The Ultimate Guide To Winter Science In Your Homeschool

The winter season just hits differently. If you’re looking to change things up this winter, that’s okay. Check out some of my favorite ways to encourage scientific exploration all winter long with winter science activities and experiments for kids of all ages.

I’ve got nature study ideas, hands-on science experiments, and even mini-unit studies you can use to learn all about chemistry, biology, and more with your homeschoolers this winter. Don’t miss my favorite science learning games, experiment ideas, and the best science picture books to enjoy with your kids this winter. It’s science learning fun for the whole family!

Embrace The Season

The winter season is when I really want to slow down, take a break, and do something different. We love to read books, play games, and do hands-on activities at this time of year. If you need ideas for books and games to add to your science curriculum this year, check out my list of the best science games and science picture books.  

If you’re feeling the same way, I want to encourage you to embrace the season and give yourself permission to change things up. Add some fun science experiments, hands-on activities, and exciting picture books to your usual science lessons or take a break from the norm and do these fun activities instead!

There are so many ways to have fun while keeping the learning going this winter. We really love hands-on winter science activities for helping Emily explore new concepts in an engaging way that piques her interest.  I’ve got lots of fun winter science activities and science experiments you can do with your homeschoolers to change it up and keep it fun this year.

Winter Science Activities For Your Homeschool

Winter can be the perfect season to change it up and introduce some fun new science activities with your homeschoolers. Check out some of our favorites below.

Science Crafts

Winter crafts can be an easy and fun way to bring science lessons to life this year. Plus, they’re perfect for building fine motor skills, encouraging creativity, and exploring STEM skills too. Here are some of my favorite winter science crafts:

Snowflake Science

Learn about snowflakes with your homeschoolers this winter in my Snowflake Bentley Unit Study all about Wilson Alwyn Bentley, the American meteorologist and photographer, who studied snowflakes. Then, create your own paper snowflakes to decorate your home and discover the unique beauty of this weather phenomenon.

Winter Sensory Bin

Create a winter sensory bin to explore and learn about winter weather and climates with your homeschoolers. Sensory bins are a fun way to learn about science for everyone, but they’re ideal for young elementary learners. 

Snowman Marshmallow STEM

Begin exploring STEM concepts with your homeschoolers this winter as you build your own snowman indoors. You’ll need marshmallows and toothpicks to get started. Then, have fun trying to create the biggest, best snowman you can out of marshmallows. 

Hands-on Experiments

Hands-on science experiments can keep even the most reluctant homeschoolers engaged this winter. Everyone will love getting involved in these fun winter science experiments! 

Borax Snowflakes

Dipping pipe cleaners into borax (dissolved in boiling water with food coloring) creates sparkly clusters that resemble snowflakes. As the water cools, the crystals attach themselves to the pipe cleaners in a chemical reaction that’s fascinating for everyone. Get the instructions on how to make your own borax snowflakes from Martha Stewart.

Make Snow Cream 

Some of the best science experiments happen in the kitchen. Have fun in the kitchen learning about science and math with your homeschoolers this winter as you make snow cream.

Snow cream is a fun winter science experiment they’ll remember for years to come! All you need is a cup of snow, a can of sweetened condensed milk, and a teaspoon of vanilla. 

Frosty’s Magic Milk

This experiment uses dish soap, cream, and food coloring to create a chemical reaction that looks like magic! It’s the perfect addition to a snowman-themed unit study and a whole lot of fun on your next snowy day. Get the directions to create your own magic milk from EarlyOn Kingston.

Science Games to Play

Learning through games is one of our favorite ways to teach every subject here at The Waldock Way! Check out our ultimate Guide to Gameschooling for tips on how you can get started using games for science, math, language arts, and more. Discover some of our favorite science games to get you started down below.

Totally Gross: The Game of Science

Totally Gross has 140 questions that cover biology, chemistry, zoology, geology, astronomy, anatomy, and physics for two to four players. It’s not just trivia, fun “gross-out” questions encourage players to act out science stuff too. It’s a fun science game for your whole family to play this winter. 

Compounded Board Game

If you’re looking for a longer game for older homeschoolers, Compounded is just what you need. This board game is about building chemical compounds through careful management of elements, social play, and trading. In Compounded, players are lab managers, hastily competing to complete the most compounds before they are completed by others – or destroyed in an explosion.

Wildcraft!

This herbal adventure game is fun and strategic. Plus, it’s a game that doesn’t require reading, making it easy for everyone to get in on the fun. The learning board game will teach your homeschoolers all about science whether they can read or not. It’s a fun way to begin learning how to identify plants at home.

Winter Nature Study

Getting outdoors can be a bit more challenging at this time of year than it is during warmer months, but it’s still totally worthwhile. The refreshing winter air might be just what your homeschool needs right now. Try adding some of these fun winter nature study activities to your science plans this season.

Photo Contest

One of our favorites is to have a winter photo contest/scavenger hunt. Here’s how it works: everyone goes outside and tries to take pictures of different winter–themed prompts like “evergreen,” “ice,” and “chilly.” Then, compare the photos when you get back inside.

Birdseed Ornaments

You can make birdseed ornaments together to help feed the birds and maybe do a bit of bird watching too this winter. All you need are pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed. Spread the peanut butter over the pinecone and then roll in birdseed.

Indoor Science Table

If it’s too cold (or wet) to go out, you can set up a nature study table indoors near a window. Arrange tools like binoculars, a nature journal, and colored pencils on the table. Then, encourage your homeschoolers to draw what they can see out the window or with binoculars. 

More Ideas For Science In Your Homeschool

If you want more great ideas for teaching science in your homeschool this year, check out some of my other helpful tips on teaching science. Here are some of our favorite ideas:

What’s your favorite winter science activity or experiment? Do you have a favorite way to learn about science during the winter months that I didn’t mention? I’d love to read about your ideas in the comments, so don’t forget to share.