Science Starts Here

I Can Be an EngineerI Can Be a Scientist

Aug 25

Welcome to the place where curiosity leads the way and hands-on exploration turns learning into adventure! This is where we dive in and get messy—mixing, pouring, squishing, and observing—while children develop fine motor skills and sharpen their observational abilities. Every activity is designed to engage multiple senses, spark imagination, and encourage problem-solving, all in a safe, playful environment.

But it’s not just about science. Along the way, kids practice social-emotional learning, cooperation, and communication, learning how to take turns, share ideas, and work together while experimenting and creating. From sensory bins and bubbling reactions to building challenges and creative projects, each experience is an invitation to explore cause and effect, test hypotheses, and discover the magic of the world around them.

Here, mistakes are celebrated as discoveries, questions are celebrated as curiosity, and every messy, joyful experiment builds confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. Step in, get hands-on, and watch as little scientists explore, create, and grow—because science truly starts here.

In the STEAM Spotlight

Dry Ice Bubble Magic

Step into a world where science looks like magic! In this hands-on dry ice experiment, kids will first watch an exciting demonstration of how solid carbon dioxide transforms right before their eyes. We’ll talk about what dry ice really is, why it never melts into a liquid, and how to handle it safely. Then, each child will get their own bowl of water and, using tongs, add a small piece of dry ice to make a smoky, swirling potion. Once the bubbling fog fills the bowl, we’ll add a few drops of dish soap—and suddenly, giant shimmering bubbles filled with mist will grow and pop in their hands.
Watch the fun on YouTube!
This activity helps kids explore states of matter, sublimation, and gas expansion—all while practicing safety, observation, and prediction skills. It encourages them to think like scientists, test ideas, and connect cause and effect in real time. Plus, it’s an unforgettable sensory experience that blends visual awe with scientific curiosity.

Exploring STEAM Stations

Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin

Sensory Bins are always a hit, and this week is no exception. Kids will explore brightly dyed rice, feeling it slip through their fingers, scoop it, and pour it, discovering how it moves and sounds. To engage multiple senses, we add calming **lavender buds** for a gentle fragrance and tiny **ABC pasta** for tactile and letter-learning fun. The best part? This sensory bin is endlessly adaptable—you can mix in themed items, seasonal objects, or letters and numbers to match your week’s STEAM adventure.
Supplies include colored rice, dried lavender, small pasta letters, and a bin or tray. Optional additions can be anything safe that matches your theme, keeping each experience fresh and exciting.
This activity helps children develop fine motor skills, sensory awareness, early literacy recognition, and imaginative thinking. It encourages curiosity, calm focus, and experimentation, turning play into a multi-sensory STEAM learning adventure.

Taste-Safe Kinetic Flour Fun

Get ready to squish, mold, and explore with a sensory experience that’s as safe as it is magical! In this activity, kids will combine flour and oil to create soft, moldable “kinetic flour” that holds shapes but crumbles at a touch. They’ll dig in with their hands, squeeze, and let their creativity run wild—all while learning about texture, cause-and-effect, and basic chemistry principles. It’s a hands-on way to explore how materials behave differently when mixed together.

Supplies are simple and safe: flour, vegetable oil, and a sensory bin or tray for each child. Everything is edible, so even the tiniest taste testers can join in without worry.

This activity teaches kids to experiment, observe, and problem-solve, strengthening fine motor skills, sensory awareness, and early scientific thinking. Plus, it’s a joyful way to spark curiosity and confidence through open-ended play.

Build-a-Cupcake Sensory Fun

Kids explore soft, moldable **kinetic sand**, shaping it into “cupcakes” inside colorful silicone liners. They decorate their creations with **plastic gems**, use **wooden sticks** to add details, and let their imaginations run wild as they design birthday treats that are all their own. This open-ended play encourages creativity while introducing concepts like shape, pattern, and cause-and-effect.
Supplies include kinetic sand, silicone cupcake liners, plastic gems, and wooden sticks. Everything is safe and reusable, making it perfect for repeated sensory and fine motor practice.
This activity strengthens **fine motor skills**, **hand-eye coordination**, and **creative problem-solving**. It also promotes **imaginative thinking**, letting children experiment with designs, textures, and patterns while practicing patience, focus, and cooperation if working alongside friends.

Child’s hands holding a clear plastic beaker, pouring blue rice into a bin filled with layers of rainbow-colored rice. — Rainbow Rice Lab

Scoop, pour, and mix up some fun! This colorful sensory bin is filled with bright, textured rice and plastic beakers, giving kids endless ways to explore. They’ll practice scooping, transferring, and combining colors, building fine motor skills while experiencing calming sensory play. As they experiment, they’re also learning early math concepts like volume, estimation, and comparison in a hands-on way.
These sensory bins are perfect for large groups! They are advertised as food storage containers, however the size, shape, and depth are perfect for hands on messy play.

Science Starts Here Books and Reading

Books bring science to life by introducing kids to the people behind the discoveries. Reading about scientists helps children understand that curiosity, questions, and creativity drive exploration. It also builds early literacy, emotional intelligence, and fosters meaningful conversations with adults. These stories inspire young readers to dream big and see themselves as future scientists. Here are three great picks for different age groups: