Fire-less Fireworks

 

Fireworks in a jar? Yes, this fun fireless fireworks activity will enthrall preschoolers!

 

 

Supplies needed:

 

1. Jar or clear cup
   
   
2. Warm water
   
   
3. Vegetable oil or baby oil
   
   
4. Fork
   
   
5. Food Coloring
   
   
6. Eyedroppers
   
   
7. Construction paper or watercolor paper
   
   
8. Crayons

 

“Fireworks” in a Jar

This activity is a perfect activity to practice observational and comparison skills. Compare these water fireworks to the real thing without the loud noises and dangerous combustion!

1. Fill your jar or cup ¾ full with warm water.
   
   
2. In a separate bowl add a few drops of food coloring to about 3 tablespoons of oil.  Stir it up to break up the large droplets of food coloring.  The food coloring will not mix with the oil.
   
   
3. Slowly pour the oil into the water. Eventually the oil will form a layer at the top of the jar. The food coloring is more dense than the oil, so as the droplets move through the oil, they will “explode” into the warmer water below.

 

Essential questions:

 

What happens as the food coloring touches the water?

 

Does it remind you of the fireworks you might see in the sky?

 

Are the colors mixing? 

 

 

“Splatter Fireworks”

This activity is a great way to practice making informed predictions.

 

1. Mix the water and food coloring. Make it nice and bright!

 

1. Tell your students that you will be dropping a single drop of water on the paper. Predict what will happen. Will the drop of water stay a drop or will it spread out? 

 

1. Drip water from about 2 inches high. Examine the pattern left on the paper. Trace it with crayons to look closely at the shape.

 

1. Drip another drop of water onto the paper. Drip it from farther away from the paper - about 5-7 inches from the paper. Before you drip the water, ask the students to draw their prediction of what the “firework” splatter will look like?

 

1. Repeat from different heights to make splatter-works!