Science · Ages 4–5
An “empty” bag: what’s inside?
Does your child say “an empty bag has nothing in it”? That’s a logical idea: air can’t be seen, and we mostly notice it when it moves. This free printable suggests questions instead of corrections, and a few tries to do together with a paper bag, a feather, a paper fan and a few objects: predict whether it moves or stays, then look. An adult stays right there for every try.
Download the printable (PDF, 2 pages)US Letter size. Print single-sided, at 100% (actual size). Black and white is fine.
Page 1, for you
- Why “an empty bag has nothing in it” is a logical idea.
- The key idea, in four simple diagrams: a puffy paper bag is full of air and can push a feather, a flat bag barely can; air doesn’t push everything.
- Three questions to ask instead of correcting.
- Safety: an adult stays right there, paper bags only (never plastic, never over anyone’s head), no balloons, craft-store feathers, a paper fan, windows closed.
- How to set up and play the four tries and the basket challenge.
- Notes to read after the try, and a cut-out slip to play again a few days later.
Page 2, for your child
- A page with no text: pictures to circle, no reading needed.
- Before the try, a picture under the question mark (moves or stays); after it, a picture under the eye.
- Four tries with a bag or a fan and the feather, the apple or the scrap of tissue, then a challenge: where should the bag go so the feather lands in the basket?
- A big frame to draw what surprised them.
Our videos for parents
This printable goes with the “The empty bag” episode of “Understand the concept,” our video series for parents. Find our videos on Ludip’s YouTube channel.
Visit Ludip’s YouTube channelLudip: Math & Science Stories
Ludip is a collection of math and science comic series for kids. Every episode tells a story around one concept to understand, then activities invite your child to explore it through play. Ludip is coming to iPhone, iPad and Android.
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