Variations

If you are not available to watch a space shuttle launch live, the NASA.gov website and watch a previous launch.

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Helpful Tips for Parents

• Use correct scientific vocabulary from the start: observe, predict, experiment, hypothesis, result, evidence. Children absorb vocabulary in context without explicit teaching.

• Outdoor science (nature observation, weather tracking, garden study) is as rigorous as lab science and has the added benefit of physical activity and environmental connection.

• Science supplies don't need to be purchased. Vinegar, baking soda, cornstarch, salt, food coloring, and dish soap cover most preschool science experiments adequately.

• Visit science museums, planetariums, and nature centers regularly. Real encounters with scientific environments are more motivating than any experiment at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are commercial science kits appropriate for preschoolers?

Commercial science kits designed for ages 4+ can be engaging starting points. Look for kits that use simple, safe materials and produce visually dramatic results (crystal growing kits, volcano kits, solar system model kits). Avoid kits with very small parts, complex safety requirements, or expected outcomes that are frustrating when not achieved. The best kits are those that leave children wanting to experiment further beyond the kit's instructions — look for kits with extension activities built in.

How do I make science experiments safe for preschoolers?

Keep experiments to food-safe or food-grade materials whenever possible: vinegar, baking soda, cornstarch, salt, food coloring, and dish soap cover most preschool science. Always supervise hands-on experiments. Establish and enforce the rule: "We only put things in our mouth that adults say are safe." Keep experiments away from eyes — vinegar and salt water sting. Wash hands after all experiments. A pair of toy safety goggles adds a "scientist" identity bonus while providing real protection from splashes.

Related reading: See also our garden science guide and our weather science for more ideas on this topic.

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

• 😌 Patience & Delayed Gratification — Experiments with delayed results — growing plants, watching crystals form, tracking weather — teach children to wait for outcomes rather than needing immediate feedback, a skill that predicts academic and life success.
• 🌱 Curiosity & Wonder — Science that feels like magic cultivates the sense of wonder that keeps children asking questions throughout their lives — the foundational attitude that drives all learning and discovery.
• 📏 Early Math & Measurement — Measuring ingredients, comparing quantities, and observing size changes connects science directly to mathematical thinking — making science experiments some of the richest early math experiences available.
• 🏗️ Engineering Thinking — Testing structures, materials, and designs to see what works develops engineering intuition — the practical understanding of forces, materials, and design that underlies all physical construction and problem solving.

Learning about space and spaceflight is fun and exciting for preschoolers. A great way to introduce your preschooler to spaceflight is to watch the launch of a space shuttle together. The United States routinely launches space shuttles in an effort to help build the International Space Station. From the countdown to the launch to the shuttle docking with the space station—it is all televised for the world to see. NASA TV is available from your cable or satellite provider and is also available online via NASA.gov. Watching the launch can be a great educational experience for you and your preschooler. Here are some tips to ensure that your preschooler is able to learn from the experience.

Be prepared for the unexpected.Once you find out the date and time of the launch, keep it to yourself. Launches are often delayed or canceled altogether which could leave your preschooler very disappointed. Wait until the last minute to let your preschooler know that you are going to watch a launch. Also, be prepared for any unexpected events that might occur during the launch. If anything occurs that might upset your preschooler, be ready to explain or quickly turn the channel. Although disaster rarely happens, watching it on live television could upset your preschooler more than you might expect.

Know what you're watching. Before you turn on the TV, study up on the NASA launch website. It gives information on the shuttle vehicle basics that will help you point to the proper parts of the shuttle while watching.

Make it fun. And finally, if you decide that your preschooler is ready to join in the live countdown for a space shuttle launch, have fun with it. It only lasts a few minutes and your preschooler may be disappointed once the shuttle is up in the air. Have some related games and activities ready for when the launch is over. It the launch is in the evening, have a space shuttle dinner. Make space shuttle dogs by using hotdogs. Make a space shuttle cake for dessert or have an age-appropriate space-related video ready to play.