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March 25, 2010 | 20 Comments

Preschool Science – Sink or Float?

preschool science lesson sink or floatI have done many times with my son but now that he is 3 and has starting asking more complex questions, able to use information to make solid predictions it was way more fun! Using Easter eggs doesn’t simply add novelty, it add another dimension of learning, as we added more items to the eggs to see if the amount would change the result.

  1. Gather your materials. You will need a plastic tub, some plastic Easter egg, tape to cover the holes they have, and a range of items to pack inside. We chose a lego, some feathers, coins, rocks and dry pasta. You will also need some crayons in the same colors as the eggs, a marker and paper to make a prediction and results chart. Preschool Science Lesson
  2. Start by filling your eggs with the contents. Don’t forget to add tape to the holes so water doesn’t get in.Preschool Science Lesson
  3. Make your easy peasy chart. Draw the egg, write what’s in them and have your child decide if they think it will sink or float. Talk about how when they decide they are making a prediction. Ask them why they think each will sink or float.Preschool Science Lesson
  4. Do your experiment. Pop the eggs in the water and discover if it sinks or floats. Preschool Science Lesson
  5. Was the result what you expected? All of ours floated so we opened up the one with rocks in it added more and then it sunk. This was the best part of the whole lesson because my son figured out why it sunk the 2nd time but not the first! Since doing this last week we have “tested” many other things from a match box car ( it sunk) to a sock!  Preschool Science Lesson
  6. We also opened some of the eggs up to see what would happen, and blew air on them too. Some moved some didn’t can you guess why?;) Love that one experiment leads straight to another!  Preschool Science Lesson

What I love about teaching through experiments is that kids grasp things on their own, the true pleasure of making a discovery is obvious on their faces and it makes a mark. They remember and understand  this experience much better than if we simply told them why things sink and float.

Filed Under: Age Preschool, Age: Toddlers, Science Experiments, Water | 20 Comments

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20 Comments

  1. Ashleigh says

    March 25, 2010 at 12:26 am

    Thanks for sharing! I’m adding this to the list of April activities for my daughter!

    to Ashleigh" aria-label='reply to this comment to Ashleigh'>reply to this comment
  2. Tanya M. says

    March 25, 2010 at 1:12 am

    Awesomely creative and inventive! I haven’t seen this idea with eggs yet and will definitely be doing this. Thanks for the great idea, Allie! You rock!

    to Tanya M." aria-label='reply to this comment to Tanya M.'>reply to this comment
  3. Min says

    March 25, 2010 at 1:59 am

    It’s a nice twist to the typical sink and float activity. We’re going to try this!
    .-= Min´s last blog ..Not Just a Box =-.

    to Min" aria-label='reply to this comment to Min'>reply to this comment
  4. Natalie says

    March 25, 2010 at 7:01 am

    We did the same “sink and float” experiment last year – it was a lot of fun. But I think it will be even more fun this year when she is 3 and understands better how things work. I love the last picture – he definitely looks fully immersed in this experiment.
    .-= Natalie´s last blog ..Social History – Passover =-.

    to Natalie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Natalie'>reply to this comment
  5. Jen says

    March 25, 2010 at 7:24 am

    Never too old for sink or float! My girls love finding things around the house and testing them. They also love to test magnitism with items around the house. We charted our results, too.

    Jen
    .-= Jen´s last blog ..Fairies Galore! =-.

    to Jen" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jen'>reply to this comment
  6. LindsayDianne says

    March 25, 2010 at 12:54 pm

    This is a great idea and I’ve never seen it done.
    Thanks!! Something for us to do on this rainy afternoon

    to LindsayDianne" aria-label='reply to this comment to LindsayDianne'>reply to this comment
  7. Staci says

    March 25, 2010 at 1:33 pm

    This was fun! We just did it at the kitchen sink and gathered up materials around the house. Sometimes I was even second guessing whether it would sink or float. Ha! My daughter has now turned one of the containers into a “boat” and is still going strong at the sink.
    .-= Staci´s last blog ..Ziploc MONEY MAKER at Kroger =-.

    to Staci" aria-label='reply to this comment to Staci'>reply to this comment
  8. Julie says

    March 25, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    We play “sink or float” in the tub on the days that DS doesn’t want to take a bath. Works every time!

    to Julie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Julie'>reply to this comment
  9. Stacy says

    March 29, 2010 at 2:11 pm

    Thanks for the fun twist on a classic experiment. I linked back to you.
    http://givinguponacleanhouse.blogspot.com/2010/03/sink-or-float-experiment.html

    to Stacy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Stacy'>reply to this comment
  10. Kasey @ All Things Mamma says

    March 29, 2010 at 7:58 pm

    GREAT project to do with my daycare kids this week while on Spring Break. thanks!
    .-= Kasey @ All Things Mamma´s last blog ..It’s Time =-.

    to Kasey @ All Things Mamma" aria-label='reply to this comment to Kasey @ All Things Mamma'>reply to this comment
  11. Anastasia @Healthy Mama Info says

    November 9, 2011 at 12:36 pm

    What a great idea! love it.

    to Anastasia @Healthy Mama Info" aria-label='reply to this comment to Anastasia @Healthy Mama Info'>reply to this comment

Trackbacks

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    September 25, 2010 at 12:53 am

    […] #9 A really easy one to try a home is this sink or float test from No Time For Flash […]

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  2. 24 Blogs with the Best Ideas for Recycling Plastic Easter Eggs | Babysitting Jobs says:
    March 14, 2013 at 11:00 am

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  4. 50 Homeschool Science Experiments (that cost next to nothing) | Free Homeschool Deals © says:
    April 17, 2014 at 3:32 am

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  7. Preschool Easter Activities with Plastic Eggs! - How Wee Learn says:
    March 14, 2016 at 2:56 am

    […] Preschool Science Sink or Float from No Time for Flash Cards – Such a fun way for children to run their own scientific experiment! […]

    to Preschool Easter Activities with Plastic Eggs! - How Wee Learn" aria-label='reply to this comment to Preschool Easter Activities with Plastic Eggs! - How Wee Learn'>reply to this comment
  8. Easter STEM Activities with Plastic Eggs - JDaniel4s Mom says:
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    March 22, 2020 at 5:53 am

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