Bath science: Bath Time Science | MindWare

Wet and Wow! 5 Fun (and Scientific!) Bathtub Activities for Kids

Photo by Amanda Voelker / Stocksy United

Say the words “science experiment” to most adults, and they may have flashbacks of papier-mâché volcanoes. But when it comes to babies and toddlers, bathtub science experiments can promote scientific discovery any day, every day.

At its core, science is observing and experimenting with the world around us, and it starts with the wonder and awe little ones experience daily. Watching a window fog up on a rainy afternoon? Science. Touching noses with the other baby in the mirror? Science. Smelling different fruits at the market? Yep, that’s science, too.

Bath time is particularly rich in opportunities to explore—so try these five fun bathtub activities to bring some of that magic of discovery to your munchkin’s nighttime routine.

1.Water-Reaction Bathtub Science Experiments

Challenge your child to a bathtub science guessing game.

1. Gather a few items from around the house that fall into two categories: things that aren’t changed by water (think whisks, plastic cups, an apple, bath-friendly plastic toys, etc.) and things that are (dry sponges that will grow, fabric that gets darker, ice cubes that will dissolve, etc.).

2. For each object, ask your child if they think it will change or stay the same, then have fun exploring what happens when things get wet!

2. Bath Time Stargazing

With a few glow sticks and glow-in-the-dark stars, you can transform your bathroom into a magical astronomical wonderland.

1. Simply “cracktivate” a few glow sticks and throw them into the water, slap some glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling, and hit the lights.

2. Hand your child a “telescope” (i.e., toilet paper roll) so they can get a better view! (Pro tip: Instead of throwing the light sticks away when bath time is over, throw them into the freezer instead—they’ll keep glowing until the next time you need them. )

3. Bubble up: How Many Different Ways Can You Make Bubbles?

If your child is old enough to blow in a straw without drinking, you can always explore blowing bubbles in the bath with a straw—but there are also plenty of other ways for youngsters to get bubbly!

1. Supply your little one with a whisk to stir up bubbles and a bubble-blowing wand (just make sure the bath is soapy enough for it to work).

2. You could also have them explore other objects to see if they can blow bubbles with them. Mason jar lids, ponytail holders, a pipe cleaner bent into a circle, or even a hand with thumb and pointer finger touching—they might be surprised by their discoveries!

4. Measure by Measure: Which Holds More Water?

This bathtub science experiment works best with cups of similar volume but different shape (i.e., a narrow, tall glass vs. a wide, short glass).

1. Collect a few cups, pitchers, and plastic bowls in different shapes and sizes. Then have your child select two containers and guess which one holds more water.

2. Test their hypothesis by filling one container with water, and then pour it into the second. If it overflows, the first can hold more water—if it doesn’t, the second container holds more.

5. Rainbow Bath: Color-Mixing with DIY Paint

Bring color exploration to the canvas of your bathtub with natural, primary-colored bath paint (that doesn’t stain)!  

1. Simply combine ¼ cup of kid-friendly shampoo, ¼ cup of cornstarch, and one tablespoon of water.

2. Divide this mixture into three small cups and add three or four drops of red, blue, or yellow food coloring to each cup to make primary-colored bath paint. (If it’s too thick, add more water half a tablespoon at a time; if things get runny, add another dash of cornstarch).

3. Encourage your child to try their hand at mixing colors on the walls of the bath or shower: What happens when they mix red and blue, yellow and blue, red and yellow, or even all three together? They’re sure to have fun—and with a bit of a rinse afterward, it’s the cleanest craft around!

At-Home Activities

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Brain Development

Toddler

Pre-K

Fun With Science And Math

Toddler (1-3)

Preschool (3-5)

Simple Kids Science: Bathtub Science Lab

This post is by regular contributor Ali Wright of At Home with Ali.

My kids love science and experimenting with different materials – creating all sorts of various mixtures and potions. Sometimes we try step-by-step experiments such as our bouncy egg experiment and our attempt at making a weir. Other times the kids explore scientific concepts through free play. The bath is a great place for kids to explore science through play. They can learn about physics through flow and motion; chemistry through mixing and potions; and mathematics through measurement and volume.

I didn’t intentionally set up our bath shelf as a little science lab. It was a happy accident. The bath shelf was a bit yuck. It was so stacked full of toys that it hadn’t been cleaned for quite some time. I transferred all the bath toys into a large bucket just so I could clean the shelf. The toys were faded, old and slimy. After the shelf was sponged down I decided to do a little experiment myself. I didn’t return the toys to the shelf and I am still waiting for them to ask for their toys back!

The first evening with the toys gone I ran the bath and placed two wooden spoons and two cups on the shelf. The kids did not mention their missing toys. They played with the bowls and spoons very happily. I noticed that the kids were pretending to be scientists mixing and pouring special potions. I decided to slowly build on this natural interest in scientific experimentation by adding to and changing the equipment on the bath shelf. This is why this is so simple and easy. It is all experimentation and conversation. I let the kids explore using the specially chosen equipment and we chat about what they discover.

Equipment for a Science Lab in the Bath

First, a couple of tips…

If you have more than one child it is a good idea to have doubles of everything.

