Soap is useful for more than just cleaning things. It can be used in this science experiment! You and your child might enjoy using soap to “power” a boat. Plus the natural curiosity of a child make this, and other “experiments,” a great way to bring out the little scientist.

To do this experiment you will need 1 index card, scissors, and a baking dish or sink full of water, and liquid dish detergent.

Here’s what you need to do: cut out a “boat” shape from the index card, making it about 2 ½ inches long and about 1 ½ inches wide. Leave a little notch at one end of the boat. Put the boat gently on the water in the dish or sink. Then pour a little detergent into the notch at the end of the boat. Your boat should scoot across the water.

The science is this: water molecules are highly attracted to each and stick very close together, especially on the surface. This makes a sort of moveable web on the surface of the water, known as surface tension. When you add the soap, the composition of the water molecules is disturbed; breaking the web and making the boat go forward.

Check out more activities for children: https://blog.himama.com/category/preschool-activities/