Do you struggle with getting around to doing science experiments and projects with your kids? I sure do. My biggest struggle has been with planning — you might be surprised at how many “common, household materials” are not common in my home! In the past, we’ve missed out on simple science projects that require a paper cup, thermometers and even paper towels! I’m not much of a planner by nature, and as a result we passed by so many good experiments last year.
This year, the solution to our problem was simple — I bought the accompanying science kit for our curriculum — and it has made all the difference in the world.
I’m sure I could have bought all the included items for less than half the price of the assembled kit, but it has been money well spent, especially in my daughter’s view!
Here are a few of the projects we have done so far with Apologia’s Exploring Creation With Astronomy and our lab kit from Nature’s Workshop Plus:
Lesson 1: What is Astronomy?
Model of the solar system
Lesson 2: The Sun
Using a magnifying glass to focus heat
Lesson 2: The Sun
Making a solar eclipse
Lesson 3: Mercury
Making a model of mercury (with craters)
Lesson 4: Venus
Learning how radar is used
We’ve also really enjoyed making our own rocket (which landed on our roof – much laughter!), making a compass, and making our own storm in a bottle. That one provided hours of entertainment for the whole family!
If you are having a hard time making hands on science happen in your homeschool, I highly recommend looking into pre-packaged science kits, or even assembling all your materials for the year in advance, into lesson by lesson packets. It has taken the stress out of science, and left all the learning and the fun!
Check out how the other members of the Canadian homeschool Team are getting hands on with their learning!
I totally agree kits are worth it. We did that for math and I’m so happy we did. When we get onto higher grades for science and more experiments, I’d also look for kits there. 🙂 I actually think our homeschool board has some I could use… yours might too, if you check with your support teacher. Thanks for sharing!
What kind of math kits have you used? We use the Math U See manipulatives and they work wonderfully. Thanks for stopping by!
I second that. having a science kit or area that’s a GO TO area for doing science is a great thing to have.
It makes such a difference for us!
I also avoided science kits myself for years, and science experiments never happened. Eventually I splurged and purchased the science kits. Science experiments started to occur more and more in my house! I’ve saved the supplies, so now we have a lovely science box full of everything we need.
I’ve been putting everything non consumable back into the individual bags tagged with the Lesson number in case I go through the same book with my younger children. Thanks for stopping by!