What is the science behind the floating ink experiment?

Unlike permanent marker ink, which contains an acrylic polymer that makes it stick to the surface it’s on, dry erase markers contain an oily silicone polymer that makes their ink slippery. For this reason, drawings made using dry erase markers do not stick to the surface they’re on. This makes them easy to erase them from a whiteboard—or from any other non-porous surface they’re on, like a spoon. The ink’s slipperiness, along with the fact that it doesn’t dissolve in water, means that when you submerge your spoon in water, the water is able to slip underneath the drawing. Since the oily polymer in the ink prevents it from sticking to the surface of the spoon, the water that slips underneath it causes the drawing to detach completely from the spoon—and because ink is less dense than the water, it remains on its surface and begins to float!

Seasonal Crafts and Activities for Kids

Celebrate the beauty of every time of year with these Seasonal Crafts and Activities for Kids! Browse our archives to find the perfect project to do with your kids during every season and holiday.

Not sure where to start? These Rice Shaker Easter Eggs double as both a spring craft and a fun sensory bin filler. Or, you can make this Gold Glitter Slime for Saint Patrick’s Day and switch up the color to make it appropriate for other holidays. If your child loves sensory activities, you can make this 2-Ingredient Fake Snow at any time of year.

Floating Dry Erase Snowflakes

Floating blue snowflake drawings inside a glass dish with water.

Love simple science experiments? This easy floating snowflake experiment is super simple to set up and lots of fun for kids! You’ll only need a few simple supplies to do …

Looking for an easy Valentine’s Day learning activity to print out for your kids? These free heart pattern worksheets are a great way to help children practice a variety of …

Need a last-minute activity to print out for New Year’s Eve? This free New Year’s I Spy printable is perfect for both younger and older kids, and it includes an …

Gingerbread man, candy cane and Christmas tree crafts with marbled patterns.

Looking for a fun Christmas-themed process art activity to do with your kids? Download our free template and use it to make this gorgeous Christmas marbled shaving cream art at …

Mockup of 4 Santa-themed scissor practice sheets.

These free Santa’s beard scissor practice sheets are such a cute way to help your little one practice cutting with scissors! Not only do they feature a variety of line …

Love oobleck? This cranberry sauce slime is a fun way to repurpose leftover cranberry sauce for sensory play, and because it’s made with edible ingredients, it is safe for both …

Paper plate pumpkin pie craft with cotton ball whipped cream.

This paper plate pumpkin pie craft is perfect for fall or Thanksgiving, and you’ll only need a few simple supplies in order to make it! Whether you have younger or …

2 jack-o'-lantern stress balls with a hand squishing a ghost stress ball.

Looking for a fun last-minute Halloween craft to make with your kids? These easy Halloween stress balls are super cute, super simple to make, and have a squishy texture that …

Glass jar candle holder with fingerprint ghosts, spiders and jack-o'-lanterns.

Turn a glass jar into a Halloween fingerprint candle holder in just a few simple steps! This easy Halloween craft will transform your child’s tiny fingerprints into cute ghosts, jack-o’-lanterns …

Textured white ghost on black cardstock.

Love making crafts with your kids? This magic salt painted ghost is a fun blend of art and science! You’ll only need a few minutes and a few simple supplies …

Floating Dry Erase Snowflakes

Free Heart Pattern Worksheets

Free New Year’s I Spy (+ Answer Key!)

Christmas Marbled Shaving Cream Art

Free Santa’s Beard Scissor Practice Sheets

Cranberry Sauce Slime (Taste-Safe!)

Paper Plate Pumpkin Pie

Halloween Stress Balls

Halloween Fingerprint Candle Holder

Magic Salt Painted Ghost