When most people think about states of matter, they think about hard, rigid objects. However, states of matter can also be soft and flexible, which makes them a lot of fun to play with. Here are a few fun and educational states of matter activities to get your students interested in the topic:
1. Make snowballs out of water and ice: This simple activity is perfect for beginners. Simply fill a bowl or container with water and ice, and have your students use their hands to form snowballs. Once they have formed a ball of water and ice, have them smash it against the side of the bowl to create snow.
2. Make ice cream out of cold water and ice: For a more advanced activity, have your students mix cold water and ice together until they have a thick consistency. They can then use a spoon or their hand to create balls, or they can use an ice cream maker to create a soft serve.
3. Create a sandcastle out of salt: For a more challenging activity, have your students mix together a handful of salt and a small amount of water. They can then use their hands or a spoon to create a sandcastle out of the mixture.
4. Make a slime: Combine 1 cup of clear dish soap, 1/4 cup of water, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a small bowl. Stir until the soap is fully dissolved. Pour the mixture into a larger bowl and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the soap to set.
5. Make a “fountain” of slime: Pour the slime into a small bowl and then pour a small amount of warm water into the bowl until the slime is fully mixed in. Let the Slime Fountain sit for a few minutes to allow the water to warm up and then play with it by pouring water over it and watching the slime rise to the top.
6. Make a “snow” cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper and then spread the batter in the dish. Cut the cake into small pieces and then sprinkle them with a little bit of salt. Bake for 15 minutes or until the cake is golden brown.
7. Make a fog machine out of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.
8. Make a gas-powered car out of helium, hydrogen, and oxygen.
