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Do you remember our cool Elephant Toothpaste Science Experiment for kids?
My son Kian whose favorite subject is science has been sharing how kids can get in on the STEM learning fun by creating their own science experiments at home! Check out his Bubble experiment and Skittles Candy experiment.
We put a twist on this crazy foamy experiment by creating a Pumpkin Elephant Toothpaste Experiment. Ghoulish Halloween foamy fizzy fun for the kids.
Scroll all the way down to watch the video below for the step-by-step video in how to create this cool Pumpkin Elephant Toothpaste Science Experiment and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more fun videos!
PUMPKIN ELEPHANT TOOTHPASTE – MATERIALS:
(NOTE: this is based on using an approximate 10″ tall pumpkin, so we doubled the original amount used in our original Elephant Toothpaste Science Experiment. We tried it without doubling first but our pumpkin was too large to have enough foam come out! You will want to adjust your recipe ratio based on your pumpkin size)
- 1 cup of Hydrogen peroxide*
- Two packet of dry yeast (one packet is approximately 1/4 oz)
- 6 Tablespoons warm water
- Yellow food coloring
- A cylinder (at least 500 ml) or you can use a flask that fits your liquid
- 2 tablespoons of dish soap (any will do)
- A Pumpkin carved into a Jack O’ Lantern. Simple eyes, mouth and nose are great so the foam can go through easily.
- A funnel
- Safety goggles
*We used 40 volume hydrogen peroxide with is 12% available in beauty supply stores as “hair developers.” Most recipes call for at least 6% (20 volume) for a good foam reaction. The ones you get at the drug stores, won’t be as foamy as they are 3% but you can still try it with younger kids for safety.
**Hydrogen peroxide can burn and irritate skin so please only have adults pour and handle this step.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1. Carve your pumpkin Jack O’ Lantern. We recommend a simple face so the foam can come out easily. Adults do the carving. Have an adult pour the hydrogen peroxide into the cylinder.
Step 2. Add the cylinder inside the pumpkin. Have your child add 2 tablespoon of dish soap into the cylinder.
Step 3. Add several drops of food coloring. We used yellow but you can use any color. Green would be cool!
Step 4. Empty your yeast into a bowl and add the warm water. Mix well with a fork for 3o seconds.
Step 5. Pour the yeast into the cylinder, step back and watch the foamy magic happen! DON’T TOUCH THE FOAM AS IT’S AN EXOTHERMIC REACTION AND IS HOT! After several minutes, it does cool down.
The foam does dissipate from its lofty volume rather quickly in minutes and after several minutes, is not hot to the touch. However, to be extra cautious, please don’t have children touch and play with the foam in case all the hydrogen peroxide has not broken down from the catalyst (yeast).
Isn’t this the coolest Halloween science? This would make a wicked witch’s brew or potion!
When you are done, you can simply rinse out all ingredients in the sink as they are safe to drain.
So what’s the science behind this awesome elephant toothpaste?
Hydrogen peroxide is composed of water and oxygen. The yeast is a catalyst that takes the oxygen away from the hydrogen peroxide which then gets trapped by dish soap from lots of bubbles!
Have you tried making elephant toothpaste with kids? If you have we highly suggest this fun Jack O’ Lantern pumpkin twist!
Lots more Halloween ideas for kids here.
Watch the process video below of how to make this amazing Pumpkin Elephant Toothpaste with kids below!
More Fun Science Experiment
Classic Elephant Tootphaste
Bubble Science Experiment
Giant Magic Milk Experiment
Giant Rainbow Skittles Candy Experiment
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Agnes Hsu is a mom of three and has been inspiring parents and kids to get creative with easy activities and family friendly recipes for over 10 years. She shares her love for creative play and kids food to her 2MM+ followers online. Agnes' commitment to playful learning and kindness has not only raised funds for charity but also earned features in prestigious nationwide publications.