Sink or Float Candy Science

After painting with candy and doing some candy math, we also had to try some candy science. This is a simple sink or float experiment, but the kids loved it because of the candy. It's simple to put together and the only materials required are pen and paper, a selection of candy bars, and a bowl of water. It's a great way to teach children about forming hypotheses and testing their ideas and also a nice way to use up all that Halloween loot.

A simple science experiment for kids using candy


To begin, I made a very simple chart. Since my kids aren't reading yet, I drew containers of water (you could totally tell that's what they were, right? Right??) in the predictions and results columns that they could mark.

A simple science experiment for kids using candy

I put a different kind of fun size candy bar in each space in the first column. I didn't tape them down because I wanted the kids to be able to pick each up while they were making their predictions.

A simple science experiment for kids using candy

If the kids thought the candy bar was going to float, they marked the water at the top of the glass. If they thought the candy bar would sink, they marked the bottom of the glass. My five year old guessed that the bigger candy bars would sink and the smaller ones would float (makes sense to me).

A simple science experiment for kids using candy

My three year old hedged her bets by coloring in the entire glass.

A simple science experiment for kids using candy
She'd color the whole world pink if she could.
After they were done with their predictions, we dropped each candy bar into the water and recorded the results on the last column of the chart.

A simple science experiment for kids using candy

The results:
Twix - sank
3 Musketeers - floated
Kit Kat - floated
Snickers - sank
Milky Way - sank

Science experiment for kids using candy bars

Afterward, they did some of their own experiments by cutting the candy bars, putting them all in at the same time, stirring like crazy, and just generally making a mess.

The Science: Anything more dense than water (like sugar) will sink, while things that are less dense than water will float. The Kit Kat and 3 Musketeers have a lot of air in them.

Other fun ways to learn about science using candy:
Balloon Experiments with Candy from Learn~Play~Imagine
Balancing with M&M's from Inspiration Laboratories
Candy Corn Catapults from Frugal Fun for Boys
Exploding Peep Geysers from Housing a Forest




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13 comments:

  1. Such a great idea to experiment with candy. I love that they explored (and made a mess) after the experiment. Love it!

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  2. oh no! what a waste of yummy candy LOL just kidding. would love if you shared this on #kidsinthekitchen this week http://lookwhatmomfound.com/2013/10/witch-finger-cookie-fail-kidsinthekitchen.html

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  3. What an interesting sink-or-float experiment! Great idea! (And a great way to use some of that Halloween candy that will be coming soon!)

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  4. Looks like a great way to use up extra candy! Thanks for sharing at Mom's Library!

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  5. I love that she colored in the whole thing! Great activity!

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  6. Great idea! My kids love anything involving water and experiments.

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  7. Awesome activity! We just did this today and my boys loved it! Thanks for sharing!!!

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  8. Do you have to take the candy wrapper off???

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  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  10. lab worksheet at
    http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah312/cosita4ever/Sink%20Or%20Float_zpsvx9uhsx2.png

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  11. Love the idea.... we are learning about density - what a fun approach!
    Our homeschool school blog is https://waterstreetacademy.wordpress.com . Check it out for other hands on ideas...
    Thanks for posting yours!!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!