Water experiments aren’t just for summer! Water is easy and budget-friendly for science learning with toddlers, preschoolers, elementary-age kids, and even middle school science. We love simple science experiments that are a breeze to pull off, simple to set up, and kids love! What’s better than that? Check out our list below of our favorite science experiments with water and look for the free printable water themed science camp week guide!
FUN SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS WITH WATER
SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS WITH WATER
What do all these science experiments and STEM projects below have in common? They all use water!
These water experiments are perfect for at home and in the classroom with simple household items like salt. Also, check out our science experiments with baking soda.
Let’s dig in if you want to explore science with water as the main ingredient! While you’re at it, make sure to check out more kid-friendly science experiments.
Our science activities and experiments are designed with you, the parent or teacher, in mind! Easy to set up, and quick to do, most activities will take only 15 to 30 minutes to complete and are heaps of fun!
USING THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
The scientific method is a process or method of research. A problem is identified, information about the problem is gathered, a hypothesis or question is formulated from the information, and the hypothesis is put to the test with an experiment to prove or disprove its validity. Sounds heavy…
What in the world does that mean?!? The scientific method should be used as a guide to help lead the process.
You don’t need to try and solve the world’s biggest science questions! The scientific method is all about studying and learning things right around you.
As kids develop practices that involve creating, gathering data evaluating, analyzing, and communicating, they can apply these critical thinking skills to any situation. To learn more about the scientific method and how to use it, click here.
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!
Click here to get your 12 days of science challenge!
WATER EXPERIMENTS FOR KIDS
Click on each link below to explore cool experiments with water! Here you will find easy water experiments for preschoolers through middleschoolers, including the water cycle.
This age group is beginning to learn about core concepts in chemistry, including states of matter, how different substances mix or interact, and the properties of different materials.
ICE IS NICE SCIENCE
Explore the solid form of water and ice. Look at three great ice experiments that highlight the scientific method perfectly!
CANDLE IN WATER EXPERIMENT
Can you make the water rise by burning a candle under a jar? Grab a few simple supplies and find out.
CELERY EXPERIMENT
Here’s a simple explanation of how osmosis works with celery and water and a fun science demonstration!
COFFEE FILTER FLOWERS
Water is the main ingredient in this gorgeous but super easy combined science and art activity. Make a bouquet of colorful, coffee-filter flowers and explore solubility too!
COLOR CHANGING FLOWERS
This engaging color-changing flower experiment explores the concept of capillary action as your flowers magically turn from white to green. Easy to set up and perfect for a group of kiddos to do at the same time or as an interesting water science fair project.
CRUSHED SODA CAN EXPERIMENT
What happens when you heat and cool water inside a soda can?
DISSOLVING CANDY
There are all kinds of fun things you can dissolve in water!
DRY-ERASE MARKER EXPERIMENT
Is it magic or is it science? Create a dry-erase drawing and watch it float in water.
FREEZING WATER EXPERIMENT
Will it freeze? What happens to the freezing point of water when you add salt? Check out this easy water experiment to find out.
GUMMY BEAR OSMOSIS LAB
Learn about the process of osmosis when you try this easy gummy bear osmosis experiment. Watch your gummy bears grow as you investigate what liquid makes them grow the biggest.
HOW DO SHARKS FLOAT?
Explore buoyancy with this simple oil and water experiment.
HOW MANY DROPS OF WATER ON A PENNY?
All you need for this experiment are a few coins, an eyedropper or pipette, and water! How many drops fit on the surface of a penny? What else could you use? A bottle cap turned over, a flat LEGO piece, or another small, smooth surface! Take a guess at how many drops it will take and then test it out.
ICE FISHING
Did you know you can go fishing indoors with salt, string, and ice! Kids will have a blast!
ICE MELT ACTIVITIES
Playful hands on science and learning which is perfect for our preschoolers. Explore water science with one of these fun theme ice melt activities.
LEGO WATER EXPERIMENT
Build a dam from Lego bricks and explore the flow of water.
OCEAN CURRENTS
Build a simple model of the ocean currents with ice and water.
OCEAN LAYERS
Just like layers of the earth, the ocean has layers too! Have you ever wondered how you could see them without going scuba diving in the ocean? Explore the layers of the ocean with a liquid density tower experiment for kids.
OIL AND WATER EXPERIMENT
Do the oil and water mix? Explore the densities of liquids with this simple oil and water experiment.
POTATO OSMOSIS LAB
Explore what happens to potato when you put them in concentration salt water and then pure water. Learn about osmosis when you try this fun potato osmosis experiment with the kids.
RAINBOW IN A JAR
Can you make a rainbow in a jar? This neat rainbow water experiment explores water density with just a few materials. Instead of salt we use sugar and food coloring to stack the colors of the rainbow.
PENNY BOAT CHALLENGE
Design a simple tin foil boat, and see how many pennies it can hold before it sinks in the water. How many pennies will it take to make your boat sink?
