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The Best 4th Grade Science Experiments and Activities

by Chloe Campbell Leave a Comment

As a 4th grade science teacher, I know how exciting it can be to get students engaged in hands-on learning. There’s nothing quite like seeing young scientists light up when they discover something new through experimentation. In this blog post, I’ll share some of the best 4th grade science experiments and activities that not only cover key science concepts but also keep your classroom buzzing with excitement.

Whether you’re teaching about speed, sound energy, electric currents, or rock formation, these experiments will be the perfect way to get your students fully involved. Plus, they all use simple supplies that are easy to gather, making them great for busy teachers!

1. 4th grade science experiments: hands-on fun with scientific method experiments.

For a comprehensive approach to the scientific method, I developed 10 Fun Easy Science Experiments that you can use with your 4th graders. These activities guide students through the scientific method, offering hands-on experiments that encourage independent work while covering key 4th-grade science concepts. This is a perfect way to teach students how to follow procedures, record data, and draw conclusions, all while having fun with easy-to-set-up science activities.

All of these science experiments use common household items which makes them easy to prepare for. These fun and easy science experiments are perfect for introducing science lab rules, teaching science procedures, modeling the scientific method, or adding some scientific fun to any day of the year!

The 10 Science Experiments are:

Which airplane design flies the farthest distance?
Does the amount of air change the distance the balloon travels?
Which soda reacts the most to Mentos?
Which ramp design allows the ball to move the farthest distance?
What liquid cleans pennies the best?
Which liquid allows the gummy bears to grow the most?
Exploding Baggies
Marshmallow Catapults
Apple Volcanoes
Ice Cream in a Bag

2. Exploring Sound Waves with Rubber Bands

One of the coolest 4th grade science experiments is using rubber bands to explore sound energy. All you need are a few rubber bands of different sizes and thicknesses, and your students will be able to see (and hear!) how different vibrations create different pitches of sound. This simple experiment is a great way to teach sound waves and energy transfer. It’s hands-on, easy to set up, and really fun for fourth graders.

If you want this experiment done for you, plus get access to two other experiments for sound, I’ve got them ready for you in my Sound Energy resource.

4th grade science experiments - sound energy

3. Speed and Collisions: The Ping-Pong Ball Race

This experiment is an exciting way for students to understand speed and collisions. Use a ping-pong ball, a ramp (you can use books), and different materials like paper towels or foil to see how surface affects the speed of the ball. You can even add in rubber bands to test how different tensions influence speed!

Next, have students roll ping pong balls at one another. The goal of this is for the ping pong balls to collide with one another. Have students hypothesize what they think will happen when the ping pong balls collide. Were the ping pong balls going the same speed? Different speeds? Did they hit each other head-on, or at an angle? This is a fun science experiment that helps students grasp the idea of speed and kinetic energy.

4. States of Matter with Ice Cube Melting

Teaching about the states of matter can be interactive with this simple science experiment. Give students an ice cube, a glass jar, and a paper towel, and let them observe how an ice cube melts over time. You can talk about energy transfer and how heat energy causes a solid (ice) to turn into a liquid (water). It’s a fun way for students to see the concepts of physical science in action.

If you want to make this learning even deeper, you can challenge your students to design a way to prevent the ice cube from melting. This helps students understand how to slow down changes in states of matter, and it’s also a great connection for learning about insulation.

5. Static Electricity with Balloons

Another favorite among 4th grade science experiments is exploring static electricity. Grab a few balloons and let your students rub them on different materials to see what creates the most static charge. This fun experiment is great for teaching about electric currents and static electricity—plus, it’s guaranteed to get lots of laughs as students see how their hair stands on end!

If you want this experiment done for you, plus get access to two other investigations, I’ve got them ready for you in my Static Electricity resource.

4th grade science experiments - static electricity

6. Rock and Soil Formation with a DIY Erosion Experiment

To cover earth sciences, try this fun activity where students can observe soil erosion. You’ll need plastic bottles, some soil, and water to simulate the effects of water on different types of soil. This experiment ties into lessons about weathering and erosion, and it gives students a better understanding of how rocks and soil change over time. It’s an interactive way to bring earth science concepts to life.

As the water runs down the slope of the soil, students will see how the soil starts to move. Encourage them to closely observe what happens—does the soil stay in place, or does it start to wash away?
Cut plastic bottles in half horizontally. Each half will represent a hill. Make sure you have one bottle for each group of students.
Fill the bottle halves with soil, leaving a little space at the top.
Instruct each group of students to use a plastic cup with holes poked in the bottom or a spray bottle to simulate rainfall. Have them gently pour water over their “hill” (the soil-filled bottle) to see how water affects the soil.
You can also have students vary the intensity of the water: some can pour a light drizzle, while others can pour faster to simulate heavier rain. This will show how different amounts of water impact soil erosion.

7. Chemical Reactions: Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano

No list of 4th grade science experiments would be complete without a classic baking soda and vinegar experiment. This experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction and can be turned into a mini volcano. Mix baking soda and vinegar in a plastic bottle, and let your students watch the fizzing reaction occur. It’s a great way to introduce the scientific method while exploring the properties of different substances.

