water is shapeless experiment

37 Water Science Experiments: Fun & Easy

We’ve curated a diverse selection of water related science experiments suitable for all ages, covering topics such as density, surface tension, water purification, and much more.

These hands-on, educational activities will not only deepen your understanding of water’s remarkable properties but also ignite a passion for scientific inquiry.

So, grab your lab coat and let’s dive into the fascinating world of water-based science experiments!

Water Science Experiments

1. walking water science experiment.

This experiment is a simple yet fascinating science experiment that involves observing the capillary action of water. Children can learn a lot from this experiment about the characteristics of water and the capillary action phenomenon. It is also a great approach to promote scientific curiosity and enthusiasm.

Learn more: Walking Water Science Experiment

2. Water Filtration Experiment

A water filtering experiment explains how to purify contaminated water using economical supplies. The experiment’s goal is to educate people about the procedure of water filtration, which is crucial in clearing water of impurities and contaminants so that it is safe to drink.

Learn more: Water Filtration Experiment

3. Water Cycle in a Bag

The water cycle in a bag experiment became to be an enjoyable and useful instructional exercise that helps students understand this idea. Participants in the experiment can observe the many water cycle processes by building a model of the water cycle within a Ziplock bag.

4. Cloud in a Jar

The rain cloud in a jar experiment is a popular instructional project that explains the water cycle and precipitation creation. This experiment is best done as a water experiment since it includes monitoring and understanding how water changes state from a gas (water vapor) to a liquid (rain) and back to a gas.

Learn more: Cloud in a Jar

5. The Rising Water

The rising water using a candle experiment is a wonderful way to teach both adults and children the fundamentals of physics while also giving them an exciting look at the properties of gases and how they interact with liquids.

6. Leak Proof Bag Science Experiment

In the experiment, a plastic bag will be filled with water, and after that, pencils will be inserted through the bag without causing it to leak.

The experiments explain how the plastic bag’s polymer chains stretch and form a barrier that keeps water from dripping through the holes the pencils have produced.

Learn more: Leak Proof Bag Science Experiment

7. Keep Paper Dry Under Water Science Experiment

The experiment is an enjoyable way for demonstrating air pressure and surface tension for both adults and children. It’s an entertaining and engaging technique to increase scientific curiosity and learn about scientific fundamentals.

Learn more: Keep Paper Dry Under Water Science Experiment

8. Frozen Water Science Experiment

The Frozen Water Science Experiment is a fun and engaging project that teaches about the qualities of water and how it behaves when frozen.

You can gain a better knowledge of the science behind the freezing process and investigate how different variables can affect the outcome by carrying out this experiment.

9. Make Ice Stalagmites

10. Bending of Light

A fascinating scientific activity that explores visual principles and how light behaves in different surfaces is the “bending of light” water experiment. This experiment has applications in physics, engineering, and technology in addition to being a fun and interesting method to learn about the characteristics of light.

11. Salt on a Stick

This experiment is an excellent way to catch interest, engage in practical learning, and gain a deeper understanding of the characteristics of water and how they relate to other substances. So the “Salt on Stick” water experiment is definitely worth trying if you’re looking for a fun and educational activity to try!

Learn More: Water Cycle Experiment Salt and Stick

12. Separating Mixture by Evaporation

This method has practical applications in fields like water processing and is employed in a wide range of scientific disciplines, from chemistry to environmental science.

You will better understand the principles determining the behavior of mixtures and the scientific procedures used to separate them by performing this experiment at home.

13. Dancing Spaghetti

Have you ever heard of the dancing spaghetti experiment? It’s a fascinating science experiment that combines simple materials to create a mesmerizing visual display.

The dancing spaghetti experiment is not only entertaining, but it also helps you understand the scientific concepts of chemical reactions, gas production, and acidity levels.

14. Magic Color Changing Potion

The magic color-changing potion experiment with water, vinegar, and baking soda must be tried since it’s an easy home-based scientific experiment that’s entertaining and educational.

This experiment is an excellent way to teach kids about chemical reactions and the characteristics of acids and bases while providing them an interesting and satisfying activity.

15. Traveling Water Experiment

In this experiment, you will use simple objects like straws or strings to make a path for water to pass between two or more containers.

Learn more: Rookie Parenting

16. Dry Erase and Water “Floating Ink” Experiment

The dry-erase and water “floating ink” experiment offers an interesting look at the characteristics of liquids and the laws of buoyancy while also being a great method to educate kids and adults to the fundamentals of science.

