Fall is the perfect time to incorporate family fun into your science experience. Everywhere you look there is some relic of the shifting season waiting to be explored. Leaves are changing color and falling alongside the acorns, apples are ready to be picked, and science is ready to explain why.As busy parents, time can really slip away from us during this hurried holiday season. Even though we have the best of intentions when it comes to really utilizing the wonderful learning opportunities fall provides, we can find ourselves scrambling at the last moment to pull off some Halloween magic or harvest-themed crafts.We've gone ahead and done the research for you. After scouring blogs and Pinterest boards, we put together a helpful list of 10 wonderful and simple fall science-themed activities and experiments to help you quickly find something creative for this weekend. These educational activities are sure to be fun for kids of all ages. A TWIST ON THE CLASSICSFluorescent Chlorophyll: Did you know that under normal lighting conditions chlorophyll is green, but when placed under UV light it appears red? Add this twist to your fall study of chlorophyll. Apple-cano:try this twist on a standard baking soda and vinegar volcano. This simple acid base reaction will entertain the kids all afternoon. One Sick Pumpkin: For an even cooler twist, try the same acid base reaction used in the apple-cano, but put it in a carved pumpkin and color the vinegar with food coloring. Detailed instructions can be found on the Growing a Jeweled Rose blog. Play 'Will It Dissolve?': Too much sugar this time of the year? Why not use some of that candy to create a little science fun? Turn this classic science experiment into a game of prediction and chance. You can even incorporate a density twist and call it 'Will It Sink or Will It Float?'. GlowingGoblin Goo: This twist on an old classic is a basic polymer experiment gone scary. Use your creativity and add all sorts of spooky surprises for people to find inside your goblin goo.Creepy Density:This take on the classic density bottle experiment uses blood red water and gooey golden syrup to add a spook factor. Bubbling Cauldron: Maybe you're happy with the old style dry ice cauldron, but perhaps you're ready for a science twist that will teach your child about sublimation while also creating a cool cauldron effect. Check out this experiment for some Halloween fun.Spooky Sound Machine: Don't buy expensive sound machines this year. Have your kids make their own as part of a sound study. These hand-held devices will create all the spooky background noise you've been missing. FUN AND SPOOKY CRAFTSPumpkin Pie Playdough: This classic has a much-welcomed aromatic surprise. The recipe is one that lasts a very long time and smells like all of your favorite fall things. Spider web Printmaking: So many fun holiday designs can be created through Styrofoam printmaking. This is one of the great ideas you can try. Why not make it a science unit and talk about the traits of arachnids while you're at it?SEVERAL EXTRA IDEAS...JUST BECAUSE THEY LOOK REALLY FUN!Make a moving skeleton while studying the bodyMake your own spider webs out of coffee filtersAnyone want to eat worms? This craft looks as real as can be.
