10 Free or Budget-Friendly Science Lab Hacks Every Teacher Should Know
Science labs can get expensive fast. Between consumables, equipment, and the random things students accidentally break, it adds up. And the school budget doesn’t always cover this…we teachers do. But the good news is, you don’t always need a big budget to run meaningful, engaging labs. Over the years, I’ve found plenty of free or budget-friendly hacks that let students get hands-on without draining your supply budget (or your wallet).
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share resources I truly use and recommend. But we’re talking money-saving, so I’ll make sure to offer up my go-to store brand or generic supplies.
Here are 10 of my favorites you can start using right away:
1. Use Your Household Supplies
Vinegar, baking soda, ammonia, alcohol, balloons, string, pennies, and Alka-Seltzer tablets are staples in my classroom. They’re inexpensive, easy to replace, and perfect for labs on chemical reactions, gas production, or density.
👉 Start your stockpile, grab baking soda in bulk or Alka-Seltzer tablets (Amazon brand), enough to last all year.
2. Reuse Plastic Containers and Jars
Don’t toss those yogurt cups, baby food jars, soda cans, or clear takeout containers. They make excellent mini-lab stations for small group work, reduce the need for pricey beakers when precision isn’t critical, and are ready for quick demos when you need them.
3. Use Online Simulations as Lab Replacements
When you’re short on supplies or pressed for time, simulations like PhET Interactive Simulations are lifesavers. They’re free, interactive, and cover tons of physics and chemistry topics. Bonus: no clean-up required!
👀 Check out How to Use Simulations to Replace or Support Labs!
4. Whiteboards + Dry Erase Markers = Reusable Data Tables
Not really a lab supply, but worth mentioning.
Instead of photocopying 100 lab sheets, have groups set up their data tables on whiteboards. This cuts paper use and makes labs feel more collaborative. Small whiteboards work great for lab groups.
Or better yet, plastic sleeves! I even use these on my bulletin boards for upcoming assessments, current standards, and learning goals. Make them your own and keep your bulletin board fresh and relevant, not just for decoration.
And use Canva for cute little decorations!
5. Shop Dollar Stores First
Need measuring cups, spoons, funnels, or trays? The dollar store often has exactly what you need for pennies compared to lab catalogs. Pro tip: stock up in August when back-to-school items hit the shelves.
My drawers and student lab stations are so organized, all thanks to the super affordable bins and trays. I always stock up and may buy too many, lol.
Check out these measuring cups I scooped up on Amazon for a Kool-Aid dilutions lab with my chemistry kiddos.
Oh, and for sure, stock up on Kool-Aid or Tang. Labs like the one pictured use up way more product than you’d expect.
6. DIY Lab Equipment
You’d be surprised what you can build yourself. A soda bottle can become a gas collection chamber. Straws can stand in for pipettes. And binder clips? They double as stands for thermometers or sensors.
Story time! My first year teaching physics at a new school, and I didn’t have my optic bench lab equipment. I had to leave all that at my previous school. So, became an engineer and made my own!
With a meterstick, candle, paper clips, binder clips, and a hot glue gun, I made my own optic bench and the lab went better than expected. Oh yea, and I didn’t have the lenses from my previous lab kits, so little kid magnifying glasses off Amazon stepped in to save the day.
7. Conduct Demos Instead of Buying Class Sets
While this may not be the ideal scenario, it’s still a great way to provide a lab experience when supplies or funds are limited. Demonstrations can give students meaningful, hands-on exposure without the cost of outfitting every group. Try weaving a demo into your lecture. This little technique adds interest, boosts engagement, and helps students retain the concept without stretching your budget.
And if you’d like an easy way to keep your class organized and activities running smoothly, grab my free Lab Roles Card Set. Assigning roles like Materials Manager, Recorder, and Reporter keeps students engaged during labs and demos.
Download your set here! →
8. Ask for Donations
Don’t be afraid to ask for a little help. Add a note in your syllabus or send a friendly reminder before holidays and Teacher Appreciation Week. Something as simple as, “Instead of gifts, please consider an Amazon gift card to help with classroom and lab supplies,” can go a long way. Parents, local businesses, and even the school cafeteria often have extras they’re happy to share, think plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, foil, or glass jars. A short “wish list” email can make a big difference.
9. Repurpose Old Lab Kits
Before tossing that half-used kit, see what’s left. Many times you can mix and match leftovers to create a new version of an activity. For example, leftover wires and bulbs from one circuit kit can combine with batteries you already have for another lesson.
Always save old Christmas lights or scoop them up at yard sales. You can cut individual bulbs, strip the wire ends, and use them over and over again in circuit labs!
10. SciAcademy = The Ultimate Budget Hack
Yes, I have to mention this. Stop buying one-off activities and labs from multiple TpT stores. Stick with one concise, high-quality, on-topic monthly resource library. With SciAcademy, you get full access to ready-to-use physics and chemistry labs, sub plans, activities, and much more for less than a morning coffee run. It’s the easiest way to save money and time without sacrificing quality. Just think, you don’t have to search for content; it’s just ready when you are each month.
👉 Want to try it out? Join SciAcademy here and start using budget-friendly labs today.
Final Thoughts
Running engaging labs doesn’t have to mean overspending or losing lesson time waiting for purchasing to approve your order. With a mix of everyday materials, creative setups, and low-cost tools, you can stretch your budget while still giving students hands-on experiences.
Start small. Add one or two hacks this week, and see how much smoother (and cheaper) your labs run.
And remember, you don’t have to do it all alone. Whether it’s using a free pHet simulation or grabbing this month’s labs from SciAcademy, the goal is the same: meaningful science without the chaos or the cost.
