Do Try This at Home
We want to make it easy for parents and carers to get their children excited about physics. That's why, as part of our Limit Less campaign, we've created Do Try This at Home, a series of fun science experiments for kids, with short demonstration videos and simple, step-by-step instructions.
We're the Institute of Physics, the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland. We work with schools to develop the teaching of physics – and now we want to use our expertise to help you inspire your children at home.
The activities below have been created as part of our Limit Less campaign, which aims to support young people to change the world and fulfil their potential by doing physics.
Experiments
Our crack team of science communicators have filmed short demonstration videos in their kitchens and living rooms, using basic household materials to demonstrate physics in easy-to-replicate ways. Alongside the films, we have step-by-step instructions and explanations of the science behind it all published right here.
Episode 14: Snowball Slingshot with Imogen and Sam
Episode 13: Bouncing High with Niloufar, Ethan and Jasper
Episode 12: Ping Pong Pick Up with Melissa (and friends)
Episode 11: Toilet Roll Solar System with Jenny and her planet-building experts
Episode 10: Vanishing Coin with Taj, Saf and Norah
Episode 9: Electric Balloons with Lucy
Episode 8: Hot Water Rising with Imogen and Sam
Episode 7: Rocket Balloon with Mikey (and "volunteer")
Episode 6: Milk Carton Sprinkler with Melissa
Episode 5: Wobbly Stick with Jenny (and two superheroes)
Episode 4: Reversing Arrow with Taj and Saf
Episode 3: Shrinking Coin with Lucy
Episode 2: Waterproof Hankie with Imogen and Sam
Episode 1: Rubber Band Bass Guitar with Mikey
Experiment instruction sheets
Download text versions of the Do Try This At Home experiment videos. Great for the classroom or for home learning, each experiment has clear instructions, illustrations and photos to make it easy to learn and have fun together. Feel free to print and use them individually or enjoy the whole set!
Activity packs
Discovering Our World
Explore science in the sea, on the ground and in the air with this brand new activity pack from the Institute of Physics. Filled with puzzles, articles, experiments and more, this magazine is designed to get your family excited and curious about the world around them, and how it works! Perfect for ages 8 and up.
Winter Activity Pack
For even more to do at home during winter, try out these activities with your family. Packed with experiments and challenges, you can meet a scientist and become one yourselves with this magazine from the Institute of Physics. Perfect for ages 7-11.
Superheroes Unlimited activity pack
Meet our five amazing role models and the work they do to solve the challenges we face as residents of planet Earth. Inside you’ll find experiments and activities to do together, and puzzles to challenge you and get you thinking like a physicist. Perfect for ages 7 and up.
More fun physics resources for families
The Moon Adventure
What's it like to be an astronaut? Where did the Moon come from? What's the future of humans in space? Read on to find out more!
Technology in our lives
Technology is all around us and is a fundamental part of our daily lives. But what’s the physics behind the innovations like touch screens and wireless technology that so many of us rely on?
Big ideas in physics
What are some of the biggest ideas in physics? Find out the stories behind the most significant discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the universe.