elephant toothpaste experiment recipe formula

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How to Make Elephant Toothpaste

Last Updated: July 23, 2024

This article was co-authored by Bess Ruff, MA . Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group. This article has been viewed 1,068,737 times.

Making elephant toothpaste is an easy and fun science experiment that you can do with your kids at home or with students in the lab. It is the result of a chemical reaction that creates a large amount of oozing foam. The movement of the foam looks like toothpaste squirting out of a tube while the amount of foam usually is enough for an elephant to brush its teeth.

Please be aware the concentrated hydrogen peroxide (greater than the household 3%) is a strong oxidizer. It may bleach skin and could possibly cause burns. Do not attempt without proper safety precautions and the presence of an adult. Also, the lab version includes potassium iodide, which can reach hot temperatures. If you are at home, we suggest you use water and dry yeast instead. Have fun with it, but be safe!

Ingredients

Home version.

• 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 ml) of 6% hydrogen peroxide liquid
• 1 tablespoon (25.5 g) of dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons (44 ml) of warm water
• Liquid dish washing soap
• Food coloring
• Plastic bottles of all shapes

Lab version

• Liquid detergent
• 30% hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )
• Saturated solution of potassium iodide (KI)
• Graduated cylinder
• Food coloring (optional)

Preparing for the Experiment

• You can use 3% hydrogen peroxide for the experiment, though it may not produce as much foam as a 6% concentration.

Conducting the Home Version Experiment

• Depending on your child’s age, you can have them use a fun spoon and stirring tool. You can also have the put on goggles and a lab coat. Kid safety goggles can be found at your local hardware store.
• Check the yeast packaging to see how hot the water needs to be.

• If your child is too young, have them squeeze the dish soap and food coloring into the bottle. You can also add glitter to make it more fun. Make sure the glitter is plastic and not metal-based because peroxide should not be used with metal. [4] X Research source
• Stir the mixture yourself or have your child do it if old enough. Be sure that the hydrogen peroxide is not spilled.

• The fungi in the yeast immediately cause the hydrogen peroxide to decompose and strip off an extra oxygen molecule. The yeast acts as a catalyst as it causes the hydrogen peroxide molecule to release an oxygen molecule. The stripped off oxygen molecule takes the form of a gas and once it hits the soap it creates fluffy foam bubbles, while the rest stays as water. The gas looks for an escape route and the foam “toothpaste” gushes out of the bottle. [6] X Research source
• Make sure the yeast and hydrogen peroxide are mixed well for optimum effect.

• With a regular soda bottle and 3% hydrogen peroxide, you will probably get a cascading effect like a chocolate fountain.

Adjusting the Experiment for a Lab Version

Expert Q&A

• You might notice that the reaction produces heat. That's because the chemical process is exothermic, meaning that it releases energy. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 0
• Keep your gloves on when disposing of the elephant toothpaste. You can dump both the foam and the liquid down the drain. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 5
• Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) naturally breaks down into water (H 2 ) and oxygen over time. But you can speed up the process by adding a catalyst. And as the hydrogen peroxide releases a lot of oxygen at once in the presence of detergent, millions of little bubbles form quickly. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

• You can use any type of liquid soap, but don’t use antibacterial soap if you use yeast because the soap will kill the yeast.

• Elephant toothpaste can stain! Thanks Helpful 19 Not Helpful 5
• The foam will overflow suddenly and quickly, especially in the chemistry lab version. Ensure this experiment is conducted on a washable, stain-resistant surface, and do not stand anywhere near the bottle or cylinder when it foams. Thanks Helpful 14 Not Helpful 3
• The resulting substance is called elephant toothpaste only because of its appearance. Don't put it in your mouth or swallow it. Thanks Helpful 16 Not Helpful 4
• This experiment cannot be done safely without goggles and gloves. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 10

Things You'll Need

• Safety goggles
• Disposable gloves
• Plastic soda bottle
• Tall graduated cylinder
• Liquid or powdered detergent
• Saturated solution of potassium iodide
• food coloring (optional)

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-hydrogen-peroxide-good-for/
• ↑ http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2013/08/fun-science-experiment-for-kids.html
• ↑ https://sciencebob.com/fantastic-foamy-fountain/
• ↑ https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/make-elephant-toothpaste/

About This Article

To make elephant toothpaste, mix 3 tablespoons of warm water with 1 tablespoon of yeast in a bowl. Next, add dish soap, food coloring, and 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide in a bottle and mix the ingredients thoroughly. Then, pour the yeast mixture through a funnel into your bottle. Quickly stand back, remove the funnel, and watch your mixture erupt into a fluffy foam! For tips on adjustments you can make to get other effects, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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August 1, 2019

Make Elephant Toothpaste

A bubbly science project from Science Buddies

By Science Buddies & Ben Finio

Squeeze some science: Use a little kitchen chemistry to make a fountain of "toothpaste" almost big enough for an elephant's brush!

