Water Theme - Preschool Physics: Exploring Sink vs. Float

Will an object sink or float? 

It's a fairly common science experiment that helps teach children about weight 

and it was a perfect addition to our water themed fun this week.

What You Need:

plastic see through container that can hold water

objects of varying weights

optional: (this is best for older preschoolers): 

a sheet of paper to keep track of findings

I folded a paper in half and wrote sink in one column and float in the other.

What We Did:

1. I filled a see through plastic container with water

2. We gathered household objects and toys of varying weights

3. I let the Lil Divas take turns picking an item to put into the water.

4. Each had the opportunity to hold the item and predict if it would sink or float.

5. I wrote their predictions on the chart and then 

I let them place it into the water to test their predictions

They were so excited when they were correct!

The one that interested them (& stumped them) the most

was our small Dora & Diego figurines!

They felt like they were relatively the same weight.

Yet, Dora floated along the top & Diego sunk!

The Lil Divas were so curious. 

They kept taking them out & putting them back into the water over and over again. 

It was so cute to see them trying to resolve it.

Books:

Have you done any fun experiments using water with your preschooler?

Bern