scientific method food experiments

Top 50 Fun Food Science Experiments

Welcome to our carefully curated compilation of the top 50 food science experiments especially created for curious students and budding young scientists.

Are you ready to embark on a mouth-watering journey where science meets deliciousness? We’ve handpicked a collection of fascinating experiments that will tickle your taste buds and ignite your curiosity.

Edible Food Science Experiments

Edible food science experiments offer a delicious and engaging way for students and teachers to explore scientific principles in a hands-on and memorable manner.

By combining the fascinating world of food with the principles of chemistry, biology, and physics, these experiments provide a unique avenue for learning.

1. Magical Color Changing Unicorn Noodles

Get ready to enter a world of whimsy and enchantment with this captivating food science experiment: “Magical Color Changing Unicorn Noodles!”.

Learn more: Magical Color-Changing Unicorn Noodles

2. Glow in the Dark Jello

Prepare to be amazed and mesmerized by the enchanting world of “Glow in the Dark Jello!” Calling all curious minds and lovers of luminescence, this food science experiment will take you on a journey into the realm of bioluminescence and chemistry.

Learn more: Glow in the Dark Jello

3. DIY Soil Layers

Get ready to dig deep into the fascinating world of soil science with this captivating food science experiment: “DIY Soil Layers.”

This hands-on project will take you on a journey of exploration as you unravel the intricate layers that make up the foundation of our planet’s biodiversity.

4. Solar Oven

By building and using a solar oven, students will unlock the secrets of heat transfer, insulation, and sustainability. Witness the incredible transformation of sunlight into cooking power as you prepare delicious snacks with the sun’s energy.

Learn more: Solar Oven ]

5. Oreo Moon phase

This experiment not only offers a delightful treat for your taste buds but also introduces you to the fascinating study of astronomy and celestial phenomena.

6. Lava Toffee

Get ready to ignite your taste buds and witness a molten spectacle with this thrilling food science experiment: “Lava Toffee!”.

Calling all daring confectionery explorers and lovers of sweet surprises, this hands-on experience offers a fusion of culinary creativity and scientific discovery.

7. Fizzy Lemonade

This experiment is your ticket to becoming a beverage alchemist as you explore the science behind creating the ultimate fizzy lemonade.

8. DIY Home-made Ice Cream in a Bag

“Homemade DIY Ice Cream in a Bag!” Calling all students with a passion for dessert and a curiosity for science, this is an experiment you won’t want to miss.

9. Turn Milk into Cheese

“Turn Milk into Cheese!” If you’ve ever wondered how that creamy goodness makes its way from the farm to your plate, this is your chance to unlock the secrets of cheese making.

Learn more: Turn Milk into Cheese

10. Bread in a Bag

This experiment not only allows you to explore the science behind bread fermentation and yeast activation but also provides an opportunity to develop essential kitchen skills and creativity.

11. Edible Water Bottle

This experiment not only provides a practical solution to the global plastic pollution problem but also introduces you to the principles of food science and sustainable packaging.

12. Home-made Butter

Prepare to be amazed as you transform a simple ingredient into a creamy, spreadable delight right in the comfort of your own kitchen.

By participating in this experiment, students will not only discover the mesmerizing process of butter making, but also gain a deeper understanding of the science behind it.

13. Rock Candy Geodes

This experiment offers a delectable treat for your taste buds and introduces you to the fascinating world of minerals and crystal formation.

14. Make a Fizzy Sherbet

Get ready for a fizzy and flavorful explosion with this exciting food science experiment: “Fizzy Sherbet!” Calling all taste adventurers and fizz enthusiasts, this experiment is sure to tickle your taste buds and ignite your curiosity.

Learn more: Make a Fizzy Sherbet

15. Meringue Towers

This experiment not only allows you to explore the science behind meringue’s unique texture and stability but also provides an opportunity to develop your creativity and precision in the kitchen.

Learn more: Meringue Towers

16. Mug Cake

Students, this is your chance to dive into the fascinating world of culinary chemistry as you explore the principles of ingredient ratios, microwave heat transfer, and the science behind cake rising.

Learn more: Magic Mug Cake

17. Apple Experiment

This experiment not only stimulates your senses but also encourages critical thinking, data analysis, and creativity. So, grab your lab coats, sharpen your taste buds, and let the apple experiment take you on a journey of scientific discovery.

18. Grape Molecule

This hands-on experience not only allows you to engage with the principles of chemistry and molecular structure but also stimulates your creativity as you craft your own grape molecule masterpiece.

Learn more: Grape Molecule

19. Kitchen Chemistry

Get ready to mix, bake, and discover the magic of chemistry in the kitchen with this exciting The Kitchen Chemistry Cake Experiment!.

Calling all aspiring bakers and science enthusiasts, this hands-on experience offers a delectable blend of culinary art and scientific exploration.

Learn more: Cake Experiment

20. Sugar on Snow

This experiment not only offers a delicious sensory experience but also teaches you about the principles of heat transfer and phase changes.

21. Fibonacci Lemonade

As you pour and observe the layers of the Fibonacci Lemonade forming, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the harmonious relationship between science and art.

Learn more: Fibonacci Lemonade

22. Edible Glass

By combining simple ingredients and a touch of creativity, you’ll transform ordinary kitchen materials into a stunning and edible glass-like creation.

Learn more: Edible Glass

23. Edible Igneous Rocks Experiment

As you shape and mold the ingredients into rock-like structures, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the volcanic processes that shape our planet. So, grab your materials, don your lab coat, and let’s embark on this delectable geological adventure.

