Floating Art (Art and Science Combined)

Today we decided to combine a bit of floating/sinking science with a creative and challenging way to get arty

Introducing, Floating Art

Ages- 2-6+

Materials- Items that will float (we used natural elements from nature), 

Water, vessel to hold water (we used a large bowl and a deep lid)

We started this activity with a walk outside to find and collect, items that would float

(It was up to Maddie 3.5 to determine what she thought would float but we encouraged her to test a few extra items that she was unsure about)

After collecting items, I set up a table with the materials, a large bowl of water for testing and a large plastic tray/lid to put our tested, floating objects on.

Testing the objects. Use this time to talk about why things float.

Maddie really didn't think the lemon was going to float. This is why we encouraged her to give it a go

Encourage your child to guess whether each item will float or sink before testing.

Older/more advanced children could keep a written record of this.

All the items were tested and those that floated were then placed on the tray/lid ready to make art with

For added fine motor skills we started adding the materials with tweezers

(Although Maddie ditched these after a few goes as it was too slow for her)

Some of Maddie's creations

How about some added early Literacy?

It's a great challenge to make things on water as they keep floating away!

Simple frame

I wanted to create as well. We enjoyed creating and talking together

My progressive Floating Art

More Water Science for kids

Floating, sinking and predicting [Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning] 

Colour Water Discovery Transfer [Learn with Play at home]

Water Science with everyday objects [Creative Connections with kids]

Cloud Jars [Learn with Play at home]

Float, Sink, Freeze, Melt [Momma's Fun World]

Water Bottle Fountain [Learn with Play at home]

More Art with Natural Materials

Flower Stencil Spray Painting [Learn with Play at home]

Flower window collage  [Play Dr Mom]

Sensory Flower Petal Picture [Learn with Play at home]

Ikebana Inspired Teacup Arrangements [The Cardboard Collective]

A Nature picture from nature [Learn with Play at home]

Handy Tips:

- Simplify this activity by focusing on creating the floating art. Where appropriate, introduce the concept of things that sink a float but keep it basic

- Extend this activity by providing a greater focus on the science behind objects sinking and floating. Older children can begin to process things like density and surface area. As suggested, have children predict whether items will sink and float before testing. Have them write up the process in a Science journal or with a basic scientific proforma. 

- Even younger, preliterate children can draw a picture of something floating and something that has sunk and they can always make and test predictions

- Talk with your child about what they are doing. This will help them understand the physical and mental processes they are going through as well as giving them the vocabulary to describe it.

- Use new language and descriptive words like, "floating" "ripples" "progressive" etc. This will help with their language development and give them words to describe what they're creating and experiencing

-Ask questions to help connect their understanding, eg. "Do you think that will float or sink?" "Why do you think the big lemon could float?" "How are you going to get that to stay in that position?" etc.

- Listen to your child talk as they go through their experiences. This will help you determine where they are at with their learning, knowledge and understanding and help you to develop the activity (or future activities) to their level and interests.

Happy playing, creating and discovering,
Debs :)

New Here? Subscribe to get all activities sent directly to you

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Are you on Facebook? We are and we'd love to see you there. You can also find us on Pinterest, Twitter  and G+ too. :)