• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Course
    • Teaching Every Reader
  • Subscriber Freebies
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Member Login

The Measured Mom

Education resources for parents and teachers

  • Alphabet
  • Reading
    • Structured literacy
    • Printable Books
    • Pre-Reading
    • Phonics
    • Sight Words
    • Comprehension
    • Fluency
    • Vocabulary
  • Writing
    • Grammar
    • Handwriting
    • Spelling
    • Writing in Pre-K
    • Writing in K-3
  • Math
    • Counting
    • Number Recognition
    • Addition & Subtraction
    • Colors, Shapes & Patterns
    • Visual Discrimination
    • Time, Money & Measurement
    • Place Value
    • Graphs
    • Multiplication & Division
    • Fractions
    • Problem Solving
  • Book Lists
    • Letter of the Week
    • Early Childhood Themes
    • Pre-Reading Skills
    • Math Concepts
    • Writing Mentor Texts
    • Versions of Familiar Tales
    • Holidays and Seasonal
    • History
    • Leveled Book Lists
  • Join Membership
Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • Alphabet
    • Reading
    • Writing
    • Math
    • Book Lists
  • Podcast
  • Courses
    • Teaching Every Reader
    • Teaching Every Writer
  • Subscriber Freebies
  • About
  • Membership
  • Contact

PSPKK12366 Comments

Water Math & Science Activities for Kids Ages 3-6

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

It’s heating up, even in the Midwest — so to go along with letter W, we pulled out some hands-on water math and science!

 love these water science experiments for kids! Especially the one about seeing which substances dissolve in water.

Water Math & Science Activities

Science:  Sink or Float?

children doing science activity sink or float

This has got to be one of most common science experiments for little ones – and why not?  They love it.  I asked my Six to gather a bunch of objects that might float or sink.  Since she had done this experiment in kindergarten during the school year, she was very excited.

“I’ll get a penny, Mama! I know they sink.”  She was happy to write the names of each object on our recording sheet.  The kids took turns choosing an object, predicting whether it would sink or float (which my daughter recorded), and then testing their hypothesis.

Will it sink or float? worksheet

Science:  Will it dissolve in water?

child doing science activity will it dissolve in water

We raided our pantry for items that might dissolve in water, and the kids had a blast testing each substance in a glass jar.  They were fascinated to see that the olive oil actually separated from the water.  And I had to convince them that we don’t need to eat soggy sprinkles.  For a terrific post about this experiment, visit Hands on As We Grow.

Will it dissolve? worksheet

 Science:  Will it absorb or repel water?

child doing science activity will it absorb or repel water

My Six needed some one-on-one time, so while her brothers were playing together (and not fighting – amazing!), we took an eye dropper and a pile of objects that could absorb or repel water.  By the end of the experiment I think she had finally learned not to pronounce it “reppel.” 🙂  You can read more about this fun experiment over at Not Just Cute.

Will it absorb or repel water? worksheet

Science: What happens when different objects soak in water?

science activity what happens when different objects soak in water

We found items that might change when left to soak in water for a whole day.  My Six drew a picture of each item before and after it soaked.  We were surprised that the construction paper appeared unchanged (besides being wet).  We saw more obvious changes in the bread, Cheerios, and popcorn!  The foil and rice looked exactly the same after a 24-hour soak.  This idea is from Learn Play Imagine’s fantastic collection of water experiments for kids.

What will happen when it sits in water? worksheet

Math: Water Balloon Math — Addition, Subtraction, and Number Recognition

child doing water balloon math (throwing water balloon on correct chalk number)

As I sat next to the house filling up water balloons during my precious daily quiet time (while the toddler naps and the older kids play by themselves), I wondered if it was worth it.  You know how you can spend hours decorating a cake – only to see it devoured in ten minutes?  Filling up water balloons feels a lot like that.  However, the kids had so much fun doing water balloon math on a hot afternoon – this time it was worth it!

I wrote the numbers 1-10 on our sidewalk.  I handed my Three balloons with a single number on them; he matched them to the sidewalk numbers and slammed them down.  I gave my Four simple addition problems.  My Six wanted harder addition problems and a few subtraction ones, too.  I adapted this idea from one at No Time for Flashcards.

Math: Water Beads in an Egg Carton — Counting, One-to-One Correspondence, Number Recognition 

child doing math activity (placing water beads in an egg carton)

Can water beads count when we’re doing water math?  I love this idea from Little Moments to Embrace, where you can learn how she set this up and find many variations.  I wrote the numbers 1-6 two times in an egg carton (my Three can’t count groups much higher than that), and he counted the water beads to put in each section.

