Exploring Air Pressure with Balloons
Preschoolers can learn a lot about air pressure and the properties of air through science activities with balloons. Balloons are a great teaching tool because they are easy to use, they are inexpensive and they are an exciting way to engage preschoolers in learning. Here are some fun and educational science activities that you can do with balloons, to help your preschoolers explore air pressure.
Balloon Races
This is a great science activity for preschoolers that involves air pressure and a bit of physical activity. You will need helium balloons, some string and some paper cups. Have your preschoolers blow up their balloons and attach them to the paper cups. Then have them hold onto the string and race the balloons around the room. As the balloons move, they will show your preschoolers how air pressure can move objects.
Balloon Blowing
This is a great activity to help your preschoolers explore air pressure. You will need some balloons and some straws. Have your preschoolers blow up the balloons using the straws. As they are blowing up the balloons, explain to them how the air pressure inside the balloon is pushing the air out. You can also talk about how the air pressure inside the balloon is pushing against the sides of the balloon and making it stretch.
Balloon Pop
This is a fun science activity for preschoolers that involves air pressure and sound. You will need some balloons, a pin or a needle and some cotton balls. Have your preschoolers blow up the balloons and then have them place the cotton balls inside the balloon. Have them then use the pin or needle to pop the balloon. Explain to your preschoolers that the air pressure inside the balloon was pushing against the sides of the balloon and when the balloon was popped, the air pressure was released and made the sound.
Balloon Volcanoes
This is a fun science activity for preschoolers that involves air pressure and a bit of creative fun. You will need some balloons, some baking soda and some vinegar. Have your preschoolers fill the balloons with baking soda and then have them place the balloons in a bowl. Have your preschoolers then pour the vinegar into the bowl and watch as the balloon “erupts”. Explain to your preschoolers that the vinegar and baking soda react to create a gas and the gas is pushing against the sides of the balloon and causing the balloon to “erupt”.
Balloon Rockets
This is a great science activity for preschoolers that involves air pressure and a bit of physical activity. You will need some balloons, some string, some paper cups and some straws. Have your preschoolers blow up the balloons and attach them to the paper cups. Then have them tie the strings to the paper cups and attach the straws to the strings. Have your preschoolers then blow into the straws and watch as the balloons “fly” away. Explain to your preschoolers that the air pressure inside the balloon is pushing against the sides of the balloon and that is what is causing the balloon to “fly” away.
Balloon Boats
This is a great science activity for preschoolers that involves air pressure and a bit of physical activity. You will need some balloons, some paper cups, some straws and some water. Have your preschoolers fill the paper cups with water and then have them blow up the balloons and attach them to the paper cups. Have your preschoolers then blow into the straws and watch as the balloons move around the water. Explain to your preschoolers that the air pressure inside the balloon is pushing against the sides of the balloon and that is what is causing the balloon to move around the water.
Balloon Blowing Contest
This is a great science activity for preschoolers that involves air pressure and a bit of competition. You will need some balloons and some straws. Have your preschoolers blow up the balloons using the straws and then have them race to see who can blow up their balloon the fastest. Explain to your preschoolers that the air pressure inside the balloon is pushing against the sides of the balloon and that is what is causing the balloon to expand.
Balloon Experiments
This is a great science activity for preschoolers that involves air pressure and a bit of experimentation. You will need some balloons, some straws and some objects (such as feathers, paper clips or coins). Have your preschoolers blow up the balloons and then have them place the objects inside the balloons. Have them then blow into the straws and watch as the objects move around inside the balloons. Explain to your preschoolers that the air pressure inside the balloon is pushing against the sides of the balloon and that is what is causing the objects to move around inside the balloon.
Conclusion
These science activities for preschoolers with balloons are a great way to help your preschoolers explore air pressure and the properties of air. Balloons are a great teaching tool because they are easy to use, they are inexpensive and they are an exciting way to engage preschoolers in learning. Try these science activities with your preschoolers and watch their eyes light up as they explore the world of air pressure.