Simple and Easy Apple Science Activities for Preschoolers

Sometimes it isn’t easy to find meaningful science activities that are age-appropriate for preschoolers. So today, I want to share ideas for apple science activities for preschoolers.

A Scientific Investigation for Preschoolers

Science for preschoolers doesn’t have to be difficult.

It is so much fun to conduct an investigation with young kids. You can conduct almost any kind of investigation. I’ve shared ideas for a plant investigation, a flower investigation, a pumpkin investigation, and perfect for your apple unit…the apple theme investigation below.

What is an investigation? It’s a fun and exciting, hands-on way to help kids explore the world around them.

Kids can be scientists, and they will have so much fun when you add these apple science activities to your science center!

What’s This Apple Investigation All About?

The printables and apple investigation books pictured below are part of my Apple Investigation resource, but you can do many of the hands-on learning activities on your own. During this apple investigation, kids will put their critical thinking skills to work as they:

• examine and record the physical properties of various apples
• learn about the parts of an apple
• understand the life cycle of an apple
• taste various types of apples and/or apple products

Plus, there are plenty of opportunities for

• meaningful literacy
• counting, categorizing, and math practice

Here is what your kids WON’T do in an apple investigation: They won’t do a so-called apple experiment where you create an apple volcano with baking soda and vinegar. Look…the vinegar experiment is a great way to teach kids about simple chemical reactions, but it has nothing to do with apples! It doesn’t teach your young children anything about apples and it shouldn’t be part of an apple science unit. Just don’t do it.

Instead, there are plenty of meaningful and fun activities that you can do to study apples. Let’s take a closer look at some fun apple investigation activities. I know you and your kids are going to love these fun ideas.

Examine the Physical Properties of Real Apples

Apple picking time means that the fall season is here….and it is my favorite season. To prep for your fun apple theme investigation, pick up a few different kinds of apples from the grocery store or farmers market. If you are lucky, you can pick them up when your are on a field trip to an apple orchard, or from your backyard tree. It’s a great idea to provide different colors of apples and apples of different sizes.

Each child can select an apple from a basket and conduct an investigation with that apple. To begin, ask kids to pick it up with their little hands so they can examine the physical properties of their apple.

Scientists examine things so that they can sort and classify them. Guess what? Kids can do that too! Examining seems like a simple apple activity, but I bet you will be how many different things little learners can look at. There are so many ways to classify and sort apples. Here are a few.

Record the Appearance of the Apple

What is the Size of the apple?

Kids can classify their apple by determining if it is a small, medium, or large apple.

What is the Shape The Apple?

Apples also vary in shape. Some are round; some are conical. Do they see a different shape?

What Color is the Apple?

Kids can record the color of their apples in their investigation books. Maybe it’s a granny smith with beautiful green skin, or a red delicious. Is the apple one single color, or does it have more than one color?

Does the apple have a Stem or No Stem?

Kids can note whether or not their apple has a stem. But, if it doesn’t have a stem, can they identify where the stem was?

Additional Characteristics of Apples

Kids can examine their apple to see if it is dull or shiny. Does it have speckles? Does it have any lines on it?

You can also provide many pictures of apples, and kids can classify and sort them in different ways.

Measuring The Apple

Scientists also study things by measuring and collecting data. There are several ways to measure apples.

Measure the Height of the apple

Provide some counting cubes for measuring. How many cubes tall is the apple? I like using counting cubes because they are a great way to build fine motor skills, but you can also provide a measuring strip to help kids measure the height of their apples.

Measure the Circumference of the Apple

The circumference is the measurement around the apple. Kids can measure the circumference of their apple with a piece of yarn. They can wrap the yarn around the fattest part of the apple and then cut the yarn where it meets the beginning (they may need some help with this simple apple activity).

Encourage them to compare the circumference of their apple to that of a friend’s apple. Which has the largest circumference?

They can also measure their string with counting cubes or a measuring strip and even tape their string in their book to record their data.

Measure the Weight of the Apple

Use a small kitchen scale to check and record the weight of each apple. Young learners may also enjoy using a balance scale to compare the weight of the apple to other things.

Test the Density of the Apple

Provide a container of water, and kids can determine if the apple sinks or floats. I always encourage them to use the scientific method and form a hypothesis before adding the apple to the water.

What do you think will happen when you put the apple in the container of water?…..and then Was your hypothesis correct?

Sorting Apples

There are many different types of apples in the world. Kids can sort pictures of apples on sorting mats. How many different ways can they sort the pictures? Here are a few ideas:

• by color
• stems and no stems
• leaves and no leaves
• wet or dry
• 1 color or multi-color

Can you think of additional ways to sort the apples?

Parts of an Apple

You can use diagrams or books to illustrate the different parts of an apple. Can you identify these parts on your apple?

You can help kids cut their apples open so that they can find the flesh and count the seeds. How many seeds did you find?

You can collect some apple seeds so that kids can use them on counting mats. If you don’t have enough apple seeds, small dried beans make a great substitute.

Provide some apple parts on a tray (be sure to soak the flesh in lemon juice or soda pop to prevent browning). Kids can sort the flesh of the apple, skin of the apple, and seeds on a sorting mat.

See how easy it is to do easy apple science activities for preschoolers?

Life Cycle of an Apple

The study of life cycles is a great science activity for early childhood education classrooms. Studying the life cycle of apples is an important but simple apple activity.

Use books or images to show kids how apples are part of a life cycle.

My Apple Investigation resource includes an interactive life cycle chart that illustrates the different parts of the apple’s life cycle.

The apple life cycle begins with an apple seed growing into a seedling and then a tree.

The apple tree forms buds, which become blossoms, and the blossoms then form apples. Be sure to point out the blossom end of an apple to your kids. The seeds of an apple can then create another tree…..and the cycle continues.

Some kids may be shocked to know that apples grow on trees. If you can’t visit an apple orchard, you can go on a virtual field trip with your kids. Here are some apple videos that they may enjoy.

Apple Taste Test

One of the most exciting ways to investigate apples is by TASTE! There are many ways that you can conduct a taste test with your kids.

Taste Test Different Colors/Varieties of Apples

Some apples are tart and crisp, while others are sweet and soft. Select a few varieties of apples and let kids sample them.

What Apples Should I Buy for an Apple Taste Test?

Not sure what to buy? Here are some tips:

• Fuji or Gala apples are the sweetest variety of apple
• A Golden Delicious has yellow skin and a mellow taste.
• A Granny Smith has beautiful green skin and a tart, crisp taste.

As your kids taste the apple slices here are some questions to ask: Do they taste different? Can you describe the difference? Which type of apple do you like the best? Which is your least favorite?

Taste Test Different Apple Foods

You can find various apple products like juice, apple chips, and apple sauce in the grocery store any time of year. During apple season, you will find additional items like apple cake, apple pie, apple crisp, apple muffins, etc. I’m making myself hungry as I type….ha. Select a few items and let kids conduct a fun taste test. Collect the data examine it at the end to determine the class favorite.

Get Started with Apple Science Activities for Preschoolers Today

Are you ready to help set up some apple science activities for preschoolers? This set of Apple Investigation Printables will help you create easy-prep science activities for your preschoolers. Check out the set in my store today. You can purchase it separately or as part of my Investigation Bundle.

Buy The Apple Investigation Printables on TPT

Do you prefer to shop on TPT? You can purchase the Apple Investigation Printables there as well.

Additional Science Activities for Preschoolers

Here are some additional simple science activities for your little learners.