Sometimes I just want to mix up a dreary day with some fun, and these kitchen science experiments are so much fun! These science experiments are tested from items that most people will find around the home. If you are missing an item, you will probably be able to pick it up at a shop near by. Check out some of our favourite experiments below. Elephant toothpaste? Magic Milk ? Yeah, you need to try these kitchen science experiments! Even better I’ve included links to YouTube videos so you can see the experiments in action!
Elephant Toothpaste
Elephant toothpaste is one of my all-time favorite chemistry experiments. I love the big wow it receives! This experiment is a chemical reaction that breaks down the Hydrogen Peroxide (also known as H2O2) into water and oxygen. When the oxygen is split by the reaction, it gets trapped inside the soap creating bubbles, lots of bubbles. Be careful as a byproduct of this reaction is heat, and the more advanced versions of this experiment can get very warm quickly!
Rainbow Skittles
I have seen this super cool experiment everywhere lately, and i recommend trying it. For older kids, it’s fun to hypothesize other variations for this experiment. Would other types of sweets produce the same result with water? Would other liquids like milk,lemonade or juice produce the same fun rainbow result?
Color Changing Milk
This is another easy experiment that you do with items you already have in your kitchen. Use a little bit of soap to disrupt the surface tension of the milk and cause the fat in the milk to move. Once the milk starts moving, the food dye does too and it creates a really cool effect! You can even try it with different types of milk to get different effects. Also try PVA glue, once it set’s you have a very cool picture that you can peel off.
Instant Freezing Water
This experiment is simple but fun! The only down side of this experiment is the time it takes to prepare. However, once the bottles of water are ready, children will love how the water freezes.
Walking Water
After something fun and easy. Try doing this walking water experiment that focuses on both absorption and color mixing. Set up your cups with absorbent paper towels and talk about how the water can defy gravity by slowly sticking to both itself and to the paper towel as it is absorbed up the paper towel. Once the liquids meet, the food coloring starts mixing for a very cool rainbow effect! My youngest absolutely loves this.
These experiments are simple to do and children love them. There are plenty of other kitchen experiments around, some of which we plan on having a go at soon.
If you know of any other kitchen based experiments, do let us know.