Non-Edible Food Science Experiments

Prepare for a non-edible food science adventure that will ignite your curiosity and challenge your scientific prowess! These experiments will unlock the secrets of chemical reactions, physical properties, and the wonders of scientific exploration.

24. Magnetic Cereal

Prepare to be magnetized by the captivating world of “Magnetic Cereal!” This fascinating food science experiment will take you on a journey of discovery as you explore the hidden magnetic properties of your favorite breakfast cereal.

Learn more: Magnetic Cereal

25. Lemon and Battery

As you observe the lemon-powered circuit in action, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the science behind electrical conductivity and the role of acids in generating power.

Learn more: Lemon and Battery

26. Milk Swirl Experiment

Prepare to be mesmerized by the enchanting “Milk Swirl Experiment.” This captivating food science exploration will take you on a journey through the mysterious world of surface tension and molecular movement.

Learn more: Milk Swirl Experiment

27. Bouncy Egg

Get ready for an egg-citing and egg-ceptional food science experiment: “Bouncy Egg!” Prepare to witness the incredible transformation of a fragile egg into a resilient and bouncy marvel.

Learn more: Bouncy Egg

28. Extracting Strawberry DNA

Through this hands-on exploration, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the structure and function of DNA, as well as the importance of DNA in all living organisms.

29. Lemon Volcano Experiment

Calling all budding scientists and lovers of all things sour, this lemon volcano experiment is sure to leave you awestruck.

Learn more: Lemon Volcano Experiment

30. Electric Cornstarch

As you observe the cornstarch mixture respond to the electric current, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the properties of matter and the interactions between electricity and materials.

31. Pop Rock Science

This hands-on experience not only offers a delightful sensory experience but also allows you to explore the principles of gas production, pressure, and the science of effervescence.

Learn more: Pop Rock Science

32. Frost in a Can

By using simple household materials, you’ll create your very own mini frost chamber that will transform warm air into a breathtaking display of frost.

33. Hopping Corn

Get ready to witness a popping and colorful spectacle with this captivating Hopping Corn experiment. This hands-on experience combines the excitement of popcorn popping with a twist of chemical reaction.

Learn more: Hopping Corn

34. Digestive System Experiment

Using a plastic bag filled with water, bread, and calamansi juice, you’ll witness firsthand how our bodies break down and extract nutrients from our food.

This experiment visually represents the digestive process and introduces you to our digestive system’s intricate workings.

Candy Science Experiments

Sweeten your curiosity and unleash your inner scientist with the thrilling world of Candy Science! Brace yourself for an explosion of flavors, colors, and mind-bending experiments that will leave you craving for more.

35. Skittles Rainbow

Prepare to unlock the secrets behind the mesmerizing phenomenon of color diffusion as you witness the magic of Skittles turning water into a vibrant rainbow.

Learn more: Skittles Science Fair Project

36. Home-made Fruit Gummies

By combining fresh fruit juices, gelatin, and a touch of sweetness, you’ll create your mouthwatering gummy treats bursting with fruity flavors.

This experiment not only allows you to customize your gummies with your favorite fruits but also allows you to understand the principles of gelatinization, texture formation, and the chemistry behind gummy candies.

Learn more: Home-made Fruit Gummies

37. Candy DNA Model

Get ready to unlock the sweet secrets of life with this fascinating Candy DNA Model food science experiment. This experiment offers a delicious and hands-on approach to understanding the fundamental structure of DNA.

Learn more: Candy DNA Model

38. Gummy Bear Science

This experiment is a sweet and chewy opportunity to uncover the fascinating world of polymer chemistry and osmosis.

By immersing these beloved gummy treats in different solutions, you’ll witness the mesmerizing process of gummy bear growth and shrinkage as they absorb or release water.

Learn more: Gummy Bear Science

39. Candy Camouflage

In this exciting activity, your favorite M&M candy colors represent different predators in a simulated ecosystem. Your task is to pick the right candy color that will allow you to survive and thrive.

40. How to Make Sedimentary Rocks

This experiment not only provides a creative outlet for your imagination but also introduces you to the fundamental principles of geology and rock formation.

41. Home-made Fluffy Marshmallow

Grab your mixing bowls, roll up your sleeves, and let’s dive into the world of homemade fluffy marshmallows. Join us on this marshmallow-filled adventure and let your taste buds soar to sugary heights

Learn more: Home-made Fluffy Marshmallows

42. Making Lollipops

This experiment not only allows you to explore the principles of sugar crystallization, temperature control, and the art of candy making but also encourages imagination and sensory exploration.

Learn more: Making Lollipops

43. Candy Chromatography

Get ready to unravel the colorful secrets of candy with this captivating Candy Chromatography experiment. This experiment will take you on a journey into the fascinating world of chromatography.

Learn more: Candy Chromatography

44. Dancing Worms

As you observe the worms twist, turn, and wiggle in response to their environment, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how living organisms interact with their surroundings.

Learn more: Dancing Worms

45. Candy Atom Models

This hands-on experience offers a unique opportunity to explore the building blocks of matter in a fun and tasty way.

By using a variety of candies as representations of atoms, you’ll construct colorful and edible models that bring chemistry to life.

Learn more: Candy Atom Models

46. Kool Aid Rock Candy

Join us on this delicious and educational adventure, and let your taste buds and curiosity be delighted by the crystalline wonders of science. Get ready to taste the magic and witness the sweet transformation of sugar into dazzling rock candy crystals!

