Discover which objects float or sink through hands-on water experiments
30 mins
Duration
Ages 3-6
Age Range
Easy
Difficulty
Materials Needed
- Large clear container
- Water
- Various small objects
- Towels
- Notebook for recording
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Fill large container with water
- 2
Gather various objects: coins, corks, toys, fruits, etc.
- 3
Before testing, predict whether each item will float or sink
- 4
Gently place each object in water and observe
- 5
Record results and compare to predictions
- 6
Discuss why some things float and others sink
Safety Tips
- Use only safe, non-toxic objects
- Have towels ready for spills
- Supervise around water at all times
- Choose objects too large to be choking hazards
Learning Goals
Scientific predictionObservation skillsDensity conceptsData recording
Fun Variations
- Test objects made of different materials
- Try changing water temperature
- Add salt to water and test same objects