• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Menu
  • Science Experiments For Kids
  • Science Fair Projects
  • Preschool Science
  • Science Facts
  • Printable Experiments
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Science Questions
  • Contact Me
Science Experiments for Kids
Menu
  • STEM Challenges
  • Early Years Science
    • Preschool Science
    • Sensory and Messy Play
    • Understanding of the World
    • Pirate Science Experiments
  • Primary Science
    • Baking Soda Experiments
    • Candy Experiments
    • Biology for Kids
    • Climate Change for Kids
    • Coding for Kids
    • Chemistry for kids
    • Electricity for Kids
    • Magic Science Experiments
    • Harry Potter Experiments
    • Human Body Science
    • Air Pressure Experiments
    • Life Cycles
    • LEGO Science Experiments
    • Kitchen Science
    • Famous Scientists
    • Forces and Motion
    • Science Sparks Snippets
    • Key Stage 1 Science
      • Animals
      • Everyday Materials
      • Plants
      • Coding Activities
      • Humans and Health
      • Fine Motor skills
      • Science and Literacy
    • Key Stage 2 Science
      • Animals, Including Humans
      • Electricity
      • Light
      • Plants
      • Materials and their Properties
  • Key Stage 3
  • Holiday Science
    • Christmas Science
    • Halloween Science
    • Easter Science
  • Storybook Themed Science Experiments
  • Wonderful Women in STEM
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • FREE Experiments
  • Science for Kids
    • Kitchen Science
    • Climate Change
    • Egg Experiments
    • Fairy Tale Science
    • Edible Science
    • Human Health
    • Chemistry
    • Inspirational Women
    • Forces and Motion
  • Science Fair Projects
  • STEM Challenges
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Contact Science Sparks
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Fruity Boats – sinking and floating experiment

    Fruity Boats – sinking and floating experiment

    June 3, 2014 By Emma Vanstone 3 Comments

    Objects float when they are less dense than the fluid they are in. If you dropped a tennis ball and a marble into a bucket of water the marble would sink and the tennis ball float. This is because a tennis ball is full of air ( it is not very dense ) and a marble is solid ( it is very dense ). Huge ships float because although they are extremely heavy they have a lot of empty space inside. Lemons float as they have lots of air pockets in the thick skin. The inside of a lemon actually sinks!

    What do you think of our fruity lemon boats?

    lemon boats with playmobil people inside #lemonboat #waterexperiments

    What you need to make a fruity boat

    • Lemons, limes, melon or anything else with a thick skin.
    • Small sticks – we used cake pop sticks
    • Paper to make sails
    • Double sided tape – for the sails.

    How to make a fruity boat

    • Hollow out the fruit, I managed to cut the lemon and lime so we could still use them.
    • Decide how to cut the fruit to make the best shaped boat.
    • If the skin is thick enough, stick the stick into the flesh, else use a bit of play doh to keep it secure.
    • Add your sail and see if it floats.

    ( ask an adult to help with the cutting )

    We found our thin melon rind didn’t float at all, but the larger one did and both lemon and lime boats floated.

    Fruity boats - melon boat - science for kids

    Fruity Boat – Extension activity

    If you add more weight do the boats still float or sink?

    Can you predict which boats will sink and which float before putting them on the water? Make a table to show your results.

    What happens if you blow the boats? Can you have a race with a friend?

    How can you make the boat change direction?

    Suitable for Key Stage 1

    Everyday Materials

    Describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials

    Working Scientifically

    Observing closely, using simple equipment

    Performing simple tests

    Using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions

    Suitable for Early Learning Goal 16

    Exploring and using media and materials

    Safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.

    Lemon boats - make boats from lemons, limes, melons and investigate to see if they float on water #Scienceforkids #sinkingandfloatingactivity

    Last Updated on August 1, 2019 by Emma Vanstone

    « The best ice hockey puck
    What’s the best material for a Superhero cape? »

    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. Almost Unschoolers

      June 07, 2014 at 1:39 am

      Very nice!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    What are you looking for?

    JOIN US!

    Get new experiments straight into your inbox every week!!

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    .

    Copyright © 2022 Science Experiments for Kids on the Foodie Pro Theme