When I told my 5 year old son we were going to make fireworks in a glass, he just looked at me and asked if this was going to be dangerous. I told him that it was going to be very safe, but I don’t think he actually believed me at first. Needless to say he was beyond amazed at the fireworks we created in a vase. I found this cool activity on a blog called The Homeschool Den.
Just look at my son’s face, he was so amazed!
Supplies:
- Tall glass or vase
- Oil
- Food Coloring
- Water
- A smaller cup/glass
- Fork
Directions:
Fill the tall glass/vase almost to the top with room-temperature water. Warm water is ok, too. Then pour a little oil into the other glass.
Add a couple of drops of food coloring to the oil. I used one drop of each color (red, yellow, blue and green), but you can use any color combo you wish. Don’t be tempted to add lots of food coloring, your water will turn dark quickly. I am only telling you from experience. =)
Stir, stir, stir
Briefly stir the oil and food coloring mixture with a fork. You want to break up the food coloring drops into smaller drops.
Our stirred food coloring drops.
Pour the oil and coloring mixture into the tall glass.
Slowly pour the oil with food coloring into the water.
Now watch! The food coloring will slowly sink in the glass, with each droplet expanding outward as it falls, resembling fireworks falling into water.
Waiting for the firework show to start….
Ooooooohh….Aaaahhhhhhh
The kids and I did this activity 6 times! They loved it!