MESSY SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
My book, Chemical Reactions!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids, is out! To celebrate, I’m sharing two messy science experiments from the book. Okay, in the interest of not making too much of a mess, one chemistry science experiment is high on the messy scale, and one is more contained. Both are chemistry experiments using food coloring. I love color, as you can probably tell from my website design.
Wig or not, these easy stem experiments are fun, colorful, and use materials you most likely have in your junk drawer or under the sink.
We are Macgyver-ing it! (My spell check hated that not-a-word.) But you’ll like that you use materials from the supply closet! It makes the science more approachable. Plus, using everyday items puts the STEM concepts together for kids, as opposed to packets of powders in a kit.
Without further ado, let’s get messy! DIY chemistry science experiments with food coloring!
Easy stem experiments…
CHEMISTRY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT # 1 : MAKE A RAINBOW
SUPPLIES FOR MESSY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT # 1
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MILK
2% Milk, Whole Milk, Half & Half, or Cream will work, but fat content makes a difference, which I'll explain below.
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BOWL
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FOOD COLORING
As promised, a science experiment with food coloring!
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Q-TIPS
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DISH SOAP
STEPS FOR MESSY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT AT HOME # 1 aka Make A Rainbow
All right, you’re saying sure, we see milk and soap and food coloring.
This is an easy stem science experiment, but where’s the STEM? (science, technology, engineering, or math?)
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THIS LESS MESSY CHEMISTRY EXPERIMENT
WHY IS THIS A CHEMICAL REACTION, ANYWAY?
A Chemical Reaction is the process that takes place when a substance (or substances) are brought into contact with each other & produce a new substance(s)
BONDING BETWEEN TWO MOLECULES OCCURS & FORMS A NEW SUBSTANCE
A DASH OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Oh, oh! Now we’re using scientific method because we’re asking a question and forming a hypothesis w/ our why.
What do you think would happen if you used cream instead of 2% milk? And WHY?
A higher fat content means more fat molecules available for the soap.
Time for messy science experiment # 2. This one is rather messy …and fun!
CHEMISTRY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT # 2 : MEGA FOAM
SUPPLIES FOR MESSY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT #2
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2 LITER CLEAN PLASTIC BOTTLE
16 ounce works too, but it's messier...uh, more fun with a bigger bottle
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HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (3% is fine)
1 cup for the 2 liter bottle / 1/2 cup for the 16 ounce bottle
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FOOD COLORING
As promised!
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LIQUID DISH SOAP
A tablespoon or so.
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4 PACKETS OF DRY YEAST
Or 2 packets for a 16 ounce bottle
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~3-5 TABLESPOONS WARM WATER
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SMALL BOWL OR CUP
To mix the yeast & warm water
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FUNNEL
Optional
STEPS FOR MESSY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT AT HOME # 2 :aka MEGA FOAM
VIDEO OF MESSY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT # 2
Below is my first –and quite possibly last– attempt w/ TikTok to create a compilation of a chemistry science experiment. I started w/ a 45 second video and a few stills. Four hours later, here’s the result! HA!
It felt like four hours.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE MESSY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT
ANOTHER DASH OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Did you notice that during the reaction, the bottle got warm?
This reaction releases energy. In this case,with an increase in temperature.
What do you think would happen if we used a stronger concentration of H2O2?
With more molecules of hydrogen peroxide, the reaction would proceed more quickly!
I admit that I was tempted to order 6% H2O2 for a more showy video, but that seemed counter to the theme of this post.
EASY STEM EXPERIMENTS : YEAST!
Because I can’t resist, I have to chat a little bit about amazing yeast!
Yeast is alive. It is a single-celled microorganism and technically a fungus.
LOUIE LOVES MUSHROOMS
Some can be poisonous so don’t go plucking & eating them in the woods
For more about poisons, click hereYeast is a beast!
MESSY SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
Safe chemistry science experiments such as these illustrate how chemical reactions occur. By using household items, these messy science experiments at home will enhance kids’ understanding of the chemistry they encounter every day. And they’re pretty because they’re science experiments with food coloring!
Which experiment will you try first?
Subscribe to my monthly newsletter and I’ll send you a link to download a fantastic, free guide with 2 more chemistry projects!
Congratulations✨ So happy for you!Thank you for sharing them with us!
kitchenmitts – https://www.kitchenmitts.com
Thank you so much!
Congrats on the book, these look really great!
I appreciate it, thanks!
Fantastic!! I’d do this myself just to watch the chaos happen. I miss doing these kinds of things just for fun. I’m such a science nerd!
Like minds! You should go for it, even without any kids. The experiments are fun. Thanks, Taryn!
The book looks great as do these experiments and such an informative post!
I’m glad you found my post informative! Thank you for stopping by!
when I was a kid, I loved nothing more than getting messy! My mum was quite cool and would let us explore and then make us tidy up afterwards. I’m going to try the milk experiment with my neice, she’s 4 and absolutely loves getting her hands dirty!
Rosie
https://www.loverosiee.co.uk
How fun that your mum didn’t mind messes. Our mom was great but messes weren’t in her wheelhouse! I’m excited that you’re going to do the milk experiment w/ your niece. She’ll love it! Thanks.
Congratulations on your book release! 😀 That’s so exciting!
That mega foam looks like so much fun 🙂 Messy science experiments sound like something I need more of in my life!
You definitely need messy science in your life! 😜 The mega foam experiment is a lot of fun. In fact, I’ve got hydrogen peroxide on my grocery list so I can do this one again. Thanks so much.
Wow who knew you could so much messy fun, I wish my boy was younger to practice these experiments. Congratulations on the book and I hope it sells well; thanks for sharing a part of your hard work 🙂
I hope the book sells well, too! Thanks so much, Lou!
