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Celebrating Fall with Science Experiments

I looooove fall! Jumping into a pile of colorful leaves, picking pumpkins with my friends, or enjoying a warm cup of tea under a cozy blanket are seasonal things I look forward to every year. And while I’m a fan of classic fall activities, I’m always eager to try new things – and learn along the way.
Going to class every day and seeing the changing colors made me wonder about how I can enjoy autumn in an educational way. And then I had a “Eureka!” moment – science experiments! Science is one of my favorite subjects, and experiments are the perfect opportunity to combine learning with the fun of fall.

Here are 5 fall-tastic science activities I tried out this season:

Materials:
  • A pumpkin
  • Baking soda
  • Vinegar
  • Food coloring (optional)

Step 1: Carve an opening at the top of your pumpkin and take out as many seeds as you can.

Step 2: Add a few dashes of baking soda, some dish soap, and a bit of food coloring into the pumpkin.

Step 3: Pour the vinegar in and watch the “volcano” erupt!

Materials:
  • Colorful ear of corn (husk removed)
  • Baking dish
  • Water

Step 1: Place the ear of corn into the dish and fill it up with water to about a third of the ear.

Step 2: Let it sit for a few days and add water as needed so that it always stays at the same level.

Step 3: After about a week, you should see little sprouts appearing all over the ear!

Materials:
  • 3 leaves of different colors
  • 3 small containers with lids
  • Boiling water
  • Rubbing alcohol

Step 1: Boil a pot of water and place the leaves inside for a few minutes.

Step 2: While the leaves boil, fill the containers with rubbing alcohol.

Step 3: Carefully remove the leaves from the water and place each one into a container.

Step 4: Check on the containers the next day and you’ll see that the liquid took on the color of each leaf!

Materials:
  • Big jar of water
  • Fall-inspired objects such as a mini pumpkin, pinecone, leaf, apple, bark, stone, and more.

Step 1: Gather up a little group of friends or family.

Step 2: Ask each one whether they think a given object will sink or float.

Step 3: Place the objects in the water one by one to see who was right! (Maybe even have small prizes ready for those who win!)

Materials:
  • Clear glue
  • Saline solution
  • Water
  • Baking soda
  • Red food coloring
  • Apple-scented essential oil
  • Large bowl

Step 1: Mix glue and water in the bowl.

Step 2: Add a few drops of food coloring and essential oil.

Step 3: Add the baking soda and stir.

Step 4: Add the saline solution and continue stirring until the fall slime forms!

What kind of science experiments would you try out this season? Share your results by tagging me @loridolls!