How to Make a DIY Science Kit Birthday Gift
Learn how to make a DIY science kit that’s perfect for a birthday gift. The science kit is made with supplies you can pick up at the local store. It includes materials for at least 5 different science experiments. I get commissions for purchases made through the affiliate links in this post.
How to Make a DIY Science Kit Birthday Present
I recently put together a DIY science kit for one of Aiden’s friends as a birthday present. He and Aiden have fun doing science activities together so I thought he would enjoy having his own supplies.
Materials Needed for a DIY Science Kit
- baking soda
- vinegar
- corn starch
- soda (any soda should work, I used a 20 oz. to keep the weight down)
- Nerds candy (or Pop Rocks or Mentos)
- Skittles (or M&M’s)
- Washable liquid water colors (or food coloring – but it can stain)
- Elmer’s glue (white or clear)
- Elmer’s glue (special glue like color changing, glow in the dark, glitter, metallic, or colored)
- saline solution (comes in a package of 2)
- Crayola Model Magic clay (optional)
- measuring cups/spoons
- cups
- bowl
- craft sticks or spoons for stirring
Science Experiments Included in the DIY Science Kit
I included instructions for 5 different science experiments with the science kit. I actually made the slime for the birthday kid (that way his mom didn’t have to mess with it). I’ll include links and instructions for the science experiments and slime below.
Buy experiment cards to print out and include with your gift. The pdf includes 16 experiment cards with supplies and instructions for each experiment.
I put all of the supplies in a large plastic bowl that I picked up at Walmart for under a $1.
Baking Soda and Vinegar Experiment
Add a tablespoon of baking soda to a cup of vinegar with a squirt of dish soap and a splash of liquid watercolor.
Learn more about the baking soda and vinegar reaction here.
Corn Starch and Water Exploration
Add a ½ cup of water and a splash of liquid watercolor to a cup of corn starch to make squishy oobleck. Add more water or corn starch as needed.
Learn more about making oobleck along with different recipes and play ideas.
Nerds and Soda Experiment
Drop a handful of Nerds into the bottle of soda and watch it fizz. Or pour soda into cup and add Nerds to see what happens.
I’ll be adding a demo of this one to the blog soon. In the mean time, watch my Instagram video below. (A lot of the candy missed the soda, but you get the idea.)
View this post on Instagram
Instead of Nerds, you could make a Pop Rocks volcano using soda and Pop Rocks or you could make a Mentos geyser with Mentos and soda.
Skittles and Water Exploration
Place skittles in circle on the outer edge of a plate. Pour water into the middle of the plate until the water just touches the bottom of the Skittles. The color from the Skittles will spread throughout the plate. (This also works with M&M’s.)
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Slime Making
We love making slime. Aiden’s friend is a huge slime fan, too. I whipped up a batch of our 2 ingredient liquid starch slime using white glue, liquid starch, blue liquid water color, and water. Once the slime was perfect, I kneaded in half a package of Crayola Model Magic. This changes the consistency of the slime and makes it extra special.
Make a batch of your favorite slime to add to the science kit. I placed the slime in a plastic container for safe keeping. You could also use a plastic storage bag.
If you choose to include the slime ingredients instead of making slime, decide what kind of slime you want to be made and include the right ingredients. I think it’s fun to use one of the specialty glues Elmer’s makes. They have a variety to choose from. Check out their color changing, glow in the dark, glitter, or colored types of glue.
Here are some of our favorite slime recipes:
- Silver and Gold Saline Solution Slime (you can use any type of the specialty glue)
- Glow in the Dark Slime
- Space Slime
- Glitter Slime for Valentine’s Day
- Super Simple Halloween Slime
Buy Experiment Cards
Buy experiment cards to print out and include with your gift. The pdf includes 16 experiment cards with supplies and instructions for each experiment.
More DIY Science Kit Ideas
- Science Sparks shows you how to make your own science kit. It includes supplies for 5 different investigations.
- This Science Kit for Kids from Mama Papa Bubba includes The Curious Kids’ Science Book.
- The DIY Home Science Kit for Kids from Playdough to Plato includes materials mostly from the dollar store and she also has printable experiment cards.
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