Daffy Duck may not be the cleverest of ducks, but like all his web-footed friends, he knows at least one thing: what floats and what sinks in water! Do you think that sounds easy peasy? We’ll see if you’re as clever as Daffy Duck… It’s the Daffy Duck challenge!

Equipment:
A large basin (or, for example, an inflatable swimming pool in the garden)
Everyday objects that won’t get damaged in water

Place:
Outdoors

Number of players:
1 parent and between 1 and 6 children
Remember - Always have an adult present when playing near water

First, choose a container that is large enough and full of water: a large basin on the patio, an inflatable swimming pool in the garden, a fountain in a town square, etc. Whatever it is, it mustn’t be too deep so that you can easily reach the objects that sink to the bottom.

Next, go around the house and garden so that each child can choose some objects which can be put in water without being damaged: cooking utensils, foodstuffs, small toys, dry waste items like corks or bottle-tops, pieces of wood, small stones, balls, marbles, containers, cleaning equipment, empty bottles, full bottles, etc. You’ll need at least a dozen or so objects of different sizes and weights for each child.

Next, go to the basin, swimming pool, fountain, etc. and ask each child to divide their objects into two piles: “I think it will sink” and “I think it will float”! Be careful, it’s not necessarily the heaviest objects that are going to sink!

Then, each child in turn puts an object in the water… and you watch. If there are lots of you, you can have fun counting up the points!