Written by As World Book Day is just around the corner, I thought I’d pull together some of my favourite book themed science experiments. Here at Science Sparks, we love using a book to help bring a science activity to life, and if I’m ever short of inspiration, reading a great children’s book always helps me come up with something new.
I’d love you to take a scroll through my ideas, and whether you’re making potions for George’s Marvellous Medicine, building a bridge for the Billy Goats Gruff or building a candy house for a witch, my hands-on, inexpensive science activity ideas are sure to make for a memorable World Book Day.
World Book Day Activities for Preschool Children
The Gruffalo
My Gruffalo’s child shadow puppets are super easy to make and great fun to make shadows with. Try holding the shadow puppets and torch in different positions to investigate how the shape of the shadow changes.
Shadow puppets also work for Peter Pan, who loses his shadow, which Wendy then sews back on.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Make a model of a butterfly life cycle with my free template for The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Pasta or sweets/candy work well for this activity.
The Little Mermaid
Discover how different materials have different properties and why, while you help Ariel sort her cave of treasures.
Stickman
Discover the best materials for making a Stickman, or try to find the perfect Stickman shaped stick!
The Lorax
Our Lorax or Cat in the Hat themed sensory trays are bright and colourful enough to keep little ones busy for a while. Use magnets and tweezers for a bit of variation.
Nursery Rhymes
Stop Incy Wincy Spider falling down the water spout by finding a way to stick her to the top or build Incy Wincy an umbrella.
Aliens LOVE Underpants
Make a washing line of pants for Aliens LOVE Underpants, and test how waterproof they are! Or, try catapulting pants!
Fine Motor Skills
My Roald Dahl themed fine motor skill activities are great fun and can be used over and over again. My favourite is Mr Twit’s wormy spaghetti!
World Book Day Activities for 5-10 year olds
Roald Dahl Science Experiments
First up for 5-10 year olds has to be our Roald Dahl science experiments. For Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the good old skittles investigation is always impressive, or make gummy sweets bigger by leaving them in water for a couple of hours. We always enjoy making a house from sweets, too.
George’s Marvellous Medicine
Make fun, fizzy potions like George and his Marvellous Medicine.
Enormous Crocodile
Learn about camouflage ( The Enormous Crocodile ) with this gorgeous camoflage art activity from Fireflies and Mudpies.
James and the Giant Peach
Make a homemade worm hotel for James and the Giant Peach, or investigate to find out how many helium balloons it takes to lift a peach.
The Twits
Discover why fruit rots for The Twits.
Matilda
Stack books on an eggshell bridge for Matilda.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Try mirror writing for Alice in Wonderland or reverse the direction of arrows using a glass of water!
Fairy Tale STEM Challenges
These Fairy Tale themed experiment printables include making a raft for the Billy Goats Gruff, growing a bean for Jack and more!
Build and test houses for The Three Little Pigs to find which is the strongest.
Create a Whisper-Ma-Phone for the Lorax to learn about sound waves. Investigate to see if the phone works around corners or if a longer string makes it better or worse.
Leave messages for Hansel and Gretel using invisible ink.
Build a bed for the Princess and the Pea. This is a great little engineering STEM challenge, beautifully themed around the story.
Cinderella
Build Cinderella a new carriage! We made a balloon-powered car with a balloon pumpkin.
Jack and the Beanstalk
Make a zip line for Jack, grow him a new beanstalk, clean his coins or make a musical harp. My Jack and the Beanstalk pack with 5 activities is FREE to download.
Fairy Tale Science Ideas
Finally, try one of my Fairy Tale Science activity ideas. You can make a zip wire for Jack, a pulley for Rapunzel, a candy house for Hansel and Gretel, a gingerbread house for The Gingerbread Man and more.
World Book Day Crafts for Kids
If you’re looking for an easy World Book Day craft, these fun corner bookmarks from Red Ted Art could be perfect!
Do you have any more World Book Day science experiment ideas for us?
Last Updated on March 2, 2026 by Emma Vanstone
The post Easy Science Experiments for World Book Day appeared first on Science Experiments for Kids.
Science Experiments for Kids Read More