50 Awesome Experiments That Don't Cost a Thing: Junk Drawer Science

When boredom strikes, your junk drawer can come to the rescue! With just a little creativity and a handful of common household items, you can conduct a whole range of exciting science experiments without spending a dime. In this article, we present 50 awesome experiments that will leave you amazed and eager to share your newfound knowledge with friends and family.

The Magic of Chemistry

1. Create a homemade volcano that erupts with a simple combination of baking soda and vinegar. Watch the bubbling reaction as the volcano comes to life!

2. Make invisible ink using lemon juice or milk and reveal your secret messages with heat.

Junk Drawer Chemistry: 50 Awesome Experiments That Don't Cost a Thing (Junk Drawer Science Book 2)

by Bobby Mercer (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8691 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	220 pages

FREE

3. Discover the power of static electricity by bending water using a charged comb.

4. Create a rainbow in a jar by layering different sugar solutions with food coloring.

5. Turn milk into plastic by curdling it with vinegar and molding it into different shapes.

Physics Fun

6. Build a homemade rocket launcher using an empty plastic bottle and some vinegar and baking soda. Watch it launch into the air!

7. Explore the concept of gravity by making a simple pendulum with a weighted object and measuring its swing.

8. Make a homemade pulley system to lift objects using thread, a coat hanger, and a plastic cup.

9. Show how air pressure works by creating a hovercraft out of a CD, balloon, and bottle cap.

10. Investigate the properties of light by creating a homemade prism using a glass of water and a flashlight.

Biology and Nature

11. Observe the process of osmosis by placing a raw egg in vinegar overnight and watching the shell disappear.

12. Create a butterfly feeder using a plate, fruit, and some sugar water. Attract these beautiful creatures to your garden.

13. Grow your own crystal garden by dissolving salt or sugar in water and letting it evaporate over time.

14. Set up a simple ant farm using a jar, soil, and some ant bait. Observe their fascinating behavior up close.

15. Make a DIY bird feeder using recycled materials and attract different species of birds to your backyard.

Earth and Environment

16. Build a miniature eco-system in a jar by layering soil, plants, and insects.

17. Demonstrate the water cycle by creating a terrarium using a clear plastic container and some plants.

18. Test the pH levels of different substances by using cabbage water as a natural indicator.

19. Make a homemade rain gauge using a plastic bottle and measure the amount of rainfall in your area.

20. Recycle old newspapers and turn them into seedling pots for starting your own garden.

Mathematics and Logic

21. Construct a DIY abacus using popsicle sticks and beads to enhance your counting and arithmetic skills.

22. Challenge yourself by creating intricate paper origami designs using basic folding techniques.

23. Test your mathematical skills by attempting to solve the Rubik's Cube with various strategies.

24. Create your own crossword puzzle using words from your favorite subject or theme.

25. Use playing cards to practice probability and learn about chance in a fun way.

Technology and Engineering

26. Build a simple cardboard structure, such as a bridge or tower, to understand the principles of engineering.

27. Create a homemade speaker using a cup, paper, and a coil of magnet wire.

28. Design and construct a paper airplane to test different wing shapes and see which flies the farthest.

29. Transform an old CD into a DIY hologram projector and watch captivating 3D images come to life.

30. Build a rubber band-powered car using recycled materials and explore the basics of mechanical engineering.

Exploring the World

31. Go on a nature scavenger hunt and document the different plants and animals you find.

32. Set up a backyard campsite and learn about constellations and the wonders of the night sky.

33. Create homemade fossils using clay and small objects to simulate the process of fossilization.

34. Make a homemade volcano using sand and baking soda, and learn about the geological forces that shape our planet.

35. Start a rock collection and categorize them based on their characteristics and properties.

Fun with Everyday Objects

36. Show the power of air pressure by creating a simple hovercraft using a CD and a balloon.

37. Experiment with sound by making a homemade kazoo using a toilet paper roll and wax paper.

38. Create a DIY kaleidoscope using small pieces of colored paper and a cardboard tube.

39. Test your memory skills and challenge your family with a homemade memory game using index cards.

40. Construct a homemade marble run using cardboard tubes and see how the marbles navigate through the maze.

Sensory Experiences

41. Make homemade playdough using flour, salt, water, and food coloring. Enhance it with different scents, like vanilla or lavender.

42. Experiment with taste buds by blindfolding yourself and trying to identify different foods without seeing them.

43. Explore the sense of touch by conducting a simple DIY texture experiment using various objects around the house.

44. Create a calming sensory bottle using water, glitter, and oil to promote relaxation and mindfulness.

45. Use different spices and scents to create your own homemade perfume or cologne.

Artistic Creations

46. Create beautiful tie-dye designs on old t-shirts using food coloring and rubber bands.

47. Make homemade clay using flour, salt, and water. Sculpt different shapes and let them air dry.

48. Use vegetable stamps to create unique artwork on paper or fabric.

49. Experiment with different painting techniques, such as drip painting or splatter painting.

50. Build a simple DIY camera obscura using a shoebox to capture fascinating images!

So, next time you're feeling adventurous, don't overlook your junk drawer. With the right ingredients and a little imagination, you can embark on a journey of endless learning and discovery. These 50 awesome experiments will not only entertain you but also enrich your understanding of the world around us. Get ready to be amazed, and remember that science is all around us, even in the most unexpected places!

Junk Drawer Chemistry: 50 Awesome Experiments That Don't Cost a Thing (Junk Drawer Science Book 2)

by Bobby Mercer (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8691 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	220 pages

FREE

There's no need for expensive, high-tech lab equipment to conduct chemistry experiments—you probably have all you need in your home junk drawer. Turn an old LED flashlight into an Energy Drink Tester using aluminum foil and electrical tape. Mix cornstarch and water to make Non-Newtonian Goo. Use a 9-volt battery and thumbtacks to break water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Create edible Sweet Crystals from a saturated sugar solution. Or construct your own Three-Penny Battery from galvanized washers, pennies, vinegar, and scrap cardboard.

Here are more than 50 great hands-on experiments that can be performed for just pennies . . . or less. Each project has a materials list, detailed step-by-step instructions with illustrations, and a brief explanation of the scientific principle being demonstrated—atoms, compounds, solutions, mixtures, reactions, thermodynamics, acids and bases, and more.