5 Halloween Science Experiments

Do you have gummy worms left over from trick or treat? You can use them in this science experiment! Using the reaction between the baking soda and vinegar, you can bring them to life just like Frankenstein’s monster. 

Materials:

• 4 to 6 gummy worms
• Scissors or a knife
• 2 glasses
• 3 tbsp baking soda
• 1 cup water
• A plate or small dish
• A fork
• ½ cup vinegar

Instructions:

1. Cut each worm lengthwise using scissors or a knife. Separate the worm into at least 4 pieces.
2. Mix the water and baking soda together in one of the glasses.
3. Add the worms to the glass and stir.
4. Let the gummy worms sit in the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Use a fork to transfer the gummy worms to a plate or small dish.
6. Pour the vinegar into the other (empty) glass.
7. Drop the worms into the vinegar one at a time and watch them “come to life” and wriggle!

Looking for an experiment with a dramatic result? If you don’t mind a little cleanup, this one is for you! This experiment relies on a chemical reaction to create the illusion of a pumpkin puking. Your child is sure to be delighted! 

Materials:

• A small pumpkin
• A pumpkin carving knife
• A bowl to hold the pumpkin guts
• 3 tbsp baking soda
• Dish soap (optional)
• Food colouring
• ¼ cup vinegar
• A rimmed baking sheet or other tray to catch spills!

Instructions:

1. Carve a circle around the pumpkin’s stem and scoop out the insides. (You can use the pumpkin flesh and seeds for cooking!)
2. Next, carve a face into the front of the pumpkin, making sure the mouth is wide enough for the “vomit” to flow through. 
3. Place the pumpkin on the baking sheet.
4. Pour the baking soda into the bottom of the pumpkin.
5. Add a few drops of dish soap if desired.
6. Add 4 drops (or more!) of food coloring to the vinegar.
7. When you’re ready, pour the vinegar into the pumpkin and watch it puke!

Mixing an acid (vinegar) and a base (baking soda) results in a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide bubbles. The bubbles from the dish soap make the reaction even more dramatic.

Is your kid more on the squeamish side? Try this fun and tasty eggsperiment! You can use it to teach your child about pH differences. As a bonus, you get a spooky snack to add to your child’s lunch box!

Materials:

• A pot
• Cold water
• A few eggs
• A spoon
• Colourful foods (frozen blueberries or raspberries, red cabbage, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Place the eggs in a pot filled with cold water. There should be enough water to fully cover the eggs.
2. Add the colourful food to the pot.
3. Boil everything for 5 to 10 minutes, then turn off the burner.
4. Remove the eggs and rinse them under cool water.
5. Leave them to cool for 1 hour. 
6. Lightly crack the eggs with the back of a spoon so that cracks appear.
7. Place the eggs back in the pot with the coloured food.
8. Refrigerate for about three hours.
9. Then, peel the eggs and admire the cobweb pattern!

You can use fake blood to add a touch of realism to a costume or liven up your Halloween decorations.

Materials:

• 1 cup corn syrup
• About ¼ cup water
• 2 tbsp red food coloring
• A few drops of green food colouring
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• Cocoa powder or chocolate syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix the corn syrup, food colouring (red and green), and water.
2. Add the cornstarch and mix well.
3. For a darker colour, add a little cocoa powder or chocolate syrup and mix well.

Fake blood isn’t just for Halloween! It’s also commonly used in theatrical productions. That’s just one way you can use this project to draw connections between art and science!

This experiment involves fire, so adult supervision is required!

Materials:

• White paper tea bags
• Scissors
• A baking sheet
• Matches or a lighter
• A small bowl
• A black permanent marker

Instructions:

1. Remove the staple and string from the tea bag and empty the contents of the bag into the small bowl.
2. Cut off the top and bottom of the tea bag straight across.
3. Use the permanent marker to draw a ghost face on the bag.
4. Open the tea bag up to form a cylinder and place it upright on the baking sheet.
5. Use a lighter or match to set the top of the tea bag on fire.
6. Watch the ghosts fly away and turn to ash!

The lighter or match serves as an initial source of heat to start the reaction between the fuel (the tea bag) and the oxidizer (the oxygen in the air) during combustion. Once ignited, the bag burns, releasing heat and creating a convection current. This causes the hot, less dense air to rise, lifting the tea bag into the air. This experiment is a practical demonstration of the fire triangle and the principles of density and convection.