Looking for fun, hands-on science activities to keep your students engaged this winter? Many teachers struggle to find experiments that are both educational and exciting. The solution? Incorporate winter science experiments into your classroom! This blog will give you 10 winter-themed science experiments that your students will love, and two of them come straight from our Ignited Lessons Membership. If you enjoy these ideas, you’ll definitely want to explore our membership for complete science lessons and units.
Why Should I Be Using Winter Science Experiments in My Classroom?
Winter science experiments are more than just fun; they’re an excellent way to make learning come alive. By tying experiments to the season, students can see the real-world application of scientific concepts. These activities also foster collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Beyond academics, engaging in hands-on experiments builds classroom community and encourages curiosity—essential traits for lifelong learners.
10 Winter Science Experiments
Adding winter science experiments is an exciting way to incorporate the season into your lessons. Here are 10 engaging ideas that blend fun and learning. Whether you’re exploring animal adaptations or testing the properties of ice, these activities are sure to captivate your students.
Polar Bear Adaptations
Teach students about animal adaptations using polar bears as an example! Start with a discussion on how blubber helps polar bears survive in icy environments. Then, conduct a simple but effective experiment: coat a student’s hand in Crisco shortening and compare how it feels in ice water versus a bare hand. This vivid demonstration helps students grasp the concept of insulation.
Pair this activity with research and reading comprehension passages from our Ignited Lessons Membership for a deeper learning experience.
Making Ice Cream
Combine science and fun by making ice cream using snow instead of ice. Discuss the science behind freezing points and how salt lowers the temperature to enable freezing. Provide clear steps for mixing ingredients and adding salt to snow, then let students enjoy their creations. This activity combines scientific exploration with a delicious treat, making it an instant favourite.
Sticky Ice
Explore the fascinating properties of surface tension and freezing with this experiment. Place a string on an ice cube, sprinkle salt over the top, and wait for a few moments. The salt will slightly melt the ice, and as it refreezes, it will bond with the string, creating “sticky ice.” Students can experiment with different amounts of salt and timings to see how the reaction changes, fostering curiosity and experimentation.
Light-Up Snowman Science
Light up your science lessons with a fun and interactive snowman circuit experiment! Using conductive playdough, students can create a snowman and add LED lights to make it glow. This activity introduces basic circuitry in an engaging way, perfect for winter-themed science. For teachers tackling Grade 6 electricity units, check out our Ignited Lessons Membership for a complete unit on circuits and electricity, designed to make teaching this topic a breeze!
For more details on this activity, visit Science Sparks.
Melting Snowmen
Use snow or snowman models to study the effects of heat on solids. Set up an experiment comparing how different materials (like cloth, plastic, or aluminum foil) affect the melting rate of snowmen. Encourage students to hypothesize, observe, and record their findings, emphasizing the importance of controlled experiments and data analysis.
Winter Shadows
Investigate how the angle of the sun in winter affects shadows. Have students measure shadows at different times of the day and compare them to shadows cast during other seasons. Use this experiment to discuss the Earth’s tilt, seasonal changes, and how the sun’s position impacts daily life. This is one of the best winter science experiments to use if you are teaching space to your class this winter season! Alternatively, check out Ignited Lessons Club to see this fun sundial project that is print-and-go!
Salt and Ice Reaction
Observe how salt affects the melting rate of ice by using different types of salt (rock salt, table salt) and comparing their effectiveness. Relate this to real-world applications, such as salting roads in winter to prevent ice buildup. Extend the activity by calculating the time it takes for ice to melt under various conditions, adding a mathematical element to the experiment.
STEM Challenge: Keep Ice from Melting
This exciting challenge engages students in creating an insulator to slow down the melting of an ice cube. Begin by discussing how different materials conduct heat and show this video to help them visualize the process. Encourage students to brainstorm and conduct preliminary research to select materials for their designs. Once their insulators are complete, test their effectiveness and reflect on how insulation impacts real-world inventions like coolers and freezers. This comprehensive lesson is part of our Ignited Lessons Club Membership and is a hit with students!
Frozen Bubbles
Blow bubbles outside on a freezing day and watch as they crystallize before your eyes! This experiment demonstrates how cold temperatures affect liquids and gases. Challenge students to determine the ideal temperature for frozen bubbles and experiment with bubble solutions to optimize results.
Building an Igloo
Engage students in a hands-on STEM challenge to design and construct an igloo using sugar cubes or marshmallows. Discuss the science behind insulation and structural integrity, and encourage students to test their igloos for durability and warmth. This collaborative project combines engineering and problem-solving for a fun and educational experience.
Inspire Curiosity with Winter Science Experiments
Winter is the perfect season to incorporate themed science experiments that engage and excite your students. Try one (or all) of these winter science experiments to spark curiosity and learning in your classroom. If you love these ideas, take your teaching to the next level with our Ignited Lessons Membership, where you’ll find complete lesson plans, hands-on activities, and more!
Need more help with planning and teaching engaging and hands-on science lessons? Check out my YouTube channel!
Need help setting classroom expectations in the New Year? Check out this blog post!
