What your Preschooler will Learn from this Preschool Science Experiment:

That the drying process changes the taste of fruit

That dried fruit contains less water than fresh fruit

They may learn that dried fruits are just as tasty (though different) than fresh fruit

What you will Need for this Preschool Science Experiment:

Dried fruit such as apricots, raisins, apples, mangos etc. Make sure the dried fruit contains no added sugar. You may want to try organic dried fruit—the flavor will be the closest to fresh fruit. If you'd like to try to dry your own fruit, try the Preschool Science Experiment – How to Dry Fruit

Fresh fruit the same as the dried fruit

Bowls for your different fruit

What To Do:

Step one: Cut up the fresh fruit and put in a bowl.

Step two: Put the dried fruit in another bowl.

Step three: Have your preschooler taste the different fruit. Ask them which one they like better. Emphasize the difference in look of fresh fruit and dried fruit. For example, raisins are actually dried grapes.

Step four: Show your preschooler that fresh fruit contains water by squeezing out the juice, while dried fruit contains none.

Hi! I'm Theresa Halvorsen, the preschool science and nature writer for Preschoolrock.com. I have twin boys and am blown away by their fascination with preschool science and how the world works around them. I am always looking for fun and simple science activities so preschoolers can learn about science and the natural world. Please contact me with any suggestions, ideas or questions you have about this site.

Helpful Tips for Parents

• Use correct scientific vocabulary from the start: observe, predict, experiment, hypothesis, result, evidence. Children absorb vocabulary in context without explicit teaching.

• The best science projects are the ones children generate themselves by noticing something in the world and asking why. Adult-imposed experiments are valuable; child-generated experiments are extraordinary.

• Safety first: always supervise, taste-test nothing, wash hands after experiments. Model good safety habits — goggles, careful pouring, cleanup. Safety habits built in preschool persist.

• Always ask "What do you think will happen?" before running an experiment. Prediction is the core of scientific thinking, and preschoolers' predictions are always worth hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are commercial science kits appropriate for preschoolers?

Commercial science kits designed for ages 4+ can be engaging starting points. Look for kits that use simple, safe materials and produce visually dramatic results (crystal growing kits, volcano kits, solar system model kits). Avoid kits with very small parts, complex safety requirements, or expected outcomes that are frustrating when not achieved. The best kits are those that leave children wanting to experiment further beyond the kit's instructions — look for kits with extension activities built in.

How do I make science experiments safe for preschoolers?

Keep experiments to food-safe or food-grade materials whenever possible: vinegar, baking soda, cornstarch, salt, food coloring, and dish soap cover most preschool science. Always supervise hands-on experiments. Establish and enforce the rule: "We only put things in our mouth that adults say are safe." Keep experiments away from eyes — vinegar and salt water sting. Wash hands after all experiments. A pair of toy safety goggles adds a "scientist" identity bonus while providing real protection from splashes.

Related reading: See also our garden science guide and our weather science for more ideas on this topic.

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

• 🔬 Scientific Method — Even a simple experiment teaches the predict-test-observe cycle that is the foundation of scientific thinking — and preschoolers who internalize this process approach problems with genuine scientific confidence.
• 🏗️ Engineering Thinking — Testing structures, materials, and designs to see what works develops engineering intuition — the practical understanding of forces, materials, and design that underlies all physical construction and problem solving.
• ⚖️ Cause & Effect Understanding — Seeing that one action reliably produces a specific result builds the logical framework children use in mathematics, reading (one event causes another in stories), and everyday reasoning.
• 😌 Patience & Delayed Gratification — Experiments with delayed results — growing plants, watching crystals form, tracking weather — teach children to wait for outcomes rather than needing immediate feedback, a skill that predicts academic and life success.

With fresh apricots, peaches, mangos and plums during the summer, it's easy to get your preschooler to eat enough fruits. But what about during the winter? During the winter you can try giving your preschooler dried fruit (with no sugar added). But does dried fruit taste different than fresh fruit? You and your preschooler can answer that question with this fun and easy preschool science experiment.

This experiment ties in great with Week 8 of the Healthy Eating Challenge.

Questions to Ask Your Child

Use these open-ended prompts to extend the learning during or after the activity:

• "What do you think will happen before we try it?"
• "Was your prediction right, or did something surprise you?"
• "Why do you think that happened?"
• "What would change if we tried it with something different?"
• "Can you think of a place in real life where you've seen this before?"
• "What question does this make you want to answer next?"

There are no right or wrong answers to any of these questions. The goal is to keep the conversation going, model curious thinking, and give your child practice putting their experience into words.