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Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Easy Sink or Float Experiments for Kids

Easy Sink or Float Experiments for Kids

Modified: Oct 14, 2024 · Published: Jun 30, 2011 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

You might think sink or float experiments are just for small children, but you can do some great investigations with older children along the same theme.

Do you know how to make a lemon sink? Or can you make an object that sinks, float?

make a lemon float. Image shows a container filled with water. A whole lemon is floating at the top and the inside of a lemon is at the bottom.

Sink or float investigation for little ones

You’ll need

A large bowl of water

Objects to test (anything you like, but good to pick some solid and some hollow objects)

Instructions

Fill the bowl or container about ⅔ full of water.

Gently place the objects on the water; some objects will float when you gently put them on the water but sink when you drop them.

Can you predict which objects will float and which will sink?

Can you design a table for recording your results?

Another idea is to set up a pirate style sink or float experiment or a lego themed investigation is great fun too!

Young child dropping items into a transparent box of water

Why do some things float and some things sink?

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.

Child's hands in water. Different objects are floating in the the water.

Another idea is to make a boat from plasticine and use it to demonstrate how marbles or similar objects sink independently but hopefully float inside the boat.

More sink or float science experiments for kids

Make boats with recycled materials and test them to see if they sink or float. Try adding extra weight to investigate how much they can hold without sinking!

Make an egg float using salt. Adding salt to water increases the density of the water. If the water becomes denser than the egg, the egg will float!

egg floating because of salt in the water - a fun sink or float experiment for kids

Discover how many coins it takes to sink a tinfoil boat. This is a great addition or counting activity for younger children, too.

tinfoil boat floating in a tub of water. the boat has a small lego man and 2 copper coins inside.

Edventures with Kids tests different fruits and vegetables to see if they float or sink.

Little boats made with fruit ( melon or lemon skin ) are also fun to make and test.

Fruity boats - water table science for kids

Can you think of any more sink or float experiments for us?

Collage or sink or float experiments for kids #scienceforkids #sinkorfloat #EYFS #ScienceforEYFS

Last Updated on October 14, 2024 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. Lorraine

    March 08, 2017 at 9:42 pm

    Kolmas kerta toden sanoi, sillä mäkin oon pyyöittänrt tätä moneen otteeseen, mutta jättäny ostamatta just hinnan takia 🙂 (eilen oli palkkapäivä eli meni sen piikkiin). Ajattelin, että Hayn peileihin verrattuna 15 egee ei oo kyllä mitään!

    Reply

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