Activity sheet

Water
re and discover.
tists - they love to explo
Children are born scien
ing at home with
s that you can enjoy do
There are many activitie
your little scientist.
Questions
d what things sink?
• What things float an
• Why does it rain?
come from?
• Where does the rain
tRY tHis At HoMe
Rain Bottles
e activity at
tion of this Science Tim
See a video demonstra
www.questacon.edu.au
hole in the lid, air
• When you cover the
pty space.
can’t get in to fill the em
ed
ne
ll
the bottle
You wi
The air pressure inside
r air pressure
s with lids
drops a little. The highe
• Empty plastic bottle
es against the
around the bottle push
les in the lids
ho
e
k
ma
to
ng
thi
me
• So
st the holes in
bottle walls and again
. This stops
• Water
the bottom of the bottle
g. The surface
any more water escapin
plets also
tension of the water dro
.
lid
in the bottom
one in the
helps to seal the holes
ttom of the bottle and
bo
the
in
les
ho
n
few
a
1. Put
surface tensio
of the bottle.
too big, otherwise the
Don’t make the holes
finger off the
the bottle.
• When you take your
the
er
won’t hold the water in
ov
it
ld
Ho
.
on
the water
ter and put the lid
lid hole, gravity attracts
2. Fill the bottle with wa
ves the holes
downwards. As water lea
e
ttl
bo
sink or in the bath.
the
of
lid
the
on
ttle, air flows
finger over the hole
in the bottom of the bo
3. When you put your
to take up the
the bottle.
in through the lid’s hole
t!
no water comes out of
ou
ws
flo
n
rai
ger off the hole the
space being created.
4. When you lift your fin
WHAt to Do
WHAt’s HAppening? bottle by a combination of
ide the
• The water is held ins
ter.
rface tension of the wa
air pressure and the su
Open 9 am to 5 pm every day. Closed Christmas Day.
Admission fees apply.
King Edward Terrace, Canberra
t 02 6270 2800
www.questacon.edu.au
ReAD BooKs
DiscoveR MoRe
rk if we use bigger or
• Do you think it will wo
smaller bottles?
e of
put the holes in the sid
• What happens if you
the bottle?
DiD You KnoW
.
lled “surface tension”
Water has something ca
are
s
ule
lec
s that water mo
Surface tension mean
makes
lling each other which
pu
always pushing and
ort
eff
me
and it takes so
the water stick to itself
.
to pull water-drops apart
ok store
at your local librar y, bo
Have fun finding more
or online.
Pamela Allen
• Who sank the boat by
Pamela Allen
• Alexander’s outing by
by Pamela Allen
• Mr Archimedes’ bath
out
s wet all over: A book ab
• The magic school bu
en
ck
Bra
Relf and Carolyn
the water cycle by Pat
tivities
tRY tHese otHeR Ac
ny different items
ct ma
• Float and Sink: Colle
th
e to play with in the ba
us
ho
the
from around
l
wil
at
wh
s
es
sink. Gu
and see if they float or
ss,
ke sure not to use gla
Ma
.
try
u
yo
float before
else that might break
electronics or anything
in water.
sing songs
get to do
your child. Don’t for
Sing these songs with
them!
the actions if you know
ming
All the Fish are Swim
ng in the water
All the fish are swimmi
ng in
ng in the water, swimmi
All the fish are swimmi
the water.
the water, swimming in
hi dee,
ng in the water, hi dee,
All the fish are swimmi
hi dee ho!
n
go on An excuRsioare
some suggestions
! Here
Go on a water excursion
a region.
err
nb
Ca
the
if you are in
ter Play.
h around in Mini Q’s Wa
• Questacon and splas
are a lot of water
• Play in the bath. There
in the bath!
experiments you can do
playing
local pool and have fun
• Go swimming at your
in the water.
boat
your local lake. Sail a
• Go for a walk around
and
all pebbles in the water
on the water. Throw sm
watch what happens.
tes
investigAte WeBsifor
children about water.
bsites
There are also many we
h:
wit
rt
sta
We suggest you
Science Time
• Questacon Watch the
stacon.edu.au
Water video at www.que
videos
• Magic School Bus
agic_school_bus.htm
.ovguide.com/tv/the_m
ep5)
8) and Wet all over (S2
Goes up stream (S3 ep
Drippy the raindrop
• Water cycle story
m
) www.kimballmedia.co
(in child friendly words
t take a bath
• Online story I will no
www.stor yplace.org
www.questacon.edu.au