47. Starburst Rock Cycle

This hands-on experience offers a unique and mouthwatering way to explore the processes that shape our planet.

Learn more: Starburst Rock Cycle

48. Toothpick Bridge

By engaging in this activity, students can gain valuable insights into the principles of structural engineering, including load distribution, stability, and balance.

Learn more: Toothpick Bridge

49. Candy Potions

Get ready to mix magic and science with the captivating world of candy potions! This delightful food science experiment allows students to explore the wonders of chemical reactions while having a sweet and colorful adventure.

Learn more: Candy Potions

50. Dissolving Candy Canes

Get ready to explore the fascinating world of candy chemistry with the mesmerizing experiment of dissolving candy canes! This simple yet captivating food science experiment allows students to learn about the concepts of solubility and dissolution.

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These 33 Edible Science Projects Are Educational and Yummy, Too

Have your science experiments, and eat them too!

Kitchen and food science are very popular these days, but not every experiment is fit to eat when you’re done. Fortunately, we’ve put together a menu of edible science activities you’ll be happy to snack on! Most of them are easy enough for anyone to tackle and can be completed with items you already have on hand. Bon appétit!

1. DIY Gummy Bears

Students will be so excited to learn how much edible science they can do with one of their favorite candies! First, explore chemical change and protein chains by making your own gummy bears. Then, use the sweet treats for an osmosis experiment.

Learn more: Gummy Bears/Little Bins for Little Hands

2. Layered Lemonade

Use the Fibonacci Sequence to layer different proportions of simple syrup and lemon juice (tinted with food coloring) to create a rainbow-colored drink. The varying densities of the solutions create the layers. Don’t forget to drink the delectable results!

 Learn more: Andrea Hawksley

3. Glow In The Dark Jell-O

Add quinine to Jell-O, and you get a totally cool fluorescent snack! Learn about light wavelengths and UV light.

Learn more: Instructables

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4. Candy Crystals

This is the classic edible science candy experiment! Make a supersaturated sugar solution and then allow it to crystallize around wooden sticks pre-seeded with granulated sugar. The process takes about a week.

Learn more:  The Kitchen Pantry Scientist

5. Grape Molecules

We’ve seen this edible science activity done with gumdrops, but we really like the healthy twist of using grapes instead. Use other round fruits for more color.

Learn more: Parties With a Cause

6. Fizzy Lemonade

Mix acidic lemon juice with basic baking soda and watch the chemical reaction, which produces carbonation. Add a little sugar, and students can drink the chemical reaction!

Learn more:  Learn with Play at Home

7. Cupcake Core Samples

Kids will feel like real scientists when they use a drinking straw to take a core sample from a cupcake. Bake the cake in layers to represent Earth’s layers to tie this into a geology lesson.

Learn more: 123Homeschool4Me

8. Edible Mars Rover

Learn about the conditions on Mars and the tasks the Mars Rover will need to complete. Then, give kids supplies to build their own. (Add to the challenge by making them “buy” the supplies and stick to a budget, just like NASA!).

Learn more: Library Makers

9. Curds and Whey

Little Miss Muffet sat on her tuffet, eating an edible science experiment! Use the science behind PH, proteins, and colloids to separate milk into curds and whey. Then turn the curds into cheese for a snack.

Learn more: Curds and Whey/Go Science Kids

10. Oreo Moon Phases

Use the chart (click below for the full image in a printable PDF) to create and discuss the different moon phases using Oreo cookies. Of course, you’ll have to eat some of that delicious filling to make some phases!

Learn more:  Optics Central

11. Candy DNA Model

Use toothpicks and candy (or fruit, for a healthier option) to build a DNA model. Color code the candies to represent the four chemicals that make up DNA code and snack on them as you discuss the purpose of each.

Learn more:  WikiHow

12. Starburst Rock Science

Use Starburst candies to explore the ways pressure and heat form different types of rock. (You’ll need a heat source, like a toaster oven.) Who knew geology could be so sweet?

Learn more:  Lemon Lime Adventures

13. Edible Water Bottle

You’ll need some special chemicals, which are readily available online, for this edible science experiment. Follow the directions at the link below to create waste-free water “bottles,” and learn all about spherification.

Learn more:  Inhabit

14. Butter Emulsification

Want a delicious way to learn about emulsification? Shake heavy cream in a mason jar until the butter fats separate from the liquids. It’s really that easy—and yummy!

Learn more: Butter Emulsification/Science Buddies

15. Baked Potato Science

This edible science project is a nutritious way to explore the scientific method in action. Experiment with a variety of methods for baking potatoes—microwaving, using a traditional oven, wrapping them in foil, using baking pins, etc.—testing hypotheses to discover which works best.

Learn more: Potato Science/Left Brain Craft Brain

16. Edible Soil Layers

Layer a variety of foods to represent the soil layers, from bedrock on up. If candy doesn’t fit your school’s nutritional guidelines, use fruits, yogurt, granola, and other healthy options. Either way, the results are scrumptious!

Learn more:  Super Teacher Blog

17. Jell-O and Enzymes

Make Jell-O using raw pineapple, cooked pineapple, and strawberries to see whether the Jell-O sets properly. (You’ll need a heat source and a refrigerator for this edible science experiment.) Students can eat the results as you talk about the ways different enzymes affect chemical reactions.

