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Science fair projects for kids

Start with

Does a steeper ramp make a toy car go farther?

Grades
2nd–6th
Testing
1 day
Cost
free
About
How things move

If I change how high the ramp is, then how far the car rolls will ______, because ______.

You need

  • A toy car
  • Some books (3, all about the same thickness)
  • Flat cardboard (a long flat piece, about 60 cm)
  • Masking tape, to mark lines
  • A tape measure, or a long ruler

Do it

  1. Lean the cardboard on one book to make a ramp on a hard floor.
  2. Put a strip of masking tape across the top of the ramp: that's your start line.
  3. Put the car's front wheels on the line and let go. Don't push!
  4. When it stops, measure from the bottom of the ramp to the front of the car.
  5. Write the number in your results table under Try 1.
  6. Do it two more times from the same line, and write each one down.
  7. Add a second book under the ramp and do three more tries.
  8. Add a third book and do three more tries.
  9. Find the middle number for each height, and draw your graph.
Start the project: table, graph and board

Every project, by grade, time and cost

ProjectGradesTestingCostAbout
Does a steeper ramp make a toy car go farther?2nd–6th1 dayfreeHow things move
Which wing shape flies farthest?3rd–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Which floor makes a ball bounce highest?1st–5th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a bigger parachute fall slower?3rd–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a longer string swing slower?4th–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
How much does a rubber band stretch with each extra weight?5th–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Which paper bridge shape holds the most coins?2nd–7th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a pointed nose make a straw rocket fly farther?3rd–7th1 dayfreeHow things move
Which boat shape carries the most pennies?1st–5th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does more air make a balloon rocket go farther?2nd–8th1 dayabout $1How things move
Does a longer tail keep a kite steadier?3rd–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a longer arm make a catapult throw farther?3rd–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a higher start make a marble roll faster?3rd–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a wider base keep a cup tower from tipping?2nd–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Which padding keeps a dropped egg from cracking?3rd–8th1 dayabout $3How things move
Which gives a balloon the most static: hair, wool or cotton?2nd–8th1 dayabout $1How things move
Which paper towel soaks up the most water?1st–5th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
How much salt does it take to float an egg?3rd–7th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
What melts ice fastest: salt, sugar or sand?2nd–6th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
Does sugar dissolve faster in warm water?2nd–6th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
Does more baking soda make a bigger fizz?3rd–8th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
What keeps a cut apple from going brown?2nd–6th1 dayabout $1Water, ice and mixing
Which grows crystals faster: salt or sugar?4th–8th5 daysfreeWater, ice and mixing
Which cup keeps an ice cube from melting longest?1st–7th1 dayabout $1Water, ice and mixing
Does food colouring spread faster in hot water?2nd–8th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
Does dish soap stop oil and water from separating?3rd–8th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
Do the heaviest liquids always sink to the bottom?4th–8th1 dayabout $2Water, ice and mixing
Do leaves help celery pull up coloured water?3rd–8th1 dayabout $2Water, ice and mixing
Which bread turns the brownest in the toaster?4th–8th1 dayabout $3Water, ice and mixing
Does a bigger water drop make letters look bigger?4th–8th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
How much water do bean seeds need to sprout?2nd–6th10 daysfreeGrowing and weather
Do plants bend toward the window?1st–5th12 daysfreeGrowing and weather
Where does a puddle dry fastest: sun, shade or wind?2nd–6th2 daysfreeGrowing and weather
How does a shadow change through the day?1st–4th1 dayfreeGrowing and weather
Which soil lets water through fastest: sand, potting soil or garden soil?3rd–8th1 dayabout $1Growing and weather
Does planting a seed deeper make it slower to come up?3rd–8th14 daysabout $1Growing and weather
Does grass grow best under red, blue or green light?4th–8th14 daysabout $3Growing and weather
Does hotter water make a bigger cloud in a jar?3rd–8th1 dayfreeGrowing and weather
Where does the most rain land: the open yard, under a tree or by the house?2nd–8th7 daysfreeGrowing and weather
Which colour of paper warms up most in the sun?3rd–8th1 dayabout $3Growing and weather
Does a ball dropped from higher bounce higher?1st–5th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a cold ball bounce lower than a warm one?4th–8th1 dayabout $3How things move
Which kind of ball bounces highest?1st–4th1 dayabout $3How things move
Which floor slows a toy car the most?2nd–6th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a heavier toy car roll farther?3rd–7th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a paper clip make a plane fly farther?3rd–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Do longer blades make a spinner fall slower?3rd–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does crumpled paper fall faster than flat paper?1st–4th1 dayfreeHow things move
Do bigger hoops make a straw glider fly farther?3rd–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a bigger disc make a top spin longer?3rd–7th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a heavier pendulum swing faster?5th–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Do dominoes fall faster when farther apart?4th–8th1 dayabout $4How things move