Math: Comparing Volume – measurement  

child comparing volume of water

I filled various plastic containers with exactly 2 cups of water each.  Then I brought them outside and let the kids add food coloring to each one (they loved this, of course).  Next I asked them to tell me which container they thought held the most water.  You might have guessed that their top guesses were the cup of blue water and the container of red water – because the water was filled to the top.  We took turns pouring the water into the measuring cup. They were surprised to discover that each container held exactly the same amount.

How could this be?  I taught them the word volume — and together we talked about how a liquid takes the shape of its container.  Two containers can hold the same amount of liquid – but it looks different depending on how wide or tall the container is.  I think my Six was the only one who soaked up this information!

Get your free water experiment pages!

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Free Math Printables for Pre-K-3rd Grade

Join our email list and get this sample pack of time-saving resources from our membership site! You'll get printables for counting, addition and subtraction, measuring, problem solving, and more!

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Math Tagged With: counting, Number recognition, first grade, addition, measurement, kindergarten, subtraction, one to one correspondence, volume

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

Free file folder game for preschoolers: Kites! 5 Ways to get your kids to love math (even if you don’t!) Place value games for K-2
Word sort activities
Meaningful spelling activities

Reader Interactions

66 Comments

  1. Beth

    March 20, 2020 at 6:39 pm

    Hi, not a blogger, or website matron just a grandmother watching a 5 & 9 yr old through this social distancing situation. While the 9 yr old will have work on-line through her school, the 5 yr old is left high and dry from his preschool ( as of today) so i’m looking for activities for the remaining lettters ( v,w,x,y and z) in his school year. Thanks for the great “W” water ideas.

    Reply to this comment
  2. lal

    September 6, 2016 at 3:06 am

    i like you 🙂

    Reply to this comment
  3. math-children

    January 10, 2014 at 7:10 am

    Great way to learn math. Good math article.

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      January 12, 2014 at 7:12 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply to this comment
  4. Stephanie

    November 2, 2013 at 9:33 pm

    What a great collection of experiments and I LOVE your printable observation sheets! Such a wonderful resource- thanks for linking up to Discover & Explore this week!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      November 23, 2013 at 2:09 pm

      Thank you, Stephanie! I love the Discover & Explore link up… it’s not often that a link up is hosted by bloggers who all produce amazing content on stunning blogs! Truly an inspiration to the rest of us!

      Reply to this comment
  5. Anna Geiger

    September 29, 2013 at 2:25 pm

    Thank you so much, Paula! I hope you find lots of things you can use 🙂

    Reply to this comment
  6. Kinderscience

    August 11, 2013 at 7:00 pm

    Ummm, my last post did not come up correctly. I love all the fun ideas on your site. I have posted a link to your site from my science blog.

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      August 14, 2013 at 3:22 pm

      Thanks so much for linking to me!

      Reply to this comment
  7. Sara - My Merry Messy Life

    July 27, 2013 at 8:06 pm

    I am going CRAZY over your site! Love love love every single post. I am starting pre-k at home this fall with my four-year-old and I also have a 2 yr old and a baby. I’m doing Montessori-style and many of your posts fit that style very well. Your printables are so cute and I know they’re going to like these science ideas. I’m so happy to have found you!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      July 30, 2013 at 6:26 am

      Thanks so much, Sara! Your comment made my day. 🙂 Especially when I hoped over to your blogs and saw how amazing they are! (New follower here :)) Sounds like your house is a lot like mine wit a bunch of littles. It’s merry and messy, like you say. I hope you keep finding things you can use. Thanks so much for commenting!

      Reply to this comment
  8. Rachel

    July 24, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    Just LOVE that you have such great recording sheets to share along with such fun and simple math and science ideas for the little ones. This is FAB! Thanks so much for sharing at For the Kids Fridays! I’m playing some catch up, and have to feature this great post this week…. so hop on by to grab a Featured button if you like. Love to have you share with us again soon! xoxo

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      July 30, 2013 at 6:24 am

      Thank you, Rachel! So thankful for the feature!

      Reply to this comment
  9. Kim @ The Educators' Spin On It

    July 15, 2013 at 8:23 am

    So many wonderful ideas for learning and playing with Water! Thank you so much for sharing on our After School Linky Party! Here’s the link http://www.theeducatorsspinonit.blogspot.com/2013/07/water-fun-learning-with-kids.html . Can’t wait to see what you share this week!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      July 30, 2013 at 6:24 am

      Thank you so much for the feature, Kim!

