11 No-Cleanup Science Projects To Do With Your Kids Tonight

Because having to deep clean the carpets after takes all the fun out of it. Find 100+ uses for baking soda here.

1. Collect strawberry DNA.

http://U.S. Army RDECOM, (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: rdecom

Extract DNA from strawberries in this anyone-can-do-it experiment. Everything used can either be tossed (like the plastic baggies) or thrown in the dishwasher. Full experiment here.

Disclaimer: If you don't have a dishwasher, you will have a dirty glass on your hand.

2. Make dancing beans.

Chayasit Fangem / Via Shutterstock

This is the closest you'll ever get to actual magic. If you mix the vinegar and baking soda in a recycled jar, the cleanup on this project is nil. Instructions here.

3. Recreate a volcano.

pfly, (CC BY-SA http://2.0) / Via Flickr: pfly

It doesn't have to be messy. Skip the construction and jump right to the fun part — mixing the baking soda and vinegar! Using plastic cups in the sink or shower means you can make a foamy mess that cleans up with the twist of a faucet. Procedure here.

4. Create the perfect bubble formula.

Michael Bentley, (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: donhomer

Never again struggle with quickly popping bubbles! If you use glass jars out of the recycling, you can skip any washing. Procedure here.

5. See who can build the strongest dome...

Ratha Grimes, (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: ratha

Get wild and build a whole city! Using newspaper, tape, and one of several folding techniques, you can reconstruct the principles of architecture that are used on real-life domes. Project here.

6. ...or the tallest tower.

Emily Steele, BuzzFeed

It's fun and frustrating at the same time. It's funstrating! Using two sheets of newspaper and a predetermined amount of tape, see who can build a taller free-standing tower. Try alternative challenges, like who can make a wind-resistant tower (use a fan to test). Ideas here.

7. Create homemade watercolors.

Rudchenko Liliia / Via Shutterstock

All the ingredients are common pantry staples, like baking soda, flour, and powdered drink mix. If you mix in paper bowls and store in recycled jar lids, this is a no-cleanup project. The actual PAINTING? Can't vouch for that. Get instructions here.

8. Build a penny bridge.

Kevin Jarrett, (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: kjarrett

Using one piece of paper and five paper clips, try to construct a bridge that — when suspended between two stacks of books — can support the weight of 100 pennies. And let's be honest: You're not using those pennies for anything else. Details here.

9. Figure out just how greasy your potato chips are.

Ann, (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: picturesbyann

A great way to reinforce nutritional guidelines. By covering surfaces in wax paper and tin foil, this health-awareness project has zero cleanup. Details here.

10. Craft crazy bath fizzies.

Thomas Widmann, (CC BY-SA http://2.0) / Via Flickr: viralbus

This project isn't just no-cleanup, it's pro-cleanup! Use plastic bowls to mix the corn starch, lemon drink mix, and baking soda with the wet ingredients and this becomes a no-clean craft. Directions here.

11. Make static a science.

Cheryl Reed, (CC BY http://2.0) / Via Flickr: cheryldudley

Vary the number of rubs and surface rubbed on to see what conducts the most electricity to a balloon. Is four rubs on wool better than six rubs on silk? Get the chart to measure your results here. Take pictures to blackmail your children when they're older.

Put down the remote and get sciencey tonight.

With over 100 uses for baking soda, Arm & Hammer makes it easy.