water experiments high school

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
• Top 50 Fun Food Science Experiments
• Top 100 Fine Motor Skills Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

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Testing The Properties Of Water

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Testing the Properties of Water

Before testing the properties of water, it’s important for students to know the basic properties of water. The main ones we discuss here are: polarity, surface tension, adhesion, cohesion, and capillary action.

Below is an explanation of 5 properties of water, followed by an easy-to-do activity.

Please note this post may contain affiliate links. Thank you for supporting The Homeschool Scientist.

Table of Contents

A water molecule is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. There are two ends to a water molecule. The two positively charged hydrogen atoms at one end and the negatively charged oxygen atom at the other end give the water molecules two poles.

This combination of atoms makes water a polar molecule. Polar molecules have a negative side and a positive side

Pictured above are two water molecules. Have your student identify the two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom in each of the two molecules.

Water is also neutrally charged. This means it has an equal number of protons and electrons.

However, even though a water molecule has an equal number of protons and electrons, there is an uneven distribution of the electrons within each water molecule that makes it polar.

So, polarity applies to the distribution of electrical charges around a molecule. In a polar bond, one atom has a partial positive electrical charge, and the other atom has a partial negative electrical charge.

This polarity of water gives it some special properties, like cohesion and adhesion , that can be easily demonstrated and observed in the activities below.

Some examples of other polar molecules are ozone, carbon monoxide, hydrochloric acid, ammonia, and others in the chart below. (This is not the exhaustive list of polar molecules.)

Nonpolarity

Before we move on, let’s talk about nonpolar molecules. Nonpolar molecules have a more even distribution of charge. (Unlike water that is positively charged on one end and negatively charged on the other.)

In a nonpolar bond, atoms share electrons equally, thus there is no partial positive or negative charge between the atoms.

The Behavior Between Polar and Nonpolar Molecules

Polar and nonpolar molecules tend to not be attracted to each other. In other words, polar and nonpolar molecules repel each other.

Polar molecules are attracted to other polar molecules.

Nonpolar molecules tend to be attracted to other nonpolar molecules.

In the oil and water activity below, we’ll be able to see the repelling and attraction of polar and nonpolar molecules.

Cohesion and Adhesion Properties of Water

  Molecules that are polar will mix with each other. This is called cohesion. This happens in water because the negative charge of the oxygen atom in a water molecule is attracted to the positive charge of the hydrogen atoms in another water molecule.

 Cohesion simply means that water molecules like to stick to each other. This is caused by the slightly negative charge of the oxygen atom of one water molecule being attracted to the slightly positive charge of the hydrogen atoms of another water molecule.

The hydrogen bonds between water molecules is illustrated below.

If you have two magnets handy, a great way to demonstrate the concept of a negative end of a water molecule being attracted to a positive end of another water molecule is to hold the north pole of a magnet to the south pole of a magnet. They are attracted to each other and “stick” together.

Related post: Properties Of Liquids Worksheet

Surface Tension

Milk is made primarily of water molecules and water molecules like to stick together. On the surface, where the water meets the air, water molecules cling even more tightly to each other. This causes a “skin” to form on the surface of the water. This skin is so strong that it can hold a weight that normally would sink in water. This is called surface tension .

When the surface tension is disrupted, the heavy object that is floating on the skin will sink. A light object on the surface will be pulled by the attraction of the water molecules if the surface tension is disrupted. This easy experiment will demonstrate that phenomenon.

The surface tension of water is caused by cohesion .   Cohesion means that the water molecules like to stick to each other. This is caused by the slightly negative charge of the oxygen atom of one water molecule being attracted to the slightly positive charge of the hydrogen atoms of another water molecule. You can, also, test the cohesion properties of water using an eyedropper, water and a coin.

Capillary Action

The capillary property of water is the ability of water to move through narrow spaces, such as thin tubes or porous materials, against the force of gravity. This behavior is primarily attributed to the combined effects of cohesion and adhesion among water molecules.

As mentioned above, water molecules like to stick together (cohesion), and they also like to stick to other things, like the sides of the straw or the tiny spaces in soil (adhesion).

When water encounters a narrow space, like a thin tube, and the diameter is sufficiently small, the cohesive forces within the liquid, coupled with the adhesive forces between the liquid and the container’s surface, work together. This collaboration overcomes the force of gravity and propels the water upward. It’s like a delicate balance of attractive forces that defies the natural tendency of water to be pulled downward by gravity.

Check out these other activities that demonstrate capillary action:

• Get Growing free printable – 50+ page printable covering plant life cycles, photosynthesis, capillary action, and more.
• Color-changing flowers activity .
• Coffee filter painting

Activities for Testing the Properties of Water

Testing the properties of water activity 1:  surface tension with soap and pepper.

A second surface tension activity is listed below.

Testing the Properties of Water Activity 2:  Surface Tension – How to Make a Paper Clip Float

You’ll need to gather:

• A paper towel
• A paper clip
• A small bowl filled with water
• What do you think will happen when you drop the paper clip in the water?
• How can we make the paper clip float?
• Now, we’re going to make the paper clip float. Remove the paper clip from the bowl, dry it off.
• Fold the paper towel lengthwise. We used a half-sheet piece of paper towel.
• Place the paper clip on the folded paper towel.
• Hold the paper towel at each end and gently and slowly place it on the surface of the water in the bowl.
• The paper towel will begin to absorb the water and sink into the water.
• Once the paper towel separates from the paper clip, very carefully remove the paper towel from the bowl, leaving the paper clip on the surface.

Explanation of what happened:

Remember, water molecules are polar. This means they have a positive end and a negative end.

The negative ends stick to the positive ends, and the positive ends stick to the negative ends. This creates surface tension.

When the paper clip was dropped into the water, the “skin” on the water wasn’t strong enough to hold the weight and force. When the paper towel was used, the weight of the paper clip was evenly distributed on the surface of the water as the paper towel absorbed water and began to sink.

Testing the Properties of Water Activity 3:  Cohesion Will Cost You a Penny!

The surface tension of water is caused by cohesion .   Cohesion means that the water molecules like to stick to each other. This is caused by the slightly negative charge of the oxygen atom of one water molecule being attracted to the slightly positive charge of the hydrogen atoms of another water molecule. You can test the cohesion properties of water using an eyedropper, water, and a coin.

• A coin (penny works well)

Slowly, drop water onto a coin. Watch as the drops of water stick together to form a larger drop.

Explanation of What Happened:

The water molecules will stick together and form a dome over the coin. Keep adding drops until the drop breaks and spills off of the coin. This is caused by gravity overcoming the force of the cohesion.   How many drops of water can you fit on a coin?

Testing the Properties of Water Activity 4: Cohesion in a Glass

What You’ll Need:

• Glass of water filled to the top
• Small bowl of water

You can also observe cohesion by filling a glass of water to the top. Next, use a dropper to very carefully add more water until the water is forming an arc of water slightly over the top of the glass. The cohesive properties of the water are holding the molecules together so that they will not spill over the top of the glass. There will come a point when the weak hydrogen bonds can no longer hold and the water will spill over.

Testing the Properties of Water Activity 5: Polarity 

In this activity, your student will be able to demonstrate and observe the interaction of polar and nonpolar molecules. We’ll be using water (polar) and vegetable oil (nonpolar).

What you need to gather:

• Some water in a measuring cup (a 1/4 cup should do)
• Some vegetable oil (a 1/4 cup should do)
• Food coloring
• Dawn dishwashing liquid
• Mix food coloring in with the water and stir.
• Pour 3 tablespoons of oil onto the middle of the plate.
• Ask your student to observe what happened? Were the drops of oil attracted to each other? Why do you think that happened?
• Next pour the water onto a different section of the plate, but near the oil.
• Pick up each side of the plate slightly off the surface and move the water around the perimeter of the oil. What happened? Are they mixing?
• Knowing what we learned about polar and nonpolar molecules, explain what you are observing.
• Put the plate down on the table and drizzle the Dawn dish soap over the water and oil.
• Pick up the plate carefully on each side and move it around so the soap, water, and oil mingle. What starts to happen? Why do you think this happens?

Explanation of What Happened

The nonpolar molecules of the oil are attracted to each other, so the oil drops come together to form one big “puddle.”

The polar molecules of the water are attracted to each other. But, when the water comes up against the oil, the polar molecules of the water are not attracted to the nonpolar molecules of the oil.

Soap molecules are a bit different. They have an elongated shape. One end is polar and the other is nonpolar. When the soap was added, the polar end of the soap molecule was attracted to the water and the nonpolar end was attracted to the oil.

Now, you can see why soap and water is used to wash dishes and how soap works on grease.

Testing the Properties of Water Activity 6 : Capillary Action

Make a rainbow with capillary action.

• Paper towels
• Box of 4 food coloring bottles
• 4 small jars or clear plastic cups
• 1 white crayon
• 1 water
• 1 baking sheet or foil baking sheet from the dollar store

Instructions

• Fill each jar with equal amounts of water
• Pour 10 drops of red in one jar of water, 10 drops of yellow in another jar of water, 10 drops of blue in another jar of water, and 5 drops of blue and 5 drops of red in the last jar of water.

• Place the jars of water from step 2 on a baking sheet.

What happened?

The water travels through the paper towel for two reasons. First, all paper is made of a sugar molecule call cellulose. Water is highly attracted to cellulose and wants to bond (or stick) to it. Second, the cellulose fibers in a paper towel are made with spaces between them. Since water likes to stick together, the water fills these spaces as it follows the water attracted to the cellulose. More spaces allow more water to be absorbed.

Other Resources Related to the Properties of Water

Make a vocabulary list related to a study of water by using this list of terms and definitions from the USGS .

More Water Experiments

Water Quality Experiment

Charcoal Water Purifying Experiment

Learn About The Water Cycle (and an experiment)

Take the USGS Water Properties quiz!

I hold a master’s degree in child development and early education and am working on a post-baccalaureate in biology. I spent 15 years working for a biotechnology company developing IT systems in DNA testing laboratories across the US. I taught K4 in a private school, homeschooled my children, and have taught on the mission field in southern Asia. For 4 years, I served on our state’s FIRST Lego League tournament Board and served as the Judging Director.  I own thehomeschoolscientist and also write a regular science column for Homeschooling Today Magazine. You’ll also find my writings on the CTCMath blog. Through this site, I have authored over 50 math and science resources.

Science Fun

Water Science Experiments

Water science experiments you can do at home! Click on the experiment image or the view experiment link below for each experiment on this page to see the materials needed and procedure. Have fun trying these experiments at home or use them for SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT IDEAS.