Learn more:  The Chaos and the Clutter

18. Taste vs. Smell

Have students taste a slice of apple and then again while sniffing a cotton ball soaked in vanilla. Did the smell of vanilla overpower the taste of the apple? Students can finish their apples as you discuss how taste and smell work together.

Learn more:  Education.com

19. Edible Cell Model

Use candies or fruits and nuts to represent the different parts of a cell. Kids can nibble as you discuss each item’s purpose and functions. You can also try this with pizza.

Learn more:  Lessons With Laughter/Instagram

20. Solar Oven S’mores

This edible science project is a science fair classic! Follow the instructions at the link below to turn a pizza box, aluminum foil, and other basic supplies into a solar-powered oven to cook s’mores or other yummy treats.

Learn more:  Desert Chica

21. Sink or Swim Oranges

Place peeled and unpeeled oranges in a container of water to see which ones float and which ones sink. After you discuss the principles of buoyancy, have a healthy snack with your students.

Learn more:  Playdough to Plato

22. Jell-O Turbulence

Suspend a (well-cleaned) toy plane in Jell-O (instructions at the link below), then poke and jiggle it to simulate air turbulence. Discuss how layers of air can support a plane, even though you can’t see them.

Learn more:  Kids Activities Blog

23. Apple Reactions

Slice an apple and note how it turns brown over time. Experiment with a variety of liquid solutions, including lemon juice, to see which, if any, slow the process. Discuss why or why not, exploring the concept of chemical reactions.

Learn more: Apple Reactions/Teach Beside Me

24. Bread Biology

Bake a simple loaf of bread from scratch, using yeast. Watch the reaction of the yeast with water and sugar, then knead the dough to create the gluten the bread needs to support the rise. (You’ll need an oven to bake the bread to finish this edible science experiment.)

Learn more: Bread Biology/Left Brain Craft Brain

25. Sourdough Science

Yeast makes bread rise, but you don’t have to buy it at the store. Make a sourdough starter using flour and water and watch wild yeast grow and multiply before your eyes. After a week or so, use the sourdough starter to make a savory loaf of bread.

Learn more:  King Arthur Flour

26. Sugar Glass

Simulate the way silicon dioxide (sand) is turned into glass but at much more manageable temperatures. Heat sugar until it melts, then cool it to form “glass.” Students can snack on the creation while discussing how amorphous solids are formed.

Learn more: Sugar Glass/Go Science Kids

27. Edible Atoms

Get the free printable worksheet at the link below, then use two colors of mini marshmallows to represent protons and neutrons and chocolate chips for electrons. (Need a healthier option? Try red and green grapes for protons and pumpkin seeds for electrons.)

Learn more:  Preschool Powol Packets

28. Cake Reactions

Discover the purpose of various baking ingredients by leaving them out of each recipe. Have students predict what might happen and taste the results! (You’ll need an oven for this edible science experiment.)

Learn more: Cake Reactions/Teach Beside Me

29. Centripetal Force Jell-O

Create test force chambers using a plastic cup, Jell-O, and marbles (get full instructions at the link below). Spin the cup to see how centripetal force moves the marble inside the Jell-O.

Learn more: Centripetal Force Jell-O/Science Buddies

30. Raisin Dehydration

Have students dry grapes in the sun over a period of days to see them turn into raisins! Talk about the process of dehydration as a method of preserving food.

Learn more:  Learn Play Imagine

31. Gumdrop Bridges

Use toothpicks and gumdrops to construct a bridge. Test it to see if it will bear weight, then challenge students to build the strongest bridge with the fewest materials. (Let them eat the gumdrops they don’t use!)

Learn more:  Little Bins for Little Hands

32. Popcorn Pressure

Calculate the internal pressure needed for popcorn to pop (see the link below for formulas). Then pop the carefully measured corn using the procedure at the link, and check your calculations.

Learn more: Carolina Biological

33. Edible Petri Dishes

Create models in Petri dishes using Jell-O and candies to represent a variety of bacteria, as seen under a microscope. (Get examples at the link below.) Disgustingly delicious!

Learn more: STEAMsational

Love these edible science activities? Here are more Easy Science Experiments Using Materials You Already Have On Hand .

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11+ Edible Science Experiments: Food STEM Activities for Kids

By: Author Hess UnAcademy Team

Posted on Last updated: December 4, 2023

This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

I’ve yet to meet a kid who doesn’t enjoy eating. I myself LOVE eating so of course any excuse to enjoy a treat in our daily lessons is a win in my book. That’s why we’ve put such a strong focus on fun edible science experiments and edible STEM activities over the last year.

Of course, your STEAM activities don’t need to be edible to be a ton of fun. But food STEM activities are just a super awesome bonus. After all, who doesn’t like science experiments you can eat?!

In the guide below, we’ve put together some of our absolute favorite edible science experiments you can add to your list of STEM activities to do with your kids. We’ve been using many of these for years, so we know you’re going to love them. And keep an eye out for new ones added to the list!

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The Best Way to Plan Edible STEM Activities for Homeschool

Kiwico Yummy Crate

The Yummy Crate from KiwiCo will teach your kids the science of cooking with a new activity each month. They'll learn biology and chemistry in the kitchen while preparing tasty treats and engaging in engaging food-related activities. 

When it comes to preparing food STEM activities for your kids, you might feel a little overwhelmed. Not only do you have to find good ideas, but then you need to make sure you’re prepared with clear instructions, ingredient lists, etc.

