Science provides a way of looking at the world and finding out how it works. Everything around is made of chemicals so chemistry is all around for children. It is true that the best way to develop children’s interested in science is to get them directly involved. Because they are curious, encourage them to explore their environment by using chemistry supplies found in the kitchen. 

Infants: Ice Cube Waterplay – Pour water into ice cube trays and freeze overnight. Empty the ice cubes into a container of water as a kitchen chemistry playtime experience. Place the container on a towel on the floor and allow the infant to watch and feel the ice cubes melt. This is an excellent way to develop eye/hand coordination and to encourage language development by talking about what the infant is doing and feeling. “The ice cubes are cold. It make your hands cold too.”

Toddlers: Pinecone Bird Feeders – Go on a nature walk and have the toddlers collect large pinecones. Tie a yarn hanger on each pinecone. Have the toddlers help you cover a table with newspaper then let them pick which pinecone they want to use as their bird feeder. Put a dish of corn syrup on the table and give each child a spoon to drizzle it on to their pinecone. Pour birdseed into a large bowl and let the toddlers roll the sticky pinecones the bowl. Go outside and hang them on a tree branch as a gift for the birds.

Preschoolers: Pea/Beans/Marshmallow/Raisin Joints – When soaking dried peas or beans in water overnight they will swell, and when they dry they will shrink. This property makes them ideal for construction joints. You can use peas, beans, or small marshmallows and raisins. Using toothpicks as the structural members and the softened peas as the joints, you can build almost anything, bridges, buildings, or geometric designs. Allow a day for the peas or beans to dry out. They’ll shrink and hold the toothpicks firmly in place. Some suggestion might be building towers, people and even their own homes. These structures allow their creative ideas to explore their world.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science states that science consists of three components: (1) Content – which is the actual body of knowledge developed over time (2) Process – consists of the methods used to gather information and solve problems. (3) Attitudes – refer to the way people approach a scientific problem. Chemistry is one of the Physical Sciences, and as such is defined as the study of substances and what happens when they are combined or come in contact with one another. The kitchen environment which surrounds children everyday is full of many substances and the experiences they can create is a primary factor in leading them toward their full scientific creative potential.

Good things come to those who believe.

Better things come to those who are patient.

The best things come to those who don’t give up!