Catch An Ice Cube:

Frozen Water Is A Lot Of Fun

Make A Rainbow:

Refract Water And Make A Mini Rainbow

Which Water Leaks Faster?:

See If Hot Or Cold Water Drips Faster

Make A Water Filter:

Can You Make Clean Water With Sand And Pebbles? 

Jumbo Water Bead Balloon:

Make A Strange And Unique Item

DIY Hydrophobic Sand:

Make Sand That Is Scared Of Water

Fabulous Floating Rocks:

Can Rocks Really Float?

Storm in a Glass:

Model of Rainstorm in a Glass

All Science Fair Projects

1000 science fair projects with complete instructions.

34 Water Experiments

Get ready to dive into some exciting water projects that will help you understand how incredible water is! Explore how water plays a vital role in plants, discover the special properties that make water unique and do fun chemical reactions with water! Dive in and discover the fascinating world of water!

Browse Water Experiments

Check out all the different water projects with complete instructions and videos. They're great for students' science fair projects and a fun way for kids to learn about the science of water!

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Science in School

Fantastic feats: experimenting with water teach article.

Author(s): David Featonby

How can air hold the water in an upturned glass? Why does water stay in a bottle with a hole in its base? Find out with these entertaining experiments.

From their earliest years, children enjoy playing with water, and so do many older students. In this set of experiments, we look at the forces that are significant when dealing with water, demonstrating some basic science principles – and some surprising results. All the experiments are safe to do at home as well as at school, and require just simple household objects as the equipment, plus plenty of water.

Experiment 1: the upside-down glass

Many people have tried this experiment in some version, but can you work out what’s really going on?

• Straight-sided water glass
• Piece of thin card (large enough to cover the open end of the glass)
• Pour water into the glass until it is nearly full.
• Place the piece of card on top of the beaker.
• Turn the beaker upside down with one hand, holding the card in place with the other hand.
• Remove the hand holding the card (figure 1).
• Note what happens. Does the card fall off and the water fall out? Can you explain why not?

Surprisingly, when the glass is inverted, the card and the water remain in place. Why is this?

Let’s consider the forces on the card. These are:

• gravity, from the weight of the card itself (acting downwards)
• gravity, from the weight of the water pushing on the card (acting downwards)
• air pressure, which pushes on the outer surface of the glass and card, acting at 90 0 to the surface of the card (so producing an upward force on the card where this has just water above it).

So in this experiment, the force of air pressure pushes upwards on the card at the open end of the glass, opposing the force of gravity and keeping the water in the glass.

Extension: estimating the upward and downward forces

How do we know that the upward force of air pressure is enough to oppose the downward force gravity, to hold the water in the glass? We can estimate these forces quite easily.

The weight of the card is much less than that of the water, so to simplify we can ignore the weight of the card itself. This means that the downward gravitational force on the card is the weight of the water column

= h x A x ρ x g

where h is the height of the water column, A is the cross-sectional area of the glass, ρ  is the density of water (1 000 kg/m 3 ) and g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 10 m/s 2 ).

So if h is 10 cm (0.1 m) and A is approximately 25 cm 2 (0.0025 m 2 ), the downward force is approximately

0.1 x 0.0025  x 1000 x 10  = 2.5 N

For the upward force, this is the atmospheric pressure, P , multiplied by the area over which it acts, A.

Atmospheric pressure is approximately 100 000 Pa (pascals, or N/m 2 ).

So the upward force on card = P  x A

= 100 000 x 0.0025  = 250 N

So for a 10 cm water column, the upward force due to the atmosphere on the card far exceeds the downward force of gravity on the card due to the water.

We also need to recognize that the air above the water plays a significant role.  If this remained at atmospheric pressure, the weight of the water would be sufficient to remove the card, however as soon as the water exerts a downward pressure on the card, it reduces the pressure of this trapped air, which is sufficient to enable the upward atmospheric pressure on the card to support the water. A 1/100 change in volume of this air is sufficient to balance the water, i.e., the pressure reduces by 1/100 th  which is equivalent to the pressure of the water.

Further investigation

You can also think about the questions below, and perhaps carry out further experiments to answer some of them:

• Does this experiment work if the glass is completely full of water?
• How does the ratio of air to water change the experiment outcome?
• Would this experiment still work, no matter how tall the glass is?
• What other shaped containers (e.g., bottles) can be used?

Experiment 2: water’s invisible ‘skin’

In this experiment, we discover how cohesive forces within water act like an invisible ‘skin’ that can keep the liquid in an upturned cup – sometimes.

• Piece of thin woven nylon cloth (large enough to cover the open end of the cup)
• Elastic band
• Thin card (large enough to cover the open end of the cup)
• Cover the open end of the cup with the nylon cloth (figure 2, left).
• Pull the cloth tight, and secure it with the elastic band (or glue it to the cup around the rim).
• Pour water into the cup through the cloth, nearly filling it.
• Place the card over the nylon and the open end of the cup.
• Turn the cup upside down.
• Note what happens: the water should stay in the cup, as in experiment 1.
• Now carefully remove the card. Does the water flow out through the nylon cloth? If not, why? Water was poured in through the cloth, so why doesn’t it pour out again?
• To pour the water out turn the cup upright again quickly, then tip up the cup slowly while pressing a finger on the nylon (figure 2, right).

The reason why the water does not flow out through the very small holes in the nylon is because there are forces of cohesion between the molecules in the water. These forces make the surface of the water act like a ‘skin’ between the tiny holes in the nylon cloth. This effect is known as surface tension, and it is the same principle that keeps you dry under a woven nylon umbrella: there are tiny holes in the cloth, but the rain won’t get through due to the cohesive forces of surface tension between water molecules.

Further investigations

There are plenty more experiments you can do with surface tension and molecular cohesion. Perhaps look up ‘surface tension experiments’ on the internet and see what other activities you can find?

Here are two further simple experiments you can try.

Paperclip boat

Take a dish of clean water and a paper clip. Hold the paperclip in a strip of paper towel and lower it into the water. Then allow the paper to sink or carefully sink it with a toothpick. The paperclip will appear to float but is in fact being held by the surface tension of the water.

What else can you ‘float’ – for example, a ring pull from a drinks can? What happens to the paper clip if a drop of washing-up liquid is added to the water? How can you explain what you see?

This effect can also be used to make a ‘ soap boat ’.

Joined-up water jets

Take a clean empty drinks can, plastic cup, or bottle and make three small holes close together, near the base. Fill the can with water, and when three jets come out, use your fingers to try and join the jets together. You will be able to do this, because of the cohesive forces between water molecules.

Another fun experiment to illustrate cohesion is pouring water down a string .

Experiment 3: bottled water

These activities use a simple bottle of water to reveal some surprising effects due to surface tension and gravity. It’s a good idea to do them outdoors because water spillage is likely (see figure 3).

• Plastic bottle (250 ml) with screw cap
• Large needle or nail

Use the needle or nail to make one (or more) very small holes near the base of the plastic bottle by heating it over a flame (safely held) until it is hot enough to melt the plastic. In schools, this should be done by the teacher in advance of the experiment, for safely.

• For fun, you can add a label to the bottle saying ‘Do Not Open’ – and see if people ignore this.
• With the cap off, quickly fill the bottle with water, holding your finger over the hole, and then replace the cap.
• Hold the bottle still (or hand it to someone else) with the cap closed. What happens to the water?
• If the warning is ignored and the bottle cap is opened, what happens?

Once a container is sealed, water will only flow out of a small hole if that water can be replaced by air or more water. A bottle with one small hole can therefore hold water if the cap is sealed. Once the cap is unscrewed the water will flow out, due to the weight of the water. The hole needs to be small enough for the surface forces to hold the water.

Another interesting experiment to try with a full bottle of water with a hole near the base is: what happens when you throw the bottle up and catch it?

If you fill the bottle with water and hold it with the cap unscrewed for a few seconds (figure 4), the water will flow out of the hole.

Now throw the bottle up in the air (figure 5), and watch it carefully as it falls. Observe each part of its journey – on the way up, at the top of its flight, and on the way down.

When the water is in free fall (i.e. on the way down), water will cease to flow out of the bottle. This is because the water within the bottle becomes weightless relative to the bottle itself, as both the bottle and its contents are in free fall. Thus, in this situation the weight of the water does not force it out of the bottle.

This effect can also be demonstrated with a water-filled hollow tube (around 50 cm, with a diameter that can easily be covered by a finger). The bottom of the tube is covered with one hand while it is launched into the air, with this hand exerting the launching force and the other just supporting the tube. However, this can be a little tricky to demonstrate because it is essential that the hand covering the tube end is the last to let go when throwing the tube up and the first to contact the tube again on catching it, to avoid accelerating/decelerating the tube without the water column.

You can also try to answer these final questions:

• What happens to the water when the bottle is travelling upwards during the throw? Can you explain this?
• If you try to catch the bottle, what happens to the water? Can you explain this?
• What else can you throw in the air so that there is a change in what happens when it is in free fall, compared with when it is stationary? Hint: Think of toys or devices that work with gravity, e.g. where particles or moving parts or liquid fall through a gap.
• A more detailed version of the thrown water bottle experiment: Tsakmaki P, Koumaras P (2017)  When things don’t fall: the counter-intuitive physics of balanced forces . Science in School 39 :36–39
• Try a similar experiment to the paper cup and nylon cloth activity:  https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/water-screen/
• Watch this video with more activities to try with your students using water:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCxbI1qRsWY&ab_channel=DrewtheScienceDude
• Learn how to make a soap boat:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU76wwmg9Hs
• Watch a video on the running water experiment:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nOU7jbRPPo&ab_channel=DrBoydTheChemist
• Read other Teach articles from the Fantastic Feats series:
• Featonby D (2017)  Fantastic feats.   Science in School 39 :45–47
• Featonby D (2018)  Further fantastic feats: falling and bouncing .  Science in School   43 :37–54
• Featonby D (2019)  Fantastic feats: magic with money .  Science in School   47 :46–50

David Featonby taught physics throughout his career in a large UK comprehensive school, and now shares his ideas across Europe through the organisation Science on Stage, of which he is a board member, helping to organize its activities. He has presented workshops in various European countries and written articles for both Science in School and Physics Education , including a regular series called What Happens Next? in the latter. David has a particular interest in making physics relevant to all ages through experiments that use everyday equipment.