      Reply to this comment
  10. Deceptively Educational

    July 14, 2013 at 9:40 pm

    WHOA! This list is ideas/activities is awesome! I especially love the comparing volume one. Thanks for sharing this at the After School Linky Party. I’m featuring it tomorrow! Keep the great ideas coming!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      July 30, 2013 at 6:23 am

      It was a fun post to write :). Thank you so much for the feature!

      Reply to this comment
  11. Carisa

    July 14, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    Hi! This is a great post, thanks for linking to Tot School Gathering Place! I am looking for the link back and reference to Tot School and I can’t find it in the post, can you direct me to where it is. I am sure I am just missing it, sorry!

    😉 Carisa

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      July 14, 2013 at 3:29 pm

      Thanks for checking it out, Carisa! No, you weren’t missing it, but it’s there now :). Do you have a Tot School button I can add to my link parties list? I wasn’t able to find one – only the “featured” button.

      Reply to this comment
  12. Carrie

    July 12, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    Oh, what great activities!! I love the comparing volumes one. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      July 12, 2013 at 1:56 pm

      That was a favorite for me too, Carrie — the food coloring made it extra fun for the kids too 🙂

      Reply to this comment
  13. Renae

    July 11, 2013 at 6:04 pm

    I love this! Thanks so much for sharing. I’m definitely pinning this for the future!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      July 12, 2013 at 1:55 pm

      You’re so welcome, Renae!

      Reply to this comment
  14. Sarah

    July 10, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    I love the printouts you are offering! These are terrific activities. We have done some before and there are some new ones for us to try!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      July 12, 2013 at 1:55 pm

      I’m so glad you found things you could use, Sarah!

      Reply to this comment
  15. Beth

    July 9, 2013 at 5:28 am

    What a fun way for kids to explore Science! I shared on pinterest & Google +.

    Thanks for linking up to TGIF! Have a great week,

    Beth =)

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      July 12, 2013 at 1:54 pm

      Thanks so much for sharing, Beth!

      Reply to this comment
  16. Natalie

    July 5, 2013 at 10:55 pm

    I love this last experiment on volume – I have to try it with my 6 year old. Visiting from Crafty Moms Share.

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      July 12, 2013 at 1:54 pm

      Yes, Natalie, it really was right on target for my six year old — the concepts too high for her little brothers. I hope you get a chance to try it!

      Reply to this comment
  17. Sue from theT2women

    July 5, 2013 at 8:16 pm

    This looks great!! There’s a new Link-up Party going on this weekend over at One Sharendipity Place and we’d love to have you join in! Here’s the Link! http://thet2women.com/one-sharendipity-place-link-up-9/

    Thanks,

    All of us at The T2Women

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      July 12, 2013 at 1:54 pm

      Thanks, Sue! I missed your party this week – it’s crazy busy around here as our garden gets into full swing. Keep reminding me, I’ll get there some time!

      Reply to this comment
  18. Linda S

    July 5, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    Pinning!
    I’ve used the sink/float experiment – but I really like your other ideas as well. Some of these activities just might find their way into our school schedule this coming year!
    (stopping by from TGIF)

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      July 12, 2013 at 1:53 pm

      Thanks for checking it out, Linda – I hope your family has fun with them!

      Reply to this comment
  19. Jana @ HowToRunAHomeDaycare

    July 5, 2013 at 12:53 pm

    Wow, what a great list of water activities. I can’t wait to try them ALL. My kids love to experiment with water. I pinned this one to my wild science experiments board.

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      July 12, 2013 at 1:52 pm

      Thanks so much for the pin, Jana!

      Reply to this comment
  20. Dollie @ Teachers of Good Things

    July 4, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    What great activities for preschool!

    Thanks for linking up with the Tender Moments with Toddlers & Preschoolers Blog Hop!

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      July 4, 2013 at 5:21 pm

      Thank you for stopping by, Dollie!

      Reply to this comment
  21. Caroline

    July 4, 2013 at 10:10 am

    Oh my gosh. This is great. Love all these activity ideas AND the prediction practice.

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      July 4, 2013 at 5:21 pm

      Thanks, Caroline — what a fantastic ABC birthday party you set up!!

