• 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
    • Climate Change for Kids
    • Coding for Kids
    • Chemistry
    • 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
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 » Science Experiments for Kids » Save the Dinosaur – Waterproofing Investigation

    Save the Dinosaur – Waterproofing Investigation

    March 24, 2020 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    Today’s Tray a Day investigation is a fun waterproofing activity. The idea is to colour in each dinosaur and cover them with different test materials. Once each dinosaur is completely covered spray with water and uncover to see which dinosaur is the driest!

    Materials which do not absorb water are said to be waterproof. An umbrella made from paper, or pan made from chocolate wouldn’t be very helpful so it’s handy to know the properties of materials when making something new.

    If you like this investigation you might also like our other properties of materials experiments and activities.

    What you need

    Water sprayer – or you can just drop water onto each dinosaur.

    Different materials to test – kitchen roll, paper, card, kitchen foil, parchment paper, wax crayon all work well.

    Masking tape or blue tac

    Scissors

    Dinosaur printable – or draw your own pictures

    Felt tip pens

    Instructions

    First colour in the dinosaurs using felt tips.

    Next ask an adult to help you cut out small rectangles of different materials to put over the dinosaurs. You need one for each dinosaur. Try to choose some materials you know are waterproof, some you know are not and some you’re not sure about.

    Carefully tape the rectangles over each dinosaur. We used masking tape, but anything you can peel off easily should work.

    Waterproof experiment

    Spray each dinosaur with the same amount of water. 1 or 2 sprays should be plenty. If you don’t have a sprayer just drop water instead.

    Remember you should use the same amount of water each time.

    Look carefully at the materials you’ve sprayed, check to see if the water is sitting on the top or has been absorbed by the material. If you can see the water on top, the material is waterproof.

    Dinosaur Waterproofing Activity

    Results

    White wax crayon, aluminium foil and parchment paper were the most waterproof.

    We expected the foil and parchment paper to be waterproof as it is that feature that makes them handy for wrapping food.

    We didn’t expect the kitchen roll to be waterproof as its function is to absorb liquids, it is an absorbent material.

    What is a material?

    Materials are all the different types of stuff that makes up everything in the Universe. Rocks, trees, water, food, toys, people, animals, clothes and even planets are all made of materials.

    All materials are made up of tiny ( so tiny you can’t see them ) building blocks called atoms. Everything you touch and hold is made of atoms.

    Very simply the word material just means what an object is made from. Examples of materials are plastic, metal, wood, cotton, paper etc.

    Different materials have different properties, which make them useful for different things. For example, glass is used in windows because we can see through it ( it is transparent ). Bricks are used for houses as they are strong and gold doesn’t rust so is handy for making jewellery.

    Natural waterproof materials

    Rubber and wax are examples of natural waterproof coatings. Leaves often have a waxy coating to protect the leaf and help it retain water.

    Last Updated on April 30, 2020 by Emma Vanstone

    « Easy Paper Spinners
    Strong Shapes – how strong is a piece of paper »

    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

    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.

    .

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Science Sparks - FREE science experiments for kids

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Services
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Science Sparks - Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd