Simple Science Experiments Inspired by Fairy Tales for Children's Entertainment

Simple Science Experiments Inspired by Fairy Tales for Children's Entertainment

Discover a world of learning and fun as we delve into the enchanting realm of traditional tales, transformed into engaging STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities for children. Here's a roundup of some captivating and educational activities that will captivate young minds, all while teaching them valuable scientific concepts.

One popular activity involves growing a bean in a jar to learn about the conditions needed for germination. This simple experiment serves as an introduction to the scientific process, demonstrating the power of nurture and patience.

For those with a flair for construction, try building a bridge for the troll using different materials such as paper, lolly sticks, and thick cardboard. This project encourages problem-solving and creativity, as children test the strength and durability of their creations.

The Little Mermaid comes to life in an activity that tests different types of icing to see which sticks a gingerbread house together the best. This engaging experiment introduces children to the concept of materials and their properties, while also allowing them to explore their artistic side.

Maps, problem-solving, and imaginative play are at the heart of a scene designed for younger children to work through. This activity encourages critical thinking and spatial awareness, as children navigate their way through a fun and interactive landscape.

For a sweet and educational twist, build a house for the three little pigs using sweets and straws to test which sweets work the best. This experiment provides a hands-on approach to understanding materials and their properties, as children observe how different materials react to various forces.

Inspire imaginative play with a story box for Little Red Riding Hood. This open-ended activity allows children to create their own adventures, fostering creativity and storytelling skills.

Symmetry takes centre stage in a fun activity to draw a symmetrical dwarf. This activity introduces children to the concept of symmetry and patterns, encouraging them to think logically and creatively.

Red Ted Art offers a three little pigs craft activity where children can try to make the house from different materials to see which is the most stable. This hands-on experiment encourages children to test and evaluate different materials, fostering a deeper understanding of their properties.

For older children, monitoring heat loss from different-sized bowls of porridge over time can be done using a food thermometer. This experiment introduces children to the concept of insulation and heat transfer, providing a foundation for understanding more complex scientific principles.

The Princess and the Pea activities involve making a mattress with different materials so the Princess can't feel the pea. This experiment provides a fun and interactive way to explore the concept of sensitivity and the properties of different materials.

A waterproof experiment variation is available for those seeking a unique twist. Instead of spraying with water, children blow with a straw to test the waterproof qualities of their creations.

The Three Little Pigs science experiments involve testing a stick, straw, and brick roof to see which is the most windproof, using a squeezy bottle to simulate wind. This engaging experiment introduces children to the concepts of aerodynamics and wind resistance, providing a hands-on approach to understanding these complex principles.

A beanstalk can be grown and measured using cardboard tubes or other recycled materials. This experiment encourages children to observe and record growth patterns, fostering an understanding of the life cycle of plants.

The Artful Parent offers a melted bead fairy wand activity to learn about state changes. This engaging activity introduces children to the concept of melting and solidifying, providing a fun and interactive way to explore the properties of materials.

Cinderella activities include weighing and measuring pumpkins, playing an ordering game with shoes, building a new carriage for Cinderella using a balloon as a pumpkin, and sorting toys based on their material. These activities provide a hands-on approach to understanding measurement, ordering, and the properties of materials.

A raft for the Billy Goats Gruff was made using lolly sticks and corks to test its ability to support PlayMobil goats without sinking. This experiment encourages children to test and evaluate different materials, fostering a deeper understanding of their properties.

Jack and the Beanstalk science experiments involve building a zip wire to help Jack travel down the beanstalk, with an investigation into how gradient affects speed. This engaging experiment introduces children to the concepts of gravity, friction, and speed, providing a hands-on approach to understanding these complex principles.

Ideas for fairy tale activities include making a pulley for Rapunzel, writing secret messages for Hansel and Gretel using lemon juice or white crayon, melting gingerbread men, testing the strength of a gingerbread man, creating princess and witchy potions, building Jack's parachute, and building a strong beanstalk. These activities provide a wealth of opportunities for children to explore various scientific concepts in a fun and engaging way.

Hansel and Gretel activities involve building a house made from sweets or chocolate to find out which type of sweet gives the most stable shape. This experiment encourages children to test and evaluate different materials, fostering a deeper understanding of their properties.

For those seeking free printable instruction sheets for traditional fairy tale STEM experiments, look no further. Pinterest offers Fairy Tale STEM activities with free printable instructions, ideal for occasions like World Book Day and British Science Week. TeachEngineering also provides a specific activity called Fairy Tale Engineering: How to Survive the Huff and Puff, where students engage with The Three Little Pigs story through engineering design and testing.

In conclusion, this collection of fairy tale science experiments offers a wealth of opportunities for children to learn while having fun. From growing a beanstalk to building a house for the three little pigs, these activities provide a hands-on approach to understanding a variety of scientific concepts. For a comprehensive guide to these activities, be sure to check out the resources provided, ensuring a successful and enjoyable learning experience for all.

This article was last updated on July 11, 2025, by Emma Vanstone.

[1] Rock Your Homeschool (2021). Free Fairy Tale Playdough Mats. Retrieved from https://rockyourhomeschool.com/free-fairy-tale-playdough-mats/

[2] Pinterest (2021). Fairy Tale STEM activities with free printable instructions. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/621758063764656515/

[3] Little Owls Resources (n.d.). Free traditional fairy tale printables. Retrieved from https://www.littleowlsresources.com/free-traditional-fairy-tale-printables/

[4] TeachEngineering (n.d.). Fairy Tale Engineering: How to Survive the Huff and Puff. Retrieved from https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_wind_tale3_activity1

[5] Red Ted Art (n.d.). Three Little Pigs Craft Activity. Retrieved from https://www.redtedart.com/three-little-pigs-craft-activity/

1. Children can learn about germination by growing a bean in a jar, introducing them to the scientific process in a simple and engaging way.
2. Building a bridge for the troll using various materials encourages problem-solving and creativity, while also teaching children about the properties of materials.
3. The Little Mermaid-inspired icing experiment helps kids understand materials and their properties, as they test different types of icing to see which is best for sticking a gingerbread house together.
4. A constructive activity for younger kids involves navigating a fun and interactive landscape using maps, promoting critical thinking and spatial awareness.
5. A 'Three Little Pigs' experiment allows children to test different materials to see which is the most stable, encouraging them to test and evaluate materials and their properties.
6. For a hands-on learning experience, kids can monitor heat loss from different-sized bowls of porridge over time using a food thermometer, introducing them to insulation and heat transfer concepts.

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