How much water makes a bottle flip land best?3rd–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a full bottle roll down a ramp faster?5th–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Which paper column shape holds the most books?3rd–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Which shoe grips a slope best?4th–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Which material makes the slowest parachute?4th–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Where must pennies sit to balance a ruler?4th–8th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does crushed ice melt faster than a whole cube?1st–4th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
Does ice melt faster in water or in air?2nd–6th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
Does salty water take longer to freeze?4th–8th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
Which liquid dissolves a hard candy fastest?2nd–6th1 dayabout $2Water, ice and mixing
Does stirring make sugar dissolve faster?1st–5th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
Does warm water hold more salt than cold?5th–8th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
What softens an eggshell fastest?3rd–7th3 daysabout $3Water, ice and mixing
Which kitchen liquid cleans an old penny best?2nd–6th1 dayabout $1Water, ice and mixing
Does whole milk swirl farther than skim milk?2nd–6th1 dayabout $2Water, ice and mixing
Does a wider paper strip walk water faster?2nd–6th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
How much soap makes the biggest bubble?1st–5th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
How much cornstarch makes oobleck hold a penny?3rd–7th1 dayabout $1Water, ice and mixing
Does more vinegar blow a balloon up bigger?3rd–7th1 dayabout $2Water, ice and mixing
Do raisins dance longer in fizzy water?1st–4th1 dayabout $2Water, ice and mixing
Which filter makes muddy water clearest?4th–8th1 dayabout $2Water, ice and mixing
Which paper pulls water up the highest?2nd–6th1 dayabout $1Water, ice and mixing
How many colours hide in a marker's ink?2nd–6th1 dayabout $2Water, ice and mixing
How many drops of water fit on a penny?2nd–7th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
Which kitchen liquids change red cabbage water?4th–8th1 dayabout $3Water, ice and mixing
Does a paper bag make a banana ripen faster?2nd–6th4 daysabout $3Water, ice and mixing
Do soaked beans sprout faster?2nd–6th7 daysfreeGrowing and weather
Do seeds sprout faster somewhere warm?3rd–7th7 daysfreeGrowing and weather
Does salty or sugary water change a bean plant?4th–8th14 daysabout $2Growing and weather
Do beans grow best in soil, sand or cotton?2nd–6th14 daysabout $3Growing and weather
Does a bean grow taller in the dark?2nd–6th10 daysabout $2Growing and weather
Do bigger seeds sprout faster?3rd–7th7 daysabout $3Growing and weather
Do crowded seeds grow shorter?4th–8th14 daysabout $2Growing and weather
Do green onions regrow best in water or soil?1st–5th7 daysabout $2Growing and weather
Do potatoes sprout faster in the light or dark?2nd–6th14 daysfreeGrowing and weather
Which kitchen scrap helps a plant grow most?4th–8th21 daysabout $3Growing and weather
Do roots grow down even if you turn the seed?3rd–7th7 daysfreeGrowing and weather
Do leaves give off more water in sun or shade?4th–8th1 dayfreeGrowing and weather
Does a pinecone close when it gets wet?1st–5th2 daysfreeGrowing and weather
Where is it windiest around your home?4th–8th3 daysfreeGrowing and weather
Does a colder cup get more drops on its outside?3rd–7th1 dayfreeGrowing and weather
Does a cover keep water in the sun warmer?3rd–7th1 dayabout $3Growing and weather
Does a shadow grow when the light comes closer?1st–4th1 dayfreeGrowing and weather
How many paper layers block a flashlight?2nd–6th1 dayfreeGrowing and weather
Does slanted light spread wider?5th–8th1 dayabout $1Growing and weather
Does a steeper hill wash away more soil?4th–8th1 dayfreeGrowing and weather
Do grass roots stop soil washing away?4th–8th14 daysabout $3Growing and weather
Which paper colour fades fastest in the sun?2nd–6th14 daysfreeGrowing and weather
Which ball bounces the most times?K1 dayfreeHow things move
Which ice cube melts first: in the sun, in the shade or inside?K1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
When is my shadow longest: morning, lunch or afternoon?K3 daysfreeGrowing and weather
Sink or float: does a bigger foil boat carry more blocks?K1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a higher ramp make a toy car roll farther?K1 dayfreeHow things move
Which paper goes farthest: a flat sheet, a ball or a plane?K1 dayfreeHow things move
Which soaks up the most: a sponge, a paper towel or a cloth?K1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
Where does grass come up first: a sunny window, a shady room or a dark cupboard?K10 daysabout $3Growing and weather
Does a toy's shadow get bigger when the flashlight comes closer?K1 dayfreeGrowing and weather
Which paper bridge holds the most blocks: flat, folded once or folded like a fan?K1 dayfreeHow things move
Which sound makes salt dance on a drum from the farthest away?2nd–6th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a bigger drum feel sound from farther away?3rd–7th1 dayfreeHow things move
Which wrap muffles the sound of a ticking timer best?2nd–7th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a bigger paper cone help you hear a quiet sound from farther away?1st–5th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does a bigger spoon ring longer when it hangs on a string?2nd–6th1 dayfreeHow things move
Does more salt make ice water colder?3rd–8th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
Which makes ice water colder: salt or sugar?2nd–6th1 dayfreeWater, ice and mixing
Which warms up most in the sun: soil, sand or water?1st–4th1 dayfreeGrowing and weather
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Can't choose? Pick one in four taps