That’s why we recommend the Yummy Crate from KiwiCo . When you sign up, your kids will receive a box every month with a new food STEM activity. Each crate includes:

• 2-3 recipes that teach the science of cooking along with useful kitchen skills
• STEAM activities that allow your children to experiment with kitchen tools and engage in hands-on projects
• Yummy Zine Magazine focused on the science and history around food
• A shopping list to make things as easy as possible

Make finding edible STEM activities as easy as possible – check out the Yummy Crate by KiwiCo here! You can also learn more about KiwiCo in our writeup here.

Get a Bonus Free STEM Project Sent to Your Inbox

Want a free STEM project to do with your kids? Click the button below to sign up to have an exclusive project guide sent to you so you can see exactly what to expect from our popular STEM Made Easy Digital Subscription.

Or read more about the other  STEM Made Easy Digital Subscription here.  Each month includes 5 STEM project guides along with step-by-step instructions, worksheets, and extra learning resources to make STEM fun and engaging for kids ages 3-19.

Top 11 Edible Science Projects and Experiments

These top 11 edible science experiments have all been enjoyed in our homeschool over the last few months. Click on one to learn more about it! Many of them even include free printable worksheets or lesson plans if you click through.

Tin Can Ice Cream

When you homeschool, ice cream is no longer just a summer afternoon treat. Now you can learn about physical reactions with your very own homemade ice cream activity!

Using a simple tin can and a water bottle, your kids will learn about heat transfer and how salt turns your creamy concoction into a frozen treat, all while getting some physical energy out!

Or you can do the same experiment using baggies instead of tin cans. The choice is your and the instructions are all here in the tin can ice cream STEM activity . Kids of all ages will love this activity. When you’re done, try experimenting with homemade sherbet. Enjoy this yummy treat all year long!

Edible Slime

While slime is typically considered to be a sensory activity for preschoolers, older kids can learn a lot about Non-Newtonian fluids with slime, and of course, there is always the scientific method. And it makes for a great slime science project .

Especially when using an edible slime recipe, kids can test and experiment with various ingredients to see what works, what doesn’t, and how each ingredient reacts. If your experiment wasn’t a bust, you have a fun and delicious activity to enjoy for an even longer amount of time.

You can make edible slime out of marshmallows, starbursts, gummy bears, candy corn, and so much more. Learn the food science behind these everyday treats. Can your kiddos make slime out of an Oreo? You won’t know until you try!

Enjoy this fun edible science experiment and try some edible slime today.

Edible Stained Glass

While most STEAM activities involve mostly science, math, engineering, etc, this edible stained glass activity turns the art up a few notches. Learn about how stained glass works and try your hand at your own edible glass using homemade candies or by melting jolly ranchers.

When you’re done, learn a little about famous historical stained glass pieces and the artists behind them. Now try and duplicate a famous work of art in your kitchen. Edible stained glass is an awesome edible STEAM activity that ends in a yummy treat!

Edible DNA Model

What better way to learn about the complexities of sciences than with an edible DNA model? Using delicious candies, your kids can build their own candy DNA model while learning about the basics of DNA structures and genetic codes. This is one of the simplest edible science experiments out there, but it offers a ton of educational value.

Use the free printable DNA worksheet to take the learning even further. Go get the step-by-step tutorial for learning with an edible DNA model now!

Pop rocks are a fun way to bring edible fun into an earth science lesson. Make your own DIY pop rocks and learn about what happens when air pockets get trapped inside other materials.

This project is perfect for preschoolers and elementary students, but older students will enjoy it as well. Learn how to make homemade pop rocks an edible science experiment your kids will never forget.

Fizzy Lemonade

Fizzy lemonade is a simple science activity that teaches kids about acids and bases. Using a simple cup or a jar along with a few other basic ingredients, your kids can make their own edible explosion and watch the chemical reaction of solids and bases at work.

Knowing about acids and bases is an important lesson to teach and for so many reasons. Learn the basics as well as how to apply these concepts to your everyday life with this fizzy lemonade experiment.

The Science of Cookies

This is one of my absolute favorite edible science experiments. The science of cookies turns an everyday activity into a full-on kitchen science experiment, all with the scientific method.

Use a basic chocolate chip recipe as your starting point. Then, changing one variable at a time, manipulate things until you have learned what part each and every ingredient plays in the overall cookie recipe. Do you know how to make a cookie crispy or chewy? Do you know what melted butter vs softened butter does? Learn all of this and more with a science of cookies STEM activity .

Butter Churning

What can you learn from homemade butter? From the history of the Pilgrims or prairie pioneers to the science of fat molecules and how they react when manipulated, there is so much to be learned!

Of course you can’t forget the art of making a delicious treat. Go learn about using homemade butter as an edible STEM activity now.

Toothpick Bridges

Toothpick bridges are another example of fun kitchen science activities and edible STEM projects. You can build these bridges using toothpicks, spaghetti noodles, gumdrops, marshmallows, or whatever else you can think of.

Model your bridges after real-world designs and structures and learn about engineering, math, history, geography, and more, all at the same time. go read more about how we use toothpick bridges in our homeschool.

Gingerbread Structures

Gingerbread structures are not just for Christmas. You can enjoy the science, engineering, and math behind these fun activity all year long just by changing up the structure you are building!

Bring in some real-world history or architecture by making a famous monument or landmark. The scientific method comes into play again as you experiment with various materials and learn what works best together. Find out more about how we turned gingerbread nativities into a full-on educational adventure!

