🧠 Think⏱ Discovery Play · 15 minAges 3–4, 4–6, 6–8
You need
- bowls (1 big)
- water
- a towel
- spoons
- small toys, bigger than a cotton reel (3)
Steps
- 1. Fill the big bowl half full of water. Put a towel under it.
- 2. Pick up an object. Guess: will it sink or float?
- 3. Drop it in! Were you right?
- 4. Make two piles on the towel: sinkers and floaters.
⚠ Safety · Stay within arm's reach
Never leave a child alone with water, even a bowl. Use cold water. Empty the bowl the moment you finish.
Stop if:
- You need to step away — empty the bowl first
- Water is on the floor
Easier
Just drop things in and watch.
Harder
Can you make a sinker float? Try it on a plastic lid.
Only 5 minutes?
Test three objects.
Why it matters: Guessing, then testing, is how scientists think.
Clean-up: Empty the bowl at once. Dry the toys on the towel.
This activity is a draft. It will be reviewed by a child-development professional before launch. Use your own judgement about what is safe for your child.