A science center is a place where young children can explore science tools, natural materials, and scientific inquiry.
Create space where children can observe, experiment, and explore hands-on materials. The science center encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and a sense of wonder. Exploring materials at the science center helps children understand their world: they learn about their environment, living things, physical properties, and basic science concepts.
Choose an area of the room preferably where you can set up a table and chairs and a shelf for materials. Ideally, place the science center near a window to allow children to observe the outdoors with binoculars and explore materials that interact with light, like color paddles and prisms.
Here are some ideas and pictures of my preschool science center. Set up the Science Center with some basic tools and materials to keep all year, and all displays that can be changed throughout the year.
Basic Science Tools & Materials
- Magnifying glasses
- Binoculars
- Science puzzles (e.g. animals)
- Magnets
- Color paddles
- Prisms
- Sorting trays or bowls
- Mirrors
- Seashells
- Rocks
- Acorns
- Pinecones of various sizes
- Feathers (sealed or sanitized)
- Tree “slices”
- Leaves of various shapes & colors
- Plant and/or terrarium
- Picture-word cards
- Photo collections
- Materials for matching sounds
- Materials for identifying scents
- Feely boxes
- Life cycle sequencing
- Animal or nature matching games
- Discovery bottles
Science Center Displays
These are some Science Center Displays that can be set up at different times during the year. See all Science Center Displays here.
More Preschool Science Center Ideas
- Color Sorting Cups: Children sort small objects into cups by color.
- Locks and Keys
- Wind Chimes, Pinwheel
- Sand and Water Bottles: Children shake and watch the sand settle.
- Prisms: Use with flashlights or near a window.
- Transparent/ Non-Transparent Objects: paper, rocks, leaves, crystals, plastic wrap, fabric, etc.
- Texture Scraps: sandpaper, lace, velvet, leather, faux fur, plastic (button), cotton, seashell, corrugated paper, plastic canvas, sponge, felt, satin ribbon, grosgrain ribbon, tape, etc.
- Scent Jars: Add scent to cotton ball and place in container. Examples: lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar, pepper, perfume or body spray, peppermint oil, vanilla extract, coconut oil, spices, tea bags. Tip: “Lapsang Souchong” tea smells like smoke.
- Penny Drop: Fill a gallon jar with water and place a small juice glass upright on the bottom. Give children 10-20 pennies. Children drop them in water, trying to get them in the glass. Try other objects, such as marbles.
Science Resources Available in My Shop
Want to see more Pre-K Centers? See All Pre-K Centers Here