Learn more: Dry Erase and Water Floating Ink Experiment

17. Underwater Candle

In this experiment, we will investigate a connection between fire and water and learn about the remarkable factors of an underwater candle.

18. Static Electricity and Water

19. Tornado in a Glass

This captivating experiment will demonstrate how the forces of air and water can combine to create a miniature vortex, resembling a tornado.

Learn more: Tornado in a Glass

20. Make Underwater Magic Sand

Be ready to build a captivating underwater world with the magic sand experiment. This experiment will examine the fascinating characteristics of hydrophobic sand, sometimes referred to as magic sand.

21. Candy Science Experiment

Get ready to taste the rainbow and learn about the science behind it with the Skittles and water experiment! In this fun and colorful experiment, we will explore the concept of solubility and observe how it affects the diffusion of color.

Density Experiments

Density experiments are a useful and instructive approach to learn about the characteristics of matter and the fundamentals of science, and they can serve as a starting point for further exploration into the fascinating world of science.

Density experiments may be carried out with simple materials that can be found in most homes.

This experiment can be a great hands-on learning experience for kids and science lovers of all ages.

22. Super Cool Lava Lamp Experiment

The awesome lava lamp experiment is an entertaining and educational activity that illustrates the concepts of density and chemical reactions. With the help of common household items, this experiment involves making a handmade lava lamp.

Learn more: Lava Lamp Science Experiment

23. Denser Than you Think

Welcome to the fascinating world of density science! The amount of matter in a particular space or volume is known as density, and it is a fundamental concept in science that can be seen everywhere around us.

Understanding density can help us figure out why some objects float while others sink in water, or why certain compounds do not mix.

24. Egg Salt and Water

Learn about the characteristics of water, including its density and buoyancy, and how the addition of salt affects these characteristics through performing this experiment.

25. Hot Water and Cold-Water Density

In this experiment, hot and cold water are put into a container to see how they react to one other’s temperatures and how they interact.

Sound and Water Experiments

Have you ever wondered how sound travels through different mediums? Take a look at these interesting sound and water experiments and learn how sounds and water can affect each other.

26. Home Made Water Xylophone

You can do this simple scientific experiment at home using a few inexpensive ingredients to create a handmade water xylophone.

The experiment demonstrates the science of sound and vibration and demonstrates how changing water concentrations can result in a range of tones and pitches.

Learn more: Home Made Water Xylophone

27. Create Water Forms Using Sound!

A remarkable experiment that exhibits the ability of sound waves to influence and impact the physical world around us is the creation of water formations using sound.

In this experiment, sound waves are used to generate patterns and shapes, resulting in amazing, intricate designs that are fascinating to observe.

28. Sound Makes Water Come Alive 

These experiments consist of using sound waves to create water vibrations, which can result in a variety of dynamic and captivating phenomena.

29. Water Whistle

The water whistle experiment includes blowing air through a straw that is submerged in water to produce a whistle.

This experiment is an excellent way to learn about the characteristics of sound waves and how water can affect them.

Water Surface Tension Experiments

You can observe the effects of surface tension on the behavior of liquids by conducting a surface tension experiment.

By trying these experiments, you can gain a better understanding of the properties of liquids and their behavior and how surface tension affects their behavior.

30. Floating Paperclip

In this experiment, you will put a paper clip on the top of the water and observe it float because of the water’s surface tension.

31. Water Glass Surface Tension

Have you ever noticed how, on some surfaces, water drops may form perfect spheres? The surface tension, which is a characteristic of water and the cohesive force that holds a liquid’s molecules together at its surface, is to blame for this.

32. Camphor Powered Boat

The camphor-powered boat experiment is a fun and fascinating way to explore the principles of chemistry, physics, and fluid mechanics. In this experiment, a miniature boat is used to travel across the water’s surface using camphor tablets.

33. Pepper and Soap Experiment

The pepper in a cloud experiment is a simple and interesting activity that explains the concept of surface tension. This experiment includes adding pepper to a bowl of water and then pouring soap to the mixture, causing the pepper to move away from the soap.

Learn more: Pepper and Soap Experiment

Boiling Water Experiments

Experiments with boiling water are an engaging and informative way to learn about physics, chemistry, and water’s characteristics.

These investigations, which include examining how water behaves when it changes temperature and pressure, can shed light on a variety of scientific phenomena.

It’s important to take the proper safety measures when performing experiments with hot water. Boiling water can produce steam and hot particles that are dangerous to inhale in and can result in severe burns if it comes into contact with skin.

34. Make It Rain

This experiment can be accomplished using basic supplies that can be found in most homes, make it an excellent opportunity for hands-on learning for both kids and science lovers.

