Oozing, Bubbling Wizard's Brew

This is a kid-friendly activity that’s perfect for Halloween or anytime you want to make a big mess in the name of science. The best thing about this kitchen science activity? It uses supplies found in your house.

Materials Baking Soda Glitter Dish soap Vinegar Cylinder or glass jar Food coloring Carved jack-o-lantern or fake one with a face Tray, cookie sheet or something to catch the ooze Set-Up Time – About 10 minutes Project Time – About 10-15 minues Project Location – Kitchen or place to catch the mess

Experiment

Start by placing the cylinder or jar on the tray and fill it halfway with vinegar. Add a few drops of food coloring and glitter and then mix in a big squirt of dish soap. Finally, add about a teaspoon of baking soda and say an incantation. Move your hands over the jar in a magical, witch-like stance, then stand back as the foaming and bubbling begins.

Take It Further

Instead of a candle, place a small but deep bowl inside your jack-o-lantern. Fill it with vinegar and all of the Wizard’s Brew ingredients and watch Jack burp and puke. Pumpkins. They can’t hold their Brew.

You can also try the Kid-Friendly Elephant’s Toothpaste to make your jack-o-lantern burp.

Try it again and leave out the dish soap. The soap makes the brew foamy. What happens to the brew without the soap?

Keep in mind that this “brew” isn’t edible. To make an edible or drinkable brew, try apple cider with a few chunks of dry ice. The potion will bubble and smoke and make for quite the Witches Brew. Wait until the dry ice is completely gone before serving the drinks. The cider will be carbonated too!