5 science games for kids

Science can be as surprising as a magic trick, explaining facts that at first seem out of the question . Experimentation and observation is the basis of science, allowing us to interpret and respond to natural, social and artificial phenomena. If you want your child to start getting excited about science in a simple and fun way, here is the solution: a series of games that the little ones can play at home with surprising results that will amaze both them and you.

1. OBSERVE THE PIXELS OF A MOBILE SCREEN

This is one of the simplest science games for children and consists of creating small drops of water on the screen of a mobile phone or tablet that will behave like small lenses that will allow you to closely observe the pixels on the screen. And what are pixels? They are small light emitters that make up all kinds of screens: mobiles, televisions, computers … To start the experiment you will have to pour a little water on the screen of the device you are going to use. We recommend that you use a water spray so that it falls in small quantities and does not damage the electronic device. Also, the screen will have to be unlocked. Then your child will be able to observe that in each droplet you can see the colors green, blue and red-colors that make up the RGB system, the one used in systems that form images through rays of light-. If you cannot appreciate it, it may be because the drops are too large. Correct it by moving the screen horizontally while blowing on it.

2. MAKE YOUR HOMEMADE SPECTROSCOPE

A spectroscope is an instrument that is used to decompose light in its spectrum in order to analyze different properties such as its light intensity or measure the state of polarization. With this homemade spectroscope, children can play to decompose white light into the different colors that make it up. The first thing you will need is a rectangular or square cardboard box such as a cereal or shoe box that you will have to close completely with a little adhesive tape, so that there are no holes through which light can enter. Then make two cuts of about 5 centimeters in each of the side faces of the box, more or less at an angle of about 60º with respect to the vertical.

Use a ruler to mark with pencil the areas that you will have to cut out and in the oblique lines that you have drawn, place an old CD or DVD with the reflective side facing up ; that is, looking towards the short side of the box. Next, cut out a small square-shaped hole on the opposite side of the box so that you can see the disk through. Finally, make a small slot in the long side of the box at the same height as the CD so that the light enters through it and falls on the disc. Now it only remains to look through the peephole and hallucinate in colors with what science can do.

3. COLORED CRYSTALS IN THE SHAPE OF LOLLIPOPS FOR CHILDREN

This is one of the science games that can be enjoyed both by doing it and then by eating it. When the water meets the sugar, small crystals form with which you can make a delicious homemade rock candy . To start this experiment you will have to mix 1 cup of sugar with another cup of water in a pot and put it to heat over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Then add another cup of sugar again until you see that the sugar no longer dissolves – for this you may have to add a second additional cup of sugar. When the mixture is ready, divide it into different jars and add food coloring of different shadesin each one of them. If you want you can also add a little flavoring. Finally, put several ice cream sticks or skewers in each of the jars and put a clamp on the top to make weight and prevent the sticks from floating.

Little by little you will see how crystals begin to form on the sticks, a process that takes days. For this reason, it is better that you leave the jars in a place with little light and that you do not move them for about a week and a half . So, children, you will have to arm yourself with patience. But why do these crystals form? This process is known as nucleation. Some substances such as sugar are made up of small grains or crystals that form during the solidification process; that is, when they go from a liquid state to a solid state.

4. PIERCE A BAG OF WATER

To carry out this experiment successfully, it is necessary to use zip-up bags, since they are made of polymers – flexible molecules that provide elasticity to the plastic bag. Fill one of the bags halfway with water and then close it. Next, take a very sharp circular pencil and gradually insert the pencil through the plastic of the bag-the best thing is that you do it keeping the pencil as straight as possible so that the hole is not too big- and you will see that not a drop of water comes out. Of course, it is better that you be careful when you take out the pencil or you will get soaked. The explanation is very simple. The plastic in the water-filled bag is subjected to a certain pressure, so if a hole is made in it under these circumstances, the polymer will try to re-create its chain of monomers around the hole. In this way, the surface tension between the different points will be maintained and will barely leave space between the plastic and the pencil, so the water cannot escape .

5. CHANGE THE COLOR OF THE FLOWERS

Do you want to dye the flower petals in the colors you like the most? Fill a couple of empty jars with water and add a few drops of food coloring to each one – the result will be better if you use different colors . Then introduce several flowers with a stem in each of the jars and in a few hours you will see how their petals begin to stain . Science or magic? This color change occurs because plants transport water to the leaves and petals through the stem.