How Do Penguins Stay Dry? A Penguin Science Experiment

Are you looking for fun science activities for kids? This easy Penguin Science Experiment will show your kids how penguins stay dry in the cold temperatures and icy waters.

How Do Penguins Stay Dry? A Penguin Science Experiment:

Did you know that some penguins stay in the water for as long as 5 months? They sleep, eat, and swim thousands of miles.

So, how do these flightless birds stay warm and dry in the frigid cold, icy waters of Antarctica?

Penguins have a lot of feathers that are densely packed together that cover their entire body.

These feathers have an oil-producing gland that makes their feathers waxy.  The wax on the feathers repel the cold water and help keep them dry.

Why Is It Important For Kids To Do Science Experiments?

Not only are science experiments a lot of fun, but your kids can learn many important skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and decision making.

Through hands-on science activities your children can also practice asking questions, observing, recording data, analyzing the results, and drawing conclusions.

These skills will help your kids in all areas of their learning including reading and writing! 

Getting Ready For The Penguin Science Experiment:

What’s Included:

• Penguin Printable

What’s Needed:

• White Card Stock
• Crayons (black, white, and orange)
• Spray Bottle
• Water
• Blue Food Coloring (optional)

This penguin feather science experiment is so easy to set-up and prepare. You may already have all the supplies in your classroom or homeschool. You can also get what you need  from the Dollar Tree. 

First, click on the button below and fill out the form. Then, download and print the penguin printable on white card stock.

Then, fill a spray bottle with water. You may want to add two or three drops of blue food coloring to the water so that it is visible when your students spray it on the penguin.

How To Do The Penguin Science Experiment:

To begin this science activity, your kids will color the penguin with the crayons.

For the experiment to work correctly, they need to color it completely and use a thick coating.

I always tell my kids to color it at least twice to make sure they have covered all the spots especially with the white crayon.

Next, your kids will spray the water onto the colored penguin. They should only use two or three squirts of water so that the paper doesn’t become oversaturated.

Then, your students will observe as the water repels off their penguins.

After your students observe the results, discuss with them how the wax from the crayon prevents the water from absorbing into the paper.

This is like how the wax on a penguin’s feathers repels the water and helps keep the penguin warm and dry.

This Penguin Science Experiment is a fun and easy activity that will show your kids how penguins stay dry in cold temperatures and icy waters.

Pin It For Later:

Do you want to save this science experiment for later? Pin this to your elementary science board on Pinterest and it’ll be here for when you’re ready!

You May Also Like:

Are you looking for more penguin activities including variations of this experiment? Then, you may like these Penguin Activities! From the life cycle to the parts of a penguin, this packet of resources will help you teach and your students learn all about these flightless birds. Click on the picture below to learn more!

More Penguin Activities for Kids:

Penguin Number Words Book

Penguin Alphabet Game

Penguin CVC Words

Download The Freebie: