Critical Thinking Activities for Kids

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking skills are one of the most important things we can instill in students, and that is perhaps one of the main reasons we become teachers in the first place. At Educational Innovations, we provide tools to help you challenge and inspire your students so they will develop those skills. Hand them an Energy Tube or Energy Ball and ask them what activates the light and sound show. Place an ice cube on each of the Amazing Ice Melting Blocks at room temperature. One ice cube instantly begins to melt and is totally gone in about 90 seconds while the other ice cube shows no evidence of melting. Can your students tell you why? When the Poly Density Bottle is shaken, blue and white beads mix as expected. However, when allowed to settle, the beads separate, white at the top and blue at the bottom. Then, the two separated colored beads slowly come together in the center of the liquid. Let your students discuss theories behind this phenomenon!
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  • Bernoulli's Principle Class Kit

    Bernoulli's Principle Class Kit

    Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon (4 reviews)
    Teach Bernoulli's Principle easily with this kit!
    $7.95–$25.95
  • Mica Demo Kit

    Mica Demo Kit

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    When one polarizing filter is rotated, the colors change!
    $8.75
  • Plasma Globe Experiment Kit

    Plasma Globe Experiment Kit

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    So much great science in this kit!
    $11.95–$21.95
  • Serpent Skin™ Tubing

    Serpent Skin™ Tubing

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    A hassle-free alternative to dialysis tubing.
    $14.95
  • Pocket Sound Blaster

    Pocket Sound Blaster

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    Our loudest sound demo!!!
    $2.95
  • Singing Rod (Rosin Only)

    Singing Rod (Rosin Only)

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    A classic science demo sure to grab your students' attention!
    $3.95
  • Sound Tubes

    Sound Tubes

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    When spun in a circular motion, these tubes produce different tones.
    $2.95–$31.95
  • Chinese Spouting Bowl

    Chinese Spouting Bowl

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    Actually "spout" water up and out of the bowl using resonance!
    $139.95
  • Milk Bottle & Egg Demo

    Milk Bottle & Egg Demo

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    It's all about Air Pressure! - A Classic Demonstration!
    $14.25
  • The Disappearing Beaker

    The Disappearing Beaker

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    A great demonstration of 'index of refraction'.
    $9.95
    *Backordered: 1/27/2025
  • Balancing Bird Demo

    Balancing Bird Demo

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    Balances on anything - your finger, a pencil, or the edge of your desk.
    $3.50–$28.95
  • Small Balancing Bird Demo

    Small Balancing Bird Demo

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    These small, colorful birds balance on anything.
    $1.50–$14.95
  • Center of Gravity Kit

    Center of Gravity Kit

    Balance it upon a point or slide it down fishing line.
    $8.25
  • Ultraviolet Detecting Beads

    Ultraviolet Detecting Beads

    Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon (160 reviews)
    Watch white beads change to bright colors when taken outside!
    $6.95–$324.95
  • Nature Print Paper

    Nature Print Paper

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    Light-sensitive paper that exposes in direct sunlight.
    $7.95–$17.95
  • Polarizing Cellophane Tape

    Polarizing Cellophane Tape

    Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon (3 reviews)
    This tape exhibits brilliant colors when placed between two polarizing filters.
    $1.95–$8.75
  • Polarizing Filter Demo Kit

    Polarizing Filter Demo Kit

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    Conduct experiments and demonstrations using polarized light.
    $5.95–$15.95
  • Polarizing Filters

    Polarizing Filters

    Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon (14 reviews)
    These high quality plastic polarizing filters are perfect for all kinds of experimentation.
    $3.75–$129.95
  • Mirascope

    Mirascope

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    Project a real image that you can put your finger through.
    $8.95
  • Case Of The Lost Skull: A Crime Scenario

    Case Of The Lost Skull: A Crime Scenario

    Someone has left an animal skull stuffed with cash outside the school!
    $91.95–$189.95
  • Case Of The Missing Mascot: A Crime Scenario

    Case Of The Missing Mascot: A Crime Scenario

    Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon (2 reviews)
    Someone has taken the school mascot! Who took it? A rival school?
    $189.95
  • Crime Scene Investigations: Real-Life Science Activities

    Crime Scene Investigations: Real-Life Science Activities

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    Turn your students into super sleuths!
    $37.95
  • Case Of The Kidnapped Cookies: A Crime Scenario

    Case Of The Kidnapped Cookies: A Crime Scenario

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    Discover who has stolen the disks of warm chewy deliciousness.
    $189.95
  • Oil Spill Kit

    Oil Spill Kit

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    Design and carry out a plan to clean up an oil spill.
    $23.95–$49.95
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Critical Thinking Learning Materials and Activities

As teachers, we want our students to be inquisitive. But what does it mean to "think like a scientist?" A key component is critical thinking. Learning materials that help your students to actively consider information, assess the validity of data, and form their own conclusions are an ideal way to bring critical thinking into your classroom.

Whether your students are trying to figure out why the beads float at different levels in our Poly Density Kit or are wondering which scientific principles are at work with our Atmospheric Mat, these critical thinking learning materials are bound to improve their skills and understanding of scientific phenomena. We agree with the scholar who wrote, "The value of science education might not always be in the facts, but in the thinking." Get your students thinking critically with activities from Educational Innovations!