Do Pumpkins Float? Do Other Fruits and Veggies Float?

I have heard that pumpkins of all sizes can float, but seeing really is believing. I wasn’t sure they would. I asked my son JDaniel, “Do pumpkins float?” He was sure they did. JDaniel even had a number of reasons why he thought they floated. When I asked him if other fruit and veggies would float. He wasn’t as sure about them.

Before You Start the Experiment You May Want to Read a Book

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You may want to share a book about fruit and vegetables with your children before you start this experiment. Below you will find some of my favorites.

Let me share with you what we learned. I bet you are going to want to do this Do Pumpkins Float? activity with your children.

Do Pumpkins Float? If They Do, Why Do They?

You may want to start by sharing a pumpkin diagram. It would help them gather background information on why it floats.

Then you can ask, “Do pumpkins float?” I love to hear the logic behind children’s answers. You will probably want your children to tell you why they think it will float or sink. They will probably share with you facts similar to the ones my son shared with me. Pumpkins are mostly hollow. They have a lot of air in them.

You may choose to experiment with several pumpkins of different sizes. It will help your children conclude if it is true for all pumpkins.

Do Other Fruits and Veggies Float?

You can place a few other fruits and veggies into a tub to see if they sink or float. We experimented with zucchini, a yellow squash, a carrot, and a cucumber. You can try using those same fruits and veggies or others. You might want to try an apple. I have heard that they float too.

We found that only the carrot sunk completely to the bottom. The zucchini, squash, and cucumber floated like submarines partially submerged in the water.