Let’s get our hands wet (just a little) with some hands on science experiments exploring water absorption. This kitchen science project explores what happens when you spill water and how best to clean it up in the most absorptive way!
Young children benefit greatly from hands on learning. Preschoolers, Kindergartners and Grade School students are naturally curious which makes them the best scientists.
Let’s learn about water absorption today!
This water absorption project is not only hands on but it is also a great water experiment – and kids love water. It also works well at home or in the classroom because you can use the supplies you have on hand or use on a daily basis. The next time you have to clean up a spill and you know which material will do the best job, you can thank us here at Kids Activities Blog.
Water Absorption Experiment for Kids
We have had a lot of drink spills at our house. That means that each of us scrambles for something to clean up the liquid that is flowing off the kitchen table and cascading to the floor.
Definition of Absorption
Water absorption is defined as the amount of water absorbed by a material and is calculated as the ratio of the weight of water absorbed to the weight of the dry material.
–Science Direct
What that Means to Us
Every day we deal with situations where water absorption is involved, but we may not even be aware. When you dry off after a bath, a more absorbent towel will make that easier. If you watch a paper towel commercial on TV or online, you will see the tests they show to prove their product works better. If you have a baby in the house, diaper absorption is a the difference between sleeping through the night or not!
Absorption in the Real World
My husband tends to run for the paper towels, my son reaches for the napkins that are kept on a shelf at his eye level, and I race for a dish towel. With all of us trying to clean up the spill it seems to take no time at all, but lately I have been wondering what spill removing item really absorbs the most water.
These are the items we tested…what will you test for water absorption?
Let’s Test Water Absorption
You could do this as a casual kitchen table science experiment like we did or grab our printable scientific method for kids worksheet and go through these steps with more a more formal set of questions.
My son and I gathered a wide variety of spill removing items from around the house. I then I tried to cut them into similar sizes.
Suggested Supplies
- paper towel
- napkin
- sock
- foam backed letter
- dish towel
- sponge
Directions
Step 1
We then put a cup of water into the large section of one of my son’s bento lunch containers. The container was called the “Water Absorbing Test Area” for this experiment.
The dry testing materials were put in the left hand side of the container and the wet ones were placed in the right hand side once they had been used.
Keep the dry items dry until you are ready to test them!
Step 2
My son placed each material into the water and then the testing material was squeezed out over a silicone muffin cup.
Science Experiment Tip: We learned that you have to hold the material up over the cup rather than put the item in the cup while squeezing it. We ended up with water everywhere and had to redo the test with that material once it had dried.
We will compare how much each item absorbed.
Step 3
After emptying the water the material contained into the cup, I moved the cup unto a paper labeled with the names of each of the materials.
When we had tested out each materials, I had him look at the amount of water in each cup.
Science Experiment Tip: You could use a measuring cup if you wanted a more specific measurement with older kids.
In the end, record what happened and which item was able to absorb the most water.
Step 4
We then discussed why some items like the sponge did a great job and the foam letter absorbed very little water.
My son decided that it had to due with the size of holes each object has. I think that was a very wise insight.
More Kitchen Science Experiments for Kids
What a great hands on activity that even parents can learn from. Water absorption and other water experiments are always a big hit with kids.
- More absorption science experiments for kids
- Let’s choose from this big list for a fun science activity
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- Check out these science for preschoolers ideas
- Oh so many fun water activities for kids
- We have so many ideas for other science experiments for kids
- And some more science activities for kids to do at home or in the classroom
Which material was the winner in your water absorption experiment?
