Hatch & Grow Panda – Water Absorption STEM Activity

Introduce early science concepts through hands-on discovery with this hatch-and-grow panda, designed as a simple, engaging STEM activity for preschool learners. Perfect for small groups or classroom demonstrations, each panda can be grown, dried, and reused for repeated exploration.

Place the pandas in water and observe as they gradually expand, demonstrating how materials absorb water. Remove and allow them to dry to watch them shrink back to their original size—ready for continued experimentation and discussion.

Educational Benefits:

• Demonstrates water absorption and material expansion
• Introduces cause-and-effect relationships through observable change
• Encourages scientific observation, prediction, and group discussion
• Supports early STEM learning through hands-on experimentation
• Reinforces curiosity and inquiry-based learning

Preschool Science Activity Guide:

• Predict what will happen before placing the panda in water
• Observe and describe changes over time using simple science language
• Compare the panda’s size before and after water exposure
• Discuss why the panda grows and shrinks using cause-and-effect terms
• Repeat the activity to reinforce learning and understanding

A simple, reusable STEM activity that supports preschool science exploration, making abstract concepts visible, engaging, and easy to understand through play-based learning.