Learn more: Make it Rain

35. Fire Water Balloons

Learning about the fundamentals of thermodynamics, the behavior of gases, and the effects of heat on objects are all made possible by this experiment.

36. Boil Water with Ice

The Boiling Water with Ice experiment is an engaging and beneficial approach to learn about temperature and the behavior of water. It can also serve as an introduction for further discovery into the wonderful world of science.

37. Boil Water in a Paper Cup

The “boil water in a cup” experiment is an easier but powerful approach to illustrate the idea of heat transmission by conduction. This experiment is often used in science classes to teach students about thermal conductivity and the physics of heat transfer.

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• 68 Best Chemistry Experiments: Learn About Chemical Reactions
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You are here, the science of water, science goals for water exploration.

After explorations, students will be able to understand:

Water takes the shape of its container

Water will always form a flat surface unless it is acted on by another force, such as wind.

Objects can sink, float, or stay suspended in water.

Water always flows downward, unless a force pushes it upward, such as a pump.

The physics of water can be broken down into four basic components:

Flow, Drops, Sink and Float, and Bubbles. 

The Science of Water Flow

Water’s movement is described as flow.

Because water is a liquid, it does not have a strong internal structure. It takes the shape of whatever container it is in.

Water molecules are sticky! Water will always form a flat surface unless it is acted on by another force, such as wind.

Air takes up space in water and will float to the top.

In nature, water flows down due to gravity. We see this in rivers, rain, gutters, etc.

If we make a force act on the water, we can make it move up!

A turkey baster shows how you can suck the water up into the baster, or squirt the water into the air by pushing it.

The Science of Water Drops

Drops stick to each other in a way called  cohesion . We can see this in the way water forms droplets and can form a “skin” at the top of a glass.

When water molecules stick to other materials, it’s called adhesion . You can think of this also as absorption . We can see this when we pour water onto a paper towel. 

Waxed paper does not have good  adhesion because it doesn’t absorb much of the water. A water drop on waxed paper stays where it is and keeps its shape, but a paper towel has great adhesion! It absorbs a lot of the water. Water drops on paper towels get sucked into the material and do not keep their shape

The Science of Sink and Float

Objects sink or float based on density: how heavy something is compared to much space it takes up.

Sink : objects sink when they are more dense than water. Examples: rocks, your keys, a refrigerator.

Float : objects float when they are less dense than water. These solid objects usually have a lot of air in them. Examples: wood, apples, plastic trash bag

Question: How do ships, made of metal, float on top of the water? Answer: Some shapes let dense materials float on top of the water. The shape of a boat, for example, lets the metal be mostly filled with air, so overall the boat becomes less dense

Density (mass/volume) determines if objects sink, float, or stay suspended in water.

However, air bubbles can reduce an object’s effective density.

Effective shapes for boats distribute the weight of a denser-than-water material in such a way that the air enclosed makes the whole boat less dense.

What Are Air Bubbles?

Air (or any gas) takes up space in water, just like solids.

Air (or any gas) is less dense than water, so gas bubbles float to the top of water.

Air takes up space in containers. When water is poured into the container, it takes the place of the air that was already there.

If the air can’t get out of the container, the water can’t go in.

Place some interesting materials to engage students in water exploration. Too many materials can be overwhelming. Too few can lose students' interest.

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STEM Water Projects and Science Experiments For Kids

50+ STEM Water Science Experiments and STEM Projects for Kids in Elementary – play, educate and grow with nature’s favourite drink

Water is one of the greatest mediums for exploring science. It’s easy to work with, it’s readily available, it’s safe and kids love playing with it. It is impossible not to have fun while learning with water. Are you looking for some great ideas for water projects in your class, homeschool or home? Find inspiration on this list of over 50 fun science experiments and water projects for kids!

The Best Water Science Experiments for Kids

What you will discover in this article!

Disclaimer: This article may contain commission or affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer I earn from qualifying purchases. Not seeing our videos? Turn off any adblockers to ensure our video feed can be seen. Or visit our YouTube channel to see if the video has been uploaded there. We are slowly uploading our archives. Thanks!

To make navigating this resource easier, I have divided all of our water projects and STEM activities into some general categories.

CHEMISTRY WATER EXPERIMENTS

Bath Bombs or Bath Fizzies are the ultimate in bath time fun! They are also an exceptional chemistry experiment. You can simply make a bath bomb and see how water is the magic ingredient to trigger the reaction, or do a science experiment exploring the effect of water temperature on bath bomb reactions .

