Cat in the Hat Center of Gravity Preschool Science Experiment

This month's Virtual Book Club book is The Cat in the Hat, so today I'm sharing some fun Cat in the Hat themed Center of Gravity and Balancing science experiments and projects!

One of the cat's first tricks is a crazy balancing trick:

 "Look at me!
Look at me now!" said the cat.
"With a cup and a cake
On the top of my hat!
I can hold TWO books!
I can hold up the fish!
And a little toy ship!
And some milk on a dish!
And look!
I can hop up and down on the ball!
But that is not all!
Oh, no.
That is not all...

Of course, he continues to balance more and more things...until they all come crashing to the ground!

So, for our Cat in the Hat Science Lesson, we talked about balance and center of gravity.



Center of Gravity is the point on an object (or person or cat or collection of items!) around which the entire object balances.  It is the average location of the weight.  It is the one spot where you can balance an entire object.



To experiment with it, we started out by finding the center of gravity of different objects.  You can do this by balancing the objects on a single point--we used a short tower of blocks.  Most symmetrical objects need to be balanced in the middle of the object.









Some objects are trickier.  You can even balance raw eggs on an end if you know a trick or two:





Normally the yolk is suspended in the middle of the egg.  If you shake it really hard, the yolk will sink to the bottom of the egg.  This moves the center of gravity lower in the egg and makes it easier to balance the egg on its end!  



We also did a few fun center of gravity tricks with our own bodies!  Like the cat, we balanced crazy items and tried it on one foot and while standing on a chair.  We tried it on a ball too, but that was a little too crazy for pictures!













There are a few center of gravity tricks that you cannot do that we thought were fun too.  Try these two out:



#1:  Stand right in front of a wall so that both your heals are touching the wall.  Place an object about 1 1/2 feet in front of you and try to pick it up without tipping over!  It is impossible to do without bending your knees or moving your heals!



#2:  Stand next to a wall (sidways) with your left cheek and the left side of your left foot touching the wall.  It's impossible to lift up your right foot without tipping over!  





We love the Virtual Book Club!!







February's Virtual Book Club book is The Cat in the Hat:



Amazon Affiliate Link:









Every month the Virtual Book Club brings you hands-on science experiments and activities that you can do along with a book to read!  Visit the Virtual Book Club's Facebook page here and click here to learn more about the book club and its schedule!  AND, be sure to stop by these other blogs for more fantastic Cat in the Hat themed ideas, activities, crafts, science projects, and more:



Build the Hat activity by I Can Teach My Child

Cat in the hat number lines and sequences by Rainy Day Mum

The Cat in the Hat Breakfast Hash Browns by Growing Book by Book

Cat In The Hat Fine Motor Hats by The Pleasantest Thing

Cat in the Hat Themed: Gross Motor Activity by 3 Dinosaurs

Cat in the Hat Shape Activity by Mom Inspired Life

Cat in the Hat Center of Gravity Preschool Science by Preschool Powol Packets

Sweeping Colors Sorting Activity by Inspiration Laboratories

I may share at any of these parties!



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