Homemade Rock Candy

Homemade rock candy is a traditional kitchen science experiment and a good way to enjoy yummy STEM fun with preschoolers, elementary students, middle school students, and even high schoolers.

The concept is simple. Kids learn how to make sugar crystals using a supersaturated solution made from sugar and water. They can experiment with variables and test how each variable affects the final product. And at the end, they get to eat! For extra learning fun , use this same concept to try your hand at rock candy geodes!

For more information on how to enjoy this edible STEM activity and make your own rock candy in your home, read this article on homemade rock candy science .

Safety Considerations with Edible STEM Activities

When conducting edible STEM activities, it is essential to prioritize safety to ensure a positive and secure learning experience. You should always have adult supervision when conducting experiments with children, especially if the experiment involves heat or sharp objects. It’s also a good idea to have a basic first aid kit on hand for minor injuries like cuts or burns. Make sure adults know how to use it.

Before you begin any experiment where there are potential hazards, explain the risks and hazards associated with the experiment in a way kids can understand. Encourage them to ask questions about safety.

Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is important. Participants should wash their hands thoroughly before handling food, and utensils, surfaces, and equipment should be cleaned properly to prevent cross-contamination and foodborne illnesses.

Consider any known allergies or dietary restrictions of the participants when planning your edible science experiments. Make sure to choose ingredients that are safe for all participants.

You also want to ensure that the ingredients used are safe for consumption and make appropriate substitutions when necessary. Only use food-grade ingredients that are safe for consumption. Check for expiration dates and quality of ingredients.

Use age-appropriate utensils and equipment. Avoid sharp objects and hot surfaces. If you need to use knives or other potentially dangerous tools when putting together these edible science experiments, do so under strict adult supervision.

Adult supervision is crucial, especially when working with heat sources, sharp utensils, or potentially hazardous ingredients with these edible experiments. Adults should oversee the entire activity and provide guidance to ensure safe practices.

By following safety guidelines and implementing appropriate precautions, children can enjoy edible STEM activities in a secure and controlled environment.

STEM Resources Delivered to Your Inbox Every Month

If you liked this edible STEM activity, you are going to love the STEM Made Easy Digital Subscription . Each month, you’ll receive 5 fully-planned STEM project guides along with worksheets and instructions for how to make them fun and engaging for kids ages 3-19. Check it out now !

Why Engage in Edible STEM Activities?

STEM and STEAM activities , whether they are edible or not, offer a ton of benefits , and it’s a good idea to regularly schedule them into your homeschool. (Use your own definitely of regular – ours is once or twice a week but once or twice a month or every single day are also appropriate, depending on your homeschool dynamics.

So Why STEAM? STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and technology. A good STEAM or STEM activity will include at least 2 or 3 of these aspects and a great one will include all five.

When you focus on these subjects in your homeschool, you are molding and developing your children into well-rounded, highly-educated, leaders of tomorrow. Kids who are interested in STEM grow up to be:

• Programmers
• Web Developers
• Business Leaders
• Computer Technicians
• Electricians
• Geographers
• Accountants
• Cartographers
• Psychologists
• Financial Analysts
• And more…

The jobs in STEM are numerous and kids are grow up focusing on these topics will have that much more of a head start in life.

So let’s get started with our collection of the best fun edible science experiments and food STEM activities on the internet. Enjoy!

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20 Edible Science Experiments You Can Really Eat

Science experiments you can actually eat! There’s nothing like a fun science experiment that includes eating! Whether it’s with your favorite candy, chemical reactions, or exploring the rock cycle, the science you can eat is tasty. That’s why we LOVE edible science experiments for kids this year. You’ll find many tasty or mostly tasty homemade science activities to tickle the senses. Kitchen science for the win!

Food Science Experiments You Can Eat

What do you think of when you think of edible science experiments.

I always think of…

• marshmallows
• butter or whipped cream
• the list goes on…

If you have kids who love to bake tasty treats in the kitchen, you have already introduced them to science they can eat!

You will LOVE the following edible science experiments we have already tested! Kids are naturally curious and love to help in the kitchen. We have everything from edible rocks to fizzy drinks and a few fun extras thrown in along the way.

Much edible science for kids includes chemistry, but you can also find edible science experiments in earth science, astronomy, and biology lessons!

Click here to get your FREE Edible Science Activities Pack

20 EDIBLE SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

PLEASE READ: This is a list of completely edible science experiments for kids! I recommend you consider some of the activities taste-safe, and those are noted. Just because something is edible does not mean it should be consumed in large quantities.

Looking for even more science experiments with candy? Check out our list of the best candy science experiments!

Watch the Video:

Edible Soil Erosion

Explore soil erosion and weathering with this complete edible cracker science demonstration.

BREAD IN A BAG

From toddlers to teenagers, everyone loves a fresh slice of homemade bread, and using a zip-top bag is perfect for tiny hands to help squish and knead.  Explore how yeast works in bread and share a delicious treat at the end with our easy bread in a bag recipe.

POPCORN IN A BAG

Popping corn is a real treat for the kiddos when it comes to movie night or in our house any morning, noon, or night! If I can add a bit of popcorn science into the mix, why not?

ICE CREAM IN A BAG

More fun with edible science when you make your own homemade ice cream in a bag . We love science you can eat; this ice cream is one of our favorites!

MAPLE SYRUP SNOW CANDY

Along with snow ice cream, this is a great edible science activity for the winter months. There’s even a bit of interesting science behind how this simple maple snow candy is made and how snow helps that process along.

