Fireworks in a Jar

This is a really easy science experiment that anyone will love to watch! And what is better than fireworks in a jar to get your kids excited about the upcoming Independence Day!?

With the quickest ever set up, this little project is suitable for people of all ages and presents a learning opportunity for any learning level.

This is easy peasy!

All you need is:

• Water
• A tall glass or jar
• Vegetable Oil
• Water-based food coloring (the kind in the little dropper bottles)

How to Make Fireworks in a Jar

Fill your jar almost full with room temperature water, leaving an inch or two at the top for the oil.

Put a few tablespoons of oil into a measuring cup or other smaller cup and add 4-5 drops of each color food coloring. Stir it around gently so the drops break up into smaller drops.

We used red and blue to make it patriotic and I was concerned that the drops would mix together and become purple. However, I quickly realized that they do stay separate in the oil, so don’t worry about that.

Once You have mixed the coloring you’ll want to act quickly because the drops will sink to the bottom and stick to the cup.

So go ahead and pour it all into the water.

The oil and colors will blob down into the water and then settle back up on top. Then the water-based colors will slowly separate themselves from the oil and drop down into the water making a fireworks effect.

How cool!?

Make it Educational

This effect happens because the water-based colors are heavier than the oil and sink down to meet the water. Then because they are made of water, they will start to mix in with the water creating streaks of color as they spread out.

Jane is 2 years old, so explaining to her HOW this happens is clearly above her level. She loved watching it and was mesmerized by the swirling colors. She actually surprised me and even mentioned at the very end that the water did turn purple – she thought it was super cool. To me, that’s more than enough for her to get out of this experiment!

If you have older kids that can grasp the oil vs. water concept definitely make a mini-lesson out of this and explain to them why the colors separate themselves from the oil. Explain why the oil sits on the top. When the fireworks are done, let them try to mix everything together and watch as the oil finds its place back on the top again. Ask them why the water turned purple. There’s a lot you can do with this little experiment!

Leave a comment or tag my Instagram and tell me how it went! Enjoy!

Check out my other 4th of July activities you can do!