We’re celebrating the beginning of autumn with some lovely apple experiments today! Turn apples into boats, experiment with different ways to preserve them, find out why food goes bad and make your own delicious apple cider.
If you’re not a big fan of apples but still love autumn, try my autumn and fall STEM challenges instead!
Easy Apple Experiments
Fruity Apple Boats
Try this fun twist on a traditional sink or float investigation using apple slices as the base of a boat! Make just one apple boat or create a few and have a race!
Other ideas include adding small toy figures to the boats until they sink, or blowing them across the water’s surface with a paper straw.
Preserved Apple Skulls
Preserve apples by pickling them! Just one of the spooky activities in GROSS Science, the book.
Why does food rot?
Find out why food rots and how you can slow the process down by placing apple slices in water, vinegar, air and salt. This is a brilliant, visual science investigation which allows for observations over time.
Spiced Apple Cider
Learn about filtering by making delicious spiced apple cider. The apple cider tastes great, and the activity can be made into an investigation by using different types of filters and comparing the results.
Apple Friction Ramp
Create a simple ramp covered with different materials and record the time it takes for an apple to roll down it.
Our apple ramp is a fantastic way to learn about friction and the effect of gradient on speed.
Apple Bobbing
Find out why apples float with a traditional autumn game and fun science activity.
Apple STEM Challenges
Print and try my FREE Apple STEM Challenges. Each one only needs apples and a few basic materials.
More apple science experiments
Make an apple volcano with Homeschool Preschool.
Find out how many apples tall you are.
Try an apple taste test. Can you tell the difference between a Granny Smith and a Pink Lady apple without looking?
Last Updated on November 11, 2025 by Emma Vanstone