George Retseck

Key Concepts Chemistry Biology Reaction Catalyst Surface tension

Introduction Create a giant foaming reaction, and use science to wow your friends with this classic activity. With just a few ingredients you can make something that looks like foamy toothpaste being squeezed from a tube—but so big that it looks almost fit for an elephant!

Background You might be familiar with hydrogen peroxide as an antiseptic used to clean cuts and scrapes, which it does by killing bacteria. But what is it? It is a liquid made from hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms (its chemical formula is H 2 O 2 ). It is available in different strengths, or concentrations. You usually find it in a 3 percent concentration (although higher concentrations are available, they are more dangerous and must be handled carefully). It also breaks down when exposed to light, which is why it usually comes in dark brown bottles. 

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When hydrogen peroxide breaks down, it turns into oxygen (O 2 ) and water (H 2 O). Normally this breakdown happens very slowly. But you can make that reaction happen faster! How? By adding a catalyst. Yeast is an organism that contains a special chemical called catalase that can act as a catalyst to help break down hydrogen peroxide. Catalase is present in almost all living things that are exposed to oxygen, and it helps them break down naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide. 

This means that if you mix yeast with hydrogen peroxide, the hydrogen peroxide will rapidly break down into water and oxygen gas. The oxygen gas forms bubbles. These bubbles would usually escape from the liquid and pop quickly. But adding a little dish soap provides additional surface tension, allowing the bubbles to get trapped and creating lots of foam. This foam looks like a giant squeeze of toothpaste—almost big enough for an elephant!

Empty plastic bottle

Dry yeast (found in the baking section of the grocery store)

Liquid dish soap

3% hydrogen peroxide

Measuring cups 

Measuring spoons

Safety glasses

Large tub or tray to catch the foam 

Location for the activity that can tolerate spills (of hydrogen peroxide as well as possibly food coloring), such as a kitchen or bathroom—or an outdoor location 

Liquid food coloring (optional)

Different-shaped bottles or glasses (optional) 

Preparation

Put on your safety glasses to do this activity because hydrogen peroxide can irritate your eyes. (Note: although the product of this activity resembles toothpaste, it is not toothpaste, so do not attempt to use it!)

Gather your materials in the location where you plan to do your activity. Place your plastic bottle on the tray or tub so that it is easy to clean up all the foam.

Measure 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide, and carefully pour it into the bottle.

Add a big squirt of dish soap into the bottle, and swirl gently to mix.

If you want to make your foam a single color, add a few drops of food coloring directly into the hydrogen peroxide, and swirl the bottle gently to mix. If you want to give your foam stripes like some toothpastes, put the drops along the inside rim of the bottle’s mouth. Let them drip down the inside of the bottle, but do not mix. 

In a measuring cup mix together one tablespoon of yeast and three tablespoons of warm water. Stir for about 30 seconds. 

Pour the yeast mixture into the bottle then quickly step back, and watch your reaction go! What happens? How long does the reaction last?

Extra: Try the activity without the dish soap. What happens? How was the result different?

Extra: Try the activity with different-shaped containers. What happens if you use a bottle with a narrower or wider neck—or a cylindrical drinking glass with no neck?

Observations and results You probably saw lots of bubbles and foam in this activity. What makes the foam appear? When the hydrogen peroxide comes into contact with the yeast it starts breaking down into water and oxygen. Oxygen is a gas and therefore wants to escape the liquid. The dish soap that you added to your reaction, however, traps these gas bubbles, forming a foam. The reaction continues as long as there is some hydrogen peroxide and yeast left. Once one of them runs out it stops making new foam. If you tried the activity without dish soap, the reaction probably will still made bubbles—but not foam. 

Cleanup Wash the foam down the sink when you are done with the activity. 

More to Explore Enzymes, Foam and Hydrogen Peroxide , from Science Buddies Exploring Enzymes , from Scientific American The Liver: Helping Enzymes Help You , from Scientific American Erupting Diet Coke with Mentos , from Science Buddies Yeast Alive! Watch Yeast Live and Breathe , from Scientific American STEM Activities for Kids , from Science Buddies 

This activity brought to you in partnership with Science Buddies

Elephant Toothpaste

Create a giant, foaming reaction that will astound kids with this Elephant Toothpaste Science Experiment. This simple science experiment is a another erupting science that thrills kids of all ages. Students will learn about chemical reactions that are exothermic. Go beyond baking soda and vinegar reactions and try Elephant Toothpaste.

How To Make Elephant Toothpaste

What you will discover in this article!

Disclaimer: This article may contain commission or affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer I earn from qualifying purchases. Not seeing our videos? Turn off any adblockers to ensure our video feed can be seen. Or visit our YouTube channel to see if the video has been uploaded there. We are slowly uploading our archives. Thanks!

This classic science experiment has been wowing kids for generations. At the science centre or on TV you have probably seen spectacular elephant toothpaste experiments that shoot up feet into the air. Here we provide you with a simple version of Elephant Toothpaste using items from your home.

