# data[].attributes.headline
c. Plan and carry out an investigation to predict and observe whether objects, based on their physical attributes, will sink or float

# data[].attributes.subject
c. Plan and carry out an investigation to predict and observe whether objects, based on their physical attributes, will sink or float

# data[].attributes.headline
Cute Sink or Float video for Kinder students!!

# data[].attributes.subject
Cute Sink or Float video for Kinder students!!

# data[].attributes.headline
Website includes video and activities for sink and float.

# data[].attributes.subject
Website includes video and activities for sink and float.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Try this experiment: fill a small tub with water. Gather a few materials from around your house like a paper clip, a penny and a wooden block. Which objects do you think will sink? Which will float? Will the bigger objects sink, while the smaller objects float? Place the objects on the water and find out. Were you right? It seems logical that bigger objects should sink while smaller objects float, but this isn't always true.

Whether an object sinks or floats depends on its density. Everything is made of molecules. Molecules are tiny particles that can only be seen with a microscope. Some objects have molecules that are packed closely together. Others have molecules that are packed more loosely. This is density. Objects with tightly packed molecules are denser and sink. A paper clip or a penny is dense. Objects with more loosely packed molecules are less dense and float. Wood, cork or sponges float.

Fun Facts about Sink and Float for Kids

Liquids vary in their density too. Try mixing corn syrup, oil and water together. The corn syrup sinks to the bottom because it is the densest. The water is in the middle and the oil floats to the top because it is the lightest.

The shape of an object can also determine if it sinks or floats. A ball of clay sinks right away. However, if you flatten the clay out into the shape of a raft, it floats.

Objects filled with air also float.

Sink and Float Vocabulary

Learn More All About Sink and Float

Watch this video to understand more all about sink and float:

A video explaining why some things float.

Sink and Float Q&A

Question: Do things float better in salt water?

Answer: Salt water is denser than freshwater, so things do float better.

Enjoyed the Easy Science for Kids Website all about Sink and Float info? Take the FREE & fun all about Sink and Float quiz and download FREE Sink and Float worksheet for kids. For lengthy info click here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Facts About Sink and Float - Easy Science For Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Try this experiment: fill a small tub with water. Gather a few materials from around your house like a paper clip, a penny and a wooden block. Which objects do you think will sink? Which will float? Will the bigger objects sink, while the smaller objects float?

# data[].attributes.headline
Free Recording sheet for Sink or Float experiment. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Free Recording sheet for Sink or Float experiment. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Looking for an easy science activity? Today I'm excited to share this sink or float free printable. It's fun one that is great for all ages. It can be a quick activity or if you're looking for something to keep them busy this summer, you can add lots of items to "test". There are 2 versions you can download and print for free. One has some suggested items to try out and one is blank. For the blank one you can have the kids gather a bunch of items they want to test out and write them down themselves. For little ones that can't write yet, have them draw the object.

This is a great activity for inside or outdoors and one of the most simple science projects I can think of. It's also great for all ages because little ones will get a kick out of items floating or sinking to the bottom and for older kids, you can explain a little more about why thinks sink vs float and have them try out some harder to guess items. It's also a great introduction to "making predictions" in science.

Will it Sink or Float (with sample objects to test): Click here to download and print

Will it Sink or Float (blank version): Click here to download and print

If you enjoyed this post, check out out these science posts:

Pin this post for later!

(Visited 8,421 times, 1 visits today)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Simple Science: Will it Sink or Float? - The Chirping Moms

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Looking for an easy science activity? Today I'm excited to share this sink or float free printable. It's fun one that is great for all ages. It can be a quick activity or if you're looking for something to keep them busy this summer, you can add lots of items to "test".

# data[].attributes.body
Exciting pumpkin experiment for fall. Do pumpkins sink or float?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Fall is always a good time to do some fun experimenting with pumpkins! We happen to be right in the middle of our Science Fair Unit, so it seems like a great time to do a fun experiment with "sink or float." Why not start with a pumpkin?! I also did this experiment at home with my own kids and they had a blast!

First, we had a big discussion about why objects sink or float. Then, we took turns sharing about things we have seen sink or float in our own experiences. We also watched the video "Sink or Float" on YouTube by SciShow Kids.

We discussed the different parts of a pumpkin. CLICK HERE for a Label the Pumpkin Parts Worksheet FREEBIE. Then we made predictions about which parts of the pumpkin will sink or float. Then we followed the 5-Step Scientific Method to conduct our experiment. CLICK HERE for a FREEBIE set of Scientific Method Posters I use in my classroom.

What We Know:

Pumpkins are a popular decoration in the Fall and around Halloween.

Pumpkins are a fruit, although some people refer to pumpkins as vegetables when cooking.

Some fruits and vegetables float in water, and some sink.

When an object floats in water, it is less DENSE than the water.

When an object sinks in water, it is more DENSE than the water.

DENSITY is how closely molecules are packed together in a solid, liquid, or gas.

What We Need:

A pumpkin, some pumpkin carving tools, and a big tub of water

We used a medium-sized pumpkin and it worked great!

Let's Do a Pumpkin Experiment!
CLICK HERE for a picture-supported direction packet I used in my classroom.
Step 1: Ask a Question

Do pumpkins and pumpkin parts sink or float?

Step 2: Make a Guess

We made some predictions about the whole pumpkin, the stem of the pumpkin, the pumpkin pulp, and the pumpkin seeds.

Half of my class predicted everything would sink because some pumpkins are soooo heavy 🙂 The other half predicted pumpkins would float 🙂 Let's find out!

Step 3: Do the Experiment

Place the WHOLE PUMPKIN in the tub of water. Observe.

Remove the pumpkin from the water. Carve the stem out of the pumpkin and place it in the water. Observe.

Scoop out the pumpkin pulp from the pumpkin and place it in the water. Observe.

Separate the seeds from the pumpkin pulp and place them in the water. Observe.

Step 4: Collect Data

We recorded our observations in this fun Pumpkin Observation Flap Booklet. CLICK HERE to check it out!

Step 5: Conclusion

Well, half the class was pretty excited, because every part of the pumpkin and the whole pumpkin floated! The kids even tried pushing some of the parts down to the bottom of the tub and filling the pumpkin full of water, and everything still floated right up to the top!

So in conclusion, the pumpkin is LESS DENSE than the water.
To further extend the activity, send your students home with this question!
Do other fruits and vegetables sink or float? What about apples? Bananas? Grapes? Potatoes? Carrots? Lettuce?

Interested in some other fun, picture-supported science experiments?

CLICK HERE to check out my Apple Science Experiment: Why do apples turn brown?

Check out some of my other Science Experiments in my TPT Shop:

I hope you enjoy this fun Pumpkin Science Experiment! Thanks for reading!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Pumpkin Experiment: Do Pumpkins Sink or Float?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Fall is always a good time to do some fun experimenting with pumpkins! We happen to be right in the middle of our Science Fair Unit, so it seems like a great time to do a fun experiment with "sink or float." Why not start with a pumpkin?!