10 Creative Ways to Celebrate Science Week All Year Round

Educational and Fun Activities

Written Sophie Williams

17 April 2025

🕓 13 min

Science Week might officially take place just once a year, but why limit the fun, learning, and creativity to seven days? For parents, educators, and curious kids in Croydon (and beyond), science is a year-round adventure waiting to be explored. From experiments in your kitchen to immersive exhibitions, there are so many ways to keep the spark of discovery alive throughout the calendar year.

Here’s your ultimate guide to stretching that Science Week magic across all four seasons—fueling imagination, curiosity, and hands-on learning every step of the way.

1. Monthly Kitchen Science Days

You don’t need a lab to explore chemistry and physics—your kitchen is the perfect testing ground! Set aside one Saturday a month for DIY science experiments using common household items. Create a homemade volcano, explore density with oil and water, or grow your own rock crystals. Involve your kids in documenting the results like mini scientists with observation charts and predictions.

🧪 Bonus Tip: Create a “Science Supply Box” stocked with basics like vinegar, baking soda, food coloring, string, balloons, and magnifying glasses.

2. Explore Croydon’s Natural Spaces with a Scientist’s Eye

Turn your family walks into field investigations! Croydon’s parks like Coombe Wood and South Norwood Country Park are ideal for budding botanists and ecologists. Equip kids with magnifying glasses, bug jars, or even a phone camera to record species and changes through the seasons.

🌿 Year-Round Tip: Start a nature journal or create a photo blog to track biodiversity in your neighbourhood.

3. Celebrate Science Birthdays

Why not throw a science-themed birthday party? Think lava lamp making, slime stations, balloon-powered rockets, or a planetarium-style bedroom. Kids can even dress up as their favorite scientists and inventors.

🎉 Idea: Try renting kits or booking entertainers who offer mobile science shows tailored for parties in Croydon and South London.

4. Make STEM Part of Storytime

Build a home library of children’s science books that mix story and learning. Titles like Ada Twist, Scientist, Rosie Revere, Engineer, or What If You Had Animal Teeth? are great for sparking STEM curiosity.

📚 Croydon Tip: Local libraries often run science-themed storytimes and interactive reading challenges—check their events schedule year-round.

5. Volunteer or Visit a Science Centre

Many organisations welcome family volunteers for environmental cleanups, community gardens, or STEM fairs. These give children a sense of contribution and expose them to science in action.

🌍 Nearby Idea: Plan a day trip to the Science Museum in South Kensington or visit the Horniman Museum for hands-on science exhibits.

6. Make Science Your Family Culture

Instead of treating science as a subject, let it be part of your everyday conversations. Wonder out loud. Ask questions. Explore answers together.

☕ At the Table: Try a “Question of the Day” during dinner: Why is the sky blue? How do plants grow? What’s static electricity?

7. Join a Local Science or Coding Club

Groups like Code Club or Little House of Science frequently offer term-time and holiday sessions across Croydon. Regular participation fosters deeper learning and confidence, while helping kids make new friends with similar interests.

💡 Ongoing Engagement: Sign up for newsletters from STEM groups so you never miss an event.

8. Attend Science-Themed Events Beyond Science Week

Croydon venues like Fairfield Halls, local museums, and community centres host pop-up science shows, engineering fairs, and interactive exhibits throughout the year. Keep an eye on Eventbrite, local Facebook groups, and Croydon Council’s event listings.

🎪 Don’t Miss: The annual Croydon Science Festival usually features spring/summer events packed with workshops and fun activities.

9. Get Crafty with Engineering Challenges

Challenge your kids to build structures out of marshmallows and spaghetti, bridges from recycled cardboard, or working catapults from lolly sticks. These at-home engineering tasks are not only fun—they develop problem-solving and planning skills.

🔧 Challenge Box: Create monthly STEM challenges on index cards and let your kids draw one at random.

10. Watch Science Documentaries as a Family

Turn a quiet Sunday afternoon into science movie time. Platforms like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and YouTube have fantastic kid-friendly documentaries on space, nature, and inventions.

🎬 Watch & Discuss: Use follow-up questions or a family quiz to reinforce what you’ve learned.

Conclusion

Science Week is a fantastic catalyst—but true learning thrives with consistency and joy. When curiosity becomes a habit, children grow into lifelong learners, thinkers, and innovators. By weaving science into your family’s routine, you’re nurturing not just knowledge, but resilience, creativity, and a deeper connection with the world.

So go ahead—launch rockets in the garden, crack open geology kits, or debate the mysteries of the universe over breakfast. Every moment holds the potential for discovery. Download our printable science challenge cards, join a local STEM group, and bookmark our list of Croydon-based events and workshops. Make learning a family affair—and celebrate curiosity every single day.

Ready to turn one week of science into a yearlong adventure? 🧠🌟

What Makes a Great Science Enrichment Club?