Interactive Science Activities for Preschoolers

Whose Fist is Biggest?

• This activity allows preschoolers to learn about volume and determine who in their class or family has the biggest fist. For this activity, you will need a large clear bowl or other container that is big enough for the participants to put their hands in. You will also need an erasable marker or masking tape.

  To perform the activity, fill the container halfway with water. Use the erasable marker or masking tape to mark the water level on the container. One by one, have the participants place their fist into the container of water, up to their wrist. Have them hold their fist in the water while you mark the new water level on the container with the marker or tape. Write a letter, number or small symbol next to this mark or on the tape to identify which mark identifies which fist. Have the participant remove his fist from the container of water. You can now see how much water the fist displaced by studying the differences in the original water level marks and the marks made by placing fists in the water.

Sun-Faded Prints

• You will need colored construction paper and a solid object, such as a coffee can. Put a piece of construction paper on a flat surface outside in direct sunlight. Place the solid object in the center of the paper, ensuring the object doesn't fill up the entire piece of paper. Every day or every two days, have the child check her sunprint; remove the solid object and see whether the paper has faded in the sun. When the paper has faded significantly, the child can hang the sunprint in her room. Discuss how the sun affected the paper and how the solid object protected the paper.

Parachute People

• You will need a lightweight, small plastic figurine, such as a toy soldier or plastic dinosaur, a handkerchief or bandanna, scissors, a needle and yarn. Use the scissors to make a hole in each corner of the handkerchief. Cut four equal lengths of yarn. Tie one end of each piece of yarn to each corner of the handkerchief. Tightly tie the remaining ends to the plastic figurine's arms, legs or waist. Drop the figurine from a second or third story window or a balcony. Discuss with the child why the figurine falls down to the ground and why it doesn't fly or float instead.