The simple experiences shown in the article, easy to reproduce and using materials that are easy to find, allow students to approach the topics of surface tension and pressure in liquids. The author, also, by highlighting the “magic side” of some experiments, makes them more interesting and also suitable for the general public. The article offers the possibility to make interdisciplinary links to biology topics, such as pulmonary respiration (and how nature provides the alveoli with surfactants to decrease surface tension), capillarity in plants, or how the surface tension allows some insects to walk on the surface of the water

Maria Teresa Gallo, Math and science teacher, Italy

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30 Easy Water Experiments For Kids

Water experiments aren’t just for summer! Water is easy and budget-friendly for science learning with preschoolers, elementary-age kids, and even middle school science. We love simple science experiments that are a breeze to pull off, simple to set up, and kids love! What’s better than that? Check out our list below of our favorite science experiments with water and look for the free printable water themed science camp week guide!

SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS WITH WATER

What do all these science experiments and STEM projects below have in common? They all use water!

These water experiments are perfect for at home and in the classroom with simple household items like salt. Also, check out our science experiments with baking soda.

Let’s dig in if you want to explore science with water as the main ingredient! While you’re at it, make sure to check out more kid-friendly science experiments.

Our science activities and experiments are designed with you, the parent or teacher, in mind! Easy to set up, and quick to do, most activities will take only 15 to 30 minutes to complete and are heaps of fun!

USING THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

The scientific method is a process or method of research. A problem is identified, information about the problem is gathered, a hypothesis or question is formulated from the information, and the hypothesis is put to the test with an experiment to prove or disprove its validity. Sounds heavy…

What in the world does that mean?!? The scientific method should be used as a guide to help lead the process.

You don’t need to try and solve the world’s biggest science questions! The scientific method is all about studying and learning things right around you.

As kids develop practices that involve creating, gathering data evaluating, analyzing, and communicating, they can apply these critical thinking skills to any situation. To learn more about the scientific method and how to use it, click here.

Even though the scientific method feels like it is just for big kids…

This method can be used with kids of all ages! Have a casual conversation with younger kiddos or do a more formal notebook entry with older kiddos!

Click here to get your 12 days of science challenge calendar!

WATER EXPERIMENTS FOR KIDS

Click on each link below to explore cool experiments with water! Here you will find easy water experiments for preschoolers through middleschoolers, including the water cycle.

This age group is beginning to learn about core concepts in chemistry , including states of matter, how different substances mix or interact, and the properties of different materials.

ICE IS NICE SCIENCE

Explore the solid form of water and ice. Look at three great ice experiments that highlight the scientific method perfectly!

BENDING WATER

Can you bend water? Yes, you can with static electricity. Grab a balloon and some water to set up this easy experiment.

CANDLE IN WATER EXPERIMENT

Can you make the water rise by burning a candle under a jar? Grab a few simple supplies and find out.

CELERY EXPERIMENT

Here’s a simple explanation of how osmosis works with celery and water and a fun science demonstration!

COFFEE FILTER FLOWERS

Water is the main ingredient in this gorgeous but super easy combined science and art activity. Make a bouquet of colorful, coffee-filter flowers and explore solubility too!

COLOR CHANGING FLOWERS

This engaging color-changing flower experiment explores the concept of capillary action as your flowers magically turn from white to green. Easy to set up and perfect for a group of kiddos to do at the same time or as an interesting water science fair project.

CRUSHED SODA CAN EXPERIMENT

What happens when you heat and cool water inside a soda can?

DISSOLVING CANDY

There are all kinds of fun things you can dissolve in water!

DRY-ERASE MARKER EXPERIMENT

Is it magic or is it science? Create a dry-erase drawing and watch it float in water.

FREEZING WATER EXPERIMENT

Will it freeze? What happens to the freezing point of water when you add salt? Check out this easy water experiment to find out.

GUMMY BEAR OSMOSIS LAB

Learn about the process of osmosis when you try this easy gummy bear osmosis experiment. Watch your gummy bears grow as you investigate what liquid makes them grow the biggest.

HOW DO SHARKS FLOAT?

Explore buoyancy with this simple oil and water experiment.

HOW MANY DROPS OF WATER ON A PENNY?

All you need for this experiment are a few coins, an eyedropper or pipette, and water! How many drops fit on the surface of a penny? What else could you use? A bottle cap turned over, a flat LEGO piece, or another small, smooth surface! Take a guess at how many drops it will take and then test it out.

ICE FISHING

Did you know you can go fishing indoors with salt, string, and ice! Kids will have a blast!

ICE MELT ACTIVITIES

Playful hands on science and learning which is perfect for our preschoolers. Explore water science with one of these fun theme ice melt activities.

LEGO WATER EXPERIMENT

Build a dam from Lego bricks and explore the flow of water.

OCEAN CURRENTS

Build a simple model of the ocean currents with ice and water.

OCEAN LAYERS

Just like layers of the earth, the ocean has layers too! Have you ever wondered how you could see them without going scuba diving in the ocean? Explore the layers of the ocean with a liquid density tower experiment for kids. 

OIL AND WATER EXPERIMENT

Do the oil and water mix? Explore the densities of liquids with this simple oil and water experiment.

POTATO OSMOSIS LAB

Explore what happens to potato when you put them in concentration salt water and then pure water. Learn about osmosis when you try this fun potato osmosis experiment with the kids.

RAINBOW IN A JAR

Can you make a rainbow in a jar? This neat rainbow water experiment explores water density with just a few materials. Instead of salt we use sugar and food coloring to stack the colors of the rainbow.

PENNY BOAT CHALLENGE

Design a simple tin foil boat, and see how many pennies it can hold before it sinks in the water. How many pennies will it take to make your boat sink?

MAKE A PADDLE BOAT

Fill the kiddie pool or tun with water and make this DIY paddle boat for fun physics!

SALT LAVA LAMP EXPERIMENT

Explore what happens when you add salt to oil and water.

SALTWATER DENSITY EXPERIMENT

Can you make an egg float? Will different items sink in freshwater but float in saltwater? Compare saltwater to freshwater with a fun experiment with salt and water. Make your predictions and test your results.

SINK OR FLOAT EXPERIMENT

Check out what you have in the kitchen for an easy science experiment with water   with some very interesting results!

SKITTLES EXPERIMENT

A super simple water science experiment with everyone’s favorite candy! Did you know you can try it with M&Ms too? You can also you those red and white mints, old candy canes, and even jelly beans!

SOAP POWERED BOAT EXPERIMENT

Explore surface tension as kids observe firsthand how soap influences the movement of a small boat on the water’s surface.

SOLID LIQUID GAS EXPERIMENT

Learn about the properties of solids, liquids and gases with this simple water experiment. Have fun observing how water changes from a solid to a liquid to a gas.

STRAW BOATS

Design a boat made from nothing but straws and tape, and see how many items it can hold before it sinks in the water. Explore buoyancy while you test out your engineering skills.

TOOTHPICK STARS

Make a star out of broken toothpicks by only adding water. Learn about capillary action with a totally do-able water experiment.

WALKING WATER EXPERIMENT

Can water walk? Make a colorful rainbow with a little color theory mixed in too! This walking water experiment is super easy and fun to set up! Mason jars, plastic cups, or bowls will also work just fine for this experiment.

WATER CYCLE IN A BOTTLE

Make a discovery bottle all about the water cycle. One of the best water science activities is one where we can learn more about one of the most important and necessary cycles on Earth, the water cycle!

WATER CYCLE IN A BAG

The water cycle is important because it’s how water gets to all the plants, animals and even us!! Learn about the water cycle with this easy water cycle in a bag experiment.

WATER DISPLACEMENT EXPERIMENT

Add this simple water displacement experiment to your science lesson plans this season. Learn about water displacement and what it measures.

WATER REFRACTION EXPERIMENT

Why do objects look different in water? A simple water experiment that shows how light bends or refracts as it moves through water.

WATER XYLOPHONE

A homemade water xylophone is perfect for exploring physics and sound science!

WATER ABSORBTION EXPERIMENT

This is a very simple and fun water experiment which is great for preschoolers. My son had a blast exploring what materials absorb water and what don’t.

WHAT DISSOLVES IN WATER

This is super simple chemistry using common items around the house to explore mixtures and discover which items dissolve in water !

Compare how fast different everyday items melt in the sun, including ice cubes. A fun experiment to do in the summer!

WATER WHEEL

Hop on this engineering project and design a water wheel that moves! Use our idea as a springboard to create your own or follow the step-by-step directions.

WATER CLOCK

Find out how to use water to tell the time with this water clock project .

Plan a Water Summer Science Camp

Grab this free guide and plan a day or two of water theme science camp activities . We have 12 free guides, each with a different theme! Use them all year long.

ALSO TRY THESE EASY SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

• States of Matter Experiments
• Surface Tension of Water Experiments
• Chemistry Experiments
• Physics Experiments
• Fizzing Experiments
• Physical Changes
• All About Atoms

MORE HELPFUL SCIENCE RESOURCES

Science vocabulary.

It is never too early to introduce some fantastic science words to kids. Get them started with a printable science vocabulary word list . You will want to incorporate these simple science terms into your next science lesson!

WHAT IS A SCIENTIST

Think like a scientist! Act like a scientist! Scientists like you and me are also curious about the world around them. Learn about the different types of scientists and what they do to increase their understanding of their specific areas of interest. Read What Is A Scientist

SCIENCE BOOKS FOR KIDS

Sometimes the best way to introduce science concepts is through a colorfully illustrated book with characters your kids can relate to! Check out this fantastic list of science books that are teacher approved and get ready to spark curiosity and exploration!

SCIENCE PRACTICES

A new approach to teaching science is called the Best Science Practices. These eight science and engineering practices are less structured and allow for a more free**-**flowing approach to problem-solving and finding answers to questions. These skills are critical to developing future engineers, inventors, and scientists!

Printable Science Projects Pack

If you’re looking to grab all of our printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets and bonuses like a STEAM Project pack, our Science Project Pack is what you need! Over 300+ Pages!

• 90+ classic science activities  with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information.  NEW! Activity-specific observation pages!
• Best science practices posters  and our original science method process folders for extra alternatives!
• Be a Collector activities pack  introduces kids to the world of making collections through the eyes of a scientist. What will they collect first?
• Know the Words Science vocabulary pack  includes flashcards, crosswords, and word searches that illuminate keywords in the experiments!
• My science journal writing prompts  explore what it means to be a scientist!!
• Bonus STEAM Project Pack:  Art meets science with doable projects!
• Bonus Quick Grab Packs for Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics
• Science Fair Project Pack with experiments to try!

this site is the best i got an A on my assignment

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Water Cycle Resources for Secondary Grades

The water cycle is taught starting in elementary school. It seems like in high school biology when I get to the biogeochemical cycles (water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) the water cycle gets glossed over because we assume the students know it and it’s too basic. But water is vital to life! It’s important to take some time to dig a little deeper with the water cycle and there are ways to ramp up the rigor. Check out a few activities you can use to take a deep dive into the water cycle:

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Surface Tension of Water Demonstration

April 17, 2019 By Emma Vanstone 3 Comments

These super simple investigations are great for demonstrating the surface tension of water .

