--- title: "Sink or Float Experiment for Preschoolers: Fun STEM Activity at Home" description: Easy sink or float experiment for preschoolers. Teach prediction, observation, and recording skills with this fun, hands-on STEM activity. image: https://kindergarten-prep.com/hubfs/Sink%20or%20float%20preschool%20science%20project.png --- [![Kindergarten Prep](https://kindergarten-prep.com/hubfs/delivery%202.png)](https://kindergarten-prep.com) - [KG-READINESS TEST](https://kindergarten-prep.com/kindergarten-readiness-assessment) - [KINDY](https://kindy.kindergarten-prep.com/) - HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM - [Preschool & Pre-K Curriculum](https://kindergarten-prep.com/preschool-homeschool-curriculum) - [For 3-Year-Olds](https://kindergarten-prep.com/preschool-curriculum-for-3-year-olds) - [For 4-Year-Olds (Pre-K)](https://kindergarten-prep.com/preschool-curriculum-for-4-year-olds) - [Play-Based & Hands-On](https://kindergarten-prep.com/play-based-preschool-homeschool-curriculum) - [Secular](https://kindergarten-prep.com/secular-preschool-homeschool-curriculum) - [Autism, ADHD & Speech Delay](https://kindergarten-prep.com/homeschool-curriculum-for-autism) - FREE WORKSHEETS - [All worksheets by theme](https://kindergarten-prep.com/preschool-printable-activities) - [Name tracing worksheets](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/name-tracing-worksheets) - [Dot marker worksheets](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/dot-marker-printables) - [Tracing worksheets](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/tracing-worksheets) - [Math worksheets](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/preschool-math-worksheets) - [Fine motor worksheets](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/fine-motor-activities) - [Cutting worksheets](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/cutting-practice-worksheets) - RESOURCES - [Letter activities](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/letter-activities-for-preschoolers) - [About us](https://kindergarten-prep.com/about-us) [Log in](https://app.kindergarten-prep.com/) Fun Friday Project # Sink or Float Experiment for Preschoolers: Fun STEM Activity at Home Easy sink or float experiment for preschoolers. Teach prediction, observation, and recording skills with this fun, hands-on STEM activity. [Kindergarten Prep Team](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/author/kindergarten-prep-team) Oct 21, 2025 --- This sink or float experiment is super simple, but it’s always a hit with little ones. It’s perfect for teaching “thinking like a scientist” skills: making predictions, testing ideas, observing, and recording data, all in a fun, hands-on way. ## Materials needed - Small tub of water - A place where it’s OK to get wet (outside, or on a towel on the kitchen floor) - A variety of toys and household objects that can be submerged — some that sink and some that float. Include a few that are about the same size but have different densities, like a tennis ball and a rock. - Paper - Pencil ## Instructions: 1. **Set the stage:** Tell your child you’re going to make predictions (guesses) about whether each object will sink or float, and then test those predictions — just like scientists do. 2. **Make two charts:** \- Chart 1: “Predictions” (guesses) \- Chart 2: “Results” \- Under each title, make two columns labeled “Sink” and “Float.” Write the names of your objects down the side. If your child prefers, they can draw pictures of the objects. 3. **Test each object:** \- Have your child hold the first object. Ask if they think it will sink or float. Record their guess with a checkmark or “X” in the “Predictions” chart. \- Let them place the object in the water and watch closely. \- Record what actually happened in the “Results” chart. 4. **Repeat:** Continue with the rest of the objects, encouraging your child to record their guesses and results themselves. Remind them not to skip making predictions before testing! ## Teaching moments - **Embrace mistakes: ** Explain that making an incorrect guess is not a bad thing (especially if your child is discouraged when this happens). Tell them how scientists love to make incorrect guesses because it helps them get closer to the correct answers. Tell them that they are being a scientist! - **Count the surprises:** Look at the results together. How many predictions were correct? How many “surprises” did they find? - **Introduce buoyancy:** If your child wonders why some objects float and others sink, talk about how it’s not just weight but density that matters. Heavy things like ships can float because of the way they push water aside (displace it). ## Why kids love this experiment This activity blends play and learning, giving preschoolers the excitement of splashing in water while also developing early STEM