Now that it’s summer, move your science lab outside and try doing the Tablecloth Trick or Throwing Eggs.  If you’d rather check out the power of the sun, try making a solar oven from a pizza box!  You probably have everything you need for these experiments right in your kitchen, and if you don’t have a pizza box, just save one next time you order out.

What are you waiting for?  Have fun!

This is a fun experiment to try outside, on the lawn, where your kids can spill as much water as they want to.   All you’ll need is a table, a sturdy, heavy glass that isn’t too tippy (we used a bar glass and it worked pretty well,)  a smooth tablecloth and water.

We used easel paper as our tablecloth, but your kids could try a plastic tablecloth or even a cloth one that doesn’t have a heavy seam on the edge.  The more slippery the tablecloth, the better it will work.  I’d also recommend bringing out a pitcher of water for refilling the glass and a towel for wiping up spills.

Have your child put the paper or tablecloth near the edge of the table (see photo above.)  Place the glass of water on the tablecloth.  I wouldn’t recommend filling it to the top.

This part is important!  Your child must pull the tablecloth straight down, along the edge of the table, very fast.  If they pull it out, toward them, or pull it too slowly, it won’t work.  If they do it correctly (and it may take a few attempts), the water will slosh a little, but the cup will remain on the table, full of water.  We spilled a lot, but had a great time.  All of the older kids involved were able to do it successfully by themselves, but I had to help my three year old a little.

The law of inertia says that objects don’t want to change how fast they’re moving (or not moving, in the case of our glass.)  They heavier something is, the more inertia it has.  In our experiment, the heavy glass of water is standing still and doesn’t want to speed up.  Since the tablecloth is moving under the glass very quickly, the heavy glass slips on it and doesn’t move very far.   It seems like magic, but it’s just physics.

On another note, I’m participating in a contest at Best Kids Apps, a blog about iPhone apps for kids, for a chance to win an iPad.  I don’t have an iPhone or iPad, but would love to have one, mostly since I’m obsessed with severe weather and would love to have Dopplar radar at my fingertips.  The iPhone/iPad also has great apps for kids books, which would be really useful for vacations, and even an app for geocaching!  I was thinking it would be cool to make a KitchenPantryScience app, so you could look up easy kids science projects wherever you are (like at the cabin on a rainy day.)