Last summer I came across a very cool science experiment for Fireworks in a Jar on one of my favorite blogs I Can Teach My Child. I have found the most wonderful educational activities and crafts for kids on that site, so you’ll want to check it out if you haven’t already. That experiment has been stuck in the back of my head ever since, and with all the fun 4th of July crafts we’ve been doing this week, I thought it only fitting to include something we can learn from. This seemed like the perfect project!
This is a very simple science experiment to do with your child, and you most likely have everything in your cupboard to do it. You will need warm water, vegetable oil and food coloring.
Fill your jar with warm water.
In a separate bowl, mix 3 – 4 tablespoons of oil and several drops of different colors of food coloring. We used red, blue, yellow and green. Use a fork to gently mix the oil and food coloring together.
Pour the oil mixture into the jar of warm water.
Watch the explosion of color as the food coloring slowly sinks out of the oil and into the water. Be ready, because it is over in just a few minutes as it continues to expand and mix.
What’s the science? Food coloring dissolves in water but not oil. The less dense oil will sit at the top of the water, and the food coloring with begin to sink because the droplets are heavier than the oil. As the food coloring dissolves in the water it will look like a colorful fireworks show right in the jar!
I tried this once and it didn’t work. I didn’t warm the water! Must try again.
That looks so neat.
This is so cool! I can’t wait to try this with my kids. Thanks for always having the best recipes and crafts/projects!
That is pretty neat! 🙂
How fun! My kids would love this.
This looks like so much fun! I’m going to have to try this with my daughter. She’d love this!
This would blow my 3 year old’s mind. Gotta grab some food coloring!
How cool! My kids will love this!
This is so adorable!!!
That is just SO COOL.