What is surface tension?

Surface tension  is a force which causes a layer of liquid to behave like an elastic sheet or skin.

Molecules of water are more attracted to each other than other molecules, as water is a polar molecule. The positive hydrogen end of one molecule is attracted to the negative oxygen end of another water molecule. The surface water molecules only have air above them, so they are pulled down, creating surface tension.

The high surface tension of water allows insects to walk over it. Pond skaters have long, hairy legs, allowing them to spread their weight over a wide area. They press very gently on the water’s surface so as not to break through it.

In a container of water, molecules below the surface are pulled together ( or attracted to each other ) equally in all directions, but those on top are pulled together more tightly, as they don’t have water molecules above them; this draws them together to form a ‘skin’. It is this skin ( surface tension ) that stops items on the surface from sinking.

Surface Tension Holes Experiment

You’ll need.

A big bowl of water

Some ground pepper (black so you can see it) or any other ground product with colour

Washing up liquid ( dish soap )

Once the water settles, sprinkle the ground pepper over the top.

Drip some washing-up liqu id in the middle of the bowl and watch what happens.

A hole appears in the centre as the pepper moves outwards. This is your surface tension hole !

If you want to repeat the demonstration, you’ll need to wash out the bowl thoroughly to remove any traces of the dish soap ( washing up liquid ), or the effect won’t be as dramatic.

Why does this happen?

The surface tension hole is caused by the washing up liquid reducing the surface tension of the water. This allows the particles of water at the surface to spread out, starting from where the washing-up liquid was added.

More Surface Tension Experiments for Kids

Frugal Fun for Boys has an excellent surface tension investigation using a coin and different liquids !

You can use washing-up liquid to disrupt the surface tension of water to race lolly sticks .

In a magic milk experiment , the washing up liquid disrupts the surface tension of the milk, which makes food colouring spread out just like the pepper and water.

Another surface tension experiment is where you make a shape on the surface of the water with cocktail sticks and drop some washing-up liquid in the centre to force the sticks apart.

Watch how water behaves on the space station with this NASA video.

Try filling a bowl half full with water and carefully placing a paperclip on the top, so it floats. Mix a little washing-up liquid in a cup with water and gently pour it into the bowl; the paper clip will sink as the water can no longer support the weight of the paper clip after the washing-up liquid disrupts the surface tension of the water.

Science concepts

Surface tension

Last Updated on July 8, 2023 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

October 16, 2011 at 3:00 pm

Great activity, I am going to try it with my daughter! I love how you call it “washing up liquid” – I call it that too. 🙂

October 16, 2011 at 9:26 pm

Thanks, glad you like it!

October 21, 2011 at 6:01 pm

So many great ideas come form this blog! Thank you for linking up to the The Sunday Showcase

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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!

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The water cycle.

Below, you'll find some helpful information and links to experiments and resources about the water cycle for use in the classroom or at home. We hope these resources help you introduce the importance of clean, safe water to your students.

The Water Project is dedicated to providing clean, safe water to people in the developing world who suffer needlessly without it. We hope you'll introduce our work to your students or classmates.

The Water Cycle - What is It?

Read more here »

Interactive Water Cycle Presentation A flash animated activity that lets you control the water cycle as you learn. (FLASH Required)

The USGS Water Cycle Presentation (No Flash Needed)

Water Cycle Downloadable Poster

Create a Mini Water Cycle Create a mini water cycle using a bowl, a mug, some plastic wrap and a rubber band to show how evaporation, condensation and precipitation occur in a closed system.

The Water Cycle & The Water Crisis (PDF) Learn what happens when the water cycle doesn't work for people. Discover how simple interventions can restore balance in the system and how you can help.

Evaporation

All Dried Up A simple experiment showing how evaporation rates are different based on the amount of light a cup of water receives.

The Case of the Disappearing Water (PDF) This lesson includes a story about a missing person where one of the few clues is a cup of water that has partially evaporated. Students must conduct an experiment to see how long it takes for the given amount of water to evaporate in order to find out where the missing person is located. While meant for grades 4-6, the story could easily be rewritten for older grades as a "forensic science" case.

Water Purification by Evaporation and Condensation (PDF) An activity to illustrate how the water cycle helps to purify water.

Condensation

Make a Cloud in a Bottle Highlighting the concepts of air pressure and temperature in cloud making, this experiment uses a burnt match and some water to create a cloud inside of a plastic bottle. Due to the use of matches an adult is necessary.

Precipitation

The Rainmaker This experiment uses a burner to heat water and a cookie tray of ice cubes above it to show how water vapor turns into precipitation like rain.

Collection (and Conservation)

Leaky Faucets Matter This activity challenges students to be more aware of leaks in their house by showing just how much water can be lost through a single leaky faucet over time.

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Simple Evaporation Experiments

Viewing Evaporation Experiment for Kids

Evaporation happens when liquids turn into vapors. You can often see water evaporate on a hot day. In addition, there are fun and simple evaporation experiments you can do at home to learn more about the process. Read on and try the following evaporation science experiments.

Experiment With Covered and Uncovered Jars

Fill two identical mason jars with water. Leaving one of the jars uncovered, cover the other one with an improvised aluminum foil lid. Make the lid as secure as possible. Then, take the jars outside and place them both in an equally sunny spot. Draw a picture of the jars, noting the current water levels. Return to the experiment every day for the next week to observe and draw the current state of the water jars. You will observe that the water in the uncovered jar “disappears” more every day, while the water in the covered jar evaporates at a much slower rate because the evaporation process gets blocked by the aluminum foil.

Experiment With Sun and Shade

After filling up two identical bowls with water, take them outside and locate a spot where direct sunlight and shadow stand side by side. Place one water bowl in the direct sunlight, and the other beside it in the shade. Observe both bowls and use pencil and paper to illustrate current water levels in each bowl. Return to the experiment every hour for the rest of the day, continuing to make observations and illustrations of the water levels. You will see that the water in the bowl placed in direct sunlight evaporates much more quickly than the shaded water due to the higher levels of heat, which increase molecular activity in the water, thus expediting evaporation.

Experiment With Wet Cloth

Wet two identical pieces of cloth and wring the excess water out. Place one of the pieces of cloth in an airtight plastic bag. Place the other piece of cloth in an open tray. Position both items near a window with plenty of sunlight. Make predictions regarding which item will dry up first: the cloth in the sealed bag, or the one exposed to the air. Leave the items by the window overnight. When you return to the experiment the next day, you’ll see that the exposed cloth dried up, while the one sealed inside the bag remains moist. This is because the water molecules in the sealed cloth can’t escape into the air like the ones in the exposed cloth.

Experiment With Salt Water

Add a decent amount of salt to a large glass of water. Then, pour the salty water onto a sheet of black construction paper placed inside a baking tray. If necessary, weigh down the paper with rocks or waterproof paper weights. Place the tray outside in a beam of direct sunlight. Predict what will happen to the water and salt. In a few hours, return to the tray to discover the outcome of the experiment. You will see that the water is gone, and that the salt remains on the black paper. The water disappeared due to the process of evaporation, but the salt stayed because it would require a lot more energy than provided by the sunlight to fully evaporate.

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About the Author

Bill Reynolds holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Rowan University. He has written hundreds of articles for print and online media, drawing inspiration from a wide range of professional experiences. As part of the UCLA Extension Writer's Program, he has been nominated for the James Kirkwood Prize for Creative Writing.

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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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61 Wet and Wild Outdoor Science Experiments and Activities

The whole world is one big science classroom.

The only thing more fun than hands-on science is taking it outside! These outdoor science experiments and activities are perfect for taking advantage of sunny days. Fly kites, dissect flowers, experiment with sound and water, and so much more! There is something on our list for everyone from adults all the way down to toddlers.

You’ll only need simple supplies for most of these, so any teacher or family can head out to learn about chemistry, biology, physics, and more. To make it even easier to find the right outdoor science activities, we’ve rated each one for difficulty:

• Easy: Simple, short activities you can do with little or no prep needed.
• Medium: These activities take a little longer or require a few extra supplies but are still fairly simple.
• Advanced: Activities that require more unusual supplies or complex skills.

Outdoor Science Experiments That Get a Little Messy

Nature and wildlife outdoor activities, weather and climate outdoor science experiments, more outdoor science experiments and activities.

1. Wrap a watermelon in rubber bands

You’ve probably seen videos of this making the rounds online, so why not try it out yourself? This is one of those outdoor science experiments that’s easy to do, but make sure you wear safety equipment like goggles. (Medium)

2. Send a geyser sky-high

This is one of those outdoor science activities that simply can’t be done anywhere other than outdoors. Kids will marvel at the chemical reaction that sends diet soda shooting high in the air when Mentos are added. (Medium)

Learn more: Mentos and Coke Experiment (Plus Free Worksheet!)

3. Construct a LEGO waterwheel course

Explore the power of water with a cool homemade LEGO water course that includes a dam and a water wheel. This engineering project is fun to play with when you’re done. (Medium)

Learn more: LEGO Course

4. Find the best soap bubble solution

It’s easy to mix your own soap bubble solution with just a few ingredients. Let kids tweak the recipe to find the best proportion of ingredients to blow the longest-lasting bubbles with this fun outdoor science experiment. (Medium)

Learn more: How To Make a Homemade Bubbles Mixture at The Spruce Crafts

5. Blow giant bubbles

Bubbles are part of many fun outdoor science experiments. Once you’ve blown the longest-lasting bubbles, move on to creating the largest bubbles you’ve ever seen! Learn how in the video. (Medium)

6. Brew some elephant toothpaste

This experiment is popular with kids and adults alike! Don your safety goggles, mix a few ingredients, and watch the “elephant toothpaste” fly! (Medium)

Learn more: Elephant Toothpaste Experiment Plus Free Worksheet

7. Explode plastic baggies

Vinegar and baking soda experiments are always a big hit with kids, and this one is no exception. They’ll love seeing the bags pop from the chemical reaction, and you’ll be glad the mess is outside. Plus, learn how to make a DIY volcano here! (Easy)

Learn more: Exploding Baggies

8. Conduct an egg drop

Here’s another classic outdoor science project you won’t want to move inside—the egg drop. Challenge kids to engineer a container that will protect an egg from a long fall (this is especially fun to do from upper-story windows). (Medium)

9. See water pollution in action

Learn about the challenges of cleaning up polluted water sources like rivers and lakes with this interesting outdoor science activity. Pair it with a visit to a local water-treatment plant to expand the lesson. (Medium)

