Messy Science Experiments

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. 

You don't need a wig to do these chemistry science experiments
Contrary to popular opinion, I do not need a wig for these experiments.

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…

Friends in crowd
WE LOVE CHEMISTRY EXPERIMENTS!

CHEMISTRY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT # 1 : MAKE A RAINBOW

Maybe we can't create this one...
Let's scale it down!
I can't resist, so here are a few rainbow tips....
1. Look for one when the sun is behind you!
2. The sun must be low in the horizon
3. There is no end to a rainbow!
Click Here for more rainbow facts
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SUPPLIES FOR MESSY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT # 1

Easy STEM EXPERIMENTS Supplies_Polarity of Soap
Yes, says Louie. This is what we need.
  • MILK

    2% Milk, Whole Milk, Half & Half, or Cream will work, but fat content makes a difference, which I'll explain below.

  • BOWL
  • FOOD COLORING

    As promised, a science experiment with food coloring!

  • Q-TIPS
  • DISH SOAP

STEPS FOR MESSY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT AT HOME # 1 aka Make A Rainbow

1. POUR THE MILK INTO A BOWL
2.Carefully place a drop or two of red, blue, yellow, and green food coloring as close as you can to the middle of the milk in the bowl w/o the colors touching.
THESE DROPS ARE TOO FAR APART SAYS LOUIE
3. Dip a Q-tip into the dish soap.
4.Put the Q tip between the drops of food coloring.
Watch the colors swirl, mix, and skitter away!
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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?) 

 

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND THIS LESS MESSY CHEMISTRY EXPERIMENT

FAT MOLECULES HATE WATER!
THE FAT MOLECULES BIND TO THE HYDROPHOBIC SIDE OF THE SOAP TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THAT SCARY H2O!
SOAP MOLECULE THE HERO
When the fat moves toward the soap, it pushes everything else out of its way so it can bond to the soap ASAP!
FAT IS PROTECTED
We're seeing the reaction between the fat and soap molecules as they push the food coloring out of their way.
The food coloring allows you to see the MICROSCOPIC molecules bonding!
I should have used more colors!
Never mind that I'm color blind.
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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

HENCE, A CHEMICAL REACTION!
More details in my book!

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?

I used 2% milk because that's what we had.

A higher fat content means more fat molecules available for the soap.

This will speed up the reaction so the food coloring will move faster! Try it!

Time for messy science experiment # 2. This one is rather messy …and fun!

Sue Berk Koch I do the research so you don't have to_Science Blog _
I love messy science experiments!

CHEMISTRY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT # 2 : MEGA FOAM

chemistry science experiments
DO NOT EAT SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS...CLICK ON LOUIE IF YOU WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT WHY NOT!

SUPPLIES FOR MESSY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT #2

Messy Science Experiments at home Mega Foam
Louie wants to pour the yeast in w/o the funnel
  • 2 LITER CLEAN PLASTIC BOTTLE

    16 ounce works too, but it's messier...uh, more fun with a bigger bottle

  • HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (3% is fine)

    1 cup for the 2 liter bottle / 1/2 cup for the 16 ounce bottle

  • FOOD COLORING

    As promised!

  • LIQUID DISH SOAP

    A tablespoon or so.

  • 4 PACKETS OF DRY YEAST

    Or 2 packets for a 16 ounce bottle

  • ~3-5 TABLESPOONS WARM WATER
  • SMALL BOWL OR CUP

    To mix the yeast & warm water

  • FUNNEL

    Optional

STEPS FOR MESSY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT AT HOME # 2 :aka MEGA FOAM

1. Pour the hydrogen peroxide into the bottle.
1 cup for the 2 liter bottle, 1/2 cup for the 16 ounce bottle.
2. Add ~ 1 T of liquid dish soap into the bottle & swish the bottle around a bit to mix it.
3. Add 12 drops of your favorite food coloring into the bottle.
Dripping it along the sides makes interesting patterns.
In a separate small cup, combine the warm water and the yeast together
Mix for about 30 seconds..
Pour the yeast water mixture into the bottle.
Funnel optional again.
WATCH THE MEGA FOAM BEGIN!
Be sure to touch the bottle! Does it feel warm? (more on that below...)
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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!

Annoyed with cytokines Ian
Hyperbole. It didn't take you 4 hours.

It felt like four hours.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE MESSY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Many living materials contain an enzyme called catalase
Enzymes speed up chemical reactions.
More on catalysts here
Blood, saliva, and yeast all contain catalase.
For obvious reasons, I chose yeast.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is not a strong molecule.
UV rays from the sun can break the extra oxygen bond, turning it into water.
Now you know why hydrogen peroxide is stored in dark containers!
To protect it from UV light
So yeast is not part of the chemical reaction.
It has the catalyst. Yeast quickly breaks a bond in the hydrogen peroxide.
You see at the right that one of the products is oxygen!
The foam you made is full of tiny bubbles. The bubbles are oxygen!
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ANOTHER DASH OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Did you notice that during the reaction, the bottle got warm?

Why?

This reaction releases energy. In this case,with an increase in temperature.

The term for a reaction that releases energy is EXOTHERMIC.
More here.

What do you think would happen if we used a stronger concentration of H2O2?

3% is readily available everywhere, but you could buy 6% on Amazon...

With more molecules of hydrogen peroxide, the reaction would proceed more quickly!

More boom!

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. 

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WE AGREE!

