Today we did a fun Soluble and Insoluble experiment which involves water and simple ingredients that can be found in your kitchen.

This experiment is ideal for age 4 years and up.

The main objective of the experiment is to examine Which solids dissolve in water? Which solids do not dissolve in water?

For older kids, we can use this experiment to explain additional terms such as Solution, Suspension, Solute and Solvent.

Like always, before we begin the experiment I discussed with my son we are going to do. My son is fond of making lemonade. So, I explained to him just like we mix sugar in water to make lemonade we are going to try various things to see if they dissolve in water.

If the substance dissolves, it is called Soluble.

If the substance does not dissolve, it is called Insoluble.

Supplies Needed

Water

Transparent Glasses

Things to test: Salt, Sugar, Pepper, Coffee, Sand, Flour, Loose tea, Chalk, Gravel, Rice

Stirrer/Spoon

Procedure for Soluble and Insoluble Experiment

We decided to test 10 things. So, we took 10 transparent glasses and filled them with water.

Then we filled the same amount of water in each glass. You can explain to your child that we should keep things consistent for science experiments. Therefore, we will put an equal amount of water in each glass.

I took warm water for the experiment as it makes the experiment happen a bit faster.

Just like a true science experiment, it is important to Hypothesize. I asked my son to make a guess whether the substance will dissolve in water or not. I made a special sheet for this. You can download it here.

Then we tested our items. Add a teaspoon of each item to a glass of water and stir it for 30-60 seconds. You can use a timer too. It makes the activity fun.

Then we recorded our results on the sheet.

Scientific Terms

After this experiment, your child should know the meaning of Soluble and Insoluble.

Soluble

Substances that dissolve in water are called soluble.

Insoluble

Substances that do not dissolve in water are called insoluble

For little older kids, you can explain extra terms like Solution, suspension, Solute, and Solvent.

Solution

When a substance dissolves in water and transparent liquid forms, it is called a Solution. Solutions should always be clear.

Solute

The solid that dissolves in the solution is called the ‘solute’.

Solvent

The liquid that dissolves the solute is named the ‘solvent’.

Suspension

If the solvent is cloudy and not clear it is called Suspension.

Tell us in the comments if you would be trying this soluble and insoluble experiment? What things are you going to choose to test?

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