Science is exciting for preschooler when they can see it in action. Preschoolers can learn about the properties of water by experimenting with some winter snow.

This simple experiment will allow preschoolers to see water transform before their eyes into ice, water, and vapor.

What You Need

Snow (If there is no snow on the ground you can use ice cubes or shaved ice)
A container that can go in the freezer
A pot to boil water

What To Do

Step One:

Have preschoolers collect snow from outside and put it in a small bowl or other container. If there is no snow on the ground you can use ice cubes or shaved ice. As the preschoolers collect the snow have them describe what the snow feels like when they touch it.

Step Two:

Bring the snow inside and talk to the preschoolers about what happens when snow gets warm. Leave the snow on a table for several hours while you do another activity then come back and ask the preschoolers to describe what has happened to the snow.

Step Three:

Ask the preschoolers what they think will happen if you make the water cold again. Write all of their guesses down on a piece of paper. Put the container of water in the freezer and leave it for several hours.

Step Four:

When the water has frozen let preschoolers touch it and describe what it looks like after being cooled down again. Put salt on the ice and see if it melts faster than it did the first time.

Step Five:

When the ice has melted, pour the water into a pot and boil it. Be sure that preschoolers stay far enough away from the stove that they will not be burned. Let the water come to a boil and point out the vapor that is coming out of the pot. Explain to the preschoolers that when water gets hot enough it turns into vapor and goes back into the air. Let the water boil until it all evaporates.