Fireworks in a Jar

February 19, 2019
Explore the science of liquid densities with this fun & magical experiment for kids!  My kids loved making fireworks in a jar and used this activity for their science fair project, too! #scienceactivities #scienceactivitiesforkids #fireworksinajar #fireworksinabottle #fireworkscraft #scienceexperimentskids #scienceforkids #sciencefairprojectsforelementary #sciencefairprojects
Wow the kids and make fireworks in a jar!

This simple activity explores the science of liquid densities in a truly mesmerizing way.  My kids were in awe by the results of this easy experiment and wanted to make fireworks again & again!  
Explore liquid densities with this fun & magical experiment for kids!  My girls loved making fireworks in a jar and used this activity for their science fair project, too! #scienceactivities #scienceactivitiesforkids #fireworksinajar #fireworksinabottle #fireworkscraft #scienceexperimentskids #scienceforkids #sciencefairprojectsforelementary #sciencefairprojects
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How to Make Fireworks in a Jar

Materials
Method
  • Begin by filling an empty jar 3/4 of the way with water.  Set this to the side.
Explore liquid densities with this fun & magical experiment for kids!  My girls loved making fireworks in a jar and used this activity for their science fair project, too! #scienceactivities #scienceactivitiesforkids #fireworksinajar #fireworksinabottle #fireworkscraft #scienceexperimentskids #scienceforkids #sciencefairprojectsforelementary #sciencefairprojects
  • In a bowl combine 3 tablespoons of cooking oil along with several drops of food coloring.
  • You will want to add 3-5 drops of food coloring for each color that you are using.
Explore liquid densities with this fun & magical experiment for kids!  My girls loved making fireworks in a jar and used this activity for their science fair project, too! #scienceactivities #scienceactivitiesforkids #fireworksinajar #fireworksinabottle #fireworkscraft #scienceexperimentskids #scienceforkids #sciencefairprojectsforelementary #sciencefairprojects
  • Use a spoon to stir the food coloring into the oil.
  • It will not mix, but stirring will help to break the food coloring into smaller droplets.
  • Now, pour the container of oil into the jar of water.
Explore liquid densities with this fun & magical experiment for kids!  My girls loved making fireworks in a jar and used this activity for their science fair project, too! #scienceactivities #scienceactivitiesforkids #fireworksinajar #fireworksinabottle #fireworkscraft #scienceexperimentskids #scienceforkids #sciencefairprojectsforelementary #sciencefairprojects
  • After a moment or two the oil will settle at the top of the jar, but the food coloring will begin to shoot down and mix into the water, creating a "fireworks" effect!
Explore liquid densities with this fun & magical experiment for kids!  My girls loved making fireworks in a jar and used this activity for their science fair project, too! #scienceactivities #scienceactivitiesforkids #fireworksinajar #fireworksinabottle #fireworkscraft #scienceexperimentskids #scienceforkids #sciencefairprojectsforelementary #sciencefairprojects
  • The food colors will continue to shoot down like fireworks until all of the droplets have fallen from the oil. 
Explore liquid densities with this fun & magical experiment for kids!  My girls loved making fireworks in a jar and used this activity for their science fair project, too! #scienceactivities #scienceactivitiesforkids #fireworksinajar #fireworksinabottle #fireworkscraft #scienceexperimentskids #scienceforkids #sciencefairprojectsforelementary #sciencefairprojects

Rosie and Jewel thought this was so cool and wanted to make fireworks again & again!

The Science Behind the Fun
  • The basis of this experiment is that food coloring will mix with water but not oil.
  • This is because traditional food coloring is water based.
  • But why won't oil & water mix?
  • This is due to their varying liquid densities.
  • In short, the oil is less dense, causing it to float on top of the water.  The food coloring is more dense than the oil, so it falls through and mixes into the water.
Read more on the science behind liquid densities:

More Oil & Water Science

Did your kids love making fireworks in jar?  
Give these other super cool density experiments a try!
Note:  We used vegetable oil for this experiment, but other cooking oils will also work.
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Explore liquid densities with this fun & magical experiment for kids!  My girls loved making fireworks in a jar and used this activity for their science fair project, too! #scienceactivities #scienceactivitiesforkids #fireworksinajar #fireworksinabottle #fireworkscraft #scienceexperimentskids #scienceforkids #sciencefairprojectsforelementary #sciencefairprojects
Explore liquid densities with this fun & magical experiment for kids!  My girls loved making fireworks in a jar and used this activity for their science fair project, too! #scienceactivities #scienceactivitiesforkids #fireworksinajar #fireworksinabottle #fireworkscraft #scienceexperimentskids #scienceforkids #sciencefairprojectsforelementary #sciencefairprojects
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More About the Author

Crystal Underwood is the writer and creator of Growing A Jeweled Rose. She has worked extensively with children and strongly believes in the importance of play at the core of early learning. She is passionate about the early years and believes that childhood should be a truly magical time in life. For all the best kids activities connect with Growing a Jeweled Rose below!