Water Lab Exploring Safe Drinking Water is a science experiment that turns students into water testers with an eye for safety. Using water sources around your home or school you can easily set up this activity and in the process learn a valuable lesson about how precious safe water is for families everywhere. For more testing ideas you can check out this article .

What’s the difference between baking soda and baking powder? Learn the answer in this experiment. Take water and add sodium bicarbonate or baking powder. Watch the results to see something spectacular!

Super Simple Chemistry is a kid favourite activity that explores how different substances mix with water. Not everything dissolves, start exploring these ideas with this simple activity.

Learn about pH (acidic and basic) properties with this fun fluids experiment that uses items from your kitchen to create a fascinating lab study.

Elephant Toothpaste might not seem like a water science experiment at first, but this activity is actually really cool because one of the by products of the chemical reaction is water!

WATER PROJECTS EXPLORING DENSITY

Skittles Experiments require only two things – Skittles and Water. It may be simple, but this is one water experiment that is stunningly gorgeous and will have kids begging for more science time! With our study we brought in Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night as a way to see fluid dynamics in action.

The classic oil and water experiment is a fascinating way to introduce students the density, and in this experiment the results are beautiful!

Marble Run Density Project is a simple activity that explores the density of different liquids using marbles. It’s fun and accessible for all ages. Everyone loves a good race!

Does It Float – Pop Can edition is a fascinating activity that demonstrates how the density of different canned drinks affects whether they float or not. The results are fun and this makes for a great activity during camp outs.

Teaching The Scientific Process With Water Balloons – This is a fantastic idea for learning how to create scientific proof by exploring the science behind the “does it float pop can edition” experiment.

COLOURFUL WATER PROJECTS

Chromatography Flowers is a super easy activity that even little kids will be able to do with minimal adult help. Watch how water helps colours travel through the coffee filter making pretty designs. For older kids, take the challenge up a level and light up your flowers with a simple circuit building activity.

Walking Rainbow – This was our attempt at the walking rainbow experiment but when things went wrong it became a whole new and exciting water science lesson.

WINTER THEMED WATER PROJECTS FOR KIDS

It’s time to get chilly with this mind bending experiment. In Snow and Ice Simple Science – Melting Magic we ask kids to predict the outcome of a test that will have them saying WOW! when they see the outcome.

Why does salt melt ice? This STEM activity dives into some great winter science as it explores how salt affects ice.

Live somewhere cold? Explore the Mpemba Effect in a spectacular way as you create snow.

Bottle Crush is a project that will have kids asking to go outside on a cold winter day over and over again. Like magic, kids will learn how to crush a plastic bottle without touching it, astounding their friends and family.

Ice Fishing Science Experiment – What is more winter than Ice Fishing? In this fun, hands on science, kids learn how salt and water interact as they go fishing for the big catch! A great challenge for a classroom or summer camp.

SWEET WATER SCIENCE

Slurpee Science Continue exploring the power of salt and water with states of matter changes with this experiment that ends with a tasty treat.

Layered Lollipops is a fascinating study into density. Makes a beautiful experiment that smells amazing!

Lego Gummy Mummies is a project that explores what happens when water is removed, also known as desiccation which is part of the mummification process. It’s also an experiment using candy minifigs, so kids love it!

ENGINEERING WITH WATER PROJECTS

Build A Water Clock and learn a bit about history with this easy STEM project. This project can be scaled for use by kids of all ages.

Ice STEM Projects explore all the amazing things you can do when water enters a solid state, better known as ice! The dinosaur ice sculpture is just too cute and kids will love engineering their own ice creations.

Build a Compass and embrace your inner Einstein! Witness the invisible forces that captured a young Einstein’s imagination and led to a lifetime of incredible discoveries.

Build a Heart Model filled with water (aka blood) and explore how the blood moves around the heart.

Engineer An Ice Lantern , perfect for the holidays.

WATER PROJECTS THAT ARE LIKE MAGIC

Chasing Hearts – This science experiment is like magic as you explore science and physics principles, all while playing a fun game!

Keep it Dry – A slight of hand activity that kids of all ages love to take a turn at. Become a magical scientist!

Why Does Water Rise? is an activity that is like magic! Kids love this STEM Activity that involves a little tech in the investigative process.

Build a Leak Proof Bag that is filled with water and pierced through with tons of pencils? Sounds impossible, but it’s not if you know the science!

ENVIRONMENTAL WATER PROJECTS FOR KIDS

Students get hands on with a major threat to our marine environments in this Oil Spill Cleanup Experiment .

