Exploring the field of chemistry can be a great way to help kids gain an appreciation for science. Chemical experiments can be fun and educational, but it’s important to remember that safety is paramount. The following experiments all involve safe chemicals and do not require any special equipment.

Flaming Milk

This experiment is simple yet exciting. All you need is a bottle of milk and a lighter. Begin by pouring a small amount of milk into a dish. Then, take the lighter and light the surface of the milk. The surface will immediately begin to burn. Flames will erupt from the surface. As the milk continues to burn, it will form a yellow residue. This residue is carbon.

Crystal Snowflakes

This is a project that can be done over a few days. Begin by boiling one cup of water. Once boiling, stir in one cup of borax and one cup of Epsom salt until it is dissolved. Then, take a pipe cleaner and twist it into a snowflake shape. Put the snowflake into the solution and let it sit overnight. The next day, take the snowflake out and let it dry. Once it is dry, it will be covered in crystals. This is due to the borax and Epsom salt crystallizing on the snowflake.

Fizzing Colors

This experiment is sure to wow the kids. Begin by placing a few drops of food coloring into a dish of baking soda. Then, take a dropper and fill it with vinegar. Squeeze a few drops of the vinegar onto the baking soda and watch as it begins to fizz. The baking soda and vinegar will react to form a colorful fizz. This experiment can be repeated with different colors.

Instant Ice Cream

This experiment is a great way to make a delicious treat. Begin by mixing one cup of heavy cream, one cup of half and half, one teaspoon of sugar, and a few drops of vanilla extract in a bowl. Then, take a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and fill it with the mixture. Seal the bag, and then fill another Ziploc bag with ice and salt. Place the smaller bag inside the larger bag and shake for a few minutes. After a few minutes, the mixture will have transformed into ice cream.

Invisible Ink

This experiment is a great way to get creative. Begin by mixing one teaspoon of lemon juice with one cup of water. Then, take a paintbrush and dip it into the mixture. Paint a picture or write a message onto a piece of paper. Once it is dry, it will be invisible. To reveal the message, simply heat the paper with a hair dryer or hold it up to a lightbulb. The heat will cause the lemon juice to turn brown, revealing the hidden message.

Elephant Toothpaste

This experiment is sure to be a hit. Begin by filling a glass container with a few inches of hydrogen peroxide. Then, take a few drops of food coloring and add it to the hydrogen peroxide. Next, add a few drops of dish soap and stir. Finally, add a spoonful of yeast and watch as the mixture erupts into a foam. The reaction of the hydrogen peroxide and yeast creates a foam that looks like toothpaste.

Magic Milk

This experiment is a great way to explore the properties of surface tension. Begin by filling a shallow dish with milk. Then, take a few drops of food coloring and add it to the milk. Next, add a few drops of dish soap and watch as the food coloring swirls around the dish. The dish soap breaks the surface tension of the milk, causing the food coloring to move around.

Lava Lamp

This experiment is a great way to explore the properties of density. Begin by filling a glass container with water. Then, take a few drops of food coloring and add it to the water. Next, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil and watch as the food coloring rises and falls in the container. The oil is less dense than the water, causing it to rise to the top. The food coloring is more dense than the oil, causing it to sink to the bottom.

Conclusion

These experiments are a great way to introduce kids to the fascinating world of chemistry. Each experiment is simple and safe, and they are sure to be a hit with the kids. So, what are you waiting for? Grab some supplies and get started!