      Reply to this comment
  22. Ashley

    July 4, 2013 at 7:55 am

    We have done several of these, but I love your printables. Pinning for use with my little guy!

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      July 4, 2013 at 5:19 pm

      Thank you, Ashley!

      Reply to this comment
  23. Kristen B

    July 4, 2013 at 6:48 am

    Love these ideas. Such fun ways to learn.

    I would love for you to come link up at Artsy Play Wednesday.

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      July 4, 2013 at 5:18 pm

      Thanks, Kristen! I usually link up at your party but missed it this week. Lots going on over here!

      Reply to this comment
  24. Ruth Petty

    July 3, 2013 at 10:13 am

    These are all great for Summer. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      July 4, 2013 at 5:17 pm

      Thanks, Ruth! It’s always good to get outside learning ideas — sitting at the kitchen table for too long always feels cruel in the summer!

      Reply to this comment
  25. Katie @ Gift of Curiosity

    July 2, 2013 at 10:22 pm

    We’ve done sink or float, but I love your “repel or absorb” and your “will it dissolve?” activities. But even more, I love your prediction worksheets! Just fantastic!

    Reply to this comment
    • Ruth Petty

      July 3, 2013 at 10:17 am

      Hi, Katie! I just checked out your Fireworks Craft and plan to try it out over the next two days!! I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks for sharing the fun!

      Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      July 4, 2013 at 5:07 pm

      Thanks so much, Katie!

      Reply to this comment
  26. Conny

    July 2, 2013 at 2:27 pm

    Thanks again for the ideas – btw, how was the vacation ;-)?! 6 more weeks to go until I will enjoy mine, but hubby and daughter are having their time-off right. I will definitely provide them with your ideas to give them more things to do then “cleaning mummy’s car because she made it dirty again”… I love the volume comparison play and learn idea, I am sure my little one will be really excited.

    Reply to this comment
    • annageig

      July 2, 2013 at 2:35 pm

      It was great, Conny, thanks for asking 🙂 It was really the first vacation since before my oldest was born that felt restful. Helps that we each had our own cabin (actually they were VERY nice log homes) and could spread out. Loved not having a tiny baby too! Have fun trying some of these!

      Reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  1. 18 Sidewalk Chalk Activities to Stop Summer Boredom - Teaching Expertise says:
    March 23, 2022 at 3:34 am

    […] Learn more: The Measured Mom […]

    Reply to this comment
  2. Ready, Set, Kindergarten! — Oceans & Fish – The Short Stack Librarian says:
    May 29, 2019 at 8:19 am

    […] This was a very popular center! I created the orange prediction sheets in Word. I got the idea from Turner Tots. The sheets were meant to be predictions but the kids generally used them after they’d let the object drop in the water and then marked off whether it sank or float. Next time I think I’ll make a sheet more like this one from The Measured Mom. […]

    Reply to this comment
  3. Water Fun & Learning with Kids - The Educators' Spin On It (new) says:
    March 17, 2016 at 3:04 pm

    […] Water Math and Science Fun from The Measured Mom […]

    Reply to this comment
  4. 16 Water Preschool Trays! says:
    August 4, 2015 at 7:19 am

    […] was especially inspired this week by the Water Math & Science Activities for Kids Ages 3-6 by Measured […]

    Reply to this comment
  5. Hearts for Home Blog Hop #25 - Look! We're Learning! says:
    June 9, 2015 at 7:11 pm

    […] Water, Math & Science for Kids 3-6 (The Measured […]

    Reply to this comment
  6. Summer Preschool Activities says:
    May 22, 2015 at 7:00 am

    […] balloon games from Fantastic Fun and Learning Water Math and Science from The Measured […]

    Reply to this comment
  7. Ultimate Homeschool Link-Up #26 - The Homeschool Village says:
    February 22, 2015 at 10:55 am

    […] Water Math and Science Activities look like a fun way to cool off in the summer […]

    Reply to this comment
  8. Free Resources for Homeschooling Toddlers | The Good Goat Momma says:
    February 2, 2015 at 2:48 am

    […] Measured Mom has put together some great hands-on Water, Math, and Science activities to do with your kids, ages […]

    Reply to this comment
  9. Tender Moments with Toddlers & Preschoolers Blog Hop #23 says:
    September 23, 2014 at 9:37 pm

    […] featured post with the most clicks is… Water Math & Science Activities, Beach Sensory Play and 12 Flag Crafts for […]

    Reply to this comment
  10. 15 Outdoor Water Play Ideas | There's Just One Mommy says:
    July 26, 2014 at 7:40 am

