Water Science Experiments for Preschoolers

Every preschooler loves to play in the water. This could be jumping in puddles, playing in the water hose and sprinkler, going to the swimming pool, or playing with toys in the water table at school. Water is so much a part of their world that it is important to spend time learning about it. From the water cycle to surface tension, there are so many activities to do with water to learn about its properties and what it can do!

Some of the best and most fun science experiments for preschoolers are below. They have been chosen for their simplicity, educational and fun value. They can be done at home or in a preschool classroom, which means that moms and preschool teachers can take advantage of these great ideas using items easily found at home or in a school's supply/arts and crafts closet.

Water and Oil: By mixing water and oil in a clear bottle, children can see how water and oil repel each other. Put food coloring of your child's/children's choice into a bottle filled 3/4 of the way full with water. Fill the bottle the rest of the way with oil. The waves this project creates as the bottle is shaken up by little hands adds to the fun of trying to figure out why the water and oil don't mix!

Water and Pepper: Here is another activity that shows how some substances repel in water. Fill a glass with water, and then sprinkle pepper on the top of the water. Put in a finger with just a small amount of soap, and watch the pepper race to the edge of the glass!

Water and Ice: Ice is less dense than water. It expands as it forms, and this property of water can make learning about measuring and the differences between ice and water fun. Place water in a paper or plastic cup. When you put ice in it, the ice will melt and increase the water level. Draw a line on the cup where the original water line was and then draw another one where the water level is when the ice melts.

To show how water expands as it freezes, you can place water in a plastic bag (leaving room for the water to expand in the bag), measure the circumference of the bag with a string (designating the circumference on the string by making a mark on it with a marker), and then place the bag in the freezer. When the bag of water freezes, the bag will expand. Using the same string you measured the bag of water with, measure the new circumference of the bag of ice. Which bag is bigger?

Water Flow: Water flows downhill. Have your preschooler(s) use a small plastic container and some blocks to try to figure out which way water flows and how to get it to flow the other way. Using some wooden or plastic blocks (anything that won't get ruined if wet), prop up one end of a rectangular container. Pour water in the container on the propped-up end of the container, and see which way the water flows. Can your kid(s) figure out how to get water to move uphill?

Water Cycle: Place hot water into a clear glass jar that has a metal lid. Turn the lid upside down on the top of the jar. Place three ice cubes on the top of the jar. Water droplets will form on the bottom of the metal lid in about ten minutes. This procedure quickly shows how water evaporates and then condenses in the air, only to fall again to the earth as precipitation.

These are just a few of the ways your preschooler can enjoy learning hands-on about water and how it affects and works in our environment. These activities are easy, fun, and are sure to stimulate your child/children to ask some great questions about water.

Resources:

http://www.childcarelounge.com/Caregivers/sciencefun.htm

http://science.preschoolrock.com/index.php/Preschool_Experiments/water-and-ice-experiments

http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/pages/515.shtml

http://www.haverford.edu/educ/knight-booklet/watercycle.htm