7 ways to raise curious kids who question everything (in the best way)

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You know that moment when your four-year-old asks “Why is the sky blue?” and you realize you have absolutely no idea? Welcome to parenthood, where we’re supposed to be the source of all knowledge while simultaneously Googling “how to remove permanent marker from walls” for the third time this week.

Here’s the thing: in a world where facts seem increasingly negotiable and science is treated like just another opinion at the dinner table, raising critical-thinking, curious kids has never been more important. And honestly? It might be easier than you think–even if you slept through high school chemistry.

Why starting early actually matters

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the effort to engage your preschooler’s scientific curiosity when you can barely get them to put on matching socks, here’s some motivation: research shows that nurturing STEM interest in preK and elementary school is crucial for later engagement in science careers.

Children’s book author Kirsten W. Larson, who wrote “This Is How You Know” (a gorgeously illustrated guide to scientific thinking for the 4-8 crowd), puts it perfectly: “Young kids are just naturally curious and inquisitive.” The goal is to encourage them “to ask questions, wonder about things, and seek answers– before they saw science as a dusty collection of facts or just a school subject they have to study.”

Think about it: your four-year-old will spend 20 minutes examining a bug on the sidewalk, asking endless questions about where it came from and what it’s doing. That’s not annoying behavior to redirect–that’s scientific thinking in action. The trick is catching and nurturing that natural curiosity before the world convinces them that science is boring or “not for them.”

The why phase: Embrace the beautiful chaos

Let’s start with the elephant in the room: those endless “why” questions. If you’re currently in the thick of it, you have my deepest sympathy and my highest respect for not having lost your mind yet.

“I like to flip the question back to the child and ask them what they think,” Larson suggests. “If they are asking why, they are curious and probably have their own thoughts.”

Revolutionary, right? Instead of scrambling for an answer you’re not even sure is correct, turn it around. Your kid asks why leaves fall? Ask them what they think. Their answer might be that the trees are getting sleepy, and honestly, that’s not terrible reasoning for a preschooler who’s just figuring out how the world works.

It’s okay to say “I don’t know” (Seriously.)

Here’s your permission slip to be human: you don’t need to know everything. Larson points out that even scientists don’t have all the answers, but “for scientists, ‘I don’t know’ is a beginning, not an end.”

This is actually the perfect opportunity to model the kind of thinking we want our kids to develop. When your child stumps you with a question about why soap makes bubbles, you can say, “I don’t know–let’s figure it out together.” Then you can look it up, experiment, or head to the library. You’re not admitting defeat; you’re showing them how to be curious and resourceful.

Turn everyday moments into science experiments

The beautiful thing about scientific thinking is that it doesn’t require a lab coat or fancy equipment. It just requires paying attention to the world around us. Larson calls these “notice and wonder” activities, and they can happen literally anywhere.

“Kids are incredible observers,” she notes. During your next grocery run (you know, the one where you’re trying to prevent a toddler meltdown in aisle 3), ask your kid what they notice. Maybe they’ll observe that “all the apples are together, but they’re different colors.” Boom–you’ve got the beginning of a conversation about varieties, growing conditions, or even just sorting and classification.

In the kitchen, let them see what happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar. During bath time, explore which toys sink and which ones float. These aren’t Pinterest-worthy activities that require advance planning–they’re just life, but with intentional observation that helps them think like a scientist.

The art of not giving answers

This might be the hardest part for those of us who are natural fixers and explainers. When your kid wonders why their toy car goes farther when they build a taller ramp, resist the urge to launch into a physics lesson. Instead, encourage them to test their theory.

“Don’t give them an answer, which shuts down curiosity,” Larson advises. “Instead, encourage them to investigate their ideas.”

Let them build different sized ramps. Let them try different cars. Let them draw their own conclusions. Yes, this takes longer than just telling them about gravity and momentum. Yes, it might result in toy cars scattered across your living room. But you’re not just teaching physics – you’re teaching them how to think.

Failure is just data in disguise

Here’s where we need to check our own baggage. Many of us grew up thinking that getting the “wrong” answer meant we weren’t smart enough for science. But Larson reminds us of Thomas Edison’s perspective: “I have not failed 10,000 times—I’ve successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.”

When your kid’s hypothesis doesn’t work out – when the paper airplane nosedives or the plant experiment goes sideways – frame it as valuable information, not a failure. “That didn’t work the way we expected. What do you think we could try differently?”

This mindset shift is huge, especially for kids who might be perfectionists or who get frustrated when things don’t go as planned.

Critical thinking starts early

In our current information landscape, teaching kids to think critically isn’t just nice-to-have–it’s essential. But how do you explain media literacy to a six-year-old without crushing their natural wonder?

Start simple. Larson suggests helping young children distinguish between facts and opinions. Talk about checking emotions: “If they react strongly to an idea or a piece of information, then that’s a signal to take their time to investigate.”

Model your own thinking process out loud. When you hear news that surprises you, let them see you dig beyond the headline, consider the source, and look for additional information. You’re not trying to make them cynical – you’re teaching them to be thoughtful.

Science is for everyone (yes, really everyone)

Here’s something that might surprise you: you don’t need to be a math whiz or the next Einstein to be a scientist. Larson learned this the hard way when she loved particle physics in high school but struggled with calculus. “I thought that meant I couldn’t be a scientist. Otherwise, the math would have come easily, right?”

Wrong. Science is really about developing what she calls “scientific habits of mind like being curious, questioning, skeptical, open-minded, and seeking out evidence.” Notice what’s not on that list? Being naturally gifted at calculus or fitting into any particular mold.

This means every kid–whether they’re a hands-on learner who needs to touch everything, a quiet observer who processes internally, or somewhere in between–can develop these thinking skills. Your job isn’t to figure out if your child is “science material.” It’s to nurture their natural curiosity, regardless of how it shows up.

Expand their universe of possibilities

One of the most powerful things you can do is show your kids that scientists come in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. Larson advocates for reading diverse children’s books about scientists and engineers, describing them as “mirrors, windows, and sliding doors”–a beautiful concept from Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop.

Your kids need to see scientists who look like them, but they also need windows into other experiences and backgrounds. Read about African American biologist Charles Henry Turner, who discovered bees can see color. Learn about Temple Grandin, an autism advocate and animal behaviorist who revolutionized livestock care. Explore stories of women who’ve been working in STEM for years, making groundbreaking discoveries that often went unrecognized.

“I want kids of all genders to know women have been working in STEM for years, and I want to normalize it,” Larson says. This isn’t about checking boxes – it’s about expanding your child’s sense of what’s possible and who belongs in science.

The long game

The truth is, we’re not just raising kids who know random facts about photosynthesis (though that’s cool too). We’re raising future adults who can navigate an increasingly complex world with curiosity, flexibility, and critical thinking skills.

Research shows that nurturing STEM interest in elementary school is crucial for later engagement. But even if your kid never becomes a scientist, these habits of mind–being curious, questioning, skeptical yet open-minded–will serve them well no matter what path they choose.

As Larson puts it: “Science provides the information we need to tackle many of the world’s big problems. Ideally, it helps us shape public policy and make decisions to make our world a better place.”

So the next time your kid asks their 847th “why” of the day, take a deep breath. You’re not just answering a question–you’re helping shape a future critical thinker. And in today’s world, that might be the most important job any of us have.

Even if you’re still Googling how soap makes bubbles.

Looking to add some scientific thinking to your kids’ bookshelf? Check out This is How You Know as well as some of Larson’s picks below!