Solid, Liquid, Gas

Explore the three different forms of water.

—by julie hodos on February 1, 2025

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The concept that there are forms of water is not above a preschooler’s head. They can and will understand the different forms of water by the end of this science experiment. By interacting and watching water transform to each state your 3-5 year old will have a firm grasp of water being a solid, liquid, and gas. 

The Solid, Liquid, Gas experiment is perfect for children of all ages in homeschool who are learning about water. For more water activities and experiments that are play based and educational you can check out the entire week of learning, Ww is for Water, at the button below.

Begin by reading about the different forms of water.

As with every activity or experiment I begin by reading books. Two that are perfect for this activity are the books Water Can Be… By Laura Purdie Salas and Water is Water by Miranda Paul. 

Water Can Be is excellent for young learners because it introduces the different forms of water in poetic verse. The author uses beloved activities such as snowman building to the home of sea creatures to convey what water is, its purpose, and more. Water is Water journeys through the water cycle and so forms of water in a fun way. 

This activity does not emphasize the water cycle. Instead this science experiment is to specifically look at water in each state but these books showcase water in each amazing form and shape it comes in.

Forms of water science activity.

Forms of water: solid

Here we go! To begin you’ll want ice cube trays. Even if your refrigerator makes ice you may want to consider trays or another mold for your water. The reason I encourage this is because if your refrigerator makes the ice then your child is not getting to witness the transformation. Just like your child is amazed at the difference between the cookie dough that goes in the oven and what comes out, it will help for them to be a part of the transformation of water from liquid to solid in the freezer. 

This step needs to be completed at least a few hours in advance to when you actually plan to conduct the main experiment. So you can do it the night before and do the main part in the morning. Or plan to place the water in the freezer first thing in the morning and complete it later that day. Whatever works for your schedule.

Forms of water: Liquid

A word on safety.

In this step you will need a medium saucepan and stove. I love how easy this experiment is! However, we do have to be careful now that we’re in the kitchen and working with heat. Be sure to explain to your preschooler how dangerous hot water can be.

An explanation isn’t always enough. Before the experiment I am sure that each one of my boys has an excellent view of the saucepan and is on a stable step stool or surface. That means that they do not need to lean too far to see and could lose their balance. During the experiment  I am always monitoring their movement. Any monkey business in the slightest and they are out! To read more about my Kitchen Rules and how I keep kitchen time fun and stress free check out the link.

Back to the fun!

Now that the safety disclaimer is out of the way let’s transform this ice into a liquid. Have your child place the ice in a saucepan on the stove. Once the ice is in, you or they can turn on the burner. Whatever you are comfortable with. My boys are constantly helping me in the kitchen so they already know how to do this themselves.

Keep the burner between low to medium heat. Observe the ice melt. You can ask questions such as, was the ice cold and what happens when ice gets warm. My 4 year old of course responded with, “it turned into water!” Wrong! Ice is water! It didn’t change what it was.

This is where we can explain the forms of water. When water is ice, it’s solid. But when water is fluid it is liquid. But in both forms it is still water!

Now ask your child if they would like to see water take on one more form. 

3-5 year old carefully tests the steam in a science experiment about the states of water. Preschool water activities, preschool water play activities, preschool sorting activities

Forms of water: Gas

Since there shouldn’t be a lot of water in the saucepan, it should very quickly come to a boil. And when water becomes that hot, it begins to evaporate. It transforms into its gas form. 

To emphasize that the water vapor we see rising from the saucepan is indeed water you can carefully hold your hand a safe distance above the saucepan. I recommend starting high and lowering your hand down. Once you’re at a comfortable spot allow the water vapor to condense on your hand for several seconds. Now allow your child to feel your hand. It’s damp! 

You can allow your child to do this step on their own but only within your comfort levels. They need to understand that the gas form of water coming off the saucepan is very hot and can burn as well. If they want to try it themselves, they need to do the same thing as you did. Slowly lowering their hand down. 

Be sure to begin high and lower down because your hands are probably tougher than theirs, they may not make it as close to the saucepan as your hand does. Allow them time to experience the dampness on their hand outside of the steam. The gas form transformed back into liquid form when it cooled off. 

The last step: Back to a solid. 

This last step is optional. Once the water has cooled on the stove you can pour it back into your ice cube trays and return it to the freezer. Entirely up to you!  This shows that water can go back and forth between every form based on heat or lack thereof. 

3-5 year old fills kiddie pool for science experiment at home. Preschool water activities, preschool water play activities, preschool sorting activities

Creative activities for 3-5 year old’s.

Are you going to try the Solid, Liquid, Gas comparison activity with your preschooler at home? If so let me know in the comments. The ease and educational opportunity of this activity is what makes it so wonderful. And with some safety measures in place you and your child will have fun.

This activity is a part of Ww is for Water. Be sure to check it out if you’re looking for more ways to engage your preschooler in play based learning opportunities. From sorting animals based on the type of water they live in to learning about density and buoyancy your child will learn while playing. 

Letter of the Week

Ww is for Water is one week in a 26 week curriculum. Letter of the Week has been reimagined for all that home learning has to offer. Art, science, math, the alphabet and more are taught in this free homeschool curriculum. Explore more of Letter of the Week at the button below.

Solid, Liquid, Gas

Activity Instructions

Materials needed
  • Bowl of ice cubes

Instructions

  1. The day before conducting this experiment, have your child fill an ice cube tray with water and place it in the freezer. This step is optional if you do not have a tray or suitable alternative.
  2. Now, begin with ice cubes. Explain that they are the solid form of water. 
  3. Place them in a saucepan on the stove. Set the burner to low to medium heat. Ask your child what is happening to the ice, it’s melting! That is the liquid form of water.
  4. Lastly, wait for the water to become hot enough to turn into water vapor. Explain that the steam they see is water in gas form. 
  5. Hold your own hand above the steam so as not to burn yourself but to allow your hand to become moist. Let your child touch and see for themselves it’s just water in a different form. Explain that it’s very hot and they must be careful. 
  6. After the water has cooled down, pour what remains into the ice cube tray and return to the freezer.

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