Easy and fun kitchen science with a sink float water activity. Open up the fridge and the pantry drawers and you have everything you need to test sink or float with common household foods and supplies! Kids will have a blast checking out the different ways they can test sink or float with easy items. We love simple science experiments and STEM activities.
Sink Float Water Activity for Kitchen Science
Science experiments from the kitchen are so fun and simple to set up especially water science activities! Kitchen science is great for at-home learning.
Some of our favorite kitchen science experiments include baking soda and vinegar fizzy science. This sink float water activity is a perfect example of a simple water science experiment right out of the kitchen. Want to test out even more awesome science at home? Click on the link below.
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Sink float water science is filled with learning opportunities!
YOU WILL NEED:
We used items straight out of the kitchen for our sink float water science activity.
- different fruits and vegetables
- aluminum foil
- aluminum cans
- spoons (both plastic and metal)
- sponges
- anything your kiddos want to explore
Tip: You could also test peeling your vegetables or slicing them.
Plus I am sure your child will be able to come with other fun things to test! You can have them test a collection of their own items too!
Water sensory science experiments and activities really engage the senses.
WHY DO SOME FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FLOAT?
An apple will float because it contains a percentage of air making it less dense than water! The same goes for the pepper as well as an orange, and even a pumpkin!
WHAT SINKS?
Can you make the sponge sink?
Also, check out our easy water absorption activity with sponges.
A couple of interesting things we tested in our sink float water activity were the aluminum can and aluminum oil. We noticed the empty can floats, but when pushed under the water, will sink. Also, we could see the air bubbles coming out that helped it to float.
Project: Can a full soda can float too?
The aluminum foil floats when it is a flat sheet, when it is crippled into a loose ball, and even a tight ball. However if you give it a good pound to really flatten it, you can make it sink. Removing the air will sink it. Check out this buoyancy science activity with tin foil here!
Project: Can you make a marshmallow sink? We tried it with a Peep. See it here.
WHY DO SOME THINGS SINK AND SOME THINGS FLOAT?
Some objects sink and some objects float, but why is that?
Density and buoyancy!
Every state of matter, liquid, solid, and gas, has a different density. All states of matter are made up of molecules and density is how tightly those molecules are packed together, but it’s not just about weight or size!
Items that are more solid have molecules that are packed tighter together and will sink. Items that are less solid are made up of molecules that are not as tightly packed together so they will float!
If the object is denser than water, it will sink. If it’s less dense, it will float! Have your kiddos make a prediction as to whether the item will sink or float before placing the object in the water.
Buoyancy is how well something floats. Generally the greater the surface area the better the buoyancy. You can see this in action with our tin foil boats!
EXTEND THE ACTIVITY!
Sink float water science doesn’t just have to be in the kitchen.
- Take it outdoors and use natural items.
- Try out favorite toys.
- Does the amount of water used change the outcome?
- Can you make something sink that usually floats?
The possibilities are endless and young kids love water play.
MORE WATER SCIENCE ACTIVITIES
- Walking Water
- Solubility Science and Coffee Filter Flowers
- Color Changing Flowers
- What Dissolves?
- Saltwater Density Science
Set Up a Simple Sink Float Water Science Today!
Click here for your FREE Science Activities Pack
Mani raj
Very nice