Blowing water in drops along waxed paper is a simple, fun way to demonstrate water science with kids. Even if your child is too young to grasp the concepts of surface tension and the bonding properties of water molecules, it’s still a fun indoor activity that will make kids say, “Cool!!!”
Also, it’s super-duper easy, which is my favorite type of science experiment. Plus, my kids love to play with water.
What you need:
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- A straw, or other thin tube. (Actually, this is optional and kids could simply blow without the aid of a straw.)
- Waxed paper
- Flat surface
- Eye dropper (a spoon will also suffice)
Instructions:
- Drop water onto wax paper. Make the drops as large or as small as you like.
- Move the drops by blowing them across the paper.
That’s it!
Kids can experiment by blowing extra hard to make the larger drops break up into smaller beads. Also you can blow the beads together to make larger beads. You can suck them up the straw and blow them back out. Kiddo liked blowing his off the table to “plop” on the floor. (It’s just water, after all.)
I loved how this project has the added bonus of entertaining the kids for an extended period of time without a lot parental involvement.
More easy and FUN science projects to try:
- Water refraction is just like magic!
- Blow up a balloon with kitchen ingredients
- Use household ingredients to create your own preschool science lab
- Amaze your kids with a leak proof hole in a bag!
- Make a coin jump off a bottle
MORE SUPER EASY INDOOR PLAY ACTIVITIES WITH WATER
I First Published this idea 3/16/09.
Leptir says
Looks like fun 🙂
I'll probably try it in my classroom with kids.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
MaryAnne says
What an excellent activity! Thanks for the idea =)
mandy says
oooh, fun!
Christy says
My kids will love this! Thanks.
Raising a Happy Child says
I have to try it out – wind races have been popular here, but we haven't done them with water.
Magda says
Hi! I’m about to launch a year-long science course for young kids at some of the local schools. I love this idea! It will be a PERFECT fun activity to end the “Surface tension” lesson with! We’ll be doing some fun experiments to bring the concept home to the kids, and this is just what I needed! Thanks so much Erica!
Erica says
Glad the idea was useful!
Julie C Billow says
I just tried this out myself and had fun! Try adding some color to the experiment by drawing on the waxed paper with markers and then watch as the water drops blow through the colors and absorb them. Fascinating!
Erica says
I love that idea!
Gail says
Used this today with my preschool kids. Many had fun watching the water break apart and go back together. I added food coloring to the water and used freezer paper ??