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.

science experiments with food coloring_Yeast structure
YEAST STRUCTURE
Easy STEM experiments Fungus__ Make Sense of Science Mushrooms
Who knew mushrooms and yeast had so much in common?

LOUIE LOVES MUSHROOMS

Some can be poisonous so don’t go plucking & eating them in the woods

For more about poisons, click here
BACK TO YEAST!
Humans use yeast to make culinary masterpieces such as beer, bread, and wine.
For a great gluten-free breakfast bread recipe, click here!
In the bread-making process, yeast is not acting as a catalyst. Yeast is eating the sugar in the mixture & breathing, so the gases exhaled by yeast cause the dough to rise.
I explain this more in my book w/ another experiment!
Research on yeast has yielded vast knowledge about basic cellular & molecular biology as well as about a myriad human diseases, including colon cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, & various metabolic disorders.
Click Here
YEAST under a microscope
courtesy NIH
More yeast research here
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Yeast is a beast!

Science experiments with food coloring Wine Make Sense of Science
Toasting yeast, wine made possible by yeast!

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!

Science Experiments with food coloring _two screens
Now that you've read this amazing, informative post, get to the chemistry experiments!

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! 

DON'T MISS OUT ON MORE STEM! SUBSCRIBE!

I DO THE RESEARCH SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO. THEN YOU’LL LOOK LIKE A BRAINIAC TO YOUR KIDS, GRANDKIDS, NIECES, NEPHEWS, NEIGHBORS &/OR STUDENTS!

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kitchenmitts
kitchenmitts
October 22, 2021 6:25 am

Congratulations✨ So happy for you!Thank you for sharing them with us!

kitchenmitts – https://www.kitchenmitts.com

Natasha
October 22, 2021 6:49 am

Congrats on the book, these look really great!

cosmicTaryn
cosmicTaryn
October 22, 2021 6:52 am

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!

Natasha Leighton
October 22, 2021 6:52 am

The book looks great as do these experiments and such an informative post!

loverosiee
loverosiee
October 22, 2021 7:20 am

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

A Sustainably Simple Life
October 22, 2021 7:23 am

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!

Lou Farrell
Lou Farrell
October 22, 2021 7:33 am

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 🙂

Not-So-Modern-Girl
October 22, 2021 8:40 am

Great post Susan! I love these messy experiments, they look fun and interesting. Congratulations on all your hard work x

Mike
Mike
October 22, 2021 8:45 am

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

Unwanted Life
October 22, 2021 8:51 am

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

Molly @ Transatlantic Notes
October 22, 2021 9:19 am

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!

aami06
aami06
October 22, 2021 1:26 pm

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!

Corinne
October 22, 2021 1:33 pm

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

Charity
Charity
October 22, 2021 1:43 pm

Oh these are all such fun and messy science experiments. Thanks so much for sharing them!

Jaya Avendel
Jaya Avendel
October 22, 2021 3:20 pm

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!

JamieAdstories
October 22, 2021 3:39 pm

Great ideas for practical science experiments.

Eri Tz
October 22, 2021 4:17 pm

Congratulations in your new book Sue! I loved these experiments. The rainbow is totally awesome!!

Carolyn Holton
Carolyn Holton
October 22, 2021 6:16 pm

FUN! I wish I had kids here to get messy with me……

Fransic verso
Fransic verso
October 23, 2021 5:35 am

Awesome experiment, love the safe and fun science experiment s. And when doing it with others as well.

isabellevitanyc
October 23, 2021 5:24 pm

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 🙂

Shell-Shell's🐚tipsandtricks
Shell-Shell's🐚tipsandtricks
October 24, 2021 1:05 am

Colorful! That looks fun and educational! The pup is adorable.
~Michelle
https://Michellescrazybusylife.net

ellegracedeveson
ellegracedeveson
October 24, 2021 3:59 am

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

Jodie | That Happy Reader
October 24, 2021 8:17 am

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.

Jenny in Neverland
October 24, 2021 10:17 am

Congratulations on the book being published! I’m sure it’ll be incredibly fun for those who buy it and try the experiments!

Amy Laundrie
October 24, 2021 1:31 pm

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.

Raji (@journeyintofantasy)
October 24, 2021 2:44 pm

Congratulations on your book being published! These are some really fun experiments!

Kelly Diane
October 24, 2021 4:29 pm

Congratulations on your book being published. Mega foam looks like such a fun experiment.

Jocelyn
Jocelyn
October 25, 2021 3:46 am

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

Jocelyn
Jocelyn
October 25, 2021 3:50 am

Hooray! Congrats on your book!! 🥂

Anika
Anika
October 25, 2021 1:26 pm

Congratulations on your book, that’s such wonderful news! 🙂

tumazstore
tumazstore
October 25, 2021 8:51 pm

Thank you for sharing him with us!

tumazstore

lamicallstore
lamicallstore
October 27, 2021 1:32 am

great pics!
lamicallstore

Baby Boomer Super Saver
October 29, 2021 12:45 am

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.

Loren
Loren
October 30, 2021 5:42 pm

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!!

壯陽藥ptt
壯陽藥ptt
June 23, 2022 3:55 am

Congratulationshttps://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/svg/2728.svg So happy for you!Thank you for sharing them with us!

Barbara Chaney
Barbara Chaney
September 7, 2022 6:53 am

I’m often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.

Susan Berk Koch author

My New Book!

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Make Sense of Science is my email newsletter where I share information about future science, new tech developments, as well as tools and resources for STEM at home. It arrives every two weeks and you’ll only hear from me. (And Louie)

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