Learn about the Water Cycle in this simple science experiment in a jar. Perfect for students or as a classroom demonstration.

In this experiment, explore how acid rain affects plant life . It is a simple experiment with powerful results.

Next, we explore how water pollution affects plants . This is a simple experiment exploring the effects of water pollution in two different ways. Students learn about osmosis, pH and the scientific method.

The Water Desalinization Project is a interesting activity that explores how to remove the salt from salt water making it safe to drink.

This Fish Diving Activity is a neat way to explore how fish use air to help them move around underwater. A similar activity involves creating a Cartesian Diver .

SENSORY WATER PROJECTS

DIY Play Dough Bubble Bath is not a water project exactly, but it’s an inexpensive way to create some bubble bath play dough. Perfect for doing water projects with kids in the bath tub or at a water table.

Oobleck is a captivating activity to explore the difference in liquids. With the addition of one ingredient to water you create the most bizarre substance. Oobleck projects are an excellent addition to the study of states of matter and the senses. We LOVE playing with Oobleck and have created dozens of fun ways to explore this non-Newtonian Fluid.

DIY Soap Projects , especially Soap Jellies are a fantastic sensory experience that will encourage kids to get clean! They are so much fun, and super easy to make. For an incredible cross study, make our DIY Layers of the Ocean soap and learn about the ocean with this gorgeous and easy soap making project.

More Water Science Experiments

Explore why the Sky Changes Colour in this fascinating and simple science project demonstrating how the skies change colour during sunrise and sunset.

Another great project is the Rainbow Rain Project . Students will create a stunning display of colour in a jar to explore how clouds (made with shaving cream), hold and release moisture, creating rain! This project is GORGEOUS and so simple.

Magic Glitter is a cool experiment that is also a powerful demonstration on how soap works and why it is so important to wash your hands with soap.

Have fun learning with nature’s most valuable liquid – water!

5 Days of Smart STEM Ideas for Kids

Get started in STEM with easy, engaging activities.

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Early Learning. Happy Teaching.

40 Simple Water Science Experiments for Kids

April 16, 2018 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

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Warmer weather means lots of water play and, for us, that means plenty of  simple water science experiments to try with the kids!

Since we’ve been homeschooling, I’ve learned that science doesn’t have to be a complicated subject to teach.

Many scientific concepts sound complicated (and really are amazingly intricate), but showing kids how they work doesn’t have to be complex.

Turns out that you can use a few household supplies and demonstrate how scientific principles work in a kid-friendly way!

And that’s why I’ve rounded up 40 easy water science experiments that would be great to share with kids – either indoors or outdoors!

Don’t miss our list of science experiments that you can do in just 15 minutes too!

1. Simple Light In Water Refraction Experiment – Look! We’re Learning!

2. Milk Jug Water Wheel Experiment – J Daniel 4’s Mom

3. Float Vs Sink Experiment – Teach Me Mommy

4. Leak-Proof Bag Science Experiment – Fun Learning for Kids

5. How to Make a Lava Lamp – Coffee Cups and Crayons

6. Measuring Water Beads – Blue Bear Wood

7. Water Balloon Parachute – Fantastic Fun and Learning

8. Food Coloring Fluid Mechanics Experiment – Mama Smiles

9. Measuring Buoyancy Experiment – KC Edventures

10. Color Mixing Experiment – Science Sparks

11. Tide Pool Science Experiment – Buggy and Buddy

12. Floating Peep Boats – Sixth Bloom

13. Traveling Water Experiment – The Wise Owl Factory

14. Simple Water Displacement Experiment – Life with Moore Babies

15. Ripple Water Experiment – J Daniel 4’s Mom

16. Why Does Water Rise STEM Experiment – STEAM Powered Family

17. Make a Rain Cloud In a Jar – Coffee Cups and Crayons

18. Water Xylophone Sound Experiment – Little Bins for Little Hands

19. Growing Mint in Water – Sloely

20. Sticky Ice Experiment – Capri Plus 3

See more of these awesome simple water science experiments on page 2!

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Water Science Experiments for Kids

June 23, 2019 By Emma Vanstone 2 Comments

I’ve lost count of the number of water science experiments we’ve done over the years. Water is pretty amazing. Did you know it is the only natural substance to exist in three physical states at temperatures naturally occurring on Earth?

Facts about Water

• Water covers about 70% of the surface of the Earth.
• Water expands when it freezes.
• We need water to survive.
• Water can move upwards!!

Water has lots of properties that make it just brilliant for simple science investigations !

