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Simple balance

Introduce your child to the scientific concept of the relative weight of objects with this safe and simple art project. Children will have fun constructing the balance and using it to weigh different materials.

What this activity will develop:
Science, art and thinking skills

What you'll need:

• Litre milk carton
• Sand
• Cardboard strip, 2? x 30cm
• String
• Tacks
• 2 small polystyrene cups
• Buttons, pebbles, marbles, coins and other materials to weigh

What to do:

1. Make sure an adult is supervising at all times. Cut off the top of the milk carton. Place sand inside to weight it down.
2. Punch a small hole in the exact centre of one side of the milk carton near the top.
3. Punch a hole at the exact centre of the cardboard strip. Then punch a hole at each end of the strip the same distance from the centre.
4. Attach the cardboard strip to the carton with the tack.
5. Punch two holes through the top of each cup. Attach the cups to the strip of cardboard with string. Make sure the cups hang evenly.

Rules of play:

1. Experiment to find two different objects that have the same weight according to the balance.
2. Put buttons in one cup and marbles in another. Keep adding, one at a time, until the cups balance.

 

Select more skills:
• Listening Skills
• Math Skills
• Motor Skills Help
• Science Fun
• Reading Skills
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