30 min
Paper Aeroplane Testing Lab
Three designs, one tape measure, and an argument about which flies furthest.
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Frozen Treasure Excavation
Freeze small toys in a tub of water and let them dig them out.
Set it up the night before, and you have a long, absorbing activity ready for a difficult afternoon.
What you need
- small plastic toys
- plastic tub
- water
- warm water in a jug
- a blunt spoon
- salt
How to do it
- The night before, put small toys in a plastic tub, cover with water and freeze.
- Turn the block out into a tray or a washing-up bowl.
- Give them a jug of warm water, a little salt and a blunt spoon.
- Let them work out which method frees the toys fastest.
- Talk about why the salt and warm water speed things up.
Why this is good for them
This is a genuine experiment with a visible result, and children stay with it far longer than a craft because they have a clear goal. Comparing salt against warm water is a first, informal test of two variables.
Adapting by age
3 to 4 yearsFreeze a shallow tray rather than a block so the toys appear quickly.
7 to 10 yearsGive them three methods and ask them to time each one and report which won.
Keep it safe
No sharp tools. Warm water only, never hot. Supervise around standing water.
Cleanup tip
Do it in the bath or outside and the melt water handles itself.
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