SNOW ICE CREAM

This is another fun edible science experiment for the winter months.  Learn how to make ice cream out of snow with just three ingredients.

FIZZY LEMONADE

We love making volcanoes and exploring chemical reactions , but did you know you can drink this chemical reaction? Usually, we think of baking soda and vinegar for science experiments, but a few citrus fruits work well too.  Find out how to make fizzy lemonade.

Like our ice cream in a bag recipe, make edible science with this easy sorbet recipe.

You may never get to see a real double helix, but you can build your own candy DNA model instead. Learn about the nucleotides and backbones of a strand of DNA, and find out a little about DNA too with this edible science model. 

CANDY GEODES

If you have a rock hound as I do, these edible geodes are the perfect edible science project! Learn a little bit about how geodes form and use simple supplies to create your own edible masterpiece! 

EDIBLE PLATE TECTONICS MODEL

Learn about plate tectonics and how they cause earthquakes, volcanoes and even mountains to form. Make an easy and yummy plate tectonics model with frosting and cookies.

OREO MOON PHASES

Learn the phases of the moon with the best science material of all: Oreo cookies!

EDIBLE SUGAR CRYSTALS

We love growing all kinds of crystals and these sugar crystals are perfect for edible science. Similar to rock candy, this gorgeous and edible crystal formation starts with just a little seed!

EDIBLE SLIME

We have a variety of homemade and taste-safe slime recipes for you to try! Our favorites include Gummy Bear slime and Marshmallow slime , but we have a nice variety of textures and supplies.

These edible slimes are all borax-free too! Perfect for kids who like to taste-test their projects. Read more…

EDIBLE ENGINEERING CHALLENGES

We call this snack-time engineering! Design and build your own structures with a variety of snack items. Eat as you create!

EDIBLE BUTTERFLY LIFE CYCLE

Put your leftover candy to good use and have the kids create and design their own unique butterfly life cycle set up for a fun edible science project! Explore the stages of a butterfly by sculpting it out of candy!

MAKING BUTTER

Now, this is yummy science you can really eat! You could even bake a loaf of bread for quick science with yeast and add homemade butter to it! The kids will need their muscles for this one but the results are worth it. Read more…

CREEPY GELATIN EXPERIMENT

We love a bit of gross science, so making a heart out of gelatin is really as creepy as it gets! Although we set this up for Halloween science, you can make all sorts of gelatin molds for the kids to explore and even taste (if they dare). Read more…

FAKE SNOT SLIME

You can’t have a list of edible science experiments without mentioning fake snot! Another gross, creepy science activity that my kiddo loves is making fake snot. Read more…

POP ROCKS AND THE 5 SENSES

Pop rocks are such a fun candy and we found them perfect for exploring the 5 senses too! Grab the FREE printable worksheet and a few packets of pop rocks. The kids won’t mind the extra work at all. Read more…

APPLE 5 SENSES PROJECT

With all the variety of apples, how do you determine which is your favorite? You set up an apple taste test of course. Record your results and find out the winner among your family members or classroom kiddos. Additionally, set up a lemon juice test too. Read more…

SOLAR OVEN S’MORES

Of course, you will need to wait for the right temperature outside but nothing is tastier than this edible STEM challenge with marshmallows, chocolate, and grahams!

DIY HOMEMADE GUMMY BEARS

Food is a science, and there’s even a bit of sneaky science in this homemade gummy bear recipe !

KITCHEN SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

If you have kids who love experimenting with food, we also have a few cool kitchen science experiments that are NOT edible . Still, it’s loads of fun using common foods to learn about DNA and pH levels! Or try out a few chemical reactions!

• Explore Strawberry DNA
• Make Cabbage pH Indicator
• Erupting Lemon Volcanos
• Dancing Raisins
• Jell-O Slime
• Skittles Science

Printable Science Projects For Kids

If you’re looking to grab all of our printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets and bonuses like a STEAM Project pack, our Science Project Pack is what you need! Over 300+ Pages!

• 90+ classic science activities  with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information.  NEW! Activity-specific observation pages!
• Best science practices posters  and our original science method process folders for extra alternatives!
• Be a Collector activities pack  introduces kids to the world of making collections through the eyes of a scientist. What will they collect first?
• Know the Words Science vocabulary pack  includes flashcards, crosswords, and word searches that illuminate keywords in the experiments!
• My science journal writing prompts  explore what it means to be a scientist!!
• Bonus STEAM Project Pack:  Art meets science with doable projects!
• Bonus Quick Grab Packs for Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics

Subscribe to receive a free 5-Day STEM Challenge Guide

~ projects to try now ~.

15 Easy Kitchen Science Experiments (With Ingredients You Already Have)

Krystal DeVille

September 19, 2023

Kitchens aren’t just for parents and making meals!

Kids can use kitchen ingredients and tools to learn from kitchen science experiments. Check out the following ideas for fun kitchen science.

—–You can download our FREE ebook with 25 STEM Activities here——

Table of Contents

1. Rubber Egg Experiment

• White vinegar
• Glass or jar

Cover an egg in a container with vinegar to see the shell disappear and the resulting egg that feels like rubber. Children learn about the chemical reaction between the eggshell (calcium carbonate) and the vinegar (acetic acid). Bubbles on the egg and on top of the water are from carbon dioxide. 

