Simple Science: Will it Sink or Float? - The Chirping Moms - Free Printable

This worksheet is designed to help children predict whether various objects will sink or float when placed in water. The goal is to encourage scientific thinking and observation skills by making predictions based on the properties of each object (like density, material, and shape).

Let’s go through each object and determine whether it will float or sink, along with a brief explanation.

---

🔹 Crayon

- ✔ Prediction: Float
- 💡 Why? Crayons are made of wax, which is less dense than water. Wax does not absorb water easily and tends to float.

---

🔹 Pencil

- ✔ Prediction: Float
- 💡 Why? Pencils are typically made of wood, which is less dense than water. Even though they have graphite inside, the overall structure is buoyant enough to float.

---

🔹 Coin

- ✘ Prediction: Sink
- 💡 Why? Coins are made of metal (like copper or steel), which is much denser than water. Metal sinks because it weighs more than the water it displaces.

---

🔹 Popsicle Stick

- ✔ Prediction: Float
- 💡 Why? Made of wood, popsicle sticks are lightweight and less dense than water, so they float easily.

---

🔹 Toy Car

- ✘ Prediction: Sink
- 💡 Why? Most toy cars are made of plastic or metal. While some small plastic ones might float, typical toy cars (especially if solid) are dense and sink. If it's hollow and light, it may float—but generally, we assume it sinks unless specified otherwise.

> ⚠️ Note: This depends on the material. A plastic toy car might float, but a metal one will sink. For simplicity in this context, assume sink.

---

🔹 Cotton Ball

- ✔ Prediction: Float
- 💡 Why? Cotton balls are very light and full of air pockets, making them less dense than water. They float until they absorb water and become heavy.

---

🔹 Marshmallow

- ✔ Prediction: Float
- 💡 Why? Marshmallows are made of sugar and gelatin with lots of trapped air, making them very light and low in density. They float initially, though they may dissolve over time.

---

✔ Final Answer Table:

| Name of Object | Float | Sink |
|--------------------|-------|------|
| Crayon | ✔ | |
| Pencil | ✔ | |
| Coin | | ✔ |
| Popsicle Stick | ✔ | |
| Toy Car | | ✔ |
| Cotton Ball | ✔ | |
| Marshmallow | ✔ | |

---

🎯 Summary:

- Float: Crayon, Pencil, Popsicle Stick, Cotton Ball, Marshmallow
- Sink: Coin, Toy Car

> This activity teaches kids about density and buoyancy in a fun, hands-on way. After predicting, students can test their ideas by placing the objects in water to see what actually happens!

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or an extension activity! 😊