Water Science Experiments and Investigations

Freezing and melting investigations.

Freezing and melting investigations are always fun. For younger children, let them play with ice cubes while they melt. You can freeze small toys inside to make this a bit more exciting.

We had great fun with our LEGO ice excavations recently, but you can also freeze superheroes, bugs or anything else that might spark an extra interest.

Just getting the child to recognise that the ice is cold and how that feels on their fingers is a great sensory experience. Remember to let the ice melt a little first, as ice can be sticky when first removed from a freezer.

Water Cycle Experiments

Make a mini water cycle or a water cycle in a bag. These are great science activities for older children and help explain a tricky concept.

Water and Density

Density is a tough concept to grasp, but hopefully, this density science trick is interesting and simple enough to help it all make sense. Salt increases the density of water, so the coloured salty water doesn’t mix with the less dense water on top!

Density jars are also great fun. Children can try and find different small objects to float on the layers. These can be very simple and just contain water and oil, or children can experiment with layers of washing up liquid (dish soap ), treacle, honey and other non-toxic liquids.

Transport of Water in Plants

Learn about transpiration and make some pretty coloured flowers . I love this activity. If it works well, you can see the path the water takes to reach the edge of the petals.

Sinking and Floating Experiments

How about some simple sinking and floating experiments ? This is great for young children, who love to watch objects sink and float. Older children can make a plasticine boat and discover whether an item that previously sank can float in the boat. Or, try and predict which objects will sink and which will float.

Did you know you can use a bit of clever density science to make an egg float ?

Children can also make a lemon sink if they understand why it floats in the first place!

Oil and Water Experiments

Find out why oil and water don’t mi x . We’ve also demonstrated this using coloured water and pipettes, which was brilliant fun.

Osmosis Experiments

Learn about osmosis ( water passing through a semi-permeable membrane ) using eggs. The term osmosis might sound complicated, but this egg demonstration makes it more understandable, and don’t worry if your children don’t understand straight away or are too young. It’s still fun to watch the eggs expand and then shrink.

Absorbing Water

How about exploring absorption using sugar cubes ? The fact that you can watch the water rise up the cube is brilliant and appeals to children of all ages.

A walking water investigation is another excellent way to learn about how water is absorbed by different materials.

Water Powered Rocket

Learn about air pressure with this very cool water-powered bottle rocket .

Filtering Water

Discover how to clean water with this easy filtering activity using paper towels or using sand and stones .

Another idea is to investigate how to clean up water after an oil spill .

Is it waterproof

Investigate which materials are waterproof by using them as a roof for a LEGO house and investigating whether they keep the floor dry.

Dissolving in Water

Predict and test which substances will dissolve in water .

Do you have any more water science experiment ideas for us?

More Science for Kids

Try my fun science tricks or easy Fairy Tale STEM challenges !

If you enjoyed these experiments, don’t forget to check out the rest of my 100s of other science experiments for kids , too!

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

August 10, 2013 at 1:42 am

I love, love, love the density science experiment. I couldn’t believe so as soon as I finished reading this, I tried it and it worked! Besides being proud of myself cause it was so awesome, it was cheap too, thank God for water glasses!

Thank you so much for sharing this. God bless!

January 24, 2017 at 9:31 am

Oh wow – such a lot of useful ideas for me to take to FS2 next week. Thank you!

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H2-Oh! Engaging Activities and Science Experiments with Water

*We’re an affiliate – we may earn a commission through qualifying purchases from the links on this page. As always, thanks!*

Water is a fascinating and versatile substance that is essential to life on Earth. It can take on many forms and can be found in oceans, lakes, rivers, and even in the air we breathe. Water is also a great medium for conducting STEM activities, as it is easy to work with and can be found in most households.

In this article, we will explore a variety of fun and educational water-based STEM activities that you can do with your kids. From exploring the properties of water density to conducting experiments on water pressure, these activities will help your kids learn about the world around them and develop their critical thinking skills.

Whether you are looking for indoor or outdoor activities, there is something here for everyone. So grab a bucket, fill it with water, and get ready to have some fun!

Water Displacement

Ever drop ice cubes in a glass and had some of the water spill out?  Or wonder why the water level in the tub goes up when you get in?  That’s water displacement at work. We’re going to do a simple water experiment to demonstrate how this works.  

Water displacement is when an object is placed in water and pushes the water out of the way as it sinks (or floats.) The amount of water that is displaced, or pushed aside, is equal to the volume of the object. Ultimately, the water level rises relative to the mass of the object.