skills. They’ll practice prediction, observation, recording, and reasoning, and they might start seeing the world with a little more curiosity. [Fun Friday Project](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/tag/fun-friday-project) ## Similar posts Fun Friday Project ### [DIY Pine Cone Bird Feeder: Nature Craft for Kids](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/diy-pine-cone-bird-feeder-nature-craft-for-kids) Easy guide to making a pine cone bird feeder for preschoolers. Learn how to craft, observe local birds, and start a nature journal. Kindergarten Prep Team Oct 21, 2025 Fun Friday Project ### [Discovering Fish: A Fun Animal Classification Activity for Preschoolers](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/fish-classification-activity-for-preschoolers) Teach your child all about fish with this hands-on classification activity! Explore fins, gills, and aquatic habitats through books, sorting, and... Kindergarten Prep Team Oct 21, 2025 Fun Friday Project ### [Discovering Mammals: A Fun Animal Classification Activity for Preschoolers](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/discovering-mammals-a-fun-animal-classification-activity-for-preschoolers) Teach your child about mammals with a fun sorting project! Explore animal traits, habitats, and science with books, crafts, and real-world examples. Kindergarten Prep Team Oct 21, 2025 ![Untitled design (66)](https://kindergarten-prep.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(66).png) Kindergarten Prep helps parents give their three to five year olds a strong start at home: through play, conversation and hands-on moments, guided with intention. ### Menu - [Kindy](https://kindy.kindergarten-prep.com/) - [Log in](https://app.kindergarten-prep.com) - [KG-readiness quiz](https://kindergarten-prep.com/kindergarten-readiness-assessment) - [About us](https://kindergarten-prep.com/about-us) ### Compare - [Kindy vs ABCmouse](https://kindergarten-prep.com/compare/kindy-vs-abcmouse) - [Kindy vs Khan Academy Kids](https://kindergarten-prep.com/compare/kindy-vs-khan-academy-kids) - [Kindy vs Time4Learning](https://kindergarten-prep.com/compare/kindy-vs-time4learning) - [Kindy vs The Good and the Beautiful](https://kindergarten-prep.com/compare/kindy-vs-the-good-and-the-beautiful) - [Kindy vs The Peaceful Preschool](https://kindergarten-prep.com/compare/kindy-vs-the-peaceful-preschool) - [Kindy vs Blossom and Root](https://kindergarten-prep.com/compare/kindy-vs-blossom-and-root) - [See all comparisons](https://kindergarten-prep.com/compare) ### Free worksheets - [Name tracing worksheets](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/name-tracing-worksheets) - [Dot marker worksheets](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/dot-marker-printables) - [Tracing worksheets](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/tracing-worksheets) - [Math worksheets](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/preschool-math-worksheets) - [Fine motor worksheets](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/fine-motor-activities) - [Cutting worksheets](https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/cutting-practice-worksheets) ### Homeschool curriculum - [Preschool & Pre-K Curriculum](https://kindergarten-prep.com/preschool-homeschool-curriculum) - [For 3-Year-Olds](https://kindergarten-prep.com/preschool-curriculum-for-3-year-olds) - [For 4-Year-Olds (Pre-K)](https://kindergarten-prep.com/preschool-curriculum-for-4-year-olds) - [Play-Based & Hands-On](https://kindergarten-prep.com/play-based-preschool-homeschool-curriculum) - [Secular](https://kindergarten-prep.com/secular-preschool-homeschool-curriculum) - [Autism, ADHD & Speech Delay](https://kindergarten-prep.com/homeschool-curriculum-for-autism) © 2023+ Kindergarten Prep All rights reserved      [Privacy Policy](https://kindergarten-prep.com/privacy-policy) | [Refund Policy](https://kindergarten-prep.com/refund-policy) | [Terms and Conditions](https://kindergarten-prep.com/terms-of-service) [Powered by Atlas - a B2B SaaS HubSpot theme](https://www.kalungi.com/atlas-hubspot-theme-for-b2b-saas-software) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Kindergarten Prep Team", "url" : "https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/author/kindergarten-prep-team" }, "dateModified" : "2025-10-25T04:58:03.404Z", "datePublished" : "2025-10-21T09:16:27.000Z", "headline" : "Sink or Float Experiment for Preschoolers: Fun STEM Activity at Home", "image" : [ "https://kindergarten-prep.com/hubfs/Sink%20or%20float%20preschool%20science%20project.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://kindergarten-prep.com/blog/sink-or-float-experiment-for-preschoolers", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://kindergarten-prep.com/hubfs/delivery%202-2.png" }, "name" : "Import Group OÜ" } } ```