A fun apple sink or float experiment for kids using real apples and water. Download the free printable to record predictions and results.
Ages: 3+ | Time: 10 min | Difficulty: Easy | Mess Level: Low (water play)
Do apples sink… or do they float?
Before you toss one into the water just to see what happens, turn that curiosity into a hands-on science experiment!
This apple sink or float activity is a super simple way to explore science using something you already have in your kitchen. Kids get to make a guess, test it out, and discover a surprising result, no fancy supplies required. It’s quick, a little splashy, and the perfect mix of learning and fun.
Whether you’re doing a fall science lesson, a quick homeschool activity, or just looking for an easy experiment to keep curious minds busy, this apple experiment is sure to be a hit. We crafted different apple boats and had a lot of fun trying to keep the boats afloat in the water.
What Kids Will Learn
This simple apple experiment packs in more learning than you might expect! As kids build and test their apple boats, they’ll practice:
- Making predictions: Will it float or sink? Why do you think so?
- Understanding sink or float: Learning that objects float or sink based on what’s inside them, not just their size
- Exploring buoyancy: Discovering how water can push objects up
- Using the scientific method: Predict, test, observe, and talk about results
- Problem-solving and experimenting: Adjusting the boat or sail to see what works best
- Fine motor skills: Cutting, assembling, and building their apple boats
How to Make Apple Boats
Materials:
- Apple(s)
- Knife
- Toothpicks
- Paper (we used origami paper)
- Scissors
- Large plastic container
- Water
- Optional: Free Apple Sink or Float Experiment Worksheet (scroll to the bottom to grab the printable)
Instructions:
1. Fill the large plastic container about ¾ full with water.
2. Drop an entire apple in the water. Does it sink or float? Feel free to try different types of apples to see if they all float or sink!
3. Cut up the apple into different-sized pieces.
4. Cut “sails” out of paper. Be creative and decorate your sails or make them in different shapes!
5. Stick a toothpick through the paper sail, one hole near the bottom, one hole near the top.
6. Insert the toothpick sails into the apple pieces.
7. Place the apple boats into the water and see if they will float!
The apple boat activity turned out to be super fun for the kids. They loved creating their own apple boats. We tried pieces of apples of different sizes and shapes. We used different colored papers for the sails. The kids thought it was hilarious whenever an apple boat capsized in the water.
We noticed that if you include the apple core as part of the boat, then the core part tends to flip downward into the water. Does that mean the apple core by itself would sink in water? More experiment is necessary to find out!
Why Do Apples Float?
Apples float because they’re lighter than water on the inside. That’s because apples are filled with tiny air pockets – about 25% of the apple is air! When you put an apple in water, the water pushes up harder than gravity pulls down, so the apple floats.
Science Extensions & Challenges
Ready to take your apple boat experiment a little further? Try one (or a few!) of these fun challenges and see what happens:
- Apple Variety Test
Try different kinds of apples (red, green, big, small). Do they all float the same? Which one makes the best boat? - Cargo Challenge
How much weight can your apple boat hold before it sinks? Add pennies, beads, or small coins one at a time and count how many it can carry. - Apple Shape Experiment
Cut the apple in different ways—halves, thick slices, or a shallow “boat.” Which shape floats best? - Salt Water Test
Add a few spoonfuls of salt to the water and try again. Does the apple float higher? Why do you think that happens? - Apple Core Test
What happens if you drop just the apple core into the water? Does it float or sink? Compare it to a whole apple and talk about what changed when the core was removed.
These challenges encourage kids to test ideas, make changes, and think like real scientists—all while playing with apples and water.
Apple Sink or Float Experiment Worksheet (Free Printable)
Since the apple sink or float experiment is so simple, it’s the perfect opportunity to go through the scientific method with your child with this free Apple Sink or Float Worksheet.
Page 1: Hypothesis & Observation
Kids predict whether the apple will float or sink, test it in water, and then circle and color what actually happens. A quick reflection helps them see if their guess was correct.
Page 2: Class Predictions
Great for groups! Kids count and compare how many classmates think the apple will float or sink, turning the experiment into a fun math and discussion activity.
Page 3: Apple Boats STEM Activity
Kids draw their apple boat designs and record whether they float or sink, encouraging creativity and simple engineering thinking.
Grab the free Apple Sink or Float Printable below and let kids predict, test, observe, and design – all in one easy-to-use set
For more educational apple activities, check out: