Float and Sink Experiments
[20 Minutes]
Water and children are a natural combination. Stand back and watch as your child experiments with ways to make floating things sink and sinking things float.
You'll need:
• basin of water
• leaf
• rock
• button
• crayon
• feather
• screw
• string
What to do:
- Together with your child, gather objects that will float or sink. Test the objects you have chosen to see whether they sink or float.
- Invite your child to take one of the objects that sinks, for example a screw. Ask him, "Why does the screw sink?"
- Invite him to place a feather in the water. Before he puts it in the water, ask him, "Do you think the feather will sink or float?" The feather will float at first.
- Then ask him, "Why did the feather sink?"
- Challenge your child to try each of the other objects and ask him to predict whether or not it will sink or float and why.
How to use:
You may want to help your child make a list of things that sink and things that float. Each time he experiments with an object, encourage him to add it to the sink or float list.
Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.
- Were you able to guess which objects sank and which objects floated?
- Can you think of other objects to add to our sinking and floating list?
Useful information:
While you are having fun together, this activity provides experiences for developing concepts related to science.
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