When winter arrives and the days get chilly, it’s the perfect time to bring learning indoors with hands-on winter science experiments for kids. Snow, ice, and simple materials from around your home make amazing tools for exploring STEM concepts like states of matter, density, freezing point, weather, and more.
Winter Science Experiments for Kids (Easy & Fun for All Ages)
Whether you’re a homeschool family, teacher, or parent just looking for a fun indoor activity, these experiments are easy, budget-friendly, and exciting for kids of all ages.
Why Winter Science is Amazing for Kids:
Winter naturally sparks curiosity:
❄ Why does snow melt?
🧊 How does ice form?
🌬 Why does salt melt ice on roads?
✨ Can we grow our own frost?
These activities turn simple winter moments into memorable learning opportunities.
Winter Nature Journal
Dive into winter’s wonders with our Nature Journal. Uncover and observe interesting information on animals and weather in this 40 page pack.
20 Winter Science Experiments for Kids
1. Melting Snow Race
Bring snow inside and test what melts it fastest — hot water, salt, sugar, or sunlight.
Teaches: heat transfer, melting points, variables.
2. Magic Expanding Ice
Place a full water bottle in the freezer overnight. Watch it expand as it freezes.
Teaches: water expands when frozen.
3. Crystal Snowflakes
Mix borax + boiling water, shape pipe cleaners like snowflakes, dip, and watch crystals grow.
Teaches: crystals, saturation, evaporation.
4. Salt & Ice Excavation
Freeze small toys in a container. Kids use salt + warm water droppers to rescue them.
Great for sensory + STEM!
5. Snow Volcano
Pack snow around a cup with baking soda, add vinegar + food coloring — eruption!
Teaches: chemical reactions.
6. Snow Density Experiment
Weigh a jar of snow, let it melt, weigh again, compare!
Surprising results every time.
7. Frozen Bubbles
Blow bubbles outside when temps are below freezing — watch them freeze mid-air.
Magical winter science!
8. Ice Lanterns
Fill balloons with water + glitter or berries. Freeze. Peel balloon and insert LED tea light.
Perfect winter decoration + science lesson.
9. Snow Color Mixing
Spray colored water on snow and mix.
Explore color theory with winter fun.
10. Frost in a Can
Fill a metal can with ice + salt, wait for frost to form on outside.
Demonstrates condensation + freezing.
11. Homemade Snowstorm in a Jar
Baby oil + water + white paint + glitter + Alka-Seltzer = mini snowstorm.
Kids love this one!
12. Ice Cube Fishing
String + salt + ice cubes = lift ice like magic.
Teaches freezing point depression.
13. Winter Shadow Tracking
Sunny winter day? Track shadow movement every hour.
Hands-on astronomy!
14. Snow Measuring Station
Set a jar outside and measure snowfall daily. Graph results.
Great for homeschool math integration.
15. Walking Water Snow Rainbow
Place snow in cups with food coloring and watch color travel through paper towels.
Teaches capillary action.
16. Winter Bird Feeder Pinecones
Spread peanut butter on pinecones, add seeds, hang & observe birds.
Science + nature study.
17. Arctic Animal Blubber Glove
Hand inside Crisco-filled bag + ice water. Which hand stays warm?
Learn how animals survive winter.
18. Ice Painting
Freeze trays of colored water, paint with ice cubes like watercolor.
Creative science for little ones.
19. Grow Ice Crystals (Instant Ice)
Supercool water bottles, tap gently, watch them freeze instantly.
A crowd favorite experiment!
20. Make Snow Candy
Pour hot maple syrup on clean snow — instant candy.
States of matter + history tie-in!
Tips for success
- Prep materials ahead of time
- Keep towels handy for melting experiments
- Ask questions — let kids predict outcomes
- Turn into a mini-unit with journals or photos
Free Printable Scientific Method Worksheet
Turn these fun science experiments into a homeschool lesson with this free scientific method worksheet! Ideal for grades 3-6.