Need a way to deal with all the holiday downtime? We’ve got three family-friendly science experiments (meaning: Kids will love them, and you’ll love the short ingredients lists!), a gross-out quiz, and a way to test your cat’s smarts. 

Plus, do you know a youngster with a big idea to help save the planet? Our friends at the National Geographic Society are inviting 13- to 18-year-olds to submit a one-minute video describing their idea for solving environmental issues as part of the 2026 Slingshot Challenge. The Society will review all submissions, and a panel of experts will select a small number of projects to receive funding awards of up to $10,000 to further their journey. The challenge closes on February 6, 2026.
Learn more here!

THE TOOLS: a glass jar with a lid, water, biodegradable glitter, food coloring, vegetable oil, and salt
THE SCIENCE: Discover the different densities—and interactions—of oil, water, and salt.  

THE TOOLS: one raw egg, vinegar, and a glass
THE SCIENCE: See how acidic vinegar dissolves the calcium in the eggshell. 

THE TOOLS: large plastic bags, shortening, foam packing peanuts or other natural material, cotton balls, duct tape, nitrile gloves, and a bucket of icy water 
THE SCIENCE: Feel how fat insulates polar animals from icy cold weather.  

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