Check out our video set to music demonstrating Elephant Toothpaste in action!

Watch this fun experiment in action. If you can’t see the video, please turn off your adblockers as they also block our video feed. You can also find this video on the STEAM Powered Family YouTube Channel .

What is Elephant Toothpaste?

Elephant toothpaste is a safe, fantastic foamy science experiment using Hydrogen Peroxide and Yeast. When done in a beaker or bottle that narrows at the top, it oozes out like a great big tube of toothpaste. Perfectly sized for an elephant!

Depending on where you are in the world, Elephant’s Toothpaste has also been called Devil’s Toothpaste, Demon’s Toothpaste

It packs huge wow factor with the kids. It also provides a sensory experience while teaching kids important scientific principles such as:

Chemistry Catalyst Surface tension Exothermic reaction Temperature Liquid/Gas (states of matter) Mixture

Is Elephant Toothpaste Safe?

Elephant Toothpaste is safe when using 3% hydrogen peroxide! The foam is composed of soap, oxygen and water. It makes a great sensory science experience.

NOTE: Although we call this toothpaste, it is not toothpaste and should not be tasted. Ensure appropriate supervision is provided at all times.

Elephant Toothpaste Ingredients

250mL Glass Erlenmeyer Flask or an empty plastic bottle Dry yeast Warm water Liquid dish soap 3% hydrogen peroxide * Liquid food colouring Measuring cups Measuring spoons Safety goggles or glasses Large tub or tray (something with a lip) Funnel (optional – can help kids with pouring) Infrared non-contact thermometer (optional, helps with measuring the exothermic reaction)

*Higher percentage concentration hydrogen peroxide are dangerous and can cause skin irritation. Ensure you are using 3% with your kids in this experiment.

Elephant Toothpaste Experiment

Pick a place to do this experiment that is easy to clean up. If you do this in a nice big, high lipped tray that should contain most of foam, but in my experience kids love to play and touch the foam, so things can get messy quickly. Have your child put on safety glasses and clothes they don’t mind splashing.

Start by mixing one packet (about 1 tablespoon) of yeast with 1/4 cup warm water in cup to create the first mixture . Let it sit for about 30 seconds while you prep the beaker.

Into the flask add 150 mL of Hydrogen Peroxide, a tablespoon of dish soap (after a few tries we just used a squirt of dish soap, it doesn’t need to be exact), and about 15 drops of food coloring (if desired).

If you are taking temperatures, take a temperature of each of the liquids now.

Now pour the yeast mixture into the hydrogen peroxide solution.

Watch the reaction!

If you are doing temperatures, make sure you take a temperature read during the reaction too!

Elephant Toothpaste Science

The main reactor in this experiment is 3% Hydrogen Peroxide a liquid made from hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms (chemical formula H 2 O 2 ), which is used in first aid as an antiseptic. Normally it comes in a dark bottle because H 2 O 2 or hydrogen peroxide breaks down in light, turning into oxygen (O 2 ) and water (H 2 O). Normally this reaction happens very slowly, but we can speed it up with a little science!

Yeast, which we use to make bread , is an organism that contains a special chemical called catalase that can act as a catalyst to help break down hydrogen peroxide. This means that if you mix yeast with hydrogen peroxide, the hydrogen peroxide will rapidly break down into liquid water and oxygen gas . During this process energy is also released in the form of heat, which is known as an exothermic reaction .

Elephant Toothpaste Chemical Formula

Here is the chemical reaction for Elephant Toothpaste: 2 H 2 O 2 (aq) → 2 H 2 O (l) + O 2 (g)

Those gas bubbles would normally pop and disappear, but by adding a bit of dish soap, we can trap lots of bubbles thanks to an increase in surface tension . We explore this scientific concept in our Magic Milk experiment . This means the foam is simply soap, oxygen and water. Perfectly safe to touch and explore!

The result is a spectacular eruption of foam known as Elephant Toothpaste.

Elephant Toothpaste Extension Activities

There are a few things you can do to dig deeper into this reaction:

• Use an infrared no touch thermometer to measure the exothermic reaction.
• Why stop at a single color? Make multi-colored Elephant’s Toothpaste by dropping different colors of liquid food coloring down the inside of the bottle rather than mixing it into the solution. The result will be colored foam stripes.
• Try different shaped containers to see how the reaction changes. Maybe a plastic soda bottle or a mason jar with a wider neck. How does the experiment results change?
• Alter the ratio of yeast to hydrogen peroxide. What if you increase to one cup of hydrogen peroxide? What effect does it have on the reaction?
• What happens if you remove the dish soap?
• Visit your local science center and ask when they will be doing their next Elephant Toothpaste demonstration. They use a different reaction that produces spectacular results with lots of foam!
• Only do this next extension with responsible middle or high school students, and under direct adult supervision – Visit the hair supply store and get 6% or higher hydrogen peroxide. How does the higher concentration hydrogen peroxide change the results? ( Hint … bigger and messier!)

Don’t forget to try our Valentine’s