Explosions, color-changing elements, invisible ink - we sure do miss all the fun chemistry experiments we used to do at school. Too bad we can’t do any of them without an actual school lab and safety goggles, or can you?
Combine entertainment with education by conducting a fun science experiment yourself. Best of all, this fun activity is absolutely safe to do at home with kids. It’s called “elephant toothpaste,” and you don’t need any special equipment or supplies to conduct it.
Elephant toothpaste is neither toothpaste nor does it have anything to do with elephants. This science experiment produces a dense colorful foam that fizzes out of a bottle and kind of looks like a big fountain of toothpaste coming out of a tube.
This active chemical reaction occurs when hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is rapidly broken down into oxygen and water. To make it work, you need something to speed up the reaction - a so-called catalyst. For this experiment, we can use regular dry yeast as a catalyst, as it contains something called catalase that will speed up the reaction considerably. For extra sturdy foam, you’ll also need to add a few drops of dish soap, as well as some food coloring to make everything look prettier and more toothpaste-like.
One important thing to note here - the more concentrated the hydrogen peroxide, the fizzier the reaction. Hence, many online recipes recommend using a 6% hydrogen peroxide instead of the 3% kind.
The ingredients and equipment you’ll need to make elephant toothpaste are:
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Pour the hydrogen peroxide into the plastic bottle. We suggest doing this on a tray, or a nylon tablecloth.
2. Drop food coloring onto the sides of the bottle to create toothpaste-like streaks as the foam starts fizzing.
3. Add the dish soap to the bottle and swirl the bottle gently to mix in the dish soap.
4. In the small bowl, combine the yeast with the warm water.
5. Quickly pour the yeast mixture into the plastic bottle, too. Then step back and watch foam go.
NOTE: Elephant toothpaste generates some heat - it’s an exothermic reaction. Therefore, avoid touching the bottle and the foam.
Clean up the foam while wearing rubber gloves, as any leftover hydrogen peroxide may cause skin irritation.
H/T: Mental Floss
Incredible Science Breakthroughs That Made News in 2022
Let’s check out some of the most interesting scientific discoveries of 2022.
7 Ways to Develop a Child's Executive Functions
What are these executive functions and how can you help your child develop them? You will find all of this in the following guide.
9 Ways to Help Out Children With Anxiety
These nine strategies will enable you to support your children effectively, strengthening their mental well-being while helping them navigate their anxiety.
Parenting Tips: How to Put a 2 Year Old to Bed
This video tutorial offers practical solutions tailored for your 2 year old's bedtime.
Lessons I Learned From My Father on How to Be a Parent
Although I've passed on these skills to my own children, my father also imparted 10 additional lessons that we couldn't have learned from anyone else...
Solving 10 Food-Related Problems Some Parents Face
we have gathered 10 common problems and the best solutions to address them, assisting you to get through each family dinner or feeding the baby with ease.
7 Ways to Combat Passive Aggressive Behavior
Common passive-aggressive behaviors and the recommended responses to situations you may encounter.
40 Sentences Every Child Needs to Hear to Succeed in Life
Help your child succeed in life with these 40 sentences.
Couples Passionate About Each Other Practice These Rituals
It's amazing to think what miraculous things can happen between a couple when new positive, behavior patterns are developed.
8 Signs It's Time to Sever Ties From a Family Member
Sometimes, it’s important to sever ties with a family member who has been nothing but toxic to you.
Guide: The 4 Types of Dyslexia in Children
Every parent should get to know this subject beyond the superficial level, and also learn how to identify dyslexia in their children.
How Do We See Our Parents Throughout the Years?
From cradle to middle age, this is how we perceive our parents.
5 Tools to Help You Make a Strong, Stable Family
What tools can we use to make our family stronger and less dysfunctional? This article will help you by giving 5 tools to do just that.
These 40 Compliments Will Have a Lasting Effect on a Child
Every child should hear these words every once in a while.
Why Children Suck Their Fingers and How to Make It Stop
To aid in understanding and addressing finger sucking, this article discusses why it may happen and how to stop the behavior.
Print at Home: 24 Characters for Coloring with Kids!
For a fun time for kids of all ages, print out any of these popular characters for them to color.
What Happens When Parents Have a Favorite Child?
What Happens When Parents Have a Favorite Child?
This Letter Expresses a Parent's Love For Their Child...
