Sink or Float

Instructions:

1. Encourage your child to go find 5-10 small toys or objects from around the home that will be okay if they get wet.  (You may need to ensure that some of the items chosen will float and that some will sink)
2. While they are hunting for items to use, fill your large bowl or what ever you will be using to hold the water for this activity. Fill it up far enough that the items that sink will go all the way under.
3. On a piece of paper, make a T-Chart with 2 columns (Sink/Float) (see example below)
4. Encourage your child to put one item in at a time.  Be sure to ask them prior to putting the item in the water:
   • What do you think; will this sink or float?
5. Test it out.  If they are correct, be sure to congratulate them on guessing correctly.
6. Write the item in the correct column on your T-Chart.
7. After you have tested all the items, encourage your child to count how many items sank and how many floated.
   • Which one had more/less?

Extension:

1. Encourage your child to continue thinking of items that will sink and float.
2. Make a paper boat and make a boat out of aluminum foil.  Ask your child if they think these will sink or float.
   • Test out the boats.