A Sparkling Halloween Drink

September 28, 2024 / DIY / STEM Activities / Chemistry / Ages 3 - 5 / Bubbly Witches Brew

A clear plastic bowl sits on a dark grey surface, filled with a bright red, viscous substance. Several small plastic spiders and googly eyes are embedded within the substance, creating a playfully gruesome Halloween scene. The bowl rests on a larger, clear plastic tray, which reflects the surrounding environment. The overall effect is one of spooky fun, suggesting a Halloween-themed craft or decoration.

Age: 3-5
Time: Less than 30 minutes
Mess Level: Messy

Materials Needed:

A large container
Bicarbonate of soda
Vinegar
Food colouring
Washing-up liquid
Small toys like eyeballs and spiders

Several items are arranged on a dark grey surface, clearly laid out for a craft project. A glass bowl, decorated with small plastic spiders and googly eyes, sits to the left. Next to it are a small container of what appears to be white powder (possibly borax), a small bottle of red liquid (likely food colouring), and a tube of what looks like white glue or a similar substance. Finally, a small glass measuring jug is positioned on the right. The overall impression is of a preparation for a Halloween-themed slime or similar craft activity.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Pour a cup of bicarbonate of soda into the container and add a small amount of washing-up liquid. Please place the container on a large tray, or you can move it outdoors for this operation. The following scenes might cause some mess.

A clear glass bowl containing a quantity of off-white powder sits centrally on a clear plastic tray. The tray rests on a dark grey surface. The powder appears fine and uniformly textured. The image is simple and clearly shows the bowl and its contents, suggesting a preparation stage for a craft or scientific experiment. The lighting is even, and the overall impression is one of cleanliness and precision.

Pour half a cup of white vinegar into a cup and add your preferred food colouring. If you want the colour to be more vibrant, you can add more colouring.

A clear plastic tray sits on a dark grey surface. On the tray are two items: a small, clear glass jug containing a vibrant red liquid and a small, capped bottle of the same red liquid. The jug has a small, light brown wooden handle. The overall impression is of a simple, clean set-up, possibly for a craft or science experiment involving the red liquid, perhaps food colouring. The clear tray and even lighting allow the colours to be clearly visible.

Place spiders, eyeballs, or other spooky small toys you can find at home into the container.

A clear glass bowl sits on a clear plastic tray, which is placed on a dark grey surface. Inside the bowl is a quantity of white powder, amongst which are several small plastic spiders and a scattering of colourful beads. The scene is reminiscent of a Halloween-themed craft project, perhaps the preparation for making slime or a similar activity. The clear containers allow the contents to be viewed clearly, highlighting the contrast between the white powder and the dark spiders and bright beads.

Pour the vinegar into the container. The mixture in the container will start to fizz and bubble up with a large amount of coloured foam. You can continue adding bicarbonate of soda and vinegar to create more foam. Observe the bubbling process with your family!

A hand pours a bright red, viscous liquid into a clear, circular container. The container already holds several small, black plastic spiders and a single googly eye, partially submerged in the liquid. The container sits within a larger, clear rectangular tray on a dark grey surface. The red liquid appears thick and almost jelly-like, creating a visually striking contrast against the black spiders and clear containers. The scene suggests a Halloween-themed craft or sensory activity in progress.

The Science Behind It:

The witch's magic comes from the chemical reaction between vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. When vinegar (containing acetic acid) and bicarbonate of soda (sodium bicarbonate) mix, they undergo an interesting acid-base reaction, producing carbon dioxide gas. This gas forms a large amount of foam in the liquid, giving a bubbling effect. Adding washing-up liquid makes the foam even richer.

A Sparkling Halloween Drink

Materials Needed:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

The Science Behind It:

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