Preschool Science Activities: Floating, Sinking & Shadows
A science activity can begin with a small question: what do you think will happen? Children aged 3–5 can make a guess, notice a result and talk about what they see with a parent or carer. Wonder Hollow’s science stories and free Will it float? game offer a starting point.
Play the free gamesHow to watch and play together
Make a prediction, then look
Before a game answer or a demonstration, invite a guess. Ask what your child notices about the object and why they think it might float or sink. Afterwards, describe the result together. A different result is a reason to look again, not a failed activity.
Try Will it float?
The free homepage game compares a dry leaf and a small pebble. Children choose Float or Sink, with a grown-up reading the prompt. The illustrated game is a prediction activity rather than a physical experiment. Talk about what you might observe with real objects and how different leaves or stones could behave.
Explore water together
For a real demonstration, a grown-up can place a dry leaf and a small stone in a shallow bowl of water, keeping supervision throughout. Ask your child to predict before each object is placed in the water. Watch the surface and the bottom together, then dry the objects and put the water away.
Notice a shadow
On a walk, look for the shadow of a tree or a familiar object. Where is the light coming from? Does the shadow move when you move? You can compare a shadow in another place or at another time without needing a worksheet or a particular answer.
Follow your child’s question
The homepage catalogue includes floating and sinking, light and shadow, animal homes and the natural world. Choose a story linked to something your child has noticed. Afterwards, describe one thing you saw and one question you still have. A small discovery is enough.
Browse the science and nature stories in our episode catalogue.
Another little discovery
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