8. Energy Conversion with Glow Sticks

If you want to teach about energy conversion, glow sticks are a perfect tool! Simply snap the sticks to activate the chemical reaction, then discuss how the stored energy in the glow stick is converted to light energy. This cool experiment not only helps students understand energy but also is a great project to discuss how light energy works.

You can even turn this learning into another experiment where students determine what temperature of water makes glow sticks glow brighter, glow longer, and more. You can find this experiment ready to go for you in my Halloween Science Activities resource.

These 4th grade science experiments are a fantastic way to spark curiosity and excitement in your students. From exploring sound waves to witnessing chemical reactions, these activities provide a variety of learning experiences that cover essential topics like energy transfer, states of matter, and more. The best way to teach science is through exploration, and these experiments are the perfect way to bring the wonder of science into your classroom.

So go ahead, gather your supplies, and let your students dive into these fun kids’ science experiments!

Looking for more experiments?

Check out my Easy Science Experiments Bundle, which includes access to 60+ experiments!

Don’t have time to digest all of this information right now? Want to save these experiments for later? No worries! Click the picture below to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board!

All Science Fair Projects

1000 science fair projects with complete instructions.

74 Science Projects for 4th Graders

Looking for science projects for 4th graders? Our fourth grade science experiments are engaging, fun and educational, making them a great starting point to inspire a love of science.

4th Grade Science Project FAQ

What are some easy 4th grade science fair projects.

Explore these fascinating 4th grade science experiments that are not only easy to do but also make science fun! Get ready to be wowed while discovering important scientific concepts!

Sinking Through Water

Egg with Vinegar

Does Milk Help Plants Grow?

Magic Milk Painting

Breakfast and School Performance

Plant Growth and Water

Sparkling Rainbow Crystal

Plastic Milk

Does Dog Saliva Kill Bacteria?

Super Hero Egg Shells

Science fair project details right above the FAQ!

What is the best 4th grade science fair project ever?

We love the Plastic Milk science project for 4th graders. Turning milk into plastic may seem like a magic trick, but it's a classic experiment that demonstrates how heat and acid can make milk plastic-like! Young scientists will learn about the precipitation of solids and the chemical reaction between acids and bases from this cool experiment! Check out the videos to see how to make lego figures or glue from this science experiment!

Check out more Best Science Fair Projects →

What are some cool 4th grade science projects?

Get ready to be amazed by these super cool fourth grade science experiments! Choose a science experiment that catches your interest, and with just a few simple materials, you'll discover how awesome and fun science can be!

Create a Tornado in a Bottle

Electrifying Lemon Battery

Making Oobleck: Liquid or Solid?

Egg Drop Project

Colors of Skittles Experiment

Cloud in a Bottle

Science fair project details at the top of the page.

What are 5 testable questions for 4th grade?

A testable question is a question that we can answer through a science experiment. To do this, we do a control science experiment, then we change one thing in the experiment to see how it affects the result. This is how we can discover the answer to our question!

Explore science projects with these testable questions for fourth graders (find the projects at the top of this page):

What makes a cloud form?

Can drink and food taste different just by changing its color?

Does the color of light affect photosynthesis?

Does temperature affect seed sprouting?

What makes popcorn pop?

Here are more testable questions along with their science projects →

What are the top 10 science projects for 4th grade?

We've handpicked these top 10 science projects for 4th grade which dive into biology, chemistry and physics science experiments. Whether you're looking for a fun experiment or aiming to do an awesome science fair project, these science projects have got you covered!

Shrimp Habitat Preferences

Exploring the Relativity of Time

Science project details at the top of the page!

Can I do a 4th grade science fair project in a day?

Absolutely! Quick experiments using simple materials that you can find at home are an excellent choice for a one-day science fair project! It's ideal to do a simple science project with a fast chemical reaction, like the following projects.

Acid-base reactions: Mixing acids with bases quickly makes carbon dioxide gas!

Make a rocket fly sky high with just baking soda and vinegar! Rocket Film Canisters

Learn how to make your own acid/base indicator using red cabbage and use it to test different fluids! Make Your Own pH Indicator

Chromatography reactions: Separate out colors!

Did you know that some Skittles have a secret rainbow hiding inside them? Colors of Skittles Experiment

Have you ever wondered why leaves change color in the fall? Let's find out by using chromatography to separate the colors of a green leaf! Uncovering Fall Colors

Heat reactions: Heat speeds things up!

Do you want to find out which color candle burns the fastest? Which Candle Burns the Fastest?

What are some hands-on ways to find inspiration for my science fair project?

There may be free admission days or free passes to a science museum near you! Check your local library for free museum passes, nearby science museums for free entrance days and your credit card for offers.

Find a science museum near you and prepare to be awed by all that you can learn there! I always learn something new and am inspired whenever I go to a science museum!

How do I start a science fair project?

What should I do after I have a science fair project idea?

How do I make a science fair board?

What is the scientific method?

What is the engineering design process?

Where can I find a science fair competition?

The www Virtual Library: Science Fairs website also has a collection of science fairs from all over the world, as well as national, state, regional, local, and virtual competitions!