MAKE A PADDLE BOAT
Fill the kiddie pool or tun with water and make this DIY paddle boat for fun physics!
SALT LAVA LAMP EXPERIMENT
Explore what happens when you add salt to oil and water.
SALTWATER DENSITY EXPERIMENT
Can you make an egg float? Will different items sink in freshwater but float in saltwater? Compare saltwater to freshwater with a fun experiment with salt and water. Make your predictions and test your results.
SINK OR FLOAT EXPERIMENT
Check out what you have in the kitchen for an easy science experiment with water with some very interesting results!
SKITTLES EXPERIMENT
A super simple water science experiment with everyone’s favorite candy! Did you know you can try it with M&Ms too? You can also you those red and white mints, old candy canes, and even jelly beans!
SOLID LIQUID GAS EXPERIMENT
Learn about the properties of solids, liquids and gases with this simple water experiment. Have fun observing how water changes from a solid to a liquid to a gas.
STRAW BOATS
Design a boat made from nothing but straws and tape, and see how many items it can hold before it sinks in the water. Explore buoyancy while you test out your engineering skills.
TOOTHPICK STARS
Make a star out of broken toothpicks by only adding water. Learn about capillary action with a totally do-able water experiment.
WALKING WATER EXPERIMENT
Can water walk? Make a colorful rainbow with a little color theory mixed in too! This walking water experiment is super easy and fun to set up! Mason jars, plastic cups, or bowls will also work just fine for this experiment.
WATER CYCLE IN A BOTTLE
Make a discovery bottle all about the water cycle. One of the best water science activities is one where we can learn more about one of the most important and necessary cycles on Earth, the water cycle!
WATER CYCLE IN A BAG
The water cycle is important because it’s how water gets to all the plants, animals and even us!! Learn about the water cycle with this easy water cycle in a bag experiment.
WATER DISPLACEMENT EXPERIMENT
Add this simple water displacement experiment to your science lesson plans this season. Learn about water displacement and what it measures.
WATER REFRACTION EXPERIMENT
Why do objects look different in water? A simple water experiment that shows how light bends or refracts as it moves through water.
WATER XYLOPHONE
A homemade water xylophone is perfect for exploring physics and sound science!
WATER ABSORBTION EXPERIMENT
This is a very simple and fun water experiment which is great for preschoolers. My son had a blast exploring what materials absorb water and what don’t.
WHAT DISSOLVES IN WATER
This is super simple chemistry using common items around the house to explore mixtures and discover which items dissolve in water!
WATER WHEEL
Hop on this engineering project and design a water wheel that moves! Use our idea as a springboard to create your own or follow the step-by-step directions.
WATER CLOCK
Find out how to use water to tell the time with this water clock project.
Plan a Water Summer Science Camp
Grab this free guide and plan a day or two of water theme science camp activities. We have 12 free guides, each with a different theme! Use them all year long.
ALSO TRY THESE EASY SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
- States of Matter Experiments
- Surface Tension of Water Experiments
- Chemistry Experiments
- Physics Experiments
- Fizzing Experiments
- Physical Changes
- All About Atoms
MORE HELPFUL SCIENCE RESOURCES
SCIENCE VOCABULARY
It is never too early to introduce some fantastic science words to kids. Get them started with a printable science vocabulary word list. You will want to incorporate these simple science terms into your next science lesson!
WHAT IS A SCIENTIST
Think like a scientist! Act like a scientist! Scientists like you and me are also curious about the world around them. Learn about the different types of scientists and what they do to increase their understanding of their specific areas of interest. Read What Is A Scientist
SCIENCE BOOKS FOR KIDS
Sometimes the best way to introduce science concepts is through a colorfully illustrated book with characters your kids can relate to! Check out this fantastic list of science books that are teacher approved and get ready to spark curiosity and exploration!
SCIENCE PRACTICES
A new approach to teaching science is called the Best Science Practices. These eight science and engineering practices are less structured and allow for a more free**-**flowing approach to problem-solving and finding answers to questions. These skills are critical to developing future engineers, inventors, and scientists!
Printable Science Projects Pack
If you’re looking to grab all of our printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets and bonuses like a STEAM Project pack, our Science Project Pack is what you need! Over 300+ Pages!
- 90+ classic science activities with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information. NEW! Activity-specific observation pages!
- Best science practices posters and our original science method process folders for extra alternatives!
- Be a Collector activities pack introduces kids to the world of making collections through the eyes of a scientist. What will they collect first?
- Know the Words Science vocabulary pack includes flashcards, crosswords, and word searches that illuminate keywords in the experiments!
- My science journal writing prompts explore what it means to be a scientist!!
- Bonus STEAM Project Pack: Art meets science with doable projects!
- Bonus Quick Grab Packs for Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics
- Science Fair Project Pack with experiments to try!
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