How Arctic Animals Stay Warm

Animals don’t have winter coats in the arctic, so how do they stay warm in the frigid water? Teach your child about blubber with this fun, easy experiment they are sure to love. Have them name different arctic animals they think may have blubber after completing this activity. 

What you’ll need:

  • Crisco/shortening
  • Paper towel
  • Ice
  • Water
  • Bowl

Instructions:

Step 1: Fill bowl with ice and water.

Step 2: Have your child stick their hands in ice water and see how long they’re able to keep them in the ice cold water.

Step 3: Then, coat one finger with a thick layer of shortening to simulate blubber. Have your child guess how long they’ll be able to keep their finger in the water now that it’s covered. 

Step 4: Stick the coated finger into ice water. Have them count and see if their guess was right.  Discuss with your children the difference between the feel of the water with the “blubber” opposed to without the “blubber.” 

Step 5: Clean off with paper towel and then wash with soap and water.

Inspired by Science Kiddo’s How Arctic Animals Stay Warm.

Check out other Science and Math Activities from Camp Little Victors:

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