This heartwarming letter is definitely one to share with our children and let them know just how much they mean to us.
Celebrating a Bond Between Grandmother and Grandson...
This short video is a gentle and beautiful example of loving your family.
8 Things You’re Doing That Are Spoiling Your Child
The desire to help our children and keep them happy all the time may make them spoiled, so avoid it by following these 8 tips!
This Devoted Dad Has Some Words to Share....
Michael Mitchell is a devoted American father who collects tips from various fathers about raising kids, and these are some of his most interesting!
Hilarious! Kids Aren't as Polite as They Used to Be
20 hilarious instances that show that politeness really isn't something kids are good at.
How to Answer Children's Toughest Questions
Answer your children's burning questions and find new questions to keep the conversation going at every age.
Guide: What to Feed a Baby at Every Age
Not all solid foods are suitable for every stage, which is why we have created a guide to help you feed your baby according to their age.
They Taught Us Our Multiplication Tables All Wrong!
Most multiplication tables are designed really badly, so hardly anyone can learn from them. Read on to see what a real times table looks like.
Solving 10 Food-Related Problems Some Parents Face
we have gathered 10 common problems and the best solutions to address them, assisting you to get through each family dinner or feeding the baby with ease.
Are These Schools the Most Unusual In the Entire World?
Many of us were educated in traditional classrooms, but the same cannot be said for the students at these 14 highly-unusual schools. Learn about them today.
They May Drive You Crazy, But Family is Family!
Family can drive you crazy but at the end of the day you can't help but love them. Here are some beautiful and funny quotes and pictures to make your day.
A Beautiful Old Tale: The Lion and the Mouse.
Share a lovely tale with anyone who loves bedtime stories in classic style!
Lessons I Learned From My Father on How to Be a Parent
Although I've passed on these skills to my own children, my father also imparted 10 additional lessons that we couldn't have learned from anyone else...
16 Lovely Quotes That Celebrate the Brotherly Bond
Having a brother is truly a blessing. These quotes will help you celebrate and appreciate them.
These "Harmless" Remarks Can Negatively Impact Children
Avoid saying these seemingly innocent phrases around kids; they confuse them.
All About the Annoying Phenomenon of Phubbing
If you know what this phenomenon is, read on for tips to tackle it. Here are four signs that you or your partner may be "phubbing."
9 Ways to Help Out Children With Anxiety
These nine strategies will enable you to support your children effectively, strengthening their mental well-being while helping them navigate their anxiety.
Children are Capable of So Much More than We Realize...
After seeing this video, you'll never dismiss kids just because of their age.
How to Deal With Parental "Burnout"
Parental burnout is a problem that can affect anyone, and it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of it.
How to Raise Happy Children: 10 Scientific Steps!
The most important thing for kids' success is their happiness, and these 10 top tips for getting your kids and grandkids happy are backed by science!
As a Baby Grows, THIS is What It Will See...
It's no secret that babies see the world differently than the rest of us do, and this video will show you just what their visual development looks like.
7 Daily Habits that Cause Couples to Fights
If you've gotten into the habit of doing the following 7 things, know that they are responsible for 90% of your biggest fights, and you should learn how to curb those reactions.
10 Worst Things to Say When Talking to Your Grandchildren
In this article, we will look at some of the things you should never say to your grandchildren.
Another Good Reason to Put the Phone Aside When With Kids
Extensive research on this topic has consistently shown the importance of giving our undivided attention to our children in order for them to learn and grow.
What Life Looks Like for British Royal Babies
Discover the cool and surprising facts about the Royal family's babies, the only babies in the world who are given passports at birth.
8 Methods to Help Children or Adults Swallow Their Pills
In this article, you'll learn 8 methods of taking pills that'll make it easier on kids or adults having difficulties.
9 Ways to Help Kids Study Pleasurably, Easily & Memorably
Studying is one of the things people don't often enjoy. That is because they haven't been taught how to study. Here are 9 scientifically proven tips.
You'll Appreciate Mothers a Lot More After Reading This
This wonderful little tale will remind you of how tough the occupation of motherhood can really be.
10 Timeless Old Family Films You Can Enjoy With Your Kids
These family films may be old, but they can still delight children to this day.
12 Reasons Why Every Kid Should Grow up With a Dog
Dogs are incredibly beneficial to a child's development. Read this list of 12 benefits that children reap when growing up around a dog.