Great post Susan! I love these messy experiments, they look fun and interesting. Congratulations on all your hard work x
I’m happy that you like my post. Thank you so much!
Great to see you back online. Haven’t received the book yet but will certainly try to do some of these with my grandchildren. Look easy enough even for an old grandpa. Keep up the good work. Mike
I am confident that you can handle it, Grandpa! If not, you know where to find me! Thanks.
All the best science experiments for kids are messy. It’s about the only time any of others can get away with making a mess while having fun
Exactly! Thanks.
I love these kinds of science experiments and do them whenever I am back in the classroom with students — great ideas! Congratulations on your book too — so well done!
Take a pic if you happen to set one of these up for your students! I’d love to see it. Thanks so much, Molly!
Love these experiments! I just ordered a copy of your book for my niece! Thanks so much for sharing a few experiments from your book. And congrats on your release!
I’m so happy that you love the experiments! And happy that you ordered my book. Your niece will think you’re the best auntie ever! Thank you.
I love these! My partner is a science teacher and I’m going to get him to do some experiments with my little one when he’s older!
Corinne x
What a great idea! Maybe he’d like a copy of my book for his classroom?! 😜 Thanks so much!
Oh these are all such fun and messy science experiments. Thanks so much for sharing them!
You’re very welcome! Thanks!
The rainbow is definitely the definition of contained, but I still think it will make for a fun and colorful experiment, especially since one could compare a milk rainbow to a cream rainbow.
The foam volcano is my kind of exciting mess! Love the frothy stream it makes and how simple it is to cook up.
Thanks for sharing!
I love the foam mess, too. It keeps flowing out, steady and powerful! Comparing milk and cream is the essence of scientific method in disguise. I hope to coax along the next generation of curious scientists! Thanks so much.
Great ideas for practical science experiments.
Thank you! Glad you like these ideas. There are plenty more in the book! HA.
Congratulations in your new book Sue! I loved these experiments. The rainbow is totally awesome!!
The rainbow is awesome! It’s easy to set up again and again, using different combos of food coloring each time. Thanks so much Eric!
FUN! I wish I had kids here to get messy with me……
Maybe Jimmy is available? ha! Thanks!
Awesome experiment, love the safe and fun science experiment s. And when doing it with others as well.
I’m pleased that you love these safe, fun experiments. There are many more in my book. 😉 Thanks!
What a great idea for some safe, messy, science fun! I might just have to recommend this to my younger siblings as an activity to do after school 🙂
Future scientists! I’m sure they’d have a great time with these experiments! There’s a lot more fun science –and sneaky learning– in my book. 😉 Thanks so much!
Colorful! That looks fun and educational! The pup is adorable.
~Michelle
https://Michellescrazybusylife.net
I couldn’t manage without Louie’s help! Thanks so much.
Huge congratulations on your book being published, that’s amazing! I absolutely love science and when I have kids one day, it’s something I defiantly want to pass onto them. This book sounds really interesting. Thank you so much for sharing Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
My book is a lot of fun if I do say so myself! My objective is to make science accessible and less intimidating. Thanks for the good wishes!
Congratulations on releasing your book! This is such an accomplishment! I love science experiments and this one would be perfect to do with kids. Thanks for sharing.
Happy to find a fellow science lover! I appreciate the kind words! Thank you.
Congratulations on the book being published! I’m sure it’ll be incredibly fun for those who buy it and try the experiments!
I hope so! Thanks so much.
Hi Sue,
Congrats on the book. I’ll be sure to post a review.
And thanks for the experiements. I’ll keep these in mind for when I have my grandsons again.
Yes! Check your supplies but I’m betting you have everything you need for the next, fun visit. Thanks so much for posting a review, Amy. I appreciate it.
Congratulations on your book being published! These are some really fun experiments!
I’m glad you think so. Thanks so much!
Congratulations on your book being published. Mega foam looks like such a fun experiment.
Mega foam is showy and fun! Thanks for the good wishes!
Hooray! Congrats on your book!! 🥂 My little sister and I always love to try some science experiments. I think we’ll try the rainbow experiment this time. That looks so fun! Thanks for sharing this xxx
I’m excited that you’re creating a rainbow. Let me know how it goes! And thanks!
Hooray! Congrats on your book!! 🥂
Thank you for the good wishes!
Congratulations on your book, that’s such wonderful news! 🙂
Thank you for the good wishes!
Thank you for sharing him with us!
tumazstore
You’re welcome!
great pics!
lamicallstore
Thanks!
Wow, congratulations on your book baby, Susan! That is very exciting! When will the hardcover or softcover books be available? It seems that it is only selling as a pre-order right now.
These experiments look like a lot of fun. The mega foam experiment reminds me of when we used to make overflowing volcano experiments with baking soda and vinegar. Messy art and messy science are the best!
I’m not sure many kids will know who MacGyver was, though.
Thanks, Kathy! The books are printed on both hardcover and paperback, all sitting in the warehouse. Supply chain woes have slowed delivery to a standstill, unfortunately. Two weeks late and counting. I agree, messy science is the best! There was a remake of macgyver but it didn’t last long so that reference does seem outdated!
These are some great experiments!! I’ll have to try them out with my Girl Guide unit, they would love trying them out. Also, congratulations on your new book!! So exciting!!
I’d love to hear what your Girl Guides think of my experiments! Thanks for the good wishes!
Congratulationshttps://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/svg/2728.svg So happy for you!Thank you for sharing them with us!
Thank you for the kind words!
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Bookmarking my web site? What an honor, thank you! I am happy that you appreciate my content. Hope to see you soon!