15 Simple Water Activities for Preschoolers that You Might Know

Hey there! Did you know that water is more than just a basic necessity for survival? It’s one of the most important resources on our planet! It’s everywhere – covering more than 70% of the Earth’s surface. And guess what? Water is not only crucial for life, but it’s also super fascinating for kids!

If you’re a preschool teacher or a parent with curious little ones, you can use water as a fun tool to teach science concepts. In fact, we’ve got something special for you! I

n this article, we’ll be sharing 15 exciting water experiments for preschoolers that will help them learn and have a blast while doing it! So, grab your little ones, put on some lab coats (or aprons), and prepare for water-filled adventures!

What science concepts will water activities help kids to learn

States of matter:

Water can exist in different states – solid, liquid, and gas. By observing water in different forms, children can learn about the properties of each state.

Buoyancy:

Water can float or sink objects based on their weight and shape. By experimenting with different objects, children can learn about buoyancy.

Density:

Water has a specific density, and objects with higher or lower densities can float or sink in it. Children can learn about this concept by experimenting with objects of different densities.

Absorption: 

Water can be absorbed by different materials, and some materials can absorb more water than others. By experimenting with different materials, children can learn about absorption.

Important things required for water activities

A large container of water:

A large container of water is necessary for most water activities. A plastic tub or a bucket can work well.

Waterproof surface:

Water activities can get messy, so it’s important to have a waterproof surface like a tablecloth or a mat.

Safety measures: 

Water can be slippery, so it’s important to take safety measures like having a non-slip mat and always supervising children.

Experiment materials:

Encourage the children to get involved in choosing the experiment materials. Let them pick out their favorite colors for the food coloring or differently shaped cups and spoons to use. The more involved they are, the more excited they’ll be to experiment and learn.

15 Simple Water Activities for Kids

Sink or Float

Fill a container with water and gather various objects like a rock, a feather, a plastic toy, and a rubber ball.

Have the children predict whether each object will sink or float and then test their predictions. Watch their faces light up as they discover the surprising results. They will love to test their predictions again and again.

Iceberg Melting

Freeze a large block of ice and place it in a container of water. Have the children observe how the ice melts and the changes in the water level.

Discuss how this relates to real-life situations, such as glaciers melting and causing sea levels to rise.

Colored Ice Cubes

Freeze water with food coloring in an ice cube tray. Have the children observe how the colors mix and change as the ice cubes melt. They will love seeing how the colors blend together to create new colors.

Water Transfer

Give the children two containers of water and a spoon. Have them transfer the water from one container to the other without spilling any. This activity will help improve their motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Water Exploration Station

Water Exploration Station is a great activity to encourage children to explore the wonders of water. This activity requires setting up a water exploration station, which can be done in a large container, such as a baby pool, or in a bathtub.

Fill the container with water and add various objects and materials for children to experiment with.

Water Xylophone

Fill glasses with different levels of water and have the children use spoons to make music by tapping the glasses.

They will be fascinated by the different sounds the glasses make and will enjoy experimenting with different water levels to create different tones.

Water Science Table

Set up a water science table with various containers, measuring cups, and funnels. Allow children to experiment with pouring water from one container to another.

This open-ended activity will encourage creativity and experimentation as they come up with their own unique ways of transferring the water.

Soap Boat

Cut out a small boat shape from a bar of soap and place it in water. Observe how it floats and moves. This activity will teach children about buoyancy and water resistance as they experiment with different shapes and sizes of soap boats to see which float best.

Fizzy Water

Add baking soda to a container of water, and then add vinegar. Observe the reaction as the mixture fizzes and bubbles. You can also add food coloring to make the experiment more colorful and exciting.

Water Wheel

Use a plastic water bottle to make a water wheel. Cut off the bottom of the bottle and place it in a container of water.

Turn the bottle and observe how the water flows through the bottle. You can also add some glitter or small toys in the water to make it more fun.

Drip Painting

Dip a paintbrush in water and let the children drip the water onto the paper. Observe how the water spreads and changes the colors of the paint.

You can also experiment with different types of paper, like tissue paper, to see how the water reacts differently.

Water Bubble

Mix dish soap with water and use a straw to blow bubbles. Observe how the bubbles form and pop. You can also experiment with different types of soap or try adding sugar to the mix to see how it affects the bubbles.

Water in a Bag

Fill a sealable plastic bag with water and then poke pencils or straws through it. Observe how the water doesn’t leak out because the plastic seals around the pencils or straws. You can also try using different bags, like freezer or sandwich bags, to see how they hold up.

Waterfall

Stack plastic cups or containers on top of each other with holes punched in the bottom of each cup.

Pour water into the top cup and watch it flow down like a waterfall. You can also experiment with different sizes and shapes of cups to see how it affects the flow of water.

Water Magnification

Fill a clear container with water and place small objects like coins, buttons, and leaves underneath it. Observe how the water magnifies the objects. You can also try shining a flashlight through the container to see how the light refracts through the water.

Water Beads

Soak water beads in water and observe how they absorb the water and grow in size. You can also try adding food coloring to the water to see how it affects the color of the beads.

Water experiments are a fun and engaging way for preschoolers to learn about science. By using simple materials like water, cups, and food coloring, children can learn about various science concepts like states of matter, buoyancy, and density.

These 15 simple water experiments are easy to set up and can provide hours of fun and learning for preschoolers. Just remember to take safety measures and supervise children at all times to prevent accidents.