Fold the foil into a wide open boat with raised edges. Place it gently on the water. Observe whether it floats and whether water enters. Dry and reshape the same piece before a second test. Avoid tearing the foil.
With a grown-up: An adult stays beside you throughout water play. Use a shallow plastic tub and objects too large to swallow. Avoid glass, sharp objects and items with batteries. Keep your screen dry and away from the water. Do not drink the water. Dry spills and empty the tub when finished.
Read the complete activity guide ↗
Explore before you start.
Open the picture for a closer look, or use the drawing and writing areas below. You can also use paper beside your experiment.
Keep it a fair comparison
Use the same foil and the same tub. Change one feature so you can explain which difference may have helped.
Watch the edges
If an edge dips below the surface, water can enter. A hole can also let water in. Describe what happened before redesigning.
Use a finger, stylus or mouse in each drawing box. Type below it, or ask a grown-up to write your words. Your work stays in this tab. Save before refreshing or leaving.
My first boat
Draw your first design. Show its base and raised edges.
My improved boat
Change one feature, such as the base width or edge height. Draw the new design.
What I learned
Compare both designs. What would you try next?
Your ideas belong here. There is no score.
What are we learning?
A floating boat pushes water aside. Shape affects how much water it can displace before water comes over its edges. A redesign can improve the boat without adding more foil.
Prefer a worksheet?
Open the individual cartoon activity sheet to print or save. Use portrait orientation and fit to page.
Open worksheet to save ↓Try another little investigation.
Plan Your Sink or Float ExperimentChoose your materials, plan a fair test and draw your setup before you begin.
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My Sink or Float PredictionsLook closely at four objects. Make your predictions before testing them in water.
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My Sink or Float Results DiaryRecord the evidence from four tests. Compare what you expected with what actually happened.
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Sort Your Sink or Float DiscoveriesUse your real results to group objects that sank and objects that floated.
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