30 Preschool Science Activities Aligned With EYLF

Here’s a themed EYLF-aligned guide to 30 preschool science experiments, complete with materials, instructions, science concepts, and EYLF learning outcomes. This is designed for educators who want to embed intentionality, inquiry, and curriculum links into hands-on science.

Colour & Chemistry Experiments

Experiment	Materials	Instructions	Science Concept	EYLF Outcome
Magic Milk	Milk, food colouring, dish soap, cotton swab	Add colours to milk, dip swab in soap, touch the milk.	Surface tension	Outcome 4: Confident & involved learners
Skittles Rainbow	Skittles, warm water, plate	Arrange Skittles, pour water, watch colours spread	Dissolution & diffusion	Outcome 4
Baking Soda Volcano	Baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, food colouring	Mix ingredients in a container, observe eruption	Acid-base reaction	Outcome 4
Color-Changing Flowers	White flowers, coloured water	Place flowers in coloured water, observe over days	Capillary action	Outcome 2: Connected with the world
Walking Water	Cups, paper towels, food colouring, water	Arrange cups with coloured water, connect with towels	Absorption & colour mixing	Outcome 4
Oil & Water Separation	Oil, water, food colouring, clear jar	Mix oil and water, observe separation	Density & immiscibility	Outcome 4
Fizzy Ice Cubes	Frozen baking soda cubes, vinegar	Pour vinegar over cubes, watch fizz	Temperature & chemical reaction	Outcome 3: Wellbeing
Leak-Proof Bag	Ziplock bag, water, sharp pencils	Fill bag with water, poke pencils through	Polymer flexibility	Outcome 4
Rainbow Jar	Honey, dish soap, water, oil, alcohol	Layer liquids by density	Liquid density	Outcome 4
Edible Sand Chemistry	Sugar, food colouring, baking soda	Mix and explore textures and reactions	Texture & reaction	Outcome 4

Weather & Nature Experiments

Experiment	Materials	Instructions	Science Concept	EYLF Outcome
Rain Cloud in a Jar	Jar, water, shaving foam, food colouring	Add foam to water, drop colour into foam	Precipitation	Outcome 2
Tornado in a Bottle	Two bottles, duct tape, water, glitter	Connect bottles, swirl to create vortex	Vortex formation	Outcome 4
Cloud Formation	Jar, hot water, ice, aerosol	Trap steam, spray aerosol, observe cloud	Condensation	Outcome 2
Melting Ice with Salt	Ice blocks, salt, food colouring	Sprinkle salt, observe melting paths	Melting & freezing	Outcome 4
Sun Prints	Dark paper, leaves, sunlight	Arrange items, expose to sun, remove	UV light & shadow	Outcome 2
Growing Grass Heads	Stockings, soil, grass seeds, googly eyes	Fill stocking, decorate, water daily	Plant growth	Outcome 2
Celery & Food Colouring	Celery, coloured water	Place celery in water, observe colour travel	Capillary action	Outcome 2
Lettuce Regrowth	Lettuce base, shallow water	Place base in water, observe regrowth	Regeneration	Outcome 2
Apple Exploration	Apples, knife, chart	Cut apple, explore parts, label	Anatomy & classification	Outcome 1: Identity
Pumpkin Dissection	Pumpkin, tools, sorting trays	Open pumpkin, sort seeds, pulp, skin	Observation & sorting	Outcome 4

Physics & Motion Experiments

Experiment	Materials	Instructions	Science Concept	EYLF Outcome
Dancing Raisins	Clear cup, soda water, raisins	Drop raisins in soda, observe movement	Gas bubbles & buoyancy	Outcome 4
Balloon Rocket	Balloon, string, straw, tape	Thread string, tape balloon to straw, release	Air pressure & propulsion	Outcome 4
Straw Rockets	Straw, paper fins, tape	Build rocket, blow through straw	Force & motion	Outcome 4
Water Xylophone	Glasses, water, food colouring	Fill glasses at different levels, tap	Sound vibration	Outcome 5: Communication
Magnetic Bottle	Bottle, iron filings, magnets	Move magnet around bottle	Magnetism	Outcome 4
Sink or Float	Bowl, mixed objects, chart	Predict, test, sort items	Buoyancy	Outcome 4
Static Balloons	Balloon, wool cloth, paper bits	Rub balloon, attract paper	Static electricity	Outcome 4
Paper Helicopters	Paper, scissors, paperclip	Fold paper, drop from height	Air resistance	Outcome 4
Ramp Races	Ramp, toy cars, timer	Race cars, compare speeds	Friction & gravity	Outcome 4
Parachute Drop	Paper, string, cup, small toy	Build a parachute and drop from a height.	Air resistance	Outcome 4