Okay, this one blew my kids’ minds. The Spiders Floating Drawings Experiment started as a quick “let’s doodle with dry erase markers” moment and turned into a full-on science show at our kitchen table. We drew a few spiders, poured in some water, and *poof!* our creepy crawlies lifted right off the dish and started to float.
It’s one of those magical “wait, how did that just happen?!” experiments that feels like pure fun but secretly teaches a bit of science along the way. Plus, cleanup is a breeze (which, honestly, should count as its own science miracle).
Ready to make your drawings come to life? Grab your markers and let’s get experimenting!
What You’ll Need for This Floating Science Experiment
You don’t need a whole lab setup for this one, just a few simple supplies and a sense of curiosity!
- Glass or ceramic dish – Smooth surfaces work best! The slicker the better for making those spiders lift off.
- Dry erase marker – The real star of the show. Any color works, but black makes your creepy crawlies stand out.
- Cup of water – Room temperature is perfect. Too hot or cold and your spiders might sink instead of swim.
- Pencil and small square of paper – For sketching your web and catching your floating spiders once they escape.
Got your supplies? Perfect! Now let’s make those spiders dance.
How to Make a Drawing Float in Water
Step 1: Draw your spiders
Use your dry erase marker to draw a few little spiders right on the bottom of your glass or ceramic dish.
Keep them simple and keep the parts of each drawing connected. If there is any space in your drawing, the spider will break apart when you go to the next step. Thick lines also work better than skinny ones, so don’t be shy with the marker.
Step 2: Add the water (slowwwwly)
Pour your water in gently along the side of the dish…not straight on top of the drawings. As the water moves across the surface, the marker spiders will start to lift up and float. This is the fun part. Cue the giggles.
Step 3: Watch them float
Give the dish a tiny wiggle and let the spiders drift around like they’re swimming. If one doesn’t lift, you can restart and try again (sometimes the lines just need to be a little thicker).
Step 4: Draw a web
On your little square of paper, use your pencil to draw a quick spiderweb. It does not have to be perfect…kid-drawn is even better. This is going to be your “spider catcher.”
Step 5: Catch your spiders
Press the paper (web side down) gently onto the surface of the water. The floating spiders will stick to it like magic, and your kids will act like they just invented science.
Now that the spiders are swimming, want to know why it works?
Floating Drawings Water Experiment Explanation
It feels like magic, but it’s actually science! Dry erase markers are made with an oily, slippery ink that doesn’t stick tightly to smooth surfaces like glass or ceramic. When you pour water over your drawings, the water slips underneath the ink and gently lifts it off the surface…kind of like a tiny hovercraft made of marker.
Since the ink floats on top of the water, your drawings can move around and even get “caught” on paper. It’s a fun, hands-on way to show kids how surface tension and density work without turning it into a full-blown science lecture.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your spiders are acting more like sinkers than swimmers, don’t worry, this experiment is easy to fix once you know the tricks.
If your drawings won’t lift, double-check your marker. It has to be a dry erase marker – not washable or permanent. The ink in those sticks too well to float.
If they break apart when you pour the water, your lines might be too thin. Draw thicker spiders next time so the ink holds together better.
If your spiders sink straight to the bottom, your water might be too warm. Stick with room temperature for the best float.
And if everything’s just going sideways? Wipe it clean and start over. A paper towel, a little patience, and a new spider army will have you back in business in no time.
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to make anything float – spiders, smiley faces, hearts, or even your name.
More Science Activities for Kids
If your kids loved watching their spiders float and wiggle, they’re going to have a blast with more hands-on experiments and sensory play that mix curiosity, creativity, and a little bit of chaos (the fun kind).
- Spider Web Sensory Bin – A glow-in-the-dark web filled with tangled textures, hidden spiders, and endless scooping, sorting fun.
- DIY Bee Hotel – A nature craft that doubles as a mini science lesson on pollinators. Build it, hang it outside, and watch who moves in!
- Butterfly Life Cycle Sensory Bin – Explore the magic of metamorphosis with a colorful, hands-on sensory setup that walks kids through each stage.
- Ocean Pollution Cleanup Sensory Bin – A simple but powerful activity that lets kids “rescue” sea creatures while learning about how trash affects our oceans.
- Sink or Float Sensory Bin – Gather random household items and test your kids’ predictions. It’s a simple way to introduce the scientific method through play.
Each of these activities sparks wonder while building real science understanding…all with stuff you probably already have at home.
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