Spooky Science
Halloween is the perfect time to blend the spookiness of the season with some thrilling science experiments that will engage you AND your little one. These kid-friendly Halloween science experiments are not only educational, but also loads of fun. So, grab your cauldron and let's brew up some Halloween magic!
Self-Inflating Boo-lloon
Supplies: Empty Water Bottle, Balloon, Sharpie, Vinegar, Baking soda
Instructions:
Use a Sharpie to draw a ghost face on your white balloon. (Could also do a Jack o’ lantern face on an orange balloon, or Frankenstein on a green balloon)
Fill your balloon with 3 Tbsp. of Baking Soda.
Pour a small amount of Vinegar into the bottle, about a quarter full.
Stretch the opening of the balloon over the top of the bottle, ensuring it's nice and tight.
Next, carefully lift the balloon straight above the bottle so that the baking soda falls from the balloon into the bottle. As the baking soda reacts with the vinegar, it releases carbon dioxide gas, causing the balloon to inflate as if by a ghostly hand.
Monster Explosion
Supplies: Ziplock bag, Sharpie, Food Coloring, Paper towel, Vinegar, Baking soda
Instructions:
Draw a spooky monster face on the ziplock bag with the Sharpie.
Fill the ziplock bag about a quarter of the way full of vinegar.
Add a drop of food coloring and mix it up.
Take your paper towel, and fold up 2-3 tsp. of baking soda inside so it forms a little enclosed packet.
Put the paper towel into the bag and quickly seal the ziplock bag, ensuring it's airtight. Immediately place the ziplock in an open container or cookie sheet and watch as it begins to bubble and explode! (Warning- it does get messy!) The baking soda reacts with the vinegar to create a fizzy and colorful eruption. When the gas has no where to escape to, it eventually pops the bag open, releasing the mixture.
Tip: This one gets messy! So be sure to do it on a washable surface or tray.
Tip: You might want to encourage your little ones to back up for this one. A few of the times we did this experiment, it did splatter a bit when it popped.
Witch's Colorful Cauldron
Supplies: Mini cauldrons, Food Coloring, Baking Soda, Vinegar
Instructions:
Fill the mini cauldrons with a small amount of vinegar. These will be your "witch's brew."
Add a few drops of food coloring to each cauldron, choosing eerie colors like green, purple, and orange. Or even a rainbow! This activity can double as a science experiment and color-mixing lesson!
Pour a small spoonful of baking soda into the cauldrons, and watch as the concoctions bubble and fizz, creating a wickedly colorful brew just like a witch's cauldron.
Tip: This one gets messy! So be sure to do it on a washable surface or tray.
Pumpkin Elephant Toothpaste
Supplies: Carved Pumpkin, Warm Water, Yeast, Food Coloring, Dish Soap, Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)
Instructions:
Carve a spooky face into a small pumpkin and set aside.
Mix 1/2 - 1 c. hydrogen peroxide, a few drops of food coloring, and a couple of squirts of dish soap in a separate container.
Mix 3 Tablespoons of warm water with 1 tablespoon yeast to create a yeast solution.
Carefully pour the hydrogen peroxide mixture into the carved pumpkin's mouth.
Quickly pour the yeast solution into the pumpkin, and watch as it froths and oozes like toothpaste from a pumpkin's mouth!
Tip: This one gets messy! So be sure to do it on a washable surface or tray.
For a lot of my activities, I encourage my kids to be really hands-on. But for these science experiments, we stick to observing only so that they’re not touching any of the chemical reactions. Instead, I encourage them to describe what they’re seeing, hearing, and even smelling. (Warning: It’s probably going to smell like easter with all that vinegar. ;)) And immediately following the activity, I clean it up.
Tip - If you choose to do this as well, be sure to explain this safety precaution to your kids before you get started! That way they’re not disappointed in the moment, and they have the correct expectations.
As with any activity, supervision is encouraged! But especially with this one. Grab some protective goggles and create some lasting memories for your little mad scientists.
Enjoy your Halloween adventures!
Cheers,
Meg
