Let’s talk summer teaching. Whether you’re wrapping up the year, running a summer camp, or just looking for ways to sneak in some learning before back-to-school season, this easy summer science activity is a classroom favorite—especially when it’s hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk.
And if you’re in Texas like me… you know exactly what I’m talking about. 🥵
Instead of fighting the heat, let’s use it to your advantage with a popsicle experiment that brings the concept of states of matter to life in a way your students will actually remember.
Why States of Matter is So Fun to Teach
Little learners are naturally curious—especially when it comes to science. Show them something that changes right in front of their eyes? You’ll have their full attention and about a dozen hands in the air with questions. That’s why teaching solids, liquids, and gases through hands-on experiments is the perfect match for young scientists.
I really try to make sure there is plenty of scientific learning going on in my house. Believe me, the thought of getting all the supplies out, the mess, and the clean wears me out. But to see their eyes and their face when something amazing happens is definitely worth it. Here are some tips that I have to remind myself when getting a science experiment out!
Set Up the Experiment: Popsicle Edition
Here’s what you need:
- A popsicle
- A bowl
- A sunny spot outside (or a heat lamp if you’re indoors)
You can keep it simple or pair it with a fun read-aloud. Wemberly’s Ice-Cream Star by Kevin Henkes is a sweet, beginner-friendly story that makes a great tie-in. Wemberly wants to share her one ice cream bar with her stuffed animal, Petal—and ends up creating a bowl of “ice cream soup.” That melting moment? The perfect lead-in to your states of matter talk.
What Your Students Will Observe
This isn’t just snack time—it’s science in action. As your students watch their popsicle melt, they’re seeing a solid turn into a liquid right before their eyes.
It’s a great chance to model scientific thinking. Try guiding them with questions like:
- What do you notice happening to the popsicle?
- What made it melt?
- Is it still the same object even though it changed form?
Then let them describe what happened using sequencing:
First it was frozen, next it started to melt, and last it turned into a liquid in the bowl. (Hello, science and writing practice!)
A Few Teacher Tips for Science with Littles
If you’ve ever hesitated to pull out a messy science activity midweek, I get it. But here are a few reminders I always come back to when I’m teaching hands-on science:
- Do it together at first: Model the steps, talk through safety, and ask guiding questions.
- Give time to explore: Once they know what to do, let them observe, test, and make connections on their own.
- Let them ask questions (even the weird ones): Curiosity is where the learning lives.
- Let them get a little messy: It’s okay. They’re learning. Let the cleanup be part of the process!
Bring It All Together With a Free Printable
To wrap up the activity, have your students draw or write about what they observed during their popsicle experiment. You can use it as a quick check for understanding or throw it into your science notebooks.
Want to make it even easier? I’ve got a free printable ready for you to use! Just click below to grab it and keep this sweet science lesson rolling.
Grab This Freebie
