This fun activity doubles as a super interesting at-home science experiment.
We've been scouring the internet looking for some new activity inspo as of late, however, a lot of the crafts we're seeing online can be incredibly complicated and difficult to replicate without a trip to the craft shop. This activity that we found on Pinterest (originally growingajeweledrose.com), on the other hand, uses simple ingredients you most likely already have at home and it is seriously fun.
As well as being exciting to look at, this activity also doubles as a fun at-home science experiment that helps to explain liquid density. But, if your kids are a bit young for that or you'd rather just do the craft with them, it's still a lovely way to spend an afternoon at home.
You will need:
- An empty jar
- 4 tbsp of cooking oil
- Food colouring
- Water
- A bowl
- Paper towels
- A spoon
How to make fireworks in a jar.
-
Fill a jar with water.
Fill a jar three-quarters of the way with water.
-
Add the food colouring and cooking oil to a bowl.
In a bowl, add three tablespoons of cooking oil along with a few drops of food colouring. It is recommended that you use 3-5 drops of food colouring per colour.
-
Stir the food colouring and oil.
Using a spoon, stir the food colouring and cooking oil. Note: it will not mix, but stirring will help to break the colours up.
-
Add the oil and food colouring to the jar of water.
Pour the oil and food colouring into the jar of water. At first, the oil will settle at the top, and after a few moments, the food colouring will shoot towards the bottom to create fireworks!
According to growingajeweledrose.com, oil is less dense than water, so it floats at the top and doesn't mix. Food colouring, on the other hand, is water-based, making it denser than the oil and causing it to shoot down towards the bottom. Pretty interesting, right?
Thinking of creating your own fireworks in a jar? Make sure to tag us in your creations on Instagram! Find us @familyfriendlyhq.