Simple Biology Experiment Ideas for Kids

Biology is a fascinating subject, however in order to get the students interested in this subject, you can make use of some simple home biology experiments. Usually, practical curriculum appeals more to students rather than boring extensive theory, which might seem difficult to understand. Science projects or science experiments are a great way to kindle a child’s interest in biology. In case, you are looking for some simple biology experiment ideas for kids at school or even at home, here are some suggestions to help you with the task:

Simple Biology Experiment Ideas for Kids

Biology experiments for kids need to be simple, in terms of the apparatus used as well as the concepts explained. Generally, you can start with experiments that deal with plants, flowers or observation of insects, soil samples, food samples and so on. Here are two simple biology experiment ideas for kids:

Biology Experiment #1 - Colored Flowers

This is a very simple and fun biology experiment, which will serve to teach the children about water absorption systems in plants.

Things you will need:

• A cup of water
• Food color
• A flower with an intact stalk
• Empty clean flask

Procedure:

• First of all, mix the food color in the water. Make sure there are no lumps and the color dissolves completely in the water.
• Now pour the colored water into the flask. Make sure that the flask is clean and doesn’t have any impurities on the surface.
• Now, take the flowers (with intact stalks) and place them in the flask, so that half of the stalk is submerged under water.
• Place the flask in the window, or any other place, which will provide sufficient sunlight for the plant.
• Tell the children to observe the color of the flowers over a period of time.

What the children get to learn?

Plants need water for sustenance; this simple experiment demonstrates how water is absorbed through the stalks of the plants into the different parts like leaves as well as flowers.

Biology Experiment #2 - Observing Bacteria

Well, although the title might give a notion that the experiment is too advanced - it is not! It is a simple and easy experiment to introduce the children to some species of bacteria.

Things you will need:

• A compound microscope
• Yogurt
• Clean empty cup
• Water
• Unused ink dropper
• Glass slide
• Cover slip

Procedure:

• First of all, take a small quantity of yogurt (half a teaspoon) in the cup and add two teaspoons of water to it.
• Mix the yogurt and water with a spoon, so as to create a homogenous suspension.
• Using the ink dropper, place a drop of this yogurt suspension on a clean, sterilized glass slide. Make sure you don’t take more than a drop.
• Place the cover slip on the drop of suspension. Now, the slide is ready to be observed under the microscope.
• Now simply allow the children to observe the sample under the microscope.

What the children get to learn?

Usually the commercially manufactured yogurts include Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. You can tell the children about different types of bacteria and let them know that not all bacteria are harmful.