Water displacement helps us understand how much space different objects take up. It can also help us understand why some objects float and some objects sink. If an object has a volume that is smaller than the amount of water it displaces, it will float. If an object has a volume that is larger than the amount of water it displaces, it will sink.

Light Refraction in Water

Light refraction is an interesting scientific phenomenon and can help us understand how light travels through different materials. It can also help us see things in a different way, like when we look at an object through a jar of water and it appears to be in a different place than it really is. Cool, right?

What you’re observing is refraction, meaning the light is bending as it passes through the water. This affects the what we see. The light travels in a straight line through the air. Water is a different material than air, and the light travels more slowly through water. When the light hits the glass, it will bend and change direction as it passes through the water.

The amount of bending or refraction that occurs depends on the angle at which the light hits the surface of the water and the difference in the properties of the air and the water. When the light hits the surface of the water at a shallow angle, it will bend more than it will if it hits the surface at a steep angle. Similarly, the greater the difference in the properties of the air and the water, the more the light will bend as it passes through the water.

Frozen Science

We did this with plastic dinosaurs and made some frozen dinosaur eggs – check out our full post on dinosaur activities for more!

Water freezes because the molecules, or tiny particles, in water slow down when it gets cold. When the molecules in water slow down, they don’t move around as much, and they start to stick together. When the molecules stick together, they form a solid, which is called ice.

Water is a very special substance because it can change from a liquid to a solid (ice) and back again, which leads us to our next simple science experiment:

Melting Ice

What makes ice melt?  If you’ve frozen some object in ice, it’s time to thaw them out. Have kids predict how long it will take for the ice to melt in different conditions (such as room temperature versus outside in the sun or under a hair dryer.) Then, have them measure and record the melting times for condition.

Related Post: For more on the water cycle, check out our post on experiments with states of matter and see how water moves from a liquid to a gas or solid.

Sink or Float Experiment for Kids

Fill a bowl or large container with water and provide a variety of objects, such as balls, rocks, and blocks. Predict which objects will sink and which will float, then test their predictions by placing the objects in the water.

Related Post: Learn about surface tension in our floating paper clip experiment.

Water Density Experiment

To do the water density experiment, you will need the following materials:

Water Glass Xylophone

To create a xylophone using drinking glasses filled with water, you will need a set of glasses of different sizes and a mallet or spoon to strike them with. First, fill the glasses with different amounts of water.

Form more on this (and some other cool experiments) check out our post on science experiments with sound.

Water Pressure Experiment

Fill a small plastic bottle with water and have kids predict what will happen when they squeeze the bottle. Then, have them carefully squeeze the bottle and observe the results.  

Water Absorption

We’ll use some paper towel, a dish cloth, and a sponge to see how much water each material absorbs over a set period of time.  Encourage your kids to come up with their own hypotheses about what factors will affect the water absorption of different materials, and which ones will absorb the fastest and the most water.

What did you find?  For us, the time didn’t matter too much; everything was super saturated after a minute or so.  The dishrag picked up the most (to be fair, it was the largest), followed by the sponge, and lastly the paper towel.

Now, what will you grab the next time you need to clean up a spill?

Self Contained Water Cycle in a Bag

Color mixing with water.

Kids can learn about color science with this simple experiment.

Note: You may also want to have paper towels or a sponge on hand to clean up any spills.

DIY Lava Lamp

We made ours in an empty water bottle, and you can check it out in our post on fun projects using recycled water bottles.

DIY Water Filter

Cut a plastic bottle in half and fill the bottom half with layers of materials such as gravel, sand, and charcoal. Add a few drops of food coloring to a cup of water and pour it through the filter. Observe how the water changes color as it passes through the different layers.

Here are the steps to do the DIY water filter experiment:

Wrap Up – Simple Water Science Experiments for Kids

Latest posts, kitchen science activities with food for kids: play with your food for science, how to keep pumpkins from rotting, delicious discoveries: edible science experiments for kids.

Easy Water Science Experiments for Kids

By: Author Susanne Williams

Posted on Published: May 3, 2022  - Last updated: December 30, 2023

Here is a full list of our 25 Best Science Experiments With Water .

From growing a rainbow through to sink and float experiments, or a water cycle activity. There is a lot to explore and learn at home and in the classroom.

Let’s dive right in and get inspired!

There are affiliate links in this post, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will be compensated if you click through and take action. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Simple water science experiments for kids, best science kits for kids, pin these science projects with water.

Play, explore, and learn. This is the slogan of our list of fun science projects with water. Here you will find simple experiments with water to do at home or in a school setting.