Learn more: Water Pollution Experiment

10. Set up a musical science pool

This project is equally fun as a sensory experience and as a science experiment. Fill a kiddie pool with water, then place metal mixing bowls of different sizes inside. Finally, let kids experiment with different combos of waters, bowls, and drumsticks (i.e., wooden spoons). (Medium)

Learn more: Musical Science Pool

11. Paint a shadow with homemade chalk paint

Head outside and have kids trace the outlines of their shadows. Then mix up some homemade chalk paint and let kids get creative painting their shadows. (Medium)

Learn more: Shadow Sidewalk Chalk Art

12. Make and melt frozen oobleck

Oobleck is a strange non-Newtonian fluid that’s both fun and fascinating to play around with. For a new twist on this classic experiment, freeze some oobleck, then take it out into the sun and see what happens when it melts. (Medium)

Learn more: Frozen Oobleck

13. Assemble a nest

Birds build intricate nests, and they make it look easy. Can you do the same? Gather some materials outdoors, and try to make your own nest. (Easy)

Learn more: Build a Nest

14. Explore 1 square foot

There’s an amazing amount of life in every square foot of nature. Grab your magnifying glasses or microscope, and take a closer look at the ground you walk on every day. (Easy)

Learn more: Square Foot Outdoor STEM Project

15. Explode a DIY seed pod

Find out how some plants spread their seeds far and wide with this cool balloon experiment. Fill it with seeds and air, then pop it outside on a breezy day and watch the seeds fly! (Medium)

Learn more: Seed Dispersal Activity

16. Forecast the weather with pine cones

Fun fact: Pine cones open and close according to the weather in order to protect or disperse the seeds inside. Use that fact to your advantage and create a pine cone weather station in your backyard. (Easy)

Learn more: Pine Cone Weather Station

17. Put together a simple microscope

This DIY microscope isn’t very powerful, but it does magnify small objects so you can see details. It’s also really simple to make. Looking for a stronger microscope you can take on the go? Try this portable model that hooks up to your cell phone. (Easy)

Learn more: Mini Microscope

18. Create nature discovery bottles

Stroll through the great outdoors and have kids collect interesting natural objects. Use recycled soda or water bottles to display their specimens. (Easy)

Learn more: Nature Sensory Bottles

19. Play a game of Nature Bingo

Give your nature walk more direction by giving students specific items to seek out. You can make your own boards, or hit the link below for free printables for every season. (Easy)

Learn more: Nature Bingo

20. Start a nature journal

Nature journals are a great way to partner writing and outdoor science while building kids’ observational skills. You can use any sturdy notebook or check out the link below for free printable journal pages and a fun DIY carry-along journal project. (Easy)

Learn more: Nature Journal

21. Make and plant DIY seed bombs

Use recycled materials to create “seed bombs.” Then plant them in the schoolyard or send kids home to use them in their own gardens. Students learn about ecology, recycling, and plant life cycles. (Medium)

22. Experiment with limestone rocks

Kids  love to pick up rocks, and there are plenty of great science experiments you can do with them. In this one, you pour vinegar over a rock to see if it bubbles. If it does, you’ve found limestone! (Easy)

Learn more: Vinegar and Limestone Test

23. Contribute to citizen science

Use a cell phone to snap pictures of everything you find on a nature walk, then report those sightings to Project Noah. This citizen science project is dedicated to documenting every living thing on Earth! (Easy)

Learn more: Project Noah

24. Learn about plant transpiration

This simple project demonstrates how plants get rid of excess water they don’t need, a process known as transpiration. The supplies and method are simple enough for anyone to try it. (Easy)

Learn more: Transpiration

25. Learn to identify trees

Give trees a closer look and learn to identify them by their leaves and seeds. These jars preserve the leaves and seeds for future study too. (Medium)

Learn more: Tree ID Scavenger Hung

26. Go on a nature scavenger hunt

Take kids outdoors to use their five senses with this free printable scavenger hunt activity. They’ll hone their observation skills and learn so much about the world around them. (Easy)

Learn more: Nature Scavenger Hunt

27. Help monarch butterflies

You may have heard that monarch butterflies are struggling to keep their populations alive. Join the fight to save these beautiful insects by planting your own butterfly garden, monitoring monarch populations, and more. Get all the info you need at the link. (Advanced)

Learn more: Monarch Watch

28. Count tree rings to explore dendrochronology

Your students might know you can count tree rings to find out how old a tree is, but do they know why that’s true? Students will undoubtedly get a kick out of exploring dendrochronology. (Medium)

Learn more: Tree Rings and Dendrochronology

29. Seek out signs of birds

Have you ever noticed that birds can be difficult to spot, even though signs of them are all around? This free printable scavenger hunt helps you find evidence that birds live nearby. Just look for nests and food sources and listen for their sounds. (Medium)

Learn more: All About Birds Scavenger Hunt

30. Attract birds with a DIY bird feeder

Bring all the birds to the yard with this easy recycled bird feeder project. Kids can learn to identify common backyard birds in your area. Visit The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s educators resource page for more ideas. (Easy)

31. Identify birds with an app

Some birds are easy to identify, but others stump even longtime bird-watchers. If you’re looking for outdoor science activities for kids who love feathered friends, check out the free Merlin Bird ID app. It listens to bird calls and identifies them in a snap! It works with photos too. (Easy)

Learn more: Merlin Bird ID

32. Estimate the height of a tree

Kids work in pairs to estimate the height of a tree in this project that puts the M in STEM. Get a free printable at the link below to walk you through the process. (Medium)

Learn more: Outdoor STEM: Measuring Tree Height

33. Dissect a flower

Take a plant apart to look at the various parts, like the roots, flower, bud, and more. (Medium)

Learn more: Investigating a Plant

34. Craft tree bark rubbings

Each tree has its type of bark, and making crayon rubbings is an easy and fun way to take a closer look. Put together a whole portfolio and label each with the kind of tree it comes from. (Easy)

35. Pit hydroponics against soil

Grow veggies using soil and hydroponics. Then, conduct your own taste test to see if one is better than the other. (Advanced)

36. Cast animal tracks

Explore wildlife biology by becoming an expert tracker! Learn to identify tracks and take casts. Turn this into an experiment by trying different methods to take casts, or use it as a method of identifying wildlife in the woods. (Advanced)

Learn more:  How to Find & Collect Animal Tracks

37. Gaze at the clouds

Look up and take some time to admire the clouds. Craft this cute “cloud viewer” and find a cloud in the sky. Then, identify what type it is, and learn more about how clouds form. (Easy)

Learn more: Make Your Own Cloud Viewer

38. See the greenhouse effect in action

Climate change can be a contentious topic, so start by teaching kids about the greenhouse effect, which is easy to see and understand using this simple experiment. Then, urge them to explore data collected by scientists so they can learn to make informed decisions about topics like global warming. (Easy)

Learn more:  Teaching About the Greenhouse Effect

39. Assemble an anemometer

Scientists use anemometers to measure wind speed. Build this DIY version and do some outdoor science experiments about weather science with your kids. (Medium)

Learn more: Anemometer

40. Turn a bottle into a rain gauge

All you need is a plastic bottle, a ruler, and a permanent marker to make your own rain gauge. Monitor your measurements and see how they stack up against meteorology reports in your area. (Medium)

Learn more: How To Make a Rain Gauge

41. Harness the power of the wind

Wind turbines have become common sights in some parts of the country as we explore alternative energy sources. Build your own to learn how they work with this outdoor science experiment. (Medium)

Learn more: Build a Wind Turbine

42. Fly a kite

You can learn a lot about physics when you make and fly your own kite. Experiment with different designs to see whose kite flies the highest or the longest. (Easy)

Learn more: How To Make a Simple Kite

43. Compost food scraps in a bottle

Food waste is a big problem, contributing to much of the material that winds up in landfills. Teach kids how to compost with kitchen scraps in a plastic bottle, and use the compost to feed your plants. (Medium)

Learn more: Soda Bottle Compost

44. Grow a carbon sugar snake

If you’re looking for outdoor science experiments that are sure to excite your students, try this eye-popping chemical reaction demonstration. You only need simple supplies like sugar, baking soda, and sand, but the element of fire makes this experiment best done outdoors. (Medium)

Learn more: Carbon Sugar Snake

45. Construct a dirt battery

This outdoor science project is similar to building a battery from a lemon, but you also get to dig in the dirt! Kids learn about electric currents and conductivity. (Medium)

Learn more: Dirt Battery

46. Test the power of sunscreen

We slather kids in sunscreen when they’re playing outside, but do they understand why? Try this fun little experiment, which demonstrates how sunscreen protects from the sun’s harmful rays. (Easy)

Learn more: STEM Sunscreen Experiment

47. Build a solar oven

Explore the power of the sun when you build your own solar ovens and use them to cook some yummy treats. (Medium)

Learn more: Solar Oven

48. Blast off with bottle rockets

Just a few simple supplies let you use the power of air pressure to send a homemade bottle rock soaring to the heavens! Get full instructions in the video. (Medium)

49. Make sun prints

You’ll need to buy special paper for this outdoor science project, but it’s easy to find. Kids will love creating their own patterns and experimenting to find which objects work best. (Medium)

Learn more: Sun Prints

50. Launch Ping-Pong balls with a catapult

Young kids will simply adore building this basic catapult and watching Ping-Pong balls soar! Older kids can experiment by changing the position of the fulcrum, the length of the board, and the objects being flung. (Easy)

Learn more: DIY Catapult

51. Test out parachutes

Gather a variety of materials (try tissues, handkerchiefs, plastic bags, etc.) and see which ones make the best parachutes. You can also find out how they’re affected on windy days or find out which ones work in the rain. (Easy)

Learn more: How To Make a Parachute

52. Swing a glass of water to learn about centripetal force

When you do this experiment right, you won’t make a mess at all. But while kids are still getting the hang of swinging glasses of water around their heads, you’ll probably want to make this an outdoor science activity. (Medium)

53. Become a human sundial

Choose a sunny day and grab some sidewalk chalk—your students are about to become sundials! They’ll practice measuring skills and learn about the movement of the sun across the sky. (Easy)

Learn more: Human Sundial

54. Build a light box

Kids can entertain themselves for hours with a big empty cardboard box. Channel that energy by turning a box into a place to learn about light refraction and reflection, using colored water in plastic bottles. (Medium)

Learn more: Light Box

55. Float a baking soda–powered boat

Here’s another experiment using the classic baking powder and vinegar reaction. This one uses it to power these cute little DIY boats! A kiddie pool is the perfect spot for this outdoor science project. (Medium)

Learn more:  Baking Soda Boat

56. Slide into friction science

Head out to the playground, gather up a variety of objects, and hold races to see which ones make it down the slide first. This is a fun introduction to friction and inclined planes. (Easy)

Learn more: Exploring Ramps and Friction on a Slide

57. Test your local water quality

Once you’ve “cleaned up” your water, try testing it to see how clean it really is. Then head out to test other types of water. Kids will be fascinated to discover what’s in the water in their local streams, ponds, and puddles. Water-testing kits are readily available online— try this set available on Amazon . (Advanced)

Learn more: Water Quality Experiment

58. Make a rainbow

Spotting a rainbow in the sky is always a magical experience. Let kids experiment with different methods to learn how they can create rainbows of their own, anytime they like! (Easy)

59. Send a tea bag flying

Hot air rises, and this experiment can prove it! You’ll want to supervise kids with fire, of course, but this is a really cool concept to see in action. (Medium)

Learn more: Flying Tea Bag Experiment

60. Find your way with a DIY compass

Here’s an old classic that never fails to impress. Magnetize a needle, float it on the water’s surface, and it will always point north. (Easy)

Learn more: Simple Magnetic Compass

61. Make a solar desalinator

Clean freshwater is a valuable commodity. Construct solar-powered desalination devices with readily available materials, and find the most effective desalination methods. (Advanced)

Outdoor science experiments don’t have to be limited to spring or summer! Bookmark the Coolest Winter Science Experiments and Activities .

