The Science of Autumn: Easy Seasonal Experiments to Try with Kids

Autumn is full of colour, change and curiosity — the perfect season to bring science to life for children. From falling leaves to ripening pumpkins, everyday sights can spark questions about how the world works.

Here are three simple experiments you can try at home this autumn to explore science in a fun, hands-on way.

1) Leaf Chromatography

Why do leaves change colour in autumn? This experiment helps children see the hidden pigments inside a leaf.

You will need
• A few green leaves
• A jar or glass
• Rubbing alcohol (or nail polish remover if supervised)
• Coffee filter paper or kitchen paper
• A spoon

What to do

1. Tear the leaves into small pieces and place them in the jar.

2. Add a few spoonfuls of rubbing alcohol until the leaves are just covered.

3. Mash the leaves gently with the spoon to release the colour.

4. Place a strip of coffee filter into the jar so the bottom just touches the liquid.

5. Leave for about an hour. The colours will separate up the paper, showing yellows, oranges and greens.

Learning point
Leaves contain many pigments. In summer, chlorophyll (green) is strongest. In autumn, as chlorophyll breaks down, the other pigments show through.

2) Pumpkin Volcano

This messy but fun experiment is a twist on the classic baking soda volcano, using a pumpkin as the container.

You will need
• A small pumpkin, hollowed out
• 2–3 tbsp baking soda
• A few drops of food colouring
• ½ cup vinegar

What to do

1. Place the pumpkin on a tray or outside.

2. Spoon the baking soda into the hollow pumpkin.

3. Add a few drops of food colouring.

4. Quickly pour in the vinegar and watch the “lava” fizz out.

Learning point
This is a chemical reaction. The vinegar (acid) reacts with the baking soda (alkali) to release carbon dioxide gas, which causes the bubbling.

3) Conker Sink or Float

A simple experiment that gets children predicting and testing.

You will need
• A bowl of water
• A collection of conkers
• Other autumn items like acorns, pinecones or leaves

What to do

1. Fill a bowl with water.

2. Ask your child to guess whether each item will sink or float.

3. Drop them in and see what happens.

Learning point
Objects sink or float depending on their density compared to water. This is a great way to introduce scientific thinking and testing predictions.

Learning through play at SuperCamps

Children are natural scientists. They ask questions, make predictions, and love to test out their ideas. At SuperCamps, our activities and specialist STEM sessions encourage this curiosity in a safe, hands-on way.