They are all easy to manage and do not need a lot of preparation. Most of these water science experiments are suitable for preschoolers and older children.

Go check out our fun list of the 25 Best Water Science Experiments for kids now:

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Best Water Science Experiments for Kids

Go check out our full list of fun STEM water projects for preschoolers and older kids.

The link below brings you directly to the instructions and will explain everything you need to know about the science behind these fun experiments with water.

Let's get started:

Fizzy Ice Cubes Water Experiment for Kids

Playing with water is so much fun. To make it more interesting, make some fizzy ice cubes for your kids.

It will help them stay cool during the hot summer. It is such a fun experiment with water!

Sherbert Water Science Experiment

For this cool water science project, you will need Sherbert.

The article will show you how much oxygen Sherbert can produce and explain the science behind it for you!

DIY Rainbow Cloud

Our rainbow cloud is such a cool science experiment about water. It helps you to learn and understand our water cycle on Earth.

Cool Water Experiment for Kids: Grow a Rainbow

Let's stay at our weather activities and learn how to make grow your own rainbow. I tell you it is super simple but so much fun.

Give it a try!

Water Experiment with Explanation: Dancing Grapes

Dancing Grapes is on the other hand a totally different STEM water project. By letting grapes dance it explains to you how air can move objects.

It is set up in 5 minutes and needs only 2 ingredients. Super simple right?

Skittles Experiment

This skittle STEM water acitivity is a classic! All you need is skittles and water and you are good to go.

You can make different patterns or even just use red and blue once for American holiday activities such as 4th of July or Memorial Day.

Surprise Egg Project

Have fun with the classic sink or float experiment, with a twist. Use surprise eggs to add an extra element of excitement to this activity

Water Cycle Bag Activity

See how water transforms through the water cycle with this simple water cycle bag experiment.

You have everything in your kitchen right now to get started

Simple Water Experiment: Snowstorm in a Jar

Did you know you can make a miniature blizzard right in your own kitchen?

Check out this cool science experiment that lets kids create a snowstorm in a jar!

Sink or Float Science Experiment with Water

This water experiment for preschoolers is so much fun. They can experiment with different toys or materials if they sink and float.

It is super easy but so much fun, you will see.

Magic Water Crystals

Experiment with water and salt by making beautiful crystals! Only three ingredients are needed!

Rainbow Walking Water Science Experiment for Kids

Walking water is such a fun STEM water project. It gives your children the chance to learn about colors and how they are mixed. They will see with their own eyes and remember better.

Bottle Crush

This is such a cool magic trick, isn't it? Learn how to crush a bottle with your own mind and science. Go find out how it works here.

Lava Lamp Water Science Experiment

This is a very simple water science experiment for kids.

Within 5 minutes, they can make their own lava lamp and calm down while watching the oil flow in the water.

Pepper and Soap STEM Project

This pepper and soap STEM activity is a great water science fair project.

You can show your classmates and family members fast how soap reacts with pepper and water and explain the science about it.

Glowing Water Science Experiment

Let's make some glowing water. This fun water STEM activity is especially popular during Halloween but can be used all year round.

Fireworks in a Glass

Did you make your own Firework in a jar yet? It is so much fun and if you use blue and red it makes such a great 4th of July STEM activity for preschoolers or at home. Give it a try!

More Science Experiments with Water

If these water experiments for kids weren't enough go check out the following experiments with water:

• Floating Eggs Water Experiment
• Rippel Effekt Experiment
• Water Experiment with Milk Jug
• DIY Lava Lamp
• Sand Filter Experiment with Water
• Water Pollution Experiment for Kids
• Oil and Water Science Experiment
• Water Balloon STEM Activity
• Traveling Water Experiment for Kids
• Under Water Sound STEM Experiment

You might also enjoy these Edible Glass Science Project , Crystal Snowflake Ornaments – DIY Borax Science Experiment , or check out these cool Water Toys instead.

Are you a visual learner? Then check out this great video with these 25 easy science water experiments for your home:

You do not have all the ingredients at home for our fun science projects with water? Or do you simply like the convenience of a science kit where you have everything in one place?

No problem here is a list of the Best Science Kits for Kids for you:

• National Geographic Sensory Experiment Set
• Primary Science Lab Set Deluxe
• Science Kit for Kids
• Doctor Jupiter My First Science Kit for Kids 4-6-8 Years Old

Why bother with science experiments? Here you can find 8 Benefits of STEM Education and why it is so important for kids.

Now I would like to hear from you! Did you try any of those simple science experiments with water? Which one is your favorite? Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now. I would love to hear from you!

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