It looks like an ordinary egg at first. Children gather a little closer as they gently lower it into the mysterious liquid.
At first...
Nothing seems to happen.
Then, tiny bubbles begin to appear. The shell slowly disappears. The egg becomes soft and ghostly, and when the lights go out, it begins to glow.
That's what makes this ghost egg experiment so unforgettable. Children return again and again to check on their ghostly eggs, wondering what has changed since the last time they looked. Every bubbling reaction builds anticipation until an ordinary egg transforms into something that feels almost impossible.
Whether you're planning a Halloween science activity, looking for a glow-in-the-dark experiment, or hoping to surprise curious little scientists with a bit of seasonal magic, these glowing ghost eggs invite children to slow down, observe, and wonder what might happen next.
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For even more hands-on chemistry activities filled with bubbling reactions and surprising transformations, explore our Baking Soda and Vinegar Experiments for Kids collection.
If your family loves celebrating the season through playful discovery, be sure to visit our Halloween Science Experiments for Kids collection for ghostly surprises, glowing activities, and unforgettable Halloween STEM fun.
SUPPLIES FOR GHOST EGGS
- Raw eggs
- Vinegar
- Tonic water
- A clear jar or container
- Blacklight
- Sharpie (optional)
HOW TO MAKE GHOST EGGS
Step 1: Prepare the Mixture
Fill a clear jar about ¾ full with equal parts vinegar and tonic water.
Step 2: Add the Eggs
Carefully place the raw eggs into the jar, making sure they are fully submerged.
Step 3: Let the Reaction Begin
Almost immediately, you’ll notice bubbles forming around the eggs.
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Step 4: Observe Over Time
Let the eggs sit for 2–3 days. Invite children to check on them throughout the next few days and observe how the eggs slowly change over time.
Step 5: Reveal the Ghost Eggs
Carefully remove the eggs from the jar. The shells will be gone, leaving behind soft, translucent eggs that glow under a blacklight.
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What's Happening?
Why does the eggshell disappear?
The vinegar reacts with the calcium carbonate in the eggshell, causing it to break down and dissolve. What’s left behind is the soft membrane of the egg.
Why do the eggs glow?
Tonic water contains quinine, which glows under UV light. When the eggs soak in the mixture, they take on that glowing effect.
Extend the Fun
- Draw funny ghost faces on the eggs before soaking them.
- Compare regular eggs with glowing ghost eggs.
- Try different liquids and predict what will happen.
- Observe how the eggs change each day.
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Launch friendly little ghosts high into the air in a Halloween science activity where the hardest part is waiting for blastoff.
Create playful ghost bombs that disappear into swirling clouds, inviting children to watch where the ghostly "smoke" drifts next.
Halloween Science Experiments for Kids
Discover our complete collection of bubbling reactions, ghostly discoveries, glowing activities, and spooky science experiments designed to make Halloween unforgettable.
Keep the magic glowing with our favorite glow-in-the-dark science experiments, sensory play ideas, and creative activities that shine beneath a blacklight.
