the sanitation one keeps bringing me back to the same page with the link. I have joined the signed up for emails. It is getting frustrating I know there are reasons why you don’t send direct links in the email but unless it is in bold letter with flashing lights I often miss out and give up. If you could help that would be great. Thanks
So SORRY!! I updated the link for the sanitation one & I am fixing the Chemistry one right this minute!
Where is the subscriber Freebie page? I would love to see your chemistry cards. Thanks.
When you subscribe to my blog by email, it is in the bottom of the emails sent out weekly.
I’ve subscribed several times… not getting anything at all and can’t get ‘freebies…’ Not sure what’s going on. Have checked my spam… just not getting anything. Used address above. 7-8 times now. 😉
It isn’t sent out automatically, sorry. I have you as a subscriber. The emails are sent out once each week and in the bottom of the email is the link to the subscriber freebie. I am happy to send the link to you though if you need it sooner. 🙂
I am having the same problem!! I would really like to start using these cards this week with our chemistry unit!
Same problem, tried a different email address for the subscription and still haven’t received any emails.
Sorry- I keep checking & don’t seem to see what is wrong… I will send it along to you as well.
I love that periodic table tile set!
I think the link for your model building set is wrong – it led me to a book?
Are you using Noeo Chemistry 2 or 3? I am planning on using Chemistry 2 to teach a co-op class for G3-5 and I noticed you have books here from both 2 and 3. Did you find you needed/wanted more books than the ones in Chemistry 2?
Thanks for a great list of resources! I have ordered some of these that we didn’t have.
At the time, I was using level 2. The extra books were ones we already had on hand. I really love Noeo science!