Explore How Materials Change in Water: A Dissolving Science Experiment for Early Learners

Introduce your youngest scientists to the wonder of chemical changes with a hands-on investigation that explores what happens when materials interact with water.

In this early years science experiment, students discover that some materials dissolve and appear to disappear, while others remain unchanged, helping them build foundational knowledge about the scientific inquiry process and how different materials behave.

This hands-on, observation-based activity encourages prediction, analysis, and comparison, making it ideal for foundation and Year 1 science lessons.

Predict, Test, Observe! A Hands-On Water Experiment

This printable dissolving experiment pack walks students step-by-step through the science inquiry process using kid-friendly recording pages. With simple materials like salt, sugar, sand, and flour, students explore and compare how each item interacts with water.

Here’s how the experiment works:

1. Read the short introduction together and show students the items they’ll be testing. Discuss what “dissolve” means in simple, age-appropriate language.
2. Students complete the Prediction Page, selecting whether they think each item will dissolve in water or not.
3. Drop each item into a water tub and gently stir. Students watch closely as the materials change or remain the same.
   Using the Observation Page, students note what happened to each material, helping them practise careful, scientific observation.
4. On the final page, students compare their predictions with the actual results, reinforcing the idea that scientists check their thinking against evidence.

This structured, easy-to-run investigation gives early learners a meaningful way to practise science thinking while exploring a fun scientific concept.

Download Your Dissolving Materials Science Experiment

Print, prep, and you’re ready to learn! This experiment pack includes prediction pages, observation sheets, and a results comparison page—everything you need for a complete early years science lesson.

This resource is available in both PDF and editable Google Slides format.  To get your copy, click the dropdown arrow on the download button and choose your preferred file type.

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher and Teach Starter Collaborator.

More Science Inquiry Activities for F-2 Classrooms

If your students loved this investigation, keep the curiosity going! Pair this experiment with another of our hands-on activities exploring shadows, light sources, melting, sinking and floating, and more! Make sure you check these out before you go!

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