How did Ancient Egyptians preserve bodies for thousands of years? It might sound like a mystery, but with a simple kitchen experiment, children can begin to understand the process for themselves in a hands-on, meaningful way.
Today, I’m sharing our apple mummification experiment for kids from the Ancient Egypt Family Unit Study – and you can try it for free!
In this activity, children coat apple slices in a special mixture and observe how the apples change over time, discovering how removing moisture helps preserve them. It’s easy to set up, a little bit magical to watch, and a wonderful way to bring history and science together.
This activity is part of our exploration of mummies and the afterlife. You can explore the full Ancient Egypt Family Unit Study in the How Wee Learn Shop.
Apple Mummification Experiment
Did you know that each and every one of our Family Unit Studies includes: Geography, History, Science, Social Studies, Music, Art, Health, Literacy, and Math?
It’s true! You can feel so good knowing your children are learning across all subject areas in a way that feels natural, engaging, and – most importantly – fun!
The activity that I’m sharing with you today leans into science, with a fascinating historical connection. In this apple mummification experiment, children use just a few everyday ingredients to explore how removing moisture helps preserve food, just like the Egyptians did long ago. It’s one of those activities that feels a little bit magical while still being rooted in real science.
Let’s get started! Enter your email address below to grab your free copy of this Apple Mummification Experiment along with a sample of the Ancient Egypt Unit Study. It will be sent to your inbox instantly.
Materials
Start by collecting the materials needed for this apple mummification experiment:
- 2 apples
- knife (grown-up use only)
- cutting board
- mixing bowl
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 1/2 cup table salt
- spoon
- small container
- paper towel
- marker
- tape
- cinnamon (optional)
- kitchen scale (optional)
Directions
With the help of a grown-up, slice the apples into very thin, equal pieces.
Set a few slices aside on a paper towel and label them “Not Mummified.” These will be your controls so you can compare what happens.
Next, mix together the baking soda and salt in a bowl until well combined. If you’d like, you can add a little cinnamon for a lovely scent.
Pour half of the mixture into the bottom of the container, then lay the apple slices on top. Pour the remaining mixture over the apples so they are completely covered. Label the container “Mummified Apples.”
Now comes the waiting (and the wonder!). Leave your apple slices in a dry, dark place for 24 hours, then check on them. If the mixture looks wet and clumpy, replace it with a fresh, dry mixture. Let them sit for another 24 hours.
Once the time is up, brush off the extra mixture and take a close look at both sets of apples. Which ones are smaller? Which looks more preserved?
This is such a simple but powerful way to see how removing moisture helps preserve food, just like the Ancient Egyptians did during mummification.
Keep the Learning Going!
If you’d like to take things a little further, you can turn this into a simple science investigation by recording your observations before and after the experiment.
Notice the color and texture of the apple slices, and see how they change over time. You can also measure the thickness of each slice, and if you have a kitchen scale, record the weight as well. It’s a wonderful way to slow down, observe closely, and see the changes unfold.
Bringing Learning to Life
If your children are anything like mine, this simple apple mummification experiment will spark all kinds of curiosity. They’ll start noticing the changes, asking questions, and wondering what else they can try.
These hands-on moments are where learning really comes to life. Instead of just hearing about mummification, children get to see the process unfold right in front of them – making it far more meaningful and memorable.
If you’d like to continue exploring Ancient Egypt together, the Ancient Egypt Family Unit Study is filled with engaging activities, thoughtful questions, and gentle, hands-on learning your whole family will enjoy.
Ancient Egypt Family Unit Study
Grab the Ancient Egypt Family Unit Study in the How Wee Learn Shop:
https://shop.howweelearn.com/products/family-unit-study-ancient-egypt
Thanks for reading, friends!
xo Sarah
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