11. Play What Sinks & Floats
- Age Recommendation: 8 Years+
- Supplies Needed: Various Items Around Your Home
While it may not seem like a great way to promote science at home, playing a game regarding what sinks & floats is great. It not only helps kids understand how floatation works, but you could also show them how to make flotation devices. This way, should they need to know, they’ll be good to go. You’re also teaching about Density & Buoyancy.
The major thing to discuss is why something sinks. The only reason something sinks is that it weighs more than the water it is displacing. If it weighs less, it floats. This is why big rocks sink but boats float. The rock might be heavy but it’s only displacing a small bit of water and thus sinks. Meanwhile, a boat, which takes up a large surface area, isn’t weighing more and will float. The same premise explains how humans float.