Some things float on water and some sink. At Splash Lagoon, Year 1 scientists predict and test — and discover that it isn’t just about being heavy or light. Shape matters too!
What your child will learn
- Predict whether an object will float or sink
- Know that shape as well as weight affects floating
- Know which materials are good for making boats
- Test ideas fairly and talk about results
Not just heavy or light
A huge log floats, but a tiny metal paperclip sinks. Whether something floats depends on what it is made of and its shape. A lump of clay sinks, but shape the same clay into a boat and it floats, because the boat shape pushes lots of water out of the way.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. What happens to a ping-pong ball in water?
- It disappears
- It sinks
- It floats
- It melts
Show answer
Answer: It floats. A ping-pong ball is full of air, so it floats.
2. Does a coin float or sink?
🪙- Sink
- Float
Show answer
Answer: Sink. Metal coins sink.
3. Does a wooden stick float or sink?
- Float
- Sink
Show answer
Answer: Float. Wood floats on water.
Tips for grown-ups
- At bath time, predict and test: float or sink?
- Make boats from foil and see how many coins they carry before sinking.
- Try an orange with and without its peel — the result is surprising!