    […] these Water Math and Science Activities from The Measured […]

    Reply to this comment
  11. Hands on science | Scientists using inside voices says:
    August 11, 2013 at 6:54 pm

    […] https://www.themeasuredmom.com/water-math-science-activities-for-kids-ages-3-6/ […]

    Reply to this comment
  12. 5 Fun Water Play Activities - Kids Activities Blog says:
    July 17, 2013 at 6:00 am

    […]  Play a game of sink or float to play and explore math and science.  All you need is a bucket or sink and random items from […]

    Reply to this comment
  13. 40+ Summer Fun Activities with the Kiddos {Stress-Free Sunday #17} - Fun-A-Day! says:
    July 14, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    […] {Sugar Aunts} Tropical Island Water Table {Craftulate} Our Summer Nature Table {Buggy and Buddy} Water Math & Science Activities for Kids Ages 3-6 {The Measured Mom} Chasing Fireflies {Fireflies and Mudpies} Pirate Science FUN: Exploding Pirate […]

    Reply to this comment
  14. Hearts for Home Blog Hop #25 | Look! We're Learning! says:
    July 11, 2013 at 5:02 am

    […] Water, Math & Science for Kids 3-6 (The Measured […]

    Reply to this comment
  15. Tender Moments Blog Hop #23 | Teaching Mama says:
    July 11, 2013 at 12:01 am

    […] 1.The Measured Mom’s Water Activities […]

    Reply to this comment
  16. Really Big List of Science Experiments for Kids (with Linky) says:
    July 10, 2013 at 10:02 am

    […] Water Experiments from The Measured Mom […]

    Reply to this comment

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Grade Level Key

  • PS Preschool (ages 2-3 years)
  • PK Pre-K (ages 4-5 years)
  • K Kindergarten
  • 1 1st grade
  • 2 2nd grade
  • 3 3rd grade

Hello, I’m Anna!

Welcome to The Measured Mom. I’m so glad you’re here!

Meet Our Team

Free Math Printables for Pre-K-3rd Grade

Join our email list and get this sample pack of time-saving resources from our membership site! You'll get printables for counting, addition and subtraction, measuring, problem solving, and more!

Shop our store!

120 Print and Play Math & Literacy Games for K-2

$15.00

Preschool Math Curriculum for Home

$24.00

Place Value Task Cards for 2nd Grade

$8.00

Shop all resources

Members get more!

The Measured Mom Plus is the perfect online membership for Pre-K to third grade educators.

Learn More

Love Freebies?

Subscribing to our email newsletter is completely free. And when you do, you'll get access to our library of subscriber freebies! Sign up below to get access to a wonderful variety of math and literacy resources.

Join our online course and get the tools you need to teach every learner in K-2!

Confidently teach every reader in your classroom. Still have time to live your life.

Learn More

Listen and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher

Check out these recent podcast episodes:

  • What does the research say about alphabet instruction? with Dr. Shayne Piasta
  • What is set for variability? A conversation with Dr. Marnie Ginsberg
  • How to help students improve language comprehension – a conversation with Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan
More Episodes

Check out these FREE email courses...

Get strategies and tools to teach a particular topic with a free 5-day email series! Just click an image to sign up. We recommend signing up for just one at a time.

For Pre-K Educators

How to teach phonological & phonemic awareness

How to teach phonological & phonemic awareness

Learn how to develop this important pre-reading skill with a free 5-day email series!

How to teach preschool math

How to teach preschool math

Learn exactly what to teach your preschoolers in this free 5-day series!

For Kinder & 1st Grade Educators

How to teach kids to sound out words

How to teach kids to sound out words

Learn my top strategies for teaching kids to "sound it out"

How to teach sight words

How to teach sight words

Get strategies and tools for teaching sight words to young learners!

Tips for teaching phonics

Tips for teaching phonics

Sign up for our free 5-day email series to learn what phonics skills to teach and how to structure your phonics lessons!

For 2nd & 3rd Grade Educators

How to build reading fluency

How to build reading fluency

Learn smart strategies for helping your learners become fluent readers with this free 5-day series!

How to build reading comprehension

How to build reading comprehension

Discover the essential reading comprehension strategies for 2nd & 3rd grade and how to teach them!

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” –Matthew 6:33

Copyright © 2023 The Measured Mom •  All rights reserved  •  Privacy & Disclosure Statement  •  Site Design by Emily White Designs