Learn about Hot and Cold Temperature: Easy Science Experiments for Kids

Teach kids about temperature as they perform easy science experiments with hot and cold water and the our free printable.Thank you for visiting. This post…

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Teach kids about temperature as they perform easy science experiments with hot and cold water and the our free printable.

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We did 6 different science activities to learn about temperature and the difference between hot and cold. We have a free printable activity to go along with all the hands-on activities so your little scientists can have fun understanding temperature while learning more about the world around them. Each of the activities are super simple to set up, mainly because most of the supplies come straight from your kitchen faucet.

I loved watching my kids try out these science experiments. They were so eager to check everything out and best of all their understanding of temperature grew. I think that my favorite activity was watching the food coloring disperse in hot and cold water–such a simple activity and yet so pretty to watch! If you enjoy watching your kids do science as much as I do, check out this free homeschool science curriculum

Hot & Cold Science Experiments: 6 different science activities for kids to learn about temperature and the difference between hot and cold including a free printable to go along with all the hands on activities. (#science)

More Science Experiments:

Learn about Hot and Cold Temperature Science Experiments

Hot & Cold Science Experiments: 6 different science activities for kids to learn about temperature and the difference between hot and cold including a free printable to go along with all the hands on activities. (#science)

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SUPPLIES:

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  • Voss Water bottle (or plastic bottle)
  • Red and blue food coloring
  • Thermometer (We used a candy thermometer)
  • Water balloons
  • Ice Cube tray
  • Glass measuring cups

VOSS Artesian Water (Still), 500 ml Plastic Bottles (Pack of 24)VOSS Artesian Water (Still), 500 ml Plastic Bottles (Pack of 24)McCormick Assorted Food Color, 1 fl ozMcCormick Assorted Food Color, 1 fl ozPolder THM-515 Stainless Steel Candy/Jelly/Deep Fry ThermometerPolder THM-515 Stainless Steel Candy/Jelly/Deep Fry ThermometerHibery 500 Pack Water Balloons with Refill Kits, Latex Water Bomb Balloons Fight Games - Summer Splash Fun for Kids & AdultsHibery 500 Pack Water Balloons with Refill Kits, Latex Water Bomb Balloons Fight Games – Summer Splash Fun for Kids & AdultsArrow 60 Cube Ice Tray (3 Pack)Arrow 60 Cube Ice Tray (3 Pack)Pyrex 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cup SetPyrex 3-Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set

 
 
 
 

DIRECTIONS:

Frozen Water

Fill containers half full with water. Mark the water line with a marker or I used a rubber band because we use our water bottles a lot. Put them in the freezer until they are completely frozen. Have children look at the new water lever (ice level). The frozen line should be above the water line because when water freezes it expands because the hydrogen bonds in the water that form are more spread out then when it is in liquid state.

Hot & Cold Science Experiments: 6 different science activities for kids to learn about temperature and the difference between hot and cold including a free printable to go along with all the hands on activities. (#science)

Red and Blue Food Coloring Race

Fill one tall container with ice cold water and another tall container with hot water (not boiling). Have child drop a few drops of red food coloring in the hot bottle and blue food coloring in the cold water and watch (this experiment is very fast so don’t look away). Technically you could use whatever color food coloring you have but since red and blue help to reinforce the difference in temperatures we used those colors. The blue food coloring should move slower through the water compared to the red food coloring because the water molecules in the hot water have more energy and move faster then the water molecules in the cold water.

Hot & Cold Science Experiments: 6 different science activities for kids to learn about temperature and the difference between hot and cold including a free printable to go along with all the hands on activities. (#science)

Blue Ice Melt

Fill a pitcher with water and add drops of blue food coloring. Fill an ice tray with the blue water and put it in the freezer until the ice is solid. Fill a container with room temperature water and place the blue ice inside. The ice should float and the blue water that melts from the ice cube should sink. This is because cold water (and air) is more dense compared to regular temperature water and will sink in warmer water. They may have heard before that hot air rises and cold air sinks, now they can visualize it.

