Fireworks in a Jar

This activity is ideal for the elementary school students!

Materials:

• An empty jar

• 4 tbsp of cooking oil

• Food coloring

• Water

• A bowl

• Paper towels

• A spoon

Directions: Begin by filling an empty jar 3/4 of the way with water.  Set this to the side.  

In a bowl combine 3 tablespoons of cooking oil along with several drops of food coloring. Add 3-5 drops of food coloring for each color that you are using.  

Use a spoon to stir the food coloring into the oil. It will not mix but stirring will help to break the food coloring into smaller droplets.  

Now, pour the container of oil into the jar of water. After a moment or two the oil will settle at the top of the jar, but the food coloring will begin to shoot down and mix into the water, creating a "fireworks" effect!  

The food colors will continue to shoot down like fireworks until all the droplets have fallen from the oil.   

Idea By: Seattle YMCA