Explore How Materials Behave With a Hands-On Experiment

Help students discover how everyday materials behave through engaging, hands-on science investigations that build essential inquiry skills. This printable materials exploration resource pack is designed to guide your students step by step as they learn to make predictions, test ideas, observe outcomes, and record results just like real scientists.

Sink or Float? Bend or Break? Roll or Slide?

Students will investigate a variety of familiar materials and objects through three high-interest experiments:

• Sink or Float – Predict and test which objects sink in water and which float
• Bend or Break – Explore how materials respond to force
• Roll or Slide – Observe how object shape and surface affect movement

This resource includes:

• Teacher Instructions
• Student-friendly prediction and observation templates

We have included both pre-filled organizers for students to explore specific materials, as well as editable blank organizers in case you’d like to choose your own materials. We have also included two differentiated versions – one requiring students to draw their observations, and the other requiring students to write their observations.

Download Your Material Exploration Activity Pack

This ready-to-print pack gives you everything needed to run meaningful, low-prep science experiments using simple classroom materials. Just print, gather your objects, and start exploring!

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 in Michigan and Teach Starter Collaborator.

More Printable Science Experiments for Kids

Looking for more ways to support hands-on science learning? Pair this pack with additional printable science experiments for kids that focus on prediction, observation, and data recording. Make sure you check these out before you go!

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Observing Shadows Science Investigation (1-2)

Explore the world of light, shadow, and scientific inquiry with an engaging, outdoor Shadow Observation experiment.

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What Dissolves? Science Inquiry Activity (K-1)

Introduce science inquiry skills and investigate whether materials dissolve in water with a hands-on science experiment for early learners.

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Bend, Twist, or Stretch? Changing Materials Inquiry Activity

Explore materials, observe physical changes, make predictions, and share scientific observations with a hands-on Properties of Materials Science Investigation.