Is it magic or is it science? Either way this floating drawing experiment is sure to impress! Create a dry erase drawing and watch it float in water. Learn about what floats in water with a totally do-able science activity for home or in the classroom. It could even be your next party trick!
DRY ERASE EXPERIMENT FOR KIDS
SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS FOR KIDS
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 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.
Apply the scientific method and extend our dry erase drawing activity by changing one variable. For example; repeat the activity and change the temperate of the water.
Alternatively, compare rubbing alcohol on top of your drawing to water. Or compare whether dry-erase and permanent markers give you the same result. Why or why not?
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE PRINTABLE FLOATING INK PROJECT!
DRY ERASE MARKER EXPERIMENT
Can you make your dry erase drawing float? See our floating drawing tips at the end! Also check out our Halloween ghostly floating drawings!
SUPPLIES:
- Expo dry erase markers
- Water
- Dinner plate
INSTRUCTIONS:
STEP 1: Make sure the ink flows well in your markers.
STEP 2: Draw simple dry erase drawings all over your plate.
STEP 3: Slowly pour water into the plate near the edges of your drawings. The drawings will begin to float when the water touches them. If they do not lift completely, tilt the plate slightly.
To expand the activity, touch a piece of paper or cotton swab to the floating shapes to see what happens when they touch a dry surface. What do you observe?
TIPS FOR MAKING A FLOATING DRAWING
- Do not use too much water. If the drawing doesn’t lift, try pouring off the water and pouring less.
- Use new dry erase markers.
- Always use a completely dry plate.
- A ceramic plate with an enamel glaze was used in this experiment. Paper plates will not work. This was not tested on glass or plastic (but that would be a fun variation to try to make the experience more scientific!)
- Smaller shapes work best. Larger designs fall apart when they begin to float.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
This dry erase marker and water actually demonstrates the physical properties of dry erase ink and water! Explore chemistry with this magical little demonstration!
It’s all because of the type of ink in the marker, which doesn’t dissolve in water unlike the washable markers in our coffee filter flower STEAM project or marker chromatography experiment!
When you draw with the dry-erase markers, it looks like the color is sticking to the plate. But in fact, there is an oily silicone polymer in the dry-erase marker that prevents it from sticking to your plate.
The water can then slip underneath, and because the ink is not as dense as the water the drawing will float.
MORE FUN FLOATING SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS TO TRY
Make the M of an M&M candy float with our floating M experiment.
Test what sinks or floats with common household items.
How do sharks float? Try this buoyancy activity.
Make a tin foil boat and see how many floating pennies you can have.
Will an egg float or sink in salty water? This salt water density experiment is a fun variation of the classic sink or float experiment.
This simple water density experiment with sugar is an amazing science experiment for kids!
Make a density tower with layers of different liquids.
MAKE YOUR DRAWING FLOAT WITH DRY ERASE AND WATER
Click on the image below or on the link for more easy science experiments for kids.
