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7 Sand Science Experiments for Kids

7 Sand Science Experiments for Kids post image

We have been posting many natural science experiments for kids . Today we share some sand science experiment ideas to do with kids. You can do these activity at beach, or sand box at home, or a park. Kids all like to play with sand, and let’s play!

Fun Sand Science Experiments with Kids

Planning family beach vacation with kids? Try these fun sand science experiments for kids and the whole family. Also great for sandbox in backyard or park. Playful outdoor STEM activities to make your ocean vacation more fun.

Kids all like to build sand castles . Do you know why sand can stack on top of each other? It is because the sand grains all have flat surfaces. However, every one built sand castles know that wet sand works better. If you are looking for science explanations, you can visit the science of sand castles .

Observe sand under magnifying glasses , what will you see? When you look at sand from distance, it may look like it is all one color. When you start to look at individual grains of sand, you will see the many colors, shapes and sizes of the different grains. Ask kids to describe what they see. Sand has some very interesting properties. Because it is a granular media, it displays both properties of a solid and a liquid. When it is in a pile, it acts as a solid. But if you poured sand out of a bucket, it looks like liquid! It is in fact widely researched for its solid and liquid properties. An easy demonstration and experiment is to pour sand through funnels, and examine time difference of sand of different granular size pouring through holes of different diameters. The basic idea is to pour the same amount of sand through funnels of different sizes, and record and compare the time they go through the different funnels.

If you run a magnet through sand , more than likely you can pick up some small particles of iron. Where could they come from?

With sand, you can also demonstrate Brazil Nut Effect . It is the effect that when grains of different sizes are mixed together, and the mix is shaken, the bigger particles will move to the top. You can also do this experiments by making some mix yourself, like mixing rice and beans.

Build a well with gravel and sand , and learn where the water we use every day come from.

Planning family beach vacation with kids? Try these fun sand science experiments for kids and the whole family, also good for sandbox in backyard or park. outdoor STEM activities

To learn more about sand, you can read these books about sand for kids: Jump into Science: Sand will be a fun read for preschool to school age kids, and A Grain of Sand will show you the fascinating sand grains.

For more natural science activities for kids, visit 100+ Natural Science Activities for Kids and Summer Science Activities for Kids .

natural science for kids

Next post: Over 150 STEM Activities for Kids in Your Kitchen

Previous post: YouTube Science Video Teaching Circulatory System

STEM activities like these are perfect for teaching kids new things and also to help them in developing an interests towards STEM fields. Thanks for sharing these ideas, they are very useful!

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My Bored Toddler

Simple Sand and Water Science Activity for Toddlers

Why not share this post!

This simple science activity for toddlers helps them explore and discover with a simple experiment. Mix just two ingredients in a plastic jar to promote hands-on fun and learning.

sand and water science experiment

Sand and Water Science Experiment for Toddlers 

sand and water science experiment

Nothing is more fun for kids than mixing stuff together. Whether stirring ingredients in a bowl in the kitchen or making stone soup in an outdoor mud kitchen, kids are at their happiest and most creative when they are ‘making something’.

Kids can often play on the beach for hours, exploring the interaction of sand and water with hands and feet, and shovels and pails. In this simple experiment , toddlers can observe more closely how sand mixes with water.

What you need for your sand and water experiment

sand and water science experiment

  • Sand - you can buy play sand HERE. 
  • Plastic jars
  • Small sea animals (I really love this brand ) or seashells

Use recycled jars that are a suitable size for toddlers to handle. Part of the fun is shaking the jar and watching the contents whirl around inside. Tape the lid in place if there is concern over spillage.

Instructions

Your toddler can add the sand and water to the jars by pouring water from a larger container, and scooping sand from the sand box with a small shovel or plastic cup.

Add water to one jar to almost fill the jar. Add sand to the other jar to approximately the half way mark.

sand and water science experiment

Pour the sand into the jar of water. Watch how the sand flows through the water. Twist the lid on firmly.

Now comes the fun part. Shake the jar!

Once the contents have been thoroughly mixed together, set the jar on the table. Let it remain in place as you watch the water become calm and the contents settle.

sand and water science experiment

Ask questions and make comments that will prompt your toddler to look closely and make observations.

Can you see the sand in the water?

Did the water change color?

What happens to the sand after the jar sits on the table?

sand and water science experiment

Add a seashell or small sea animal to the jar. Does the toy sink or float? Does it get buried in the sand?

Talk about creatures like turtles and jelly fish that live in sand and water. Have you seen any small sea animals at the beach?

Simple science with toddlers is easy in everyday activities. No special tools or instructions are required to spark curiosity and make observations.

Choose other ingredients to explore in water, including ones that dissolve like salt or baking soda. Kids are inquisitive and love to explore. Simple activities like mixing sand and water help support their early learning.

sand and water science experiment

For more fun toddler activity ideas why not  join our Facebook Group   or follow us on Instagram – follow  @myboredtoddler   and use #myboredtoddler. 

Find more easy toddler science experiments HERE. 

Fun and easy science activities for toddlers and preschoolers - My Bored Toddler

See lots more toddler water play ideas HERE. 

sand and water science experiment

About the Author

Heather  is a former preschool teacher and founder of  preschooltoolkit.com ,  a website providing early learning resources for teachers and parents. She focuses on creating fun crafts and activities that engage developmental skills while promoting hands-on learning through play. Follow her on  Facebook ,  Pinterest ,  Twitter ,  Instagram

sand and water science experiment

IMAGES

  1. Simple Sand and Water Science Activity for Toddlers

    sand and water science experiment

  2. Simple Sand and Water Science Activity for Toddlers

    sand and water science experiment

  3. Simple Sand and Water Science Activity for Toddlers

    sand and water science experiment

  4. Simple Sand and Water Science Activity for Toddlers

    sand and water science experiment

  5. Simple Sand and Water Science Activity for Toddlers

    sand and water science experiment

  6. Dissolving science experiment with sand in water illustration Stock

    sand and water science experiment

COMMENTS

  1. Explore the Wet Sand Effect | STEM Activity - Science Buddies

    In this fun science experiment, you will explore why it is that when you walk on wet sand, the sand around your foot seems to dry out. Jump to main content Search

  2. 7 Sand Science Experiments for Kids - iGameMom

    Easy sand science experiments for kids, on the beach, in a sandbox in the backyard or park, fun outdoor STEM activities for the whole family.

  3. Simple Sand and Water Science Activity for Toddlers

    An easy sand and water science experiment for toddlers and preschoolers - easy to do at home or great for daycare.

  4. Beaches and Sand Science Projects | Science Buddies Blog

    Combine fun in the sand with hands-on science experiments and activities to learn more about beaches, sand, and preventing ocean pollution.

  5. Go with the Flow: Model Rivers with Cornmeal, Sand, & Water

    Model rivers using cornmeal, sand, and water to observe how varying water speed changes the riverbed. Have you ever played in the terrain of your backyard, pouring water over dirt and rocks to create little rivers that eventually flow into a gully or gutter? You might know that water is a major element shaping the landscape around us.

  6. How to Make Underwater Magic Sand | DIY Waterproof Aqua Sand

    This underwater magic sand is SO COOL! This is such a fun science experiment to try with the kids! It’s simple to put together, easy to clean up and you can use the sand again and again. Making your own waterproof, aqua sand is a great way to learn about science!