Halloween is a time for costume donning, candy collecting, and pumpkin carving, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to do some spooky science with your little trick-or-treaters! Learn how to make a spooky ghost that grows with this fun Halloween-inspired experiment, and treat your kids to a science lesson that will amaze and mystify. Here’s what you’ll need:
Materials:
- Empty water bottle
- White balloon
- Permanent marker
- 1 Tbsp. baking soda
- 1/2 C. vinegar
Instructions:
1. Using your permanent marker, draw of spooky ghost face onto your deflated balloon.
2. Pour the baking soda into the opening of your deflated balloon.
3. Pour the vinegar into your empty water bottle.
4. Secure the open end of the balloon onto the top of the water bottle, making sure not to dump out the baking soda just yet.
5. When you’re ready for your ghostly apparition to appear, hold the balloon upright so that the baking soda falls into the bottle and mixes with the vinegar.
6. Sit back and be amazed!
The Science Behind The Fun
No, it’s not supernatural, it’s science! When the baking soda mixes with the vinegar, the chemical combination creates carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide rises to the top in an attempt to escape the bottle, where it then fills up the balloon and creates the growing ghost! Make sure to use the suggested amounts of each ingredient. If you mix too much of either additive you’ll risk turning your growing ghost into an exploding ghost. For this reason you may want to consider trying this experiment outside or in the garage.
The best kid-friendly activities blend education with excitement and this spooky science experiment does just that! The only thing better than seeing the smile on your child’s face as they marvel at the growing ghost will be knowing that they are learning something in the process! Record their reactions and share them with us on Facebook!
