Water is one of the most important substances for people, plants, animals, and all living things. We use water in many different ways at school, home, work, and play. Try these games that use water in a new and different way!
Here's what to do:
- Ask your adult partner to print out “Water Drops Unite!” and “Racedrop Raceway!”
- Tape the Water Drops Unite game and the Racedrop Raceway game to separate pieces of cardboard (the front or back of a cereal box should work.)
- Tape a piece of wax paper over each one.
Try first playing Water Drops Unite!
- Put the Water Drops Unite game down on a flat surface. Place drops of water into each of the outer 8 small circles so that the circles are filled (about 5 drops each).
- When your adult partner says “Go”, use a popsicle stick to drag each of the drops of water into the center circle as fast as you can!
You could make another Water Drops Unite game and challenge your adult partner to see who can get all the drops in the middle first!
What to expect
The water will cling to the popsicle stick but not to the wax paper and you will be able to pull the water drops along the wax paper.
What's happening in there?
Water is made up of incredibly tiny particles called water molecules. Water molecules are attracted to each other and are very close together so the drop of water holds together well. Water molecules are also pretty attracted to wood but not to wax. Therefore, the drop sticks to the wooden popsicle stick but not to the wax so you can use the popsicle stick to easily move the drops along the wax paper.
What else could you try?
Next, try Racedrop Raceway!
Be safe
Be sure to review the safety instructions on page 1 before proceeding.
Here's what to do:
- Place a couple of drops of water together to make one bigger drop in the starting area. This is your racedrop!
- Tilt and move the track to make your racedrop go! Try not to let your drop go off the track. Ask your adult partner to time you to see how fast you can get to the finish line!
What to expect
The water drop should hold together and move smoothly along the race track as you move and tilt the track. The smaller the drop, the easier it is to control but the slower it will move. The larger the drop, the harder it is to control but the faster it will move.
What's happening in there?
The water molecules are attracted to each other but are not attracted to the molecules of wax so they do not stick well to those substances. That’s why the water sticks to itself to make a race drop, but does not stick as it moves over the wax paper.
