Balance Scale Heavy and Light Experiment

A clothes hanger

String or yarn

2 small paper cups or plastic bags

6-8 objects of different weights — rock, cotton ball, toy car, feather, spoon, block

Tie string to each end of the hanger and attach a cup or bag to each.

Hang it from a door handle or hold it up by the hook.

Hold up two objects: "Which is heavier — the rock or the cotton ball?"

Place one in each cup. Watch the heavier side dip.

Try different combinations. "Feather vs. spoon — what do you predict?"

Challenge: "How many cotton balls balance one rock?" Count as you add.

Let your child choose objects to compare. Their curiosity drives the experiment.

Make sure the hanger is level when empty. Adjust string lengths if one side hangs lower.

Start with dramatically different weights (rock vs. feather) so the concept is clear before moving to subtle comparisons.

Let your child hold objects in each hand first to feel the weight before using the scale. Body-based learning reinforces the visual.

Ask "why" questions even though they can't answer fully. "Why do you think the rock went down?" plants seeds of scientific reasoning.

Try comparing unexpected pairs: "Is an apple heavier than a toy car?" Surprises keep the investigation alive.