Can you make a ghost drawing float on water? Try this fun floating drawing experiment using a dry erase marker, a plate, and water! It’s a simple science activity kids will love at home or in the classroom.
Give it a Halloween twist with floating ghosts, or try other shapes and drawings year-round.
Field: Physical Science
Grades: PreK–3
Concepts: Floating and sinking, density, water, material properties
How To Make A Floating Ghost Drawing
This activity uses just a few simple supplies and is easy to set up.
Supplies
- Dry erase markers
- Smooth, glazed ceramic plate
- Water
Instructions
Step 1. Draw a small ghost on a clean, completely dry ceramic plate using a dry erase marker.
Make sure your lines connect so the shape stays together.
Step 2. Slowly pour a small amount of water onto the plate so the water gently reaches the ghost drawing.
Step 3. Watch the ghost lift off the plate and float on the water!
💡 Gently tilt the plate to help the ghost move around.
Tips For Making Floating Drawings
- Use dry erase markers. Other markers won’t work the same way.
- Start with a dry plate. A smooth ceramic surface works best.
- Draw small, simple shapes. Larger drawings are more likely to break apart.
- Connect the lines. If parts don’t touch, they may float away separately.
- Pour slowly. Too much water can cause the drawing to fall apart.
- Try different colors. Some brands or colors may work a little differently.
If your drawing doesn’t float the first time, dry the plate and try again.
👉 Try more floating drawings! Check out our dry erase marker experiment for more ideas.
How Does A Floating Drawing Work?
Dry erase marker ink doesn’t dissolve easily in water. Once the ink dries, it forms a thin layer on the plate’s smooth surface.
When water reaches the drawing, it can slip underneath and lift the ink off the plate. Since the dry erase ink doesn’t stick strongly to the smooth surface, the drawing can float on the water.
👉 This is a fun way to explore material properties, water, and observation with kids.
Questions To Ask
Try one change at a time and see what happens.
- Do different marker colors float the same way?
- Do large drawings float as easily as small drawings?
- Does warm water work differently than cold water?
- What happens if you use a washable marker instead?
- Can you make the floating ghost move without touching it?
Free Halloween STEM Guide
Grab the free Halloween STEM Guide for simple seasonal science and STEM ideas you can use at home or in the classroom.
👉 Download the Free Halloween STEM Guide
More Halloween Science Experiments
Keep the spooky science going with more easy experiments using everyday supplies!
- Halloween Science Activities – Explore the complete collection.
- Halloween Slime Recipes – Mix up some stretchy, spooky slime.
- Pumpkin Volcano – Make a jack-o’-lantern erupt with a fizzy reaction.
Grab the Halloween STEM Pack
Want everything ready to print? The Halloween STEM Pack includes 150+ pages of Halloween-themed science, STEM, engineering, math, and printable activities.
Inside you’ll find:
- Science and STEM activities with printable pages
- Skeleton bridge and other building challenges
- Brick-themed math and learning activities
- Scavenger hunts
- I Spy, Bingo, Would You Rather
- More Halloween classroom activities
👉 Get the Halloween Project Pack
SEO Set
SEO Title:
Meta Description:
H1: Floating Ghost Drawing Experiment
Primary Keyword: floating drawing experiment
Secondary Keywords: floating ghost drawing, floating drawings, dry erase marker experiment
Hero Image Alt: Floating ghost drawing experiment using a dry erase marker and water
Pinterest Title: Floating Ghost Drawing Science Experiment for Kids
Pinterest Description: Can you make a ghost drawing float on water? Try this easy dry erase marker science experiment with just three supplies. Perfect for Halloween science fun!
Quick cleanup notes
I would also:
- swap in a clear floating ghost photo as the hero image
- remove the long experiment image galleries
- keep the post simple and fast
- keep one light CTA to the Halloween STEM Pack
- republish it as a genuine refresh
If you want, I can also give you a tighter version formatted exactly in your usual LBFLH style with short intro, H2s, bold lead-ins, and a More to Explore footer.
