Ask a child if they can walk on eggs without cracking them and I bet I can guess what they’ll say. Once they do this walking on eggs science experiment their answer may change! This is a science experiment designed to test how strong eggs really are and to teach kids about pressure distribution. Prepare to be shocked by the results!
Getting the Walking on Eggs Science Experiment Ready
This experiment can get a bit messy. For that reason, I would suggest putting down a tarp or a drop cloth underneath the egg cartons. Better yet, do this experiment outside on a level surface!
I bought a big package of 5 dozen eggs and laid the two cartons next to each other. It would also work really well to buy 6 dozen eggs in cartons and lay the cartons end-to-end in two rows so that there are three cartons in each row. The important thing is that there is a short path of eggs that kids can take a few steps across.
The kids were so curious about what we were doing. They couldn’t wait to get started!
Walking on Eggs Science Experiment
I instructed the kids to remove their shoes and socks. Using bare feet to walk across the eggs enables the kids to really feel the shapes of the eggs as they take steps. Plus, if they happen to crack an egg it’s easy to wash off their foot!
The kids were incredulous as I explained that they were going to be walking across the tops of the eggs. What?!
A few of the kids were a little bit nervous. They’ve had enough experience baking to know how easily an egg cracks against the side of a bowl (or on the ground).
My four-year-old decided to be brave and be the first one to try walking on eggs.
I explained to her that she needed to take slow and even steps across the eggs. If she pressed down too hard with her heel as she walked, eggs would break. (I also told her it was no big deal if an egg broke. It’s easy enough to clean up!)
I held her hand as she gently stepped up onto the egg walkway. We all held our breath as she took several steps over the eggs and then gently stepped down without breaking any!
Once the other kids saw her successfully traverse the eggs, they decided to try as well. My six-year-old and then his eight-year-old friend all walked on eggs without breaking them!
Everybody tried a few times. I will admit that when the kids got a little bit overconfident and walked too carelessly or too quickly, a few eggs did get smashed. We all laughed. They were more mindful to walk evenly and carefully the next time.
The Science Behind the Walking on Eggs Science Experiment
Eggs are shaped similarly to a three dimensional arch, one of the strongest architectural forms. Their curved shape distributes pressure evenly all over the shell and makes them very strong. However, they don’t withstand uneven forces, which is why they crack easily against a bowl or break if the kids walk across them on their heels.
Is there a technique that works best to walk across the eggs without breaking them?
More Science Activities and Ideas
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