What this lesson teaches
This activity helps children understand buoyancy and materials' properties. They will learn why some objects float while others sink.
Environmental Science
Can you finish floating vs sinking in about 20 min?
Floating vs Sinking
You will understand buoyancy and materials' properties.
Duration20 min
Age GroupAges 6–9
DifficultyBeginner
SubjectEnvironmental Science
See how this hands-on lesson works
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What you need
- Bowl of water
- Small objects (coin, leaf, plastic toy)
- Paper and pencil for notes
How the activity runs
- Fill a bowl with water about halfway.
- Gather small objects like a coin, leaf, and plastic toy.
- One by one, drop each object into the water.
- Observe whether it floats or sinks.
- Discuss why each object behaved that way.
- Try different objects to see if they float or sink!
The learning connection
Hands-on experiments keep kids engaged and curious. Observing outcomes firsthand encourages critical thinking and exploration.
Try it with your learner
1. Fill the bowl or tub with water. 2. Gather various small objects around your home. 3. One by one, drop each object into the water. 4. Observe if it floats or sinks. 5. Record your findings on paper. 6. What did you notice about the objects that floated compared to those that sank?