Water activities are so easy to set up and perfect for young kids to play and learn with science. Every day materials and supplies become awesome preschool science experiments. Introduce absorption in a simple way with this sponge absorption experiment. How much water can your sponge soak up? Let’s find out!

Explore Absorption For Simple Science

Absorption science is fun and easy to set up for younger kids! Preschool water science experiments make great hands on play learning activities too!

Another favorite water absorption science experiment uses a variety of household materials to learn about absorption! It is a bit more challenging and makes a great add on to this experiment below.

Today we used sponges to absorb our water but added in a little math too! We talked about how some materials like sponges absorb water. I had him make some predictions before we started to see what he thought about how much water the sponge might soak up. Time to experiment and observe!

This quick and easy absorption science experiment is part of our A-Z STEM science for kids month. Science, technology, engineering, and math are so important for children to explore even at an early age!  STEM can be quick and playful like this simple experiment.  What is STEM?. Make sure to read and find out.

How To Do Science Experiments At Home

Science learning starts early, and you can be a part of that with setting up science at home with everyday materials. Or you can bring easy science experiments to a group of kids in the classroom!

We find a ton of value in cheap science activities and experiments. All our science experiments use inexpensive, everyday materials you can find at home or source from your local dollar store.

We even have a whole list of kitchen science experiments, using basic supplies you will have in your kitchen.

You can set up your science experiments as an activity focusing on exploration and discovery. Make sure to ask kids questions at each step, discuss what is happening and talk about the science behind it.

Alternatively, you can introduce the scientific method, get kids to record their observations, and make conclusions. Read more about the scientific method for kids to help you get started.

Even though the scientific method feels like it is just for big kids…

This method can be used with kids of all ages! Have a casual conversation with younger kiddos or do a more formal notebook entry with older kiddos!

Helpful Science Resources

Here are a few resources that will help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

Science Experiments By Age Group

We’ve put together a few separate resources for different age groups, but remember that many experiments will cross over and can be re-tried at several different age levels. Younger kiddos can enjoy the simplicity and hands-on fun. At the same time, you can talk back and forth about what is happening.

As kiddos get older, they can bring more complexity to the experiments, including using the scientific method, developing hypotheses, exploring variables, creating different tests, and writing conclusions from analyzing data.

Get your free science journal pages!

Sponge Absorption Lab

Before you get started, ask your child what might happen when water is squeezed onto the sponge. Encourage them to make observations with their senses. Ask questions to help them learn how to observe, experiment and peak curiosity!

Supplies:

  • sponges
  • pan
  • squeeze bottle, baster, mini scoops or measuring cup
  • extra bowl

Instructions:

STEP 1. Grab a couple towels and set out your tray with sponges, science tools, and water. This could get a little messy, but don’t worry! You have sponges to absorb the water!

Water Absorption Science Activity Exploring Sponges Science Sensory Activity

STEP 2. Start the fun! Let your child enjoy the discovery of absorption science. Add some water to the sponge with one or more of the tools.

STEP 3. Once the sponge is full, squeeze the water out and fill again.

All of these activities involve great hand strengthening exercises as well! Scientists need great fine motor skills too!

Water Absorption Science Experimenting with Water Volume Sponge Science

Extend The Learning

Want to take it a step farther? Add some math to the activity!

  • How many scoops will it take to fill the sponge?
  • Is the scoop bigger or smaller than the squeeze bottle?

Equal, less, more, full, and empty are great math terms to discuss! Keep it playful and fun! Encourage exploration.

Another fun idea, is to grab some different sponges and investigate which type of sponge holds the most water. Make sure to record how much water you are adding to each sponge as you go!

This makes a great first STEM activity for the A-Z of Kid’s STEM activities. A is for Absorption Science!

How Does A Sponge Absorb Water

Materials that absorb water are described as porous. Porous simply means they can soak up liquids easily. Porous materials have pores or openings that allow air or water to pass through easily.

As you would have noticed sponges are very porous and absorb water easily. That’s because they have lots of holes or openings in them. The water passes into the sponge and then gets trapped in some of those holes or passages that don’t lead anyway.

Plastic cups, metal forks and spoons, ceramic plates are examples of materials found at home that do not absorb water. Which is what you want when you are drinking water or eating food!

More Easy Science Experiments To Try

Printable Science Projects For Kids

If you’re looking to grab all of the printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets, our Science Project Pack is what you need!

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