Properties of MatterGrade 5 Science for Kids

Particles, measuring matter and why some things float on others.

Properties of Matter helps fifth graders see particles speed up in hot water, choose the right tool to measure mass, volume and temperature, and test density by floating and sinking. Hands-on matter science for grade 5.

  • Grade 5 · Ages 10–11
  • 3 lessons
  • 3 experiments
  • 12 practice questions
  • About 25 min
Start Learning Free Open the Course
  • Matter Is Made of Particles
  • Food Coloring Spread
  • Measuring Matter
  • Tool Choice
  • Density: Float or Sink
  • Density Tank

Science lab course · Grade 5

Properties of Matter · Learning goals

What Your Child Will Learn

See particles speed up in hot water, choose the right tool to measure mass, volume and temperature, and test density by floating and sinking.

  • Particles move faster when they are hot, so color spreads fastest in hot water.
  • We measure mass with a balance, volume with a cylinder or cup, and temperature with a thermometer.
  • Less dense things float on more dense things. Oil and ice float on water; honey sinks.

Why it matters

Why This Matters for Kids

  • Particles explain everything

    Knowing matter is made of tiny moving particles explains melting, dissolving and smells.

  • Measuring like a scientist

    Choosing the right tool and unit is a key skill for every experiment.

  • Density

    Density explains why ships float, why oil sits on water and why some rocks sink.

Inside Properties of Matter

How the Course Works

Each level has a short read-aloud lesson, an interactive experiment and a mini quiz.

  1. Step 1 · Lesson

    Matter Is Made of Particles

    All matter is made of particles far too small to see.

  2. Step 2 · Experiment

    Food Coloring Spread

    Let's drop food coloring into cold, room and hot water and time how long it takes to spread through the glass.

  3. Step 3 · Lesson

    Measuring Matter

    Mass is how much matter something has. We measure it in grams with a balance or scale.

  4. Step 4 · Experiment

    Tool Choice

    Scientists choose the right tool for each property. What does each tool measure?

  5. Step 5 · Lesson

    Density: Float or Sink

    Density is how tightly packed the matter in something is.

  6. Step 6 · Experiment

    Density Tank

    Let's add liquids and solids to a tank of water. Will each one float on top or sink to the bottom?

Lesson preview

A Peek Inside the Lesson

This is the real lesson text your child hears, read aloud by a friendly voice.

Matter Is Made of Particles

All matter is made of particles far too small to see.

Particles are always moving. In solids they jiggle; in liquids they slide; in gases they zoom.

When matter is heated, its particles move faster.

Measuring Matter

Mass is how much matter something has. We measure it in grams with a balance or scale.

Volume is how much space something takes up. We measure it in milliliters.

Temperature tells how hot or cold matter is.

Density: Float or Sink

Density is how tightly packed the matter in something is.

Things less dense than water float. Things more dense sink.

Liquids have density too: oil floats on water, and honey sinks!

For parents

Try It at Home

Learning sticks best when kids use it in real life. Here are simple ideas from this course.

Parent Tip

Drop food coloring into a glass of hot water and a glass of cold water at the same time. Which spreads faster, and why?

Food Coloring Spread

  1. Fill two clear glasses: one cold, one warm (a grown-up pours).
  2. Add one drop of food coloring to each at the same time.
  3. Watch which one mixes first without stirring.

Particles move faster when they are hot, so color spreads fastest in hot water.

Tool Choice

  1. Weigh an apple on a kitchen scale (mass).
  2. Drop it in a jug of water and see how much the water rises (volume).
  3. Record both numbers like a scientist.

We measure mass with a balance, volume with a cylinder or cup, and temperature with a thermometer.

Density Tank

  1. Pour honey, then water, then oil into a tall glass (slowly!).
  2. See the three layers.
  3. Drop in a grape, a cork and a coin. Where does each stop?

Less dense things float on more dense things. Oil and ice float on water; honey sinks.

Practice

Grade 5 Science Practice Questions

Real questions from Properties of Matter. Try them with your child, then tap to see the answer.

  1. Question 1

    What is all matter made of?

    • A.Only water
    • B.Air
    • C.Tiny particles
    Show answer

    Tiny particles

  2. Question 2

    What does a balance measure?

    • A.Mass
    • B.Volume
    • C.Temperature
    Show answer

    Mass

  3. Question 3

    What is density?

    • A.How hot something is
    • B.How tightly packed matter is
    • C.How tall something is
    Show answer

    How tightly packed matter is

The full course has 12 questions with instant feedback, stars and rewards. Create a free account to play them all.

Properties of Matter · Questions from parents

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this course for?

Properties of Matter is a grade 5 science course for kids ages 10–11. That is Year 6 science in the UK and Year 5 in Australia. It also works well for review in the next grade, or as a challenge for a confident younger learner.

What will my child learn?

See particles speed up in hot water, choose the right tool to measure mass, volume and temperature, and test density by floating and sinking. Along the way they practice: Particles move faster when they are hot, so color spreads fastest in hot water; We measure mass with a balance, volume with a cylinder or cup, and temperature with a thermometer; Less dense things float on more dense things. Oil and ice float on water; honey sinks.

How long does the course take?

About 25 minutes in total, split into 3 short levels. Most kids finish it over two or three sessions. Progress is saved, so they can stop any time and pick up where they left off.

Is this course free?

Yes. Properties of Matter is one of the first 2 courses in Grade 5 Science. Create a free parent account and your child can start right away.

Does my child need to read well to use it?

No. Every lesson has a friendly read-aloud voice, questions are read aloud too, and the pictures help kids follow along. Confident readers can turn the voice off.

Can we use it for homeschool?

Yes. SkillBloom is built for homeschooling families. Kids work through lessons, games and quizzes on their own, and the parent dashboard shows what they finished and which skills need more practice. It works on phones, tablets and laptops.

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