Material Investigations: One - Activities

Covers: Activity Resources Relation to National Curriculum Downloads
Activity One - Is It Waterproof

Activity 1

Is It Waterproof


  • Is It Waterproof Investigation Sheet
  • Large container such as a mixing bowl
  • Glass jar
  • Rubber band
  • Jug of water / cup for pouring

  • Materials to investigate:
  • Tea towel
  • Toilet paper
  • Foil
  • Plastic bag
  • Newspaper
  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Sc1/1.6 gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
Activity Two - Sink Or Float Investigation

Activity 2

Sink Or Float Investigation


  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Sc1/1.6 gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
Activity Three - Make It Sink Challenge

Activity 3

Make It Sink Challenge


  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
Activity Four - Make It Float Challenge

Activity 4

Make It Float Challenge


  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
Activity Five - The Strongest Material Investigation

Activity 5

The Strongest Material Investigation


  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Sc1/1.6 gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
Activity Six - Is It Magnetic Investigation

Activity 6

Is It Magnetic Investigation


  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Sc1/1.6 gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
Activity Seven - Absorbing Water Investigation

Activity 7

Absorbing Water Investigation


  • Absorbing Water Investigation Sheet
  • Small cup of water
  • Plate
  • Scissors

  • Range of materials cut into strips. For example:
  • Newspaper
  • Toilet paper
  • Cardboard
  • Tissue paper
  • Bubble wrap
  • Tin foil
  • Baking paper
  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
Activity Eight - Absorbing Heat Investigation

Activity 8

Absorbing Heat Investigation


  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Sc1/1.6 gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials
Activity One - Is It Waterproof

Activity 1
Is It Waterproof

Practical Resources:

  • Is It Waterproof Investigation Sheet
  • Large container such as a mixing bowl
  • Glass jar
  • Rubber band
  • Jug of water / cup for pouring

  • Materials to investigate:
  • Tea towel
  • Toilet paper
  • Foil
  • Plastic bag
  • Newspaper

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Sc1/1.6 gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials

Downloads:

Activity Two - Sink Or Float Investigation

Activity 2
Sink Or Float Investigation

Practical Resources:

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Sc1/1.6 gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials

Downloads:

Activity Three - Make It Sink Challenge

Activity 3
Make It Sink Challenge

Practical Resources:

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions

Downloads:

Activity Four - Make It Float Challenge

Activity 4
Make It Sink Challenge

Practical Resources:

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions

Downloads:

Activity Five - The Strongest Material Investigation

Activity 5
The Strongest Material Investigation

Practical Resources:

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Sc1/1.6 gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials

Downloads:

Activity Six - Is It Magnetic Investigation

Activity 6
Is It Magnetic Investigation

Practical Resources:

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Sc1/1.6 gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials

Downloads:

Activity Seven - Absorbing Water Investigation

Activity 7
Absorbing Water Investigation

Practical Resources:

  • Absorbing Water Investigation Sheet
  • Small cup of water
  • Plate
  • Scissors
  • Range of materials cut into strips. For example:
  • Newspaper
  • Toilet paper
  • Cardboard
  • Tissue paper
  • Bubble wrap
  • Tin foil
  • Baking paper

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials

Downloads:

Activity Eight - Absorbing Heat Investigation

Activity 8
Absorbing Heat Investigation

Practical Resources:

Relation to Curriculum in England:

  • Sc1/1.1 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways
  • Sc1/1.3 performing simple tests
  • Sc1/1.4 identifying and classifying
  • Sc1/1.5 using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Sc1/1.6 gathering and recording data to help in answering questions
  • Sc1/3.1c describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials

Downloads:

How do I use these activities?

In this activity your child will explore this topic to help support your child or classroom in Science. Children can use various worksheets to help with learning about which materials are waterproof, which are magnetic and which paper is the strongest, along with many other fun and engaging activities.

This resource meets the following aspects of the National Curriculum of England: Science. Don’t forget to check out the rest of our key stage one topics where you will find great curriculum standard activities for your classroom or home educated children. There are plenty of subjects for you to choose from, so you’ll be delighted with the wide range when planning your day.

Related activities for your class or home!

Hands-On Education focus is on Primary ages educational activities that are engaging and fun. Within key stage one we cover most points of the national curriculum for England. Use our resources if you are teaching your children or students about material investigations: two, testing materials, or exploring materials. You will find tonnes of videos, activity sheets and easy to understand activity plans to support children in their learning journey!

Create your free account today to watch and download our videos alongside our exclusive educational material!

Discover Hands-On Education

Home Menu Shop