Simple Science Activities That Work in Any School (No Lab Needed)

Primary Fundraising Hub
Jan 14
2 min read

Children completing science activities in school.

You don’t need a science lab, specialist equipment or hours of preparation to run brilliant science activities.In fact, some of the most effective science learning happens with everyday materials, clear ideas and space for curiosity.

That’s especially true during British Science Week, when schools want activities that are:

Easy to run
Low-cost
Low-mess
Suitable for different ages and spaces

Here are simple science ideas that work in any classroom or school hall — and actually engage children.

Why simple science activities work best

When science activities are simple:

Teachers feel more confident running them
Children focus on what’s happening, not the equipment
Activities are easier to repeat and adapt
Whole-school events become manageable

Simple science removes barriers — and that’s when curiosity takes over.

Everyday materials, big learning

You’ll be surprised how much science can happen using items you already have in school.

Think:

Paper, card and tape
Cups, bottles and containers
Magnets, torches, string
Water, food colouring, flour

The key isn’t the resources — it’s the question behind the activity.

KS1 science ideas (simple & sensory)

KS1 science works best when it’s hands-on, visual and playful.

Try:

Floating and sinking using water and classroom objects
Colour mixing with food colouring and pipettes
Shadow play using torches and shapes
Sound exploration with rubber bands and boxes

These activities:

Require minimal setup
Are easy to tidy
Encourage talk, observation and excitement

Perfect for classrooms or shared spaces.

KS2 science ideas (curiosity-led & practical)

KS2 children love science that feels like a challenge or investigation.

Try:

Paper bridge building using only paper and tape
Magnet testing around the room
Simple reaction investigations (safe, visual changes)
Forces experiments using ramps and toy cars

These work brilliantly because:

Children can work independently or in teams
There’s no single “right” answer
Problem-solving is built in

They’re ideal for classrooms, corridors or halls — no lab required.

Low-mess, low-cost = high impact

One of the biggest worries around science activities is mess.

But low-mess science:

Uses trays or containers
Limits liquids
Focuses on observation over outcomes

When staff know activities are quick to set up and clear away, science becomes something they want to do — not something to avoid.

Perfect for classrooms and halls

These kinds of activities are flexible:

Run them as carousel stations
Set them up for a whole-class lesson
Use them during a science day or week
Adapt them for mixed-age groups

That flexibility is what makes them ideal for British Science Week — especially in schools where space and time are limited.

Want to make it even easier?

If you’re looking for a ready-made, low-effort way to support science across your school, our Science Gadget Shop is designed with simplicity in mind.