2.  Shaking for Butter

• Heavy whipping cream
• Jar with lid
• Sealable plastic bags

Using heavy whipping cream at various temperatures, kids shake the cream in a jar to observe changes in color and texture. They learn about emulsification and the butter-making process of churning, in which cream is agitated and fat particles begin clumping together. They can see whipped cream form first, followed by butter, when the air is no longer held by the cream.

3.   Bread in a Bag

• Plain flour
• Granulated sugar
• Rapid rise yeast

Your children mix ingredients to make dough in the plastic bag, then knead the dough to bake. They discover how yeast is a dormant fungus that can be awakened with warm water and sugar as a food source for fermentation. Children also observe bubbles that form when the yeast eats the sugar and gives off carbon dioxide.

4. Growing Plants from Food Scraps

• Pineapple top
• Green onion white root sections
• Avocado pit
• Wide-mouthed, clear jars or glasses

Kids poke toothpicks into a pineapple top and avocado pit and prop over jars filled with water, while the white (root) ends of the onions are placed directly in water. They can see how roots grow on the pineapple and avocado and how the green ends of the onions poke from the top as the roots in the water continue to grow. 

5. Lemon Volcano

• Craft sticks
• Food coloring
• Baking soda

Your kids place cut lemons in the bowl with dish soap, food coloring, and baking soda poked in with craft sticks. They observe the reaction between the acid (lemon) and base (baking soda). Carbon dioxide is released and appears in the bubbles, made even more visible with the help of the dish soap that captures the gas.

6. Rock Candy

• Bamboo skewers or wooden sticks
• Large glass jar

Children squirt colors into the water you’ve heated and added sugar to melt. They roll moistened sticks in dry sugar to make the seed crystals, then place those in the jar of the cooled mixture. See how a saturated solution allows the sugar molecules to bump into each other and start sticking together.

7. Baked Potato Science

• Large potatoes
• Plastic wrap
• Baked potato pins

Kids predict which method of cooking a potato will be the fastest in the regular oven: plain potato, in foil, with baking pin, in foil with baking pin OR in the microwave plain or in plastic wrap. They explore how the wrappings may hold heat within to steam, whether the pin helps heat enter the potato sooner, and if a microwave is faster than a traditional oven.

8. Magic Milk

• Milk (whole or 2%)
• Cotton swabs

Your children squeeze colors into a shallow dish of milk and then touch the milk with a swab soaked with dish soap, to see the various colors of milk shoot away from each other. They learn that fat in milk is a nonpolar molecule, which doesn’t dissolve in water. The soap makes the fat separates from the water.

9. Solar S’Mores

• Small, low boxes, such as pizza boxes
• Black construction paper
• Foil & plastic wrap
• Long wooden skewers
• Graham crackers
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate bars

Kids make their own solar ovens with the first 4 items and then build s’mores with the food ingredients. On a sunny day, they observe the effects of solar energy to melt the chocolate and make the marshmallows puff. Discuss the purpose of the foil (reflection) black paper (heat absorption) and plastic wrap (heat retention).

10. Walking Water

• Test tubes with rack OR clear plastic cups/jars
• Paper towels cut into thin strips

Children add water and different colors to the containers and stir, then place the paper towel strips into the containers, with two ends in each. They can see how the colored water “walks” through the fibers and spreads to meet and mix. This is a capillary action, which is the same way that plants, such as celery, take in water.

 11. Cake Experiment

• Baking powder
• Cooking oil
• Ramekins OR other small baking dishes

Bake four different cakes with the kids, leaving one important ingredient out of three: oil, egg, or baking powder. Kids predict the various effects in looks and flavor related to each missing ingredient. They learn that eggs add color, flavor, and structure; oil adds moisture and tenderness; and baking powder makes the cakes rise with its release of carbon dioxide.

12. How Does Salt Affect Ice?

• 5 clean tin cans
• Coarse rock salt
• Measuring spoons
• Digital thermometer (no-contact type)

Have children add the same number of ice cubes to each can and then add a teaspoon or 2 tablespoons of either table salt or rock salt into each, shaking them a bit to spread the salt. They observe condensation on the bottoms of the cans as the reactions begin. Help them take temperature readings to compare the effects in each can.

13. Sandwich Bag Compost

• Food waste in small pieces (veggies are best)
• Cardboard egg carton pieces
• Sandwich bags

Kids add the first two items with a bit of water to individual bags with the tops zipped most of the way and a straw inserted into a gap for air. Mush it up a bit each day and add more water, if needed for moisture. They observe on a small scale how composting turns food waste into soil.

14. Explore the Density of Liquids with Salt

• Clear glass
• Vegetable oil

Children pour oil into water to observe what happens, adding a drop of color on top, followed by larger and larger sprinkles of salt. They offer ideas of why the various movements take place. They learn water is denser than oil and salt are denser than the liquids.

15. Ice Cream in a Bag

• Small zipper sandwich bag
• Gallon-sized zipper bag 

In the small zipper bag, your child adds the first 3 ingredients and zips closed. Add salt and ice to the large bag and place the small bag inside the larger one and seal. They shake to make ice cream! Children can learn that salt (sodium chloride) lowers the freezing point of water so it can become even colder .

These kitchen science experiments are easy and require little planning! They’re great activities to learn the scientific method and for some of these food experiments, you can enjoy a tasty treat afterward too!

1 thought on “15 Easy Kitchen Science Experiments (With Ingredients You Already Have)”

Krystal, once again felt like I was back in a simpler time of my youth. That’s when I first saw some of these golden oldies in science class at school. Arthur B

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