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Home » Early Years Science » How does apple bobbing work?

How does apple bobbing work?

Modified: Oct 5, 2023 · Published: Oct 29, 2012 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

Apple bobbing is a traditional Halloween/Autumn game with some interesting science and history behind it.

We used a large container filled to near the top with water. I removed the stalks so they didn’t poke anyone in the face and asked the children to try to pick up the apple with their teeth.

A metal tub filled with water and apples for Apple Bobbing.

The first time everyone tried, they pushed the apple down when trying to bite it, and then it bobbed up again to the surface. My 4-year-old cheated and held it to get a bite. After that, it was much easier to get a grip on the apple!

Why is apple bobbing so hard?

Whether an object floats or sinks depends on its density. Density is how tightly packed the material inside an object is. Just because something is heavy does not mean it will sink. For example, ships are very heavy but not very dense, so they float.

For an object to sink, it must be more dense than the water. The apple is less dense than water, and so bobs back up to the surface after being pushed down.

Children playing an apple bobbing game

More apple bobbing ideas

Try different kinds of apples. One idea to to set up an investigation to find out whether waxy apples are easier or harder to grip. What if you chop the apples in half?

Supervise children during this activity

More science with apples

Learn about filtering by making apple cider.

Find out how many pennies it takes to pull an apple up a ramp with Kids Minds.

Discover how to stop apples rotting with salt and vinegar.

Read about the history of apple bobbing.

image of three apples starting to rot

Science concepts

Density

Floating

children playing a game of apple bobbing

Last Updated on October 5, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lucy

    October 29, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    I tried this with grapes once – they sink!

    Two alternative ideas for you that work better for younger cildren:

    1: set fruit (or Haribo) in shallow trays of jelly instead. Less of a challenge for little ones and they can always get the fruit out of the “slime” with their fingers if they dont want to put their faces in!

    2: pile a few cups of flour on to a tea plate and set a big marshmallow on the top, pushing it into the flour slightly. The children then try to pick it out with their teeth and inevitably end up with flour on their nose or (if they are brave) ghostly faces!

    3: hang pieces of apple up on a washing line – doughnuts and party rings work well too for this – children have to jump rather than bob for apples

    Reply
  2. pat

    October 29, 2012 at 3:00 pm

    Always great ideas! Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Kendall

    October 30, 2012 at 3:00 am

    Fun!

    Reply
  4. maggy, red ted art

    October 31, 2012 at 10:04 am

    Trust you to find the Science in these traditional activities. Wonderful as ever! Science really is all around us! 🙂

    Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!

    Maggy

    Reply
  5. Rohan Singh

    June 16, 2016 at 1:40 pm

    Once I have tried same type of game at home when I was little with friends, it was fun but I was very little to think about the reason behind the science of this.

    Reply

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