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Preschool Science

Melting Birthday Candles

Melting Birthday Candles {Saturday Science} | Stir the Wonder #kbn #saturdayscience #science #preschool

Melting Birthday Candles

This is the fourth lesson in the “What is melting?” Saturday Science unit. I am using the book Science is Simple by Peggy Ashbrook as a guide. Previously we have explored melting an “iceberg”, melting chocolate kisses, and melting ice cubes. This week we observed melting birthday candles. (Note: This activity is to be closely supervised by an adult.)

meltingcandles4

We started by placing a new birthday candle in a small container of wet sand. Then I lit the candle and we watched as it melted. The first time I lit the candle, Caden immediately blew it out. After I explained that we are going to watch the candle melt, I relit the candle. There must be something intriguing about watching a flame, because Caden watched that candle do nothing for a good while, and watch what would happen if he blew the flame a little.

Melting Candle collage

We kept waiting for the wax to start dripping but it was taking too long. Three year olds only have so much patience you know? So I added a second candle to the sand that had already been lit. That red candle quickly did what I wanted it to do, start dripping wax.

meltingcandles2

After it was clear that the yellow candle wasn’t going to cooperate, I removed it from the container of wet sand, and we just watched the red candle as it dripped melting wax. 

meltingcandles3

This is a very simple science activity. It took almost no time to prepare, but we observed it melting for a long time. As we watched the candle melt, I asked Caden some questions to guide his observations. 

  • What is happening to the candle?
  • Do you see the wax dripping?
  • Why is the candle dripping?

When we were done watching the candle melt, we blew out the flame and I let Caden handle the candle to get a better look at the melted wax. As you can see he was very interested the whole time.

meltingcandles1

And now it’s time for the Saturday Science Blog Hop!

Saturday Science Blog Hop 2

Examining & Coloring Carnations Science Experiment from Little Bins for Little Hands

Magnetic: Yes or No? Experiment from P is for Preschooler

Saturday Science Pinterest

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3 Comments

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Comments

  1. Emma @ P is for Preschooler says

    January 25, 2014 at 8:17 am

    I thought it was so cute he blew it out the first time – something about a candle just makes kids want to blow it out! I love his look of fascination in the photos. For a 3-year-old to sit that long watching anything is pretty impressive! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Sarah says

    January 25, 2014 at 8:27 am

    What a great activity! I will definitely have to try it with Liam!

    Reply
  3. Jill says

    February 2, 2014 at 9:33 pm

    I like the simplicity of this activity, easy to obtain supplies combined with the fantastic opportunity to learn without bells and whistles makes this ideal.

    Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!

    Reply

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