Science for Kids playing with Absorbent Materials

Oh boy, it’s hot outside! Here we are smack dab in the middle of summer. We are having a blast… are you? The other day we were all a little burnt out from the running around, busy summer schedule and HEAT. I pulled up my Camp Mom! Summer Activities Pack and quickly picked an activity perfect for relaxing in the shade.

This one comes from Amanda Morgan (Not Just Cute). It was easy to prep, easy to do, easy to expand on and easy to clean up. WIN – WIN -WIN – WIN.

Science for Kids — Absorbent Materials Experiment

Science for kids playing with absorbent materials. (5)

What you need: a tray or small cups, some absorbent materials, some non absorbent materials, water, dropper, a notebook and pencil.

I used a cotton round, a napkin, moss and felt for the materials that would absorb water. I used a craft stick, a leaf and rocks for materials that would not absorb water.

Science for kids playing with absorbent materials.

After laying two towels on the grass and setting up two science stations, I asked M and M to grab a notebook and a pencil. Little M was excited to record her findings (Big M opted to chat about what he was observing instead.)

I asked them to look at the objects in the tray before using their hands to feel them.

Science for Kids Questions — Getting Started:

  • Which materials do you think will absorb water? Which materials do you think will soak up water? (When I’m using an unfamiliar word I try to repeat the sentence with words they already know and then again with the new word.)
  • Which materials do you think will repel water? Which materials do you think will not soak up water?
  • What clues or experiences helped you make that hypothesis? What clues or experiences helped you make those guesses?

Little M wrote down her hypothesis in her notebook.

Science for kids playing with absorbent materials.

We talked about each material as she played and felt and explored. After a little bit, I asked her if any of her guesses were correct. Back to the notebook! (Of course if you didn’t use a notebook just talking about the original hypothesis would be great.)

Science for Kids Questions — Wrapping Up:

  • Which materials absorbed water like you thought?
  • Which materials rebelled water like you thought?
  • Were any parts of your hypothesis incorrect? What did you learn from that?
  • Now that you have explored these materials, what other materials can you think of that will absorb water?

If you want to go any further, empty the tray and let your little one fill it with new objects.

Camp Mom! Summer Activities Pack

This activity is just one of the 80 awesome summer activities in Camp Mom! Summer Activities Pack.

Learn more about the Summer Activities Pack or buy your copy now.

4 Comments

  1. You have some really amazing ideas! Think I may have to try this out with my little brother as he’s rather into science lately…

    I have also nominated you for a Liebster Award so hope you complete it, love all your posts

    Hannah xx Squidoodles & oodles

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