Set up

1. Find a collection of objects that you will experiment with. Everyday items that your child is familiar with are ideal. 8 to 10 items is a good number to start with.
2. Now fill your container with water. Fill to about three quarters of the way full. Place a plate on either side of your container- one that says sink and one that says float.
3. Set your objects in front of the container. Now you are ready to explore!

How to play

1. Encourage your child to choose an item and ask them to predict if they think it will float or sink.
2. Now get them to test their answer- drop the item in the water and wait to see what happens. Does it sink or float? I encourage you to use this opportunity to talk about why things might sink or float with your child.
3. If the item sinks, place it on the plate that says “sink”, if it floats, place the item on the plate that says “float”.
4. Now repeat the process and try another object.

There are amble opportunities to talk to your child throughout this experience as they experiment using trial and error. These teachable moments are the best form of learning, because its play based and meaningful at the time.  You might also like to incorporate some mathematical terms, for example “the block is heavy”, “the feather is light”, “this rock is big”, “the bouncy place is small”.

Extension ideas:

1. Begin the activity with the story ‘Who Sank the boat’ by Pamela Allen or alternatively use it as a follow up experience. Reading a book about sinking and floating will bring a literacy component to the experience and either introduce the topic to your child or consolidate the learning they conducted in the activity.
2. You might like to incorporate a literacy component with a recording sheet. Make a table graph where your children can record their predictions and findings.
3. Add a numeracy component by counting how many items we found to float or sink- which has more? Which has the least?
4. Try a variety objects- encourage your child to find other things to explore and experiment with. My son decided to test the plates floating ability and added as many items as possible to make it sink. Follow your child’s lead in play- you never know where it  will take you. 
5. My son also transferred his learning from this experience and self-initiated some sink and float play on our nature walk. He found some natural objects and threw them in the lagoon to see what would happen- Perhaps you’d like to try some natural items too?

Whatever way you try this experience let us know in the comment section below- we’d love to hear how it went for you?