Pick my project asks four questions (your grade, the days until the fair, what you have at home, what you like), each with three big boxes, and hands over one project with the reason. Keep it and Peabody counts down to fair day with a job for each day.

What every project comes with

  • The hypothesis frame: If I change ___, then ___ will ___, because ___, with what you change and what you measure filled in.
  • The variables card: what you change, what you measure, and at least two things you keep the same.
  • Steps read aloud, with any grown-up step marked (cutting with a knife, pouring hot water).
  • A results table to print: levels down the side, three tries across, a mean column from 4th grade, and graph paper below.
  • A logbook, a conclusion sheet and a board plan for a 36 × 48 inch tri-fold, each section with its size in inches.

The safety rules, kept in code

Every project is checked against the rules school science fairs share before it can be shown: no flames of any kind; no live animals at the fair; don't grow mold or bacteria at home; kitchen chemicals only, in small amounts; projects that test people need a review first. Projects that test people, such as taste tests and reaction times, are left out because every rule set we read says they need a review first. The rules page names where each rule comes from, and your school's sheet always wins.

By grade

kindergarten · 1st · 2nd · 3rd · 4th · 5th · 6th · 7th · 8th · middle school · high school. Short on time: a weekend, a week, or the easy ones.

For parents and teachers

The grown-ups' page covers how much to help, what a fair expects at each grade, and a plan from today to fair day. Teachers running a fair can turn a fair date into a timeline, a letter home, a rubric and a class set with the organizer. Peabody is free through the end of 2026, with no ads and no sign-up.

Teacher? Share this page to Google Classroom. Children open it with no sign-up.

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Checked against how Peabody works on 6 November 2026. Written with help from AI, from Peabody's own code and library. Peabody is a learning app, not an assessment: if you're worried about your child's learning, talk to their teacher. How Peabody's pages are made.

By , founder of PeabodyChecked ⬇️ Download as PDF

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