Plus, get all the latest teacher tips and tricks, straight to your inbox, when you sign up for our newsletters .

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Best Science Experiments with Water

Water plays a crucial role in life. There are very few substances on Earth more important than water. All plants and animals cannot survive without it. If there was no water on Earth, there would be no life. In addition to its own intrinsic value, water also has an amazing range of properties and uses.

Here is a collection of simple but incredibly fun water experiments for you to explore water properties and to learn about their use.

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one transparent medium into another. 

You can do some really good magic tricks using this water refraction property.

Water Density

Density is the key to the floating property of water. Buoyancy and density are interrelated and they can be used in interesting experiments.

Surface Tension

Surface tension exists in water because water molecules (the little pieces of water) tend to stick to one another (cohesion). You can come up with endless interesting projects using water’s surface tension property.

Water Cycle Experiments

The water cycle can affect the Earth’s weather and climate. Clouds, rivers and ground water are all part of it. When one element in the cycle is disrupted, the environment and landscape can be affected significantly. Create this mini water cycle in a bag to see the water cycle in action.

Evaporation is a vital stage in the water cycle. Water on the ground or in the ocean are evaporated to create vapor and vapors condense to become clouds that make rain.

Capillary Action

Capillary action is one of the most amazing water properties. This experiment illustrates how plants absorb nutrients and stay alive through capillary action.

This is another experiment that uses capillary action in wooden toothpicks. You will see an expanding star forming right in front of you.

Water Pressure Experiments

As you submerge in water, you will feel a force pushing at you from all sides. That is water pressure. It is a force that pushes water from a high pressure area to a low pressure area. Take a look at this  simple water pressure experiment.

These experiments explore the solubility property of water. They are very entertaining to do and to look at, especially this Candy Science experiment.

Freezing Point

Besides the freezing point, the boiling point is also a very special property of water. See why salts are used to melt ice after a winter storm.

Can you come up with an interesting boiling point experiment for the next science fair?

That’s it? These are all the water properties experiments?

Of course not!

There are basically countless science projects you can come up with exploring one water characteristic or another.

Water is fun!

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Water Experiments for Kids That Are a Big Hit in the Classroom

Written by Cassie (Teach Starter)

Are you teaching your students about water in your science classes? It’s time to pull out the water activities for kids that will wow them … while also helping your students learn about density, salinity, mass, and a whole lot more.

The teachers on the Teach Starter team have put together some water experiments for kids that can easily be done in a classroom with little prep — and without a ton of expensive items to buy. These water science activities are also easy for kids to recreate at home if they want to show off their newfound knowledge.

Water Experiments for Kids

Let me add, it’s always a great idea to try these experiments at home before you do them with your class for the first time. Just to make sure you know any little tweaks that are needed to illustrate the concepts you are exploring!

Understanding the Effects of Water Temperature

Use this water experiment for kids to explore the concept of temperature and its effect on the speed that molecules move. This science experiment for kids will quickly illustrate how molecules move faster in hot temperatures and slower in cold temperatures.

You will need:

• Room temperature water
• 3 stopwatches (or phones)

How to do this water science activity:

• Fill one glass with cold water, one with room temperature water, and one with hot water. (It is best to prepare the cold water and room temperature water earlier. Leave one glass in the refrigerator for at least an hour prior to the experiment. Leave another glass sitting out for at least an hour too, as if the water in your pipes is a bit cold this will reduce the efficacy of the experiment.)
• Place a stopwatch in front of each glass.
• Fill the dropper with food dye.
• Drop 2-3 drops of food dye in each of the glasses and observe how the food dye behaves in each different water temperature.
• Start the stopwatches when the food dye is dropped.
• Stop each watch as the food dye has mixed completely with the water.

Your students will be able to see how the food dye mixes quickly with the hot water because the molecules are moving quickly. It takes longer to mix in the room temperature water as the molecules move slower, and in the cold water, the food dye will take the longest to mix as the molecules move at the slowest speed of all three samples.

Eventually, the food dye will mix through the water in all three glasses. Students can predict how long each will take and then record the final times on each of the stopwatches.

Salt Water Density Experiments

Use this experiment to introduce the concepts of density, mass, salinity, and buoyancy.

In this experiment, you and your students will use one bowl of fresh water and one bowl of salt water to explore how salinity affects the buoyancy of different foods. For example, what happens when you put eggs in a bowl of fresh water and a bowl of salt water?

To get started, download and print the Salt Water Density Experiment resource , and prepare the materials described.

Challenge your students to guess whether they will have the same or different results if they try this same experiment using potatoes in place of the eggs.

This experiment also uses food dye to explore how liquid molecules behave differently in fresh water and saltwater.

When your students understand how water behaves differently depending on its density, they can begin to understand more about topics such as:

• the effects of freshwater runoff from melted sea ice in the Antarctic
• how different parts of the ocean have different levels of salinity
• why objects that would normally sink (like people) can float in bodies of water with high salinity like the Dead Sea in the Middle East and the Great Salt Lake in the United States
• how salinity affects the different layers of the ocean and the types of marine life that can live in each layer.

Refraction of Light Science Activity

This water experiment for kids is incredibly simple to set up, and it will help your students better understand refraction, the change of direction of light waves, when they hit water.

All you need is:

• A Glass of water

Draw something on a piece of paper. An arrow is a great visual to start this science activity as it is obvious what happens when you put the glass of water in front of the drawn arrow. But you don’t have to limit it to arrows. Get creative and draw anything you would like to see through the glass.

When the light is passing through the glass of water, it refracts or bends. The glass of water acts as a cylindrical convex lens and produces an inverted image.

Create a fair test by changing one variable. What happens if you change the size of the glass? Or what if you change the liquid variable? Does it change the result?

Teach your students more about reflection and refraction with these resources:

[resource:4701421][resource:2674282]

Create a Lava Lamp Science Activity

No need to head out to buy a lava lamp. You can make your own “lamp” with this fun water activity for kids that teaches about the changes of density as gas is added to or taken away from the water.

• Two glasses
• Vegetable oil
• Food coloring
• Alka-Seltzer tablets

Firstly, mix half a cup of water with some drops of food coloring. You can make two different batches with different colors if you wish to make more than one lava lamp.

Then, fill a glass with vegetable oil (3/4 full). Pour some of the colored mixture into the oil, being careful not to fill the glass too much.

Add one Alka-Seltzer tablet, and watch the chemical reaction…

The Alka-seltzer tablets react with the water to produce carbon dioxide gas bubbles in this fun water activity! These stick to the water droplets. The water/gas combo is less dense than the oil, so they rise to the top of the glass!

Make this a fair test by changing the amount of Alka-seltzer added. In one glass you can add one tablet, another can have two tablets, and another can have three. What happens when you change up the water experiment?

For more water density fun, try these resources:

[resource:1872818][resource:640196][resource:4680428]

Moving Water Experiment

This water activity for kids explores water movement and helps kids understand capillary action. It does take a couple of hours for the results to finalize, so it’s best an experiment that you set and forget, checking back in throughout the day with your class. Perhaps take a picture every half hour to monitor your progress!

Aim: To investigate the movement of water when it has paper towel placed in it.

• A measuring cup
• 4 pieces of paper towel
• Red, blue and yellow food dye
• 5  clear drinking cups/glasses (jars work well too!)
• water – enough to pour equal amounts into 3 of the cups
• 3  mixing spoons
• Line up 5 cups. Fill cups number 1, 3, and 5 with equal amounts of water.
• Place equal drops of food dye into each cup of water – place blue into one cup, red into another, and yellow into the final cup. Mix each cup thoroughly with a new spoon to prevent cross-contamination.
• Place a scrunched piece of paper towel so that it creates a bridge between each cup in the line. The paper towel must be quite deep in the water in each cup.
• Watch what happens over the next few hours and record your results!

This is similar to the way that the roots of a tree pull water up and out of the ground. You can observe the movement and direction of the water by watching the water move up the paper towel, and observing the empty cups filling with a ‘new’ colored water as the two primary colors on either side mix together.

Possible questions to ask:

• What will the food dye from one cup do when it mixes with the dye from another cup?
• Why do you think the water didn’t move backward once the empty cups started to fill up?
• Why do you think the water stopped moving once the cups leveled out?

Check out this fun capillary action water activity for kids using flowers or this one using paper towels and capillary action to make roses that the kids can bring home to gift to someone they love.

For more science experiments for kids and more ways to teach science to elementary schoolers, check out our full array of science teaching resources !

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7 Natural Science Experiments For High School Students To Try

Science is the answer to most students’ curiosity about how things work. Besides biology experiments , natural science experiments for high school are a perfect way for high schoolers to brush up on their concepts around science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in a way that does not compromise on the fun factor. 

In this article, we have listed 7 spellbinding activities for high schoolers which require them to observe and experiment with tools at hand. Since our focus remains on natural science, we shall deal with experiments that have mostly to do with nature and its unremarkable phenomena. The best part is that they can perform either in their backyard or at the science laboratories. 

So, read on to find out more!

Importance of application-based learning in science

Learning can be fun if one can find the opportunity to practically apply theoretical knowledge. Any scientific concept is incomplete if not carried out by experimentation. Practical work in laboratories is achieved by solely believing in ‘learning by doing.’

