We’ve been having fun with recycled materials and a few days ago when I heard my son say “I’m bored!” I replied with “Want to throw some eggs off the porch?” He’s 5 so of course, he said yes! I told him there was one rule. We had to make an escape pod to protect the egg from cracking. This is a classic egg drop science project but my bet is your kids have never seen it so go grab some eggs, and your recycle bin and experiment!
- Gather your materials. We rummaged through our recycle bin, my art closet and playroom. This is what we decided we might use. Immediately there was the talk of a parachute. A treat box was used as a possible parachute.
We used bubble wrap, an egg carton, some tape, cotton balls, party streamers and yarn. However, use what you have that’s the whole idea, to use what you have to make something useful to protect the egg. 
- First, he lined the carton (that we cut in half) with cotton balls and bubble wrap and added strips of party streamers.
- Then we poked holes in the treat box to make a parachute and threaded yarn through.
- Tied it onto the carton.
- Added the egg. Closed it up and used a little tape too.
- Then we trekked out to the porch and …. wait! First, we made predictions. My son predicted it would be OK. I said it would crack. Then he dropped it.
- It didn’t crack!
- “Let’s do it ’til it cracks!” OK!
- 2nd time it hit the flower box … as soon as it did my son said: “I bet that made it crack!”
- He was right. I asked him to explain why it would make it crack but the ground wouldn’t. He explained it simply but logically. “The parachute didn’t have time to help yet and it hit hard.”
The Egg Drop Science Project wasn’t a planned activity but it was a blast. It would be so fun in a class to keep throwing them until only one survives!
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If you like this circle time activity, you will love the ideas and circle time lessons I share in Little School my ebook of preschool activities.
Kelly says
What fabulous fun!!! My son would love doing this 😉 And actually I remember doing something very similar at a work love-in!
Sharron Genco says
Lol 😀 that was some wonderful stuff 😀
The Maven says
Love this idea! If only we had a second floor balcony. We may have to try this from a play structure at the park. My boys love breaking things… Too much. Too often.
admin says
A play structure would be perfect !
Natalie says
You are such a fun mom. How wonderful to be able to brainstorm the ways to keep the eggs from cracking. Love the parachute idea!
admin says
Natalie I wish i’d taken a picture of his face when I suggested it. He couldn’t decide if it was some weird trick or not.
Laura says
This is such a great idea! When I first read the title, I thought you were just tossing an egg off the porch (a la David Letterman) which sounded fun to me too!
admin says
I was totally thinking of Letterman when typing this up, I didn’t think anyone else would , love it!!
Anne says
This works with a wastebasket, a chair, and an egg. Use materials around the house, but the problem is whether to protect the egg or find a way to make the wastebasket a softer landing site. Stand on the chair and drop the egg.
admin says
Oooh I like that version too!
Jill @ A Mom With A Lesson Plan says
AWESOME!!! I want to do this as a family Easter tradition… just have to get all the adults on board 🙂
admin says
I bet you could get them on board 😉
Theresa says
That is great educational fun. I am sure your son thought you are the best Mom ever to allow him to toss an egg (albeit protected) off of the balcony! I will have to try to remember this idea for when my babies get older. They are currently 16 months and too young. Thanks for sharing.
Liz says
Another awesome egg idea! Looks like I am going to have to stock up on quite a few eggs for next week’s “eggtivities’.. thanks for sharing 🙂
Beth @ Aunt B's Kitchen says
Good post. Thanks.
Taylor - Egg Experiments says
Looks like he had a blast!! thanks for sharing!!
Chris Chapman says
We kept chickens and had our own ‘Free Range’ eggs. The front lawn was near free of stones near the surface and the soil was damp. We found that we could throw new eggs right over the top of our two storey house which had a pitched roof. They just bounced on the lawn the far side ! Eggs are surprisingly strong.