Looking for a fun and festive way to celebrate the Fourth of July without braving the Arizona heat (or risking singed eyebrows)? We’ve got you. This Fireworks in a Jar activity is the perfect mix of science, color, and indoor fun for kids of all ages.
Bonus: No fire. No mess. And it only takes 5 minutes!
🎇 What You’ll Need:
You probably already have most of these around the house—but we’ve linked a few of our favorite versions just in case you want to stock up or upgrade!
- A clear jar or tall glass
We love these kid-friendly mason jars with lids. - Warm water
- Vegetable oil
- Food coloring (red, blue, and yellow are fun for patriotic fireworks!)
This set comes with all the colors—and lasts forever. - A small bowl
- A fork or spoon
These colorful kid-safe forks are perfect for science play.
🔬 How to Make Fireworks in a Jar:
- Fill the jar about ¾ full with warm water. Set it aside.
- In a separate bowl, add 3–4 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
- Drop in several drops of food coloring (a mix of red, blue, and yellow for festive vibes works great).
- Gently mix the food coloring into the oil using a fork—just enough to break up the drops a bit. (Don’t stir too much!)
- Slowly pour the oil mixture into the jar of warm water.
- Sit back and watch the magic happen—colorful “fireworks” will fall through the oil and burst into the water below!
💡 The Science Behind It:
Oil and water don’t mix, and food coloring is water-based—so when it breaks through the oil layer, it sinks and starts to mix with the water, creating a slow, colorful burst that looks just like fireworks.
🧠 Learning Bonus:
This activity is a great way to talk about density, solubility, and chemical reactions—without feeling like a science class. Try asking your kids:
- What do you think will happen when we pour this in?
- Why do you think the colors are sinking?
- Can we make the “explosions” bigger?
📸 Make It Even More Fun:
Turn it into a mini photoshoot or video experiment! Snap pics of the colorful swirls and post your “science fireworks” on Instagram with #EpicKidsExperiment.
🧺 Clean-Up Tip:
Dump the mix down the drain with hot water and a little soap, and you’re good to go.
Want More Easy Science Fun?
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