Secondly, don’t put everything on this list out at the same time – experimentation works best when it is kept fairly simple with a few pieces of a equipment at a time.

Here’s a list of suggested ‘equipment’ to get you started;

• Plastic bowls, preferably with lids (the white takeaway bowls that you often get when you order soups or noodles are fantastic)
• Coloured plastic cups
• Old, clean medicine droppers/dispensers
• Spoons
• Plastic bottles with lids
• Measuring cups/spoons
• Jugs
• Colander or tea strainer
• Any small plastic containers or bottles
• Ice cubes
• Food colouring

3 Concepts to Explore in Your Bathtub Lab

Colour Mixing
Talk about how the colour of the water changes when you pour it into a coloured cup. My 3 year old was amazed when her blue water which we coloured with food colouring turned green when she poured it into a yellow cup. I asked her: “has the water really turned green or does it just look green?” She experimented to find out the answer.

Colour two or more jugs of water with food colouring. Experiment with mixing different coloured water together.

Displacement and Density
When you hold a bottle underwater discuss how the air is trying to escape and rise to the surface. You can also half fill a bottle with water, seal it with a lid and turn it over to watch the air bubble to the top. Ask, “Why does the air always rise to the top?”.

Measurement and Volume
Measure out an equal amount of water and pour it into two different sized containers. Look at the water levels and ask, “Are they the same?”

I love these little conversations and sometimes the answers are hilarious. I would love to hear what your kids like to play with in the bath.

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Ali Wright is mum to two young mini makers – their favourite place to be is around the craft table with glitter in their hair. Ali’s focus is on process oriented art as she loves watching her kids experiment with creative materials. When not busy with art and craft, you’ll likely find them at work and play in their small city garden. As the mini makers love a good mess, their days include lots of water and messy play!

Sauna science or how to go to the bathhouse

Everyone’s favorite New Year’s film “The Irony of Fate” was remembered by our friends who liked to take a steam bath. You don’t need to take an example from the heroes of the film, because they did everything exactly the opposite. To really benefit from a bath, you need to follow some rules and rituals associated with visiting it. Let’s see what you need to observe when going to the bathhouse.

Bath science: the difference between a bath and a sauna

In a Russian bath, unlike a sauna, the air humidity is higher and the temperature is lower. In the sauna, the opposite is true – the air temperature can reach 100 degrees with a humidity of no more than 20%. In the bath, it is customary to bathe with brooms, while the sauna excludes such a method. The time spent in the bath is somewhat less than in the sauna.

By the way, the Finnish sauna practically does not differ from the Russian bath. Finns also pour water on bricks (they have stones) and use brooms. A distinctive feature of the Finnish bath is that they build their sauna with ventilation in the steam room. You can read more about varieties and subspecies on the website labirint-perm.ru

How to go to the sauna correctly: the benefits

The benefits of the sauna are obvious. Many doctors in some diseases advise their patients to visit the bath.

Sauna benefits:

• It effectively removes waste and toxins from the body.
• Facilitates the work of the kidneys and improves the water-salt balance.
• Removes sodium salts, chlorides, urea and lactic acid.
• Strengthens the immune system. nine0032
• Brings the nerves in order.
• Enhances metabolic processes in the body.
• Restores vigor.
• Increases performance.
• Relaxes.
• Promotes weight loss.
• Bath is effective for colds, skin and bone diseases.

How to go to the sauna?

In order for the sauna to really benefit you, you need to know some rules and tricks of visiting it. nine0003

1. You can visit the sauna not earlier than 2 hours after eating. Eating in the bath is also not recommended.
2. You can not visit the bath if you feel unwell. This can only make the situation worse.
3. Do not drink alcohol in the sauna (beer is no exception). You came here to cleanse the body, not to slag it. Plus, at a hot temperature, intoxication occurs faster. You may not notice how you become drunk and pass out.
4. To prevent burns, remove metal jewelry and accessories before going to the sauna. nine0032
5. To protect the main male organs (including the head) from overheating, wrap these parts of the body with a towel or other rag. It is better to wear a special hat made of felt on your head.
6. Before going to the steam room, take a warm shower and dry yourself.
7. In order not to blow off steam, everyone should go to the sauna together. It is better not to talk in the steam room itself, there is a dressing room for this. This is called “rules of bath etiquette”.
8. You can’t have sex in a steam room, otherwise you can get a heart attack, increased pressure, etc. If unbearable, transfer your lovemaking to the dressing room. nine0032

These are the basic rules that must be observed in the bath, so that it benefits the body. Observing them, be sure that going to the bathhouse will be filled with pleasant memories.

Published 08/22/2016 Author of Lenkarubrika Miscellaneous 90,000 Bann Science or how to go to the bathhouse correctly – to whom on fifty – August 23 – 43959936787

Galina Usacheva (Tarakanova)

House/Cottage

All Fate New Year’s Film Fate “Irony Irony” Irony Irony “Irony Irony. ”we remembered for our friends who loved to bathe in the bath. You don’t need to take an example from the heroes of the film, because they did everything exactly the opposite. To really benefit from a bath, you need to follow some rules and rituals associated with visiting it. Let’s see what you need to observe when going to the bathhouse. nine0094