Learning physics through play
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By
Vanessa M.
Learning physics through play with children? AquaPlay water toys make it possible!
Science shows us how the world works. But let's be honest, pure theory is often quite difficult for children to understand. But there is another way! AquaPlay water toys emphasize the playful approach and introduce kids to science in an age-appropriate and motivating way.
In this guide, we would like to suggest some cool experiments with water that your child can use to learn physics through play.
Early learning, early understanding: the importance of science for children
Why does it actually make sense to introduce children to scientific concepts and phenomena at a young age? Perhaps the biggest advantage is that by learning about science, they learn a lot about the world they live in. If you enable your child to learn physics through play at an early age, you will encourage them to think critically from an early age and awaken their desire to explore and understand things.
Water toys make learning science really fun for children. Unlike dry theory, a fun game or experiment with water is a great way to get your child excited about scientific phenomena. The interactive toys illustrate physical concepts perfectly and encourage exciting physics experiments. They appeal to different senses and train your child's sensory perception.
Learning the basics of physics with water toys: Experiments with water
Would you like to carry out experiments with children using water? A great idea that will hopefully be an educational experience for your child. We would like to give you some suggestions for simple experiments with water that your child can use to learn about science in an informal way:
Buoyancy and buoyancy 🏊🏼
How is it that small stones sink while huge ships stay afloat? The buoyancy principle is behind this. This states that things that are lighter than the amount of water they displace float. They are pushed upwards by what is known as buoyancy. Conversely, things sink if they weigh more than the water they are displacing.
For illustrative experiments on buoyancy, all you need are some objects that float and some that sink.
For example, set out water wings, a toy boat, a small stone and a marble and fill a bowl with water. Because learning physics through play is more fun the more your child can actively participate, you can also let them choose some objects themselves. Then place one object after the other in the water and watch what happens.
If the buoyancy is sufficient to make an object float, you can go one step further. Now the speed comes into play and the science learning really takes off! Organize a fun race with some boats and stop the time. The MountainLake water course, for example, offers ideal routes including a water slide.
Water flow 🌀
Water currents are particularly easy to create and observe - making learning physics through play child's play! For a little physics experiment, fill a glass with water, give your child a sturdy straw or a long spoon and ask them to stir vigorously. This will create a very special current in no time at all, namely a whirlpool.
Another experiment with water on the subject of currents can be carried out with an AquaPlay water ride. Many models are equipped with dams and hand cranks. You can dam up the water as you wish, then open the barrier and see with your own eyes how a current develops. Or you can use the hand crank to create currents even more directly yourself.
Surface tension ⚡
What is surface tension? You can explain this to your child and demonstrate it in an age-appropriate way by filling a glass with water, with slightly more water than will actually fit comfortably in the glass. A small, flat "dome" of water forms, which protrudes slightly over the edge of the glass. The only reason the glass doesn't overflow so far is because of surface tension. Another simple physics experiment to teach your child about science: Drop individual drops of water onto a plate and encourage your child to touch the droplets very carefully. They can even feel the surface tension.
Boats are always great for learning physics through play. For a third experiment on surface tension, make light paper boats and let them float. Then drizzle some commercially available washing-up liquid directly behind the boat and see exactly what happens: Namely, the boat picks up speed due to the change in surface tension!
You can read more about how to make paper boats in our DIY boats guide.
Water pressure 💧
Water pressure prevails due to gravity, even in absolutely calm waters. Sometimes this pressure is deliberately increased, for example so that the water comes out of the tap more forcefully. The pressure in the water increases with increasing water depth, which is why people use submarines to dive to the deepest depths.
Would you like to show your child an experiment about water pressure to help them learn science? Then all you need is a small basin of water and an empty plastic bottle. Take the lid off the bottle, slowly dip the bottle into the water and marvel at the effects of the water pressure. As you can see, you don't necessarily need special water toys to learn with water. Your child can also learn physics in a playful way with everyday objects that you already have at home.
Temperature 🌡️
Temperature is another exciting aspect that you can deal with when learning science with water and water toys. Let your child freeze water and bring it to the boil, among other things. What changes occur? Discuss with your child what changes they notice.
Experiments with ice are particularly popular with most children. To further illustrate temperature differences, you can fill one container with warm water and one with cold water and add an ice cube to each. Do you want to be really precise when learning science? Then time how long it takes for the ice cube to melt completely and compare the values.
If you want to learn physics in a playful way and focus on your own perception of temperatures in water, another experiment is ideal. Fill one bowl with cold water, one with lukewarm water and one with hot (but not boiling!) water. Your child now dips one hand into the cold water and one into the hot water. Then they take their hands out at the same time and put them both in the lukewarm water.
You will be amazed at how different the lukewarm temperature feels on the two hands.
We have one last physics experiment on temperature in store. Fill your AquaPlay water track with warm water, let the boats float and time how long it takes them to travel around the entire track. Then let the water cool down and repeat the experiment. Finally, compare the observations and measurements in warm and cold water.
Conclusion: The joy of learning through water toys
Learning science doesn't have to be dry and theory-heavy. In fact, physics can be learned through play - with water toys! Through various exciting experiments, your child can develop an understanding of different scientific concepts and discover their love of experimenting.
Do you still need water toys for cool experiments? Then visit the AquaPlay homepage and get to know our colorful world of water toys. ⛵🌊🌍💙