Our elf has a scientific question: “Sink or float?” A cork, a pebble and a spoon are waiting for their turn in the test bowl. 💧
He has sensibly left the bowl empty overnight. Nobody wants a soggy hat before breakfast.
This easy elf idea invites the children to make predictions and try a little experiment with an adult in the morning.
What you’ll need:
- One official Elf on the Shelf doll (paid link)
- A clear bowl and a waterproof tray
- A cork, a small smooth pebble and a metal spoon
- Water to add in the morning
- Paper for the question
Setup:
Put the empty bowl on a waterproof tray and arrange the three dry objects beside it. Sit your elf outside the tray on a little box chair or against a folded cloth. Add the “Sink or float?” note. In the morning, an adult can add a shallow layer of water and ask which object the children think will float. Test one object at a time, then compare the result with their prediction. A natural cork normally floats, while a stone and a metal spoon normally sink. If you try other objects, let the actual result decide the answer: hollow shapes and trapped air can change what happens. Lift each piece out before the next test so it is easy to watch. The Sciencenter’s sink-or-float activity has more questions to explore.
Use what you have:
A washing-up bowl or a clear food container works instead of a special experiment set. Try a wooden craft stick if you have no cork. Choose familiar, water-safe household objects and keep them dry until the children are ready to test. A paper chart with two simple columns can record their discoveries afterwards.
Try the paper-boat regatta or the pepper-and-soap trick for another elf scene.
