Category: Physical Science

  • Water Play

    Your Child Will Learn

    To explore the characteristics of water

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Fill the bathtub or set up a kiddie pool or plastic bin outside. Provide some water toys. Some household objects that are great water toys:
      • Cups,
    … Continue reading

  • Bathtime Fun

    Your Child Will Learn

    Exploring the characteristics of water

    Here’s What to Do

    1. While the tub is filling, gather plastic cups, bowls and containers in different sizes. Poke holes in the bottom of a few so water can trickle through
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  • Surprise

    Your Child Will Learn

    Sounds different objects make

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Gather materials: an opaque cup or box with a lid, small objects that fit inside. When your baby’s not looking, put one object in the container and put
    … Continue reading

  • Sounds Around Me

    Your Child Will Learn

    Different kinds of sounds and the objects that make them

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Gather some objects that make noise (like: rattle, bell, two blocks to bang together, crinkly paper, etc.)
    2. Hold an object out of
    … Continue reading

  • Push and Pull

    Your Child Will Learn

    When more or less force is needed to move an object

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Gather a laundry basket/cardboard box and objects of different weights to put inside (books, cans, water bottles, toys, shoes, etc.).
    2. Ask
    … Continue reading

  • Shadow Puppets

    Your Child Will Learn

    Exploring light and shadow with puppets

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Turn a flashlight on and turn the lights out. Use your hands to make a shadow on the wall, and talk about what’s happening. (You can
    … Continue reading

  • Build-A-Track

    Your Child Will Learn

    How to build a simple machine that changes the speed and direction of objects

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Gather a bunch of materials to build a toy race track (examples: cardboard boxes, toilet paper/paper towel rolls,
    … Continue reading

  • Baking Transformations

    Your Child Will Learn

    To observe the physical changes that happen to ingredients while baking.

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Choose a favorite family baking recipe that’s special to your culture, such as making tortillas, pita or naan, or a special
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  • Cooking Rice

    Your Child Will Learn

    Observing how a non-living object can change

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Gather the supplies you need to make rice (using whatever method your family usually uses).
    2. Before cooking, observe the rice and the water.  Ask your
    … Continue reading

  • Fast and Slow

    Your Child Will Learn

    Words to describe speed

    Here’s What to Do

    1. Head to a playground or outdoor space where you can swing and move with your child.  You can do this activity with swings or infant scooters or even
    … Continue reading

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