Division 3

Science and Nature  - Some Optional Science Activities, families can do together

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1. Worm Investigation

This activity is a scientific investigation with movement included!

Materials: backyard dirt, a stick, damp paper towels, paper and pencil

Go outside and gently dig up worms. Put a worm on a damp paper towel. Have your child observe how it moves. Then they can draw a picture and write a few sentences about it. Challenge your child to move like worm too!

 

2. Ant Observation

This activity encourages observation.

Materials: cookie or something sweet to crumble, paper, pencils

Go outside. Crumble a cookie onto a patio or picnic table. Do any ants come to it? What do they do? Have your child draw a picture of an ant carrying a cookie crumb. Then have them write a sentence or a story about what the ant did!

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3. Measuring Cups/Spoons

This activity provides a hands-on precursor to fractions (shh!).

Materials: bowl of water, measuring cups and spoons

Set your child up at the sink or outside. Fill a ¼ cup measuring cup with water and pour it into a larger measuring cup. Predict: How many times will you have to do this to fill the larger cup? Try it and count as you go. Then try it with different-sized cups and spoons.

 

4. How Many Coins?

This activity improves math and engineering skills.

Materials: tinfoil, small coins (all of the same size, pennies are idea), or gravel (make sure the rocks are all close to the same size, and fairly small), paper (optional)

Cut a piece of tinfoil for your child. Have them fold up the sides so that the foil looks like a boat.

Fill up the bathroom sink, the tub, or a large bowl with water. Test out the boat—make sure it floats!

Then get the coins. Have your child add them one by one into the boat. See how many can be added before the boat sinks. Record your findings on a piece of paper!

Tip: Try making different boats to see which one will hold the most coins. Ask your child why they think one particular boat held more than the others.