Besides, the following are some more reasons why it is good to expose students to practical and application-based learning in science.

• Satisfaction of curiosity

Most middle-aged teenagers are very curious. Handing them tools will help them experiment with stuff and satisfy their internal curiosity. 

• Development of scientific temper and attitude

A regular visit to the laboratory for science-related stuff can embark a scientific temper and attitude within students. 

• Inculcation of good habits

Practical experimentation helps students develop good habits like cooperation, patience, discipline, etc. 

• Understanding of concepts that have far more importance in the adult life

Due to practical experiments, students learn the basic phenomena of light, electricity, heat, etc. and this will help them utilise these basics as and when they grow up.

Having discussed the importance of a practical based approach towards learning science, let us dive into 7 amazing practical natural science experiments that will help students fiddle with basic concepts such as heat, sound, water, etc. 

Cool natural science experiments for high schoolers!

Here is a list of seven cool natural science experiments that high schoolers can perform from their school laboratories or their backyard!

1. Amplify a smartphone

Things needed:

• Tissue paper roll
• Two nos. paper cups
• A pair of scissors
• Craft knife

How to perform the amplify a smartphone experiment?

• Trace the bottom of the smartphone on the empty tissue paper roll, i.e., trace the bottom of the smartphone on the cardboard and cut out the slot. 
• Place the tissue paper roll horizontally and trace out its bottom on the two paper cups, one on either side, and cut out the holes neatly.
• Now, use some washi tape and decorate the body of the tissue paper roll and the paper cups and affix the paper cups to the tissue paper roll. 
• Place the mobile phone in the slot.

Takeaway from the experiment:

Using this simple DIY experiment, students can turn their phone’s omnidirectional speaker into a directional music stand. It also teaches them about how soundwaves propagate due to the vibration created within the cup. 

2. Tornado in a jar

How to perform the tornado in a jar experiment?

• Fill the glass jar with water up until the top with little space for air.
• Add some detergent. 
• Now, close the jar tightly with the lid and give it a little shake.
• Next, swirl the jar around with a swirling motion, and stop the motion.
• You will see a tornado within the jar with bubbles around it.

This simple experiment teaches about momentum, friction, and centripetal force. When swirling the jar, students impart a force on the liquid through the jar. The force imparted on the liquid forces the liquid onto the surface of the jar, and when the swirling is stopped, friction slows down the water.

The centripetal force pulls the water inwards, thus creating a vortex shaped like a funnel, and when the water approaches the centre of the jar, it creates a funnel-shaped vortex due to the angular momentum.

3. Egg into a bottle trick

• A kettle consisting of tap water
• A hard-boiled egg
• Safety glasses
• 1-liter glass bottle (ensure that the mouth and neck of the bottle are smaller than the egg)

How to perform the egg into a bottle trick experiment?

• Boil the water in the kettle and transfer it carefully to the glass bottle. Let it rest for about half a minute.
• Use oven mitts and transfer the water back into the kettle and wait half a minute.
• Now, place the peeled egg on top of the glass bottle. 
• As the bottle begins cooling, the egg gradually fits in and falls inside it.

When the hot water is poured into the glass and taken away, the glass gets heated and also heats up the air present within it. Since hot air rises, it rushes to the top of the bottle, creating a low-pressure area within the bottle. When you allow the bottle to cool down, the air present within begins contracting and takes up less space, thus reducing the air pressure inside the bottle. 

Differential pressure is created due to differences in atmospheric pressure and pressure within the bottle. However, nature wants to equalize things and balance them out, which is why it puts pressure on the egg to get into the glass, thus squashing the egg. 

4. Rising water

• Two paper towels
• Two different food colours

How to perform the rising water experiment?

• Take the two paper towels and fold them into two separate tubes, each roughly 15-20 cm long. 
• Take the two cups and fill them with water and add two different colored dyes to them.
• Place one end of each of the paper towels into the two cups. Place a third cup between the two cups and place the two free ends of the paper towels into it. 
• Alternate between the paper towel and the cup consisting of the food colours. 
• It will take you a few hours until you notice what is actually happening. Place a time-lapse camera if you wish to capture it. 

Water has an excellent ability to display capillary action. Water has stickiness in its nature, which enables it to travel through other materials without experiencing any of the other forces. The stickiness comprises surface tension, cohesion, and adhesion due to which the coloured water easily travels through the paper towels and into the empty glass. 

5. The suspended rice experiment

• Uncooked Rice
• A small plastic bottle
• A pencil 

How to perform the suspended rice experiment?

• Fill the plastic bottle with uncooked rice and plunge down the pencil and try to lift the bottle using the pencil. 
• You will realise that you will not be able to lift the bottle. 
• Now, plunge the pencil about 20-25 times, ensuring that the plunges are of different heights for varied compaction. 
• When you try to lift the bottle now, you will be able to do so easily. 

The concept that comes into play is friction. When you use the pencil to plunge the rice, you tend to push the air by compacting the rice. Therefore, the pencil gets in contact with a much greater amount of rice with each plunge. This increases the friction between the plunging pencil and the rice. After nearly 25 plunges, the friction is so high between the two that it surpasses the gravitational force and you can easily lift the bottle with the pencil. 

6. Soap-fueled powerboat 

• A piece of cardboard
• A container full of water. (Ensure it is large enough to allow the power boat to take an entire lapse)
• Liquid soap

How to perform the soap-fueled power boat experiment?

• Cut the cardboard shaped like a 2-D Pentagon with a slit at the largest horizontal side. Ensure that the entire cutout is at least 2 inches long. 
• Take the toothpick and dip it into liquid soap.
• Now, rub the toothpick along the sides and slit of the boat. 
• Place the boat on the surface of the water, and you will see it scoot swiftly through the water. 

Soap breaks down the surface tension of water and thus, creates a sufficient force that pushes the cardboard boat across the surface. 

7. Who freezes first?

• A stopwatch
• A cup of cold water
• A cup of hot water
• Pen and paper

How to perform the who freezes the first experiment?

• Take a cup of hot water and a cup of cold water. Ensure that there is the same amount of water in both cups and stir them gently. 
• Now, place both cups inside the freezer. 
• At each 5-minute interval, keep checking which of the two cups freezes first and record your observations. 

It shall be observed that in most cases, the hot water must have frozen first instead of the cold water. It happens because the warm hot water loses some of the water to evaporation while cooling and has a reduced mass, thus freezing faster than the cold water. 

Natural science is everywhere! Practical experiments help answer students’ curiosity revolving around natural and scientific phenomena. Growing up, students can also opt for careers in the domain of natural science.  Some of the well-paying career choices include chemical scientists, mechanical engineers, conservation specialists, environment specialists, science, engineering and production technicians, nurses, architects and many more! 

While preparing for university and college entrances, students can check and apply for various scholarships and fee waivers such as environmental scholarships , mechanical engineering scholarships , architecture scholarships , nursing scholarships and more, and can pave the way to a brighter future revolving around natural science.

Sananda Bhattacharya, Chief Editor of TheHighSchooler, is dedicated to enhancing operations and growth. With degrees in Literature and Asian Studies from Presidency University, Kolkata, she leverages her educational and innovative background to shape TheHighSchooler into a pivotal resource hub. Providing valuable insights, practical activities, and guidance on school life, graduation, scholarships, and more, Sananda’s leadership enriches the journey of high school students.

Explore a plethora of invaluable resources and insights tailored for high schoolers at TheHighSchooler, under the guidance of Sananda Bhattacharya’s expertise. You can follow her on Linkedin

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Shock and anger after second Slidell teacher accused of inappropriate relationships with students

SLIDELL, La. (WVUE) - There’s a mix of shock and anger in the community after a second teacher at Slidell High School was arrested for having inappropriate contact and relationships with students.

The latest arrest stems from a previous investigation of a former teacher at the same school.

On June 26, Slidell Police arrested 31- year-old Shelby Cavignac. She was booked into the Slidell city jail for prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and student.

Back in March, the Slidell Police Department began what it describes as a lengthy investigation into 35-year-old Alexa Wingerter after allegations she had inappropriate relationships with male students at the high school.

Fox 8 spoke with a mother who has two children attending Slidell High School. The mother didn’t want to be identified but said her two kids won’t be going back to the high school because of the arrests.

“It’s like whoa, it’s not safe at the school. So, I had to pull them out because if not, I don’t know what my kids would’ve turned into,” said the mother.

The allegations against Wingerter included her sending inappropriate pictures and messages through social media from her cell phone. Following her arrest in the spring, Slidell Police say they found more evidence, enough to re-arrest her for additional charges including indecent behavior with a juvenile and two counts of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and student. Police also found enough evidence to arrest Cavignac.

“It’s really disheartening because in the ideal world, we should be able to trust to send our kids to school and not worry,” said Shaunah Snyder. Snyder doesn’t have kids attending the high school, but she is a mother, and says she can only pray for the people involved.

“It’s such a violation, it really is. I would just pray for healing and that our community would come together,” Snyder said.

The principal at Slidell High School declined to comment about the arrests.

The president of the St. Tammany Parish School Board declined to comment.

Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, Slidell Police are not releasing additional information in the cases.

Late Thursday afternoon, Frank Jabbia, the Superintendent of the St. Tammany Parish Public School System issued the following statement about the latest arrests of the teachers:

“Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. I condemn these actions in the strongest terms and emphasize that such behavior is entirely unacceptable and contrary to the values of our school community. We understand the community’s concerns and are committed to ensuring that our schools remain safe environments for learning and student success. Our district has acted swiftly and is fully cooperating with law enforcement during their investigation. We urge anyone with information related to these incidents or any other concerns to contact law enforcement immediately. We have strict policies and protocols in place to address and prevent such misconduct, and we remain dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive educational environment for all students.”

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More than a dozen teachers leaving Newberry Elementary amid charter school conversion efforts

NEWBERRY, Fla. (WCJB) - Alachua County School Board officials are looking for ways to fill empty teacher positions at Newberry Elementary School amid city leaders’ push to convert it to a charter school.

School board members tell TV20 that 16 teachers transferred from Newberry Elementary during 2024 so far. They say only six teachers left throughout all of 2023.

Alachua County School Board member Tina Certain says the high number of transfers is related to the charter school conversion efforts, led in part by Newberry city officials.

RELATED: Newberry charter school group claims victory in elementary school vote fight

Mayor Jordan Marlowe disagrees, and says the recent vacancies are a result of misinformation from Alachua County School Board members.

“I would again ask the school board to correct the problem that they created by threatening teachers that they wouldn’t have a job,” Marlowe told TV20.

“They wouldn’t have a teaching assignment of their choice unless they put in to transfer right now, you can’t blame the conversion charter.”

School district officials are opening nine long-term substitute positions to help fill some of the vacancies left by the 16 transfers.

They say they’ll need three substitute teachers each for grades two, three, and four.

“You usually see one or two of these in a school at any given time,” says charter school conversion opponent Travis Adair.

“If there’s going to be three in each grade level or in multiple grade levels, that is unheard of and it is going to cause problems both for the kids but also for the rest of the school just running properly.”

Other residents say they aren’t sure what could come from the charter school conversion, and hope that officials both for and against the conversion will be able to work together and make Newberry Elementary students their priority.

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Copyright 2024 WCJB. All rights reserved.

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Nearly half of Minnesota under "unprecedented" flooding, and some rivers are at or above record levels

By WCCO Staff , Caroline Cummings , Pauleen Le , Beret Leone , Adam Duxter

Updated on: June 27, 2024 / 9:36 PM CDT / CBS Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS —  Massive flooding is now impacting nearly half of Minnesota. As of Thursday morning, more than 20 river gauges across the Upper Midwest have hit major flood stage, with more rain expected in flood-soaked areas. 

Water levels on the Minnesota, Mississippi and Missouri rivers are expected to see their highest levels in at least a decade.

On Wednesday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz urged impacted residents to "keep their receipts" to get financial aid faster, as property damage continues to grow by the hour.

"Right now we are in the assessment phase," Walz said. "Until some of the water recedes, we won't have the full picture of that."

State of emergency declared in St. Paul

St. Paul officials declared a state of emergency on Wednesday as it braces for the brunt of flooding from the Mississippi River, which is expected to rise another few feet by this weekend.   

The State Emergency Operations Center is responding as flooding worsens. When local first responders and volunteers are overwhelmed, local governments can ask this group to step up. They fill in wherever they're needed, assisting with the departments of health, public safety and transportation. 

"Been in water rescue my entire life. This is some of the most difficult conditions I've ever seen," said John Cunningham, assistant commissioner of emergency services for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. "Stay out of the water. Don't go anywhere near it. Things can change."

Video shows home on Rapidan Dam partially collapsing into river

The  raging Blue Earth River , which caused  an abutment of the 114-year-old Rapidan Dam to partially fail , has now swallowed most of  the iconic home  that sits on a nearby embankment amid  Minnesota's historic flooding .

Blue Earth County officials say the collapse occurred on Tuesday evening and they continue to monitor for possible impacts downstream.

The dam sits just south of Mankato, which is dealing with plenty of damage of its own. The city has set up a debris drop-off site for people with a lot of trash they need to get rid of. It will be open Thursday and Friday from noon to 8 p.m.

The dam remains in "imminent failure condition" on Thursday. Blue Earth County Public Works Director Ryan Thilges said on Tuesday the breach threat has diminished, though officials are still concerned because the dam was built on sandstone bedrock that can further erode.  

Thilges says the dam itself was not breached. Instead, he described it as a "partial failure of the west abutment." The structure is intact but water continues to flow around it, eroding the slope and forcing an evacuation of the family home of the owners of the Rapidan Dam Store .

Blue Earth County Sheriff Jeff Wersal said the water level in a "catastrophic event would not be that significant."

The National Inventory of Dams rated the Rapidan Dam in poor condition as of April 2023, classifying its hazard potential as "significant."

The Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are still assessing the damage.

Waterville remains in state of emergency

Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard over the weekend to help with flooding in Waterville, where the Cannon River runs through the Tetonka and Sakatah lakes which surround the town. By Monday afternoon, there were 44 guard members there to help pump water.

Waterville officials say this is the worst flooding the town has ever seen . Parts of the city are underwater due to 14 to 18 inches of cumulative rainfall. Some areas are worse than others, with flood water knee-deep to hip-deep.

Michael Hildebrant, a lifelong resident of Waterville, hitched an unlikely ride to check on his home Monday — a ride by canoe through flooded streets.

"Everything's pretty well floating around, my TV's underwater. The refrigerator got popped up in the air. My bed is under, yeah, it's been a long time since I've seen anything like this," Hildebrant said.

One thousand volunteers filled and distributed 60,000 sandbags this weekend. It's still unknown when the flood fight will end as residents prepare for potentially more storms ahead.  

Sens. Klobuchar and Tina Smith and Rep. Angie Craig toured the town on Sunday. So far, there have only been voluntary evacuations, with water, electricity and sewer operations still functioning.

Klobuchar and Smith said flood damages need to exceed about $132,000 locally in the county, or $10.5 million in damages statewide, for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to step in.

"We've been from this area our whole lives and this is the worst we've seen it," said resident Lonnie Roemhildt. "And they say it's only going to get worse. And so, we're just bracing. And hopefully, it's not going to get any worse than it is."

While the impact is far from over, people who live there say they are encouraged by the support of others.

Le Sueur County has set up a fund through Frandsen Bank and Trust. Donations can be made  online  or by  mail .  

Many agencies are turning out to help, including the American Red Cross, which set up a shelter at The Village in Waterville off North 1st Street. The shelter is one of a handful set up across Minnesota with other locations in Jackson, Mandelia, Cook and Duluth. 

There are also several locations in South Dakota, which has also been impacted by devastating floods. 

The Red Cross says shelters are a great and safe place for people affected by the floods to stay and find essential resources including food, water, emotional support and more information on how to begin picking up the pieces.

Anyone in need of help, or would like to help, can call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Cannon River crests in Northfield at possible record level

Experts believe  the Cannon River has finally crested in Northfield , reaching 901.52 feet above sea level on Sunday at about 8 p.m.

If confirmed by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, it would break the previous record of 901.5 feet set in 2010. The river level began to decrease early Monday morning.

The community is trying to minimize water damage, with riverside businesses protected by a wall comprised of thousands of sandbags.

Northfield Police Chief Mark Elliot says he expects the river to remain at flood stage through this Friday.

WCCO spoke about the flooding on Monday with Sarah Fortner, Carleton College's director of sustainability.

"From a climate change perspective, we're having amplified hydrology in Minnesota, so a lot more flood events than used to happen in the past," Fortner said. "I think there were five 100-year floods in the last 15 years, and this might be six."

City leaders urge people not to bike or walk through barricaded areas, and to call 911 for any emergencies.

Floodwaters devastate Jackson

Volunteers in Jackson, about 30 minutes west of Worthington, are working to reinforce dikes and flood mitigation tools along the Des Moines River on Tuesday, as flood waters are expected to rise 2 feet.  

Carver's levee keeping Minnesota River at bay

Minnesota's senators also visited nearby Carver in Sunday, where the community is hoping their current flood protection will hold up to the rising Minnesota River. 

A 1960s-era levee is preventing things from going bad to worse, but local leaders say they need repairs to make sure it can still protect the community.

Klobuchar says she will do more at the federal level to prevent damaging floods from happening again.

City leaders say they could make repairs and improve the current levee with federal assistance.

The nearest water measurement spot for the Minnesota River is 18 miles downstream in Jordan. The National Water Prediction Service is forecasting the river to crest on Thursday, just a foot below the record of 35 feet.

Rice County residents race to protect property

Neighbors in other parts of Rice County — including Faribault, Morristown, Warsaw and Dundas — are working to protect their homes and businesses from rising water  after 10 inches of rain fell in just 12 days.

County residents can now drop off anything damaged by the rising waters at the county's solid waste facility.  

In Faribault, Teepee Tonka Park and White Sands Dog Park are closed to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The following roads are also closed:

• Western Avenue, between Grant Street to Baker Trail
• Seventh Street, between Western and Park avenues  
• Park Avenue, between 30th Street and 32nd Street Northwest

The city's compost site is also closed until further notice.  

In Warsaw, the owner of Dock's Dock Campground says the area went from just a few puddles on the ground on Saturday to completely underwater on Sunday. Residents there filled 3,000 sandbags on Sunday alone.    

The Dundas Dukes baseball team posted photos to X/Twitter on Saturday showing their work in sandbagging their field. By Sunday, however, it was all underwater.  

8 am Sunday. pic.twitter.com/xOhsryitj9 — Dundas Dukes (@DundasDukes) June 23, 2024

Other highway closures in southern Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Transportation says Highway 93 between Highway 169 and Le Sueur is closed due to flooding.

In Jackson, just north of the Iowa border in south-central Minnesota, Highway 71 remains closed, with traffic detoured to Interstate 90, Highway 86 and County Road 34.

Flooding has closed both east and westbound routes of Highway 14 due to flooding.

Owatonna saw more than 4 inches of rain in the past several days, causing flooding of local parks and rivers.

Henderson residents enduring extreme detours

In Henderson , Highway 19 West is the only way to get in or out of the town due to flooding and existing construction on roads to combat frequent flooding in the area from the Minnesota River.Flooding in St. Louis County

Superior National Forest issues emergency closure

On Monday, the Superior National Forest issued an emergency forest closure effective immediately due to storm damage.

All roads, trails, canoe routes, recreation sites and wilderness entry points are shut down until further notice.

"Storm damage is extensive across the forest and assessments are ongoing across all 3 million acres," said forest supervisor Tom Hall. "The safety of our visitors, residents and staff is our priority while we work to further identify damaged areas, clear affected areas, and fix the infrastructure that is damaged."

J. Lambert with the National Forest Service snapped a photo of a sinkhole in the Gunflint Ranger District on Monday that looks big enough to cause damage to most vehicles.

The forest's closure is in effect until June 24, 2026, or until terminated — whichever occurs first.

Visitors are encouraged to use extreme caution in the BWCAW and across the Superior National Forest.

Road closed in Burnsville due to Minnesota River flooding

Officials in Burnsville say Black Dog Road is closed from Interstate 35W to the Eagan board due to flooding from the Minnesota River. 

Fort Snelling State Park

Fort Snelling State Park is closed until flood waters recede and crews can address related clean-up and repairs. The rising water from the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers is expected to flood the park's main road. 

Crow River flooding in Delano

The Crow River in Delano  passed into the early flood stage on Saturday morning. Earlier this week, residents in town installed metal flood walls, an alternative to sandbagging. It's the third time since 2015 that residents have put up the walls. 

Stillwater postpones Independence Day events

Due to flooding in Lowell Park, the City of Stillwater made the decision on Wednesday to postpone its 4th of July fireworks and festivities. A new date has not been set yet.

Routes to Grey Cloud Island close

The City of Cottage Grove closed the bridge and causeway to Lower Grey Cloud Island over the Mississippi River to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

The Grey Cloud Trail Bridge closed on Wednesday. The Grey Cloud Drive Causeway will close at noon on Friday.

The WCCO Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on WCCO.com.

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