OK, this is seriously the coolest project we've done. The pictures don't do it justice at all - you'll really have to try this one yourself. I did this with the kiddos a few weeks ago and they loved it. I gave them a little science lesson while we did it of why oil and water don't mix, but it probably went a little over their heads, lol. This was a really fun project and I already had everything I needed for it except the alka seltzer, which was pretty cheap. I love that you can put the lid back on when you're done to save it for another day. You can also turn this into a lava lamp if you put a light underneath it. Here's how we made it:
What you'll need:
clear plastic or glass bottle
baby oil
water
food colouring
alka seltzer
Directions:
1. Take the lid off your bottle. Make sure your bottle is clean and fill it about 1/8th full with water.
2. Fill the rest of the bottle with baby oil until nearly full - watch the oil and water separate - very cool!
3. Slowly add drops of food colouring a couple at a time - this step is really neat - the food colouring stays in little balls as it drops through the oil and then pools where the water and oil meet - gradually these little balls burst and fill the water with colour
4. When the food colouring has mixed with the water, break up an alka seltzer tablet into a few pieces and drop the pieces in and watch the magic happen. The pictures don't do this justice at all and I couldn't photograph this for the life of me without getting a light reflection on the bottle. I even moved locations and it didn't work.
5. You can repeat step #4 until your little heart's content and when you and the kiddos have had enough, put the lid back on for another day.
Experiment from Science Bob
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Cool! I have to try it!
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that?! It would be GREAT for a science lesson on buoyancy!
ReplyDeleteOr do 5 or 6 with different colours in glass bottles and add different water/oil levels in each. You could 'play' them by hitting them with a spoon and make a super cool rainbow lava musical instrument. (betcha that would make a neat picture) ;)
awesome. I have a wine bottle that would work great for that!
ReplyDeleteOh I am so trying this! I need to get all the supplies so the next day we're bored out our minds I can pull it out! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis looks way cool! Thank you so much for sharing your projects!
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT! Going to have to try that one! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWe used to do this experiment in school, but never with alka seltzer. Definately going to try this with my kiddo! If you wanted to, we used to super glue the cap back on, then shake the bottle as much as we could to try to mix the oil and water. It always separated back.
ReplyDeletehow fun! I can't wait to try it- just have to stock up on some alka seltzer! Claire will love it.
ReplyDeleteWe did this with our children at kinder and the boys in particular were fascinated with it. We had an electric lava lamp we lit it up every day but it wasn't until the children made their own that their interest was engaged. It led to so much science and learning about why the bubbles rise and fall ... it was fantastic!
ReplyDeleteDonna :) :)
That's such a neat idea. Taking a mental note on that so I can do it when N is a lot older. :)
ReplyDeleteSo cool! I can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to try this!
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get the container?
Thanks ladies!
ReplyDeleteKristi - I got the container at a store called Winner's (in Canada) at Christmas. It was filled with hot chocolate mix. That probably won't help you though!
I love it!
ReplyDeleteThe container also looks a lot like Voss Water (available at Whole Foods and other higher end groceries).
ReplyDeleteHow cool!
ReplyDeleteWe did this a couple weeks ago too. My daughter called it "dancing pink bubles", super cool!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! We've done something like this with our preschoolers too, but only with oil and water. They enjoyed it, but it'd be even better with the alka seltzer. This could lead to some great science lessons too. I've included your post on my weekly favorites here: http://play2grow.blogspot.com/2011/01/weekly-favorites-for-january-23-2011.html
ReplyDeleteThanks again ladies!
ReplyDeleteI've done this activity many times but without the alka-seltzer. That will be a fun new twist - thanks!
ReplyDeleteHave you tried the alka-seltzer in Pepsi yet?
Marcia - thanks and no I haven't tried it. I'll have to google it to see what you're talking about!
ReplyDeleteOh my word, this is BRILLIANT!! I LOVE IT! What fun! My son will adore this!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing it on Kids Get Crafty!!
Maggy
Wow! This looks so much fun, I want to make one now!! :) Thanks for sharing such a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI have to do this with my boys! They will love it!! Thank you for sharing this terrific idea!
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about buying a lava lamp for my daughter recently.This is a great idea,I am sure she will enjoy this.
ReplyDeleteI think my 5 year old would LOVE this! You should come link up with Fun for Kids Friday
ReplyDeletehttp://www.localfunforkids.com/
I loved you blog! Added to my bloglist and will try to do some of the craft projects as time and my laziness permit!
ReplyDeleteLama
http://lamamutfakta.blogspot.com/search/label/English
We made these and they were so cool. WIll be posting it soon and am linking back to you. Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks ladies!
ReplyDeletesounds interesting i need to try it :)
ReplyDelete