Hot & Cold Science Experiments: 6 different science activities for kids to learn about temperature and the difference between hot and cold including a free printable to go along with all the hands on activities. (#science)

Hot & Cold Balloons

Fill small balloons with some air. We used water balloons. Make them relatively the same size. Place one in cold water and one in hot water. We used a pink balloon for the hot water and the blue balloon for the cold water. The hot water balloon should get larger as the air expands as it gets warm and the cold water balloon should shrink as the air inside condenses.

Hot & Cold Science Experiments: 6 different science activities for kids to learn about temperature and the difference between hot and cold including a free printable to go along with all the hands on activities. (#science)

Thermometer Reading

After the balloon test we used our thermometer to measure the water temperatures and then we wrote the temperature on our Hot and Cold Molucule Craft (See below).

Hot & Cold Science Experiments: 6 different science activities for kids to learn about temperature and the difference between hot and cold including a free printable to go along with all the hands on activities. (#science)

Hot and Cold Molecule Craft (Available to download for free below)

Have children glue molecules in the hot and cold cups showing their understanding of hot and cold. The hot molecules should be spread out and moving around while the cold molecules should be condensed and slow moving.

Hot & Cold Science Experiments: 6 different science activities for kids to learn about temperature and the difference between hot and cold including a free printable to go along with all the hands on activities. (#science)

 

Hot & Cold Science Experiments: 6 different science activities for kids to learn about temperature and the difference between hot and cold including a free printable to go along with all the hands on activities. (#science)

DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLE HERE:

PRINT THE DIRECTIONS HERE:

Hot and Cold Temperature Science Experiments

We did 6 different science activities to learn about temperature and the difference between hot and cold. We have a free printable activity to go along with all the hands on activities so your little scientists can have fun understanding more about hot and cold.
Total Time45 minutes
Keyword: Kids Activity, Science

Materials

  • Voss Water bottle (or plastic bottle)
  • Red and blue food coloring
  • Thermometer
  • Water balloons
  • Ice Cube tray
  • Glass measuring cups

Instructions

  • Frozen Water
    Fill containers half full with water. Mark the water line with a marker or I used a rubber band because we use our water bottles a lot. Put them in the freezer until they are completely frozen. Have children look at the new water lever (ice level). The frozen line should be above the water line because when water freezes it expands because the hydrogen bonds in the water that form are more spread out then when it is in liquid state.
    Red and Blue Food Coloring Race
    Fill one tall container with ice cold water and another tall container with hot water (not boiling). Have child drop a few drops of red food coloring in the hot bottle and blue food coloring in the cold water and watch (this experiment is very fast so don't look away). Technically you could use whatever color food coloring you have but since red and blue help to reinforce the difference in temperatures we used those colors. The blue food coloring should move slower through the water compared to the red food coloring because the water molecules in the hot water have more energy and move faster then the water molecules in the cold water.
    Blue Ice Melt
    Fill a pitcher with water and add drops of blue food coloring. Fill an ice tray with the blue water and put it in the freezer until the ice is solid. Fill a container with room temperature water and place the blue ice inside. The ice should float and the blue water that melts from the ice cube should sink. This is because cold water (and air) is more dense compared to regular temperature water and will sink in warmer water. They may have heard before that hot air rises and cold air sinks, now they can visualize it.
    Hot & Cold Balloons
    Fill small balloons with some air. We used water balloons. Make them relatively the same size. Place one in cold water and one in hot water. We used a pink balloon for the hot water and the blue balloon for the cold water. The hot water balloon should get larger as the air expands as it gets warm and the cold water balloon should shrink as the air inside condenses.
    Thermometer Reading

    After the balloon test we used our thermometer to measure the water temperatures and then we wrote the temperature on our Hot and Cold Molucule Craft
    Hot and Cold Molecule Craft

    Have children glue molecules in the hot and cold cups showing their understanding of hot and cold. The hot molecules should be spread out and moving around while the cold molecules should be condensed and slow moving. We used marshmallows.
    Available here: https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/learn-hot-cold-temperature-science-experiments-kids/

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