Rainy Sponge Experiment

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Age: 3-5 PSC/GD
Secondary Age: 5-10 OSC
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Curriculum Area:
Science Exploration, Sensory Play, Creative Thinking
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Activity Objective: To help children understand how rain forms and falls through a hands-on experiment, encouraging sensory exploration, curiosity, and scientific observation.
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Materials Needed:

• A clear jar (or glass container)

• A sponge

• Water

• Food coloring (various colors)


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Procedures/Strategies:

1. Introduction:

o Begin by discussing how rain forms in clouds and eventually falls to the ground.

o Explain that the sponge will act as the cloud in this experiment.

2. Preparation:

o Fill the clear jar with water, leaving about an inch of space at the top.

o Wet the sponge slightly and place it on top of the jar, ensuring it covers the opening.

3. Adding the Colors:

o Let children select food coloring to represent the "rain."

o Help them carefully drop the food coloring onto the sponge.

4. Observation:

o Encourage children to watch as the sponge absorbs the food coloring.

o Explain that once the sponge (cloud) becomes saturated, the colored water (rain) will drip into the jar.

5. Discussion:

o Ask children to describe what they observe and compare it to how rain falls from clouds.

o Encourage them to think about how the experiment relates to real-life weather patterns.

6. Reflection and Play:

o Let children experiment with mixing colors and observing how they blend as they drip into the water.

o Discuss what they learned about clouds, rain, and water cycles.


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Guidance and Safety Considerations:

N/A

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