DIY: Magic Glitter | Tinkerer Box Blog

DIYs » Stem Activities » Quick Easy Experiments » Age 3 - 5 » Magic Glitter

Magic Sparkles

Stem Activities

Ages: 3-5

Less than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

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Create your own magic glitter effect! All you need is water, glitter, and soap. This experiment is simple to set up and will amaze your young children! The magic lies in how soap changes water's surface tension.

Materials Needed

Plate
Box of glitter
Soap
Cup of water

Arranged on a light wood-grain surface are several items, likely for a crafting or experiment setup. A plain white, bear-shaped dish sits to the left. Next to it is a duck-shaped soap dish containing a bar of white soap. A small, clear container filled with purple glitter sits beside the soap dish. A clear glass of water completes the arrangement on the right. The scene suggests preparation for a craft project or a demonstration involving soap, water, and glitter.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Pour water onto the plate.

A hand pours water from a clear glass into a white, bear-shaped dish on a light wood-grain table. The water is flowing into the dish, creating ripples. The image likely depicts a step in a science experiment, a crafting activity, or a demonstration involving water.

Step 2

Take the glitter and sprinkle it onto the water in the plate. Be careful not to use too much!

A hand sprinkles purple glitter into a white, bear-shaped dish containing water. The dish rests on a light wood-grain table. The image likely depicts a step in a craft project or experiment involving water and glitter.

Step 3

Dip your finger in the soap.

A white, bear-shaped dish filled with water and light purple glitter sits on a light wood-grain table. A finger points towards the glitter in the dish. This image likely illustrates a step in a craft activity or experiment.

Step 4

Now gently touch the glitter in the plate with your soapy finger and watch what happens to the glitter!

On a light wood-grain table, a white, bear-shaped dish holds water and light purple glitter. A hand interacts with the glitter, with a finger gently touching and seemingly moving the glitter within the water. The scene suggests a step in a craft activity, experiment, or sensory play.

The Science Behind It:

Water molecules like to stick together, while soap likes to separate them. Water molecules connect to each other (this is called surface tension), but when you add soap to the mixture, the water quickly separates. As the water moves, it carries the glitter along with it.

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