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With a new school year approaching, it’s time to get our lists in order! This science materials list will be one of the most useful lists you will come across this year. Successful science experiments all start by having the right equipment on hand (instead of rushing out to get it the night before or spending learning time locating materials). So, be prepared for your science experiments all year with this handy science materials list!
Don’t I already have these things?
Chances are you do already have the items on this list hidden somewhere around your household! Many of the items are common household things that we use all the time (until we need one for a science experiment, and them we can’t find one!). The important thing is that you gather and organize them ahead of time! That’s what this list is for.
For example, I enrolled my daughter in a free week-long live virtual STEM course offered by Varsity Tutors this past summer. One particular day, we made rockets. The instructor e-mailed a list of materials beforehand, but I didn’t bother looking at it. I figured I had everything at our disposal.
When the time came, I was scrambling to find a long balloon and a clothespin (who even uses those anymore?). And of course, I couldn’t find my thread when I needed it. So, the experiment? A big fat fail on my part!
Then I decided to buy a book (Awesome Science Experiments for Kids: 100+ Fun STEM / STEAM Projects and Why They Work). I was really looking forward to doing some of the projects in it! When I asked my daughter to go through and pick a few she might be interested in, I inevitably didn’t have the materials laying around. Did I throw out that last shoe box? I knew I was out of antacids. Where were the balloons…..I knew I had some somewhere, but where?
Keep Your Child Interested
After I had to turn down several of her top picks due to lack of materials, I saw my daughter’s interest in science began to fade. She didn’t really care to see how things worked. To be fair, she had yet to enjoy the satisfaction of a well-done science experiment that answered questions and left her wanting more. Instead, she picked up how much of a hassle it seemed to be to create a meaningful science lab, and she decided she’d rather not do it. My fault, totally.
I decided I had to get better about preparing for science experiments or I was going to ruin my daughter’s motivation for STEM learning. Well, maybe I was being a little dramatic, but I should’ve known to prepare!
My advice to you is to avoid my mistake! To help, I’ve taken the time to create a list of the most common at-home science lab materials. Here’s how you can use it!
Step 1: Scavenger Hunt
Before you get on Amazon and order everything on the science materials list, first try something fun–a scavenger hunt! You and your kids find what you have around your house that’s on the list and mark each one off. Make a game of it…whoever finds the most items wins a prize or something. Whatever works in your household!
Step 2: Organize Items
Once you gather all the items that you do have, I recommend keeping them organized and collected in one main area, such as a large tote. Some tips:
- Put the smaller items (pins, paper fasteners, toothpicks, coins, etc.) in small baggies so that they don’t fall out into the bottom of the tote.
- You obviously won’t want to put some items into the tote (the food items, for example).
- Put your “old” baking sheet, chopping board, and measuring cups and spoons in the tote. If you don’t have any old ones, the thrift store does!
- If you have littles, it’s best to keep keep dangerous objects in their proper places (knives, matches, etc.)
- Once you have put all your materials into your tote, label it “Science Materials” and you are good to go!
Step 3: Buy What You Need
After you have collected the materials around your house, then determine what you might need to buy, if anything. In preparing my materials list, the only things I honestly had to buy were Plaster of Paris and a heat lamp. Many of the items can likely be found at your local dollar store (or thrift store), so you shouldn’t have to look far! Add them to your tote, and your materials list is compete!
Step 4: Experiment!
Now you can confidently plan for an at-home science experiment! You should have 95% of the materials that you need thanks to your new science materials list. Preparing for science experiments will now be easier. And if you are like me, you will be more likely to include them in your curriculum!
The Materials List
Ready for it? Here’s the List! I’ve included a simple infographic below, a printable for a fun scavenger hunt, and a more detailed explanation of some of the items below.
- Balloons (all sizes, including long ones)
- Modeling Clay
- Wire
- String/Thread. You might want to include some elastic, too.
- Tape. Scotch, masking, washi, duct. All kinds!
- Soda Bottles. Various sizes.
- Drinking Straws
- Newspapers
- Fruit/Veggies
- Tin cans
- Bamboo sticks. Skewers work well for this.
- Scissors
- Paper. Many experiments call for white.
- Pens/pencils/markers
- Clipboard
- Books
- Bowls. Maybe even some shallow dishes.
- Balls
- Flashlights. Don’t forget batteries!
- Boxes. Think shoe boxes.
- Buckets
- Posterboards
- Needles
- Magnets
- Pebbles
- Chairs
- Antacids
- Funnels
- Pitchers
- Bicycle Pump
- Plastic drinking cups
- Gloves. Rubber or latex.
- Clothespins
- Styrofoam. Balls or a block.
- Toothpicks
- Clear bags. Like zipper bags.
- Paper towels
- Rubber bands
- Aluminum foil
- Measuring cups
- Mirrors
- Stopwatch/timer
- Chalk
- Plastic containers
- Milk
- Scale. A bathroom scale and kitchen scale, if possible.
- Calculator
- Heat lamp
- Magnifying glass
- Hole punch
- Pins
- Glass jars. You will want some with lids, if possible.
- Coins
- Cooking oil
- Spirits
- Tissue paper
- Protractor/ruler
- Glue
- Paper fasteners
- Glitter
- Sequins
- Paint. Acrylic paint usually works best.
- Baking tray
- Thermometer
- Basins
- Flour
- Paper clips
- Leaves
- Chopping board
- Knives
- Soil/dirt
- Water
- Beans
- Salt
- Sugar
- Pipe cleaners
- Tweezers
- Stapler
- Sieve
- Tongs
- Food coloring
- Vinegar
- Cornstarch
- Baking soda/borax
- Craft sticks
- Sponges
- Coffee filters
- Dishwashing liquid
- Ice cubes
- Crayons
- Stirrers
- Candles/matches
- Paper bags. Don’t buy this….ask for some next time you are at a grocery store!
- Plaster of Paris
- Spray bottle
- Compass
- Cellophane
- Eggs
- Measuring Spoons
- Tape measure
- Eye dropper
- Paper plates
Final Thoughts
No science materials list can be all-inclusive, but I hope you find this list helpful as you prepare young STEM minds this school year! You may still come across a fun experiment that requires something not on this list. But I hope you find that by collecting these items ahead of time, you will be able to spend more time enjoying and learning from the activity instead of searching for things!
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Are there any particular items you keep coming across in your own science experiments that you would add to the list? Please share in the comments below!