Sink or Float Experiment on the Light Table

We took a simple science activity, a sink or float experiment, and added a new element to it by doing it on the light table! My daughter and the daycare kids loved it! We use our light table as often as we can and this activity was a perfect way to learn science on the light table. 

This month our  Light & Reflections Series (hands-on learning for kids with light and/or mirrors) is focusing on “Science and Cooking.” Below you’ll find fun learning activities that promote cooking skills or science for kids! We decided to focus on science activities so I made this classic sink or float experiment on the light table.

Affiliate links provided for convenience, please see disclosure to learn more.

Sink or Float Experiment on the Light Table

This simple science activity is great for preschoolers and toddlers. My daughter had a great time making predictions about which objects would float and which ones would sink. Even the toddlers in my home daycare were able to make predictions about what they thought would happen. It’s such an easy activity but kids really enjoy it.  

Materials used for sink or float experiment:

• Various Light Table Loose Parts (gems, reusable ice cubes, agates, acrylic leaves & diamonds, crystal climbers…)
• Light Table
• Paper
• Container with water

I set the loose parts we were going to test out on the light table with a container of water and two sheets of paper, one labeled sink, and one labeled float.

We talked about what it means to sink and what it means to float, then we began to sort the items from our container onto the paper by what the girls thought it would do (sink or float).

After the items were all sorted it was time to test their predictions. The kids were excited to find out if their predictions were right.  Would the items sink or float?

The girls had a great time with this sink or float experiment. They took their time trying each item and seeing if their predictions were correct or not. Before they tried each item we talked about why they thought it would sink or float, then we recorded what happened and why.

It was neat to see them thinking about each item carefully and to hear their explanations for why they predicted what they did.  

What would you add to this Sink or Float Experiment?

Ready for more? Hop over to see what my friends have created for this month’s “Science & Cooking” theme:

Preschool Science: Oil & Water on the Light Table from Happily Ever Mom

Scoop and Pour Serving Practice on the Light Table from Still Playing School

Teaching Kids How to Set the Table Using the Light Table from And Next Comes L

Looking for more crafts and activities? Check out our index for 100+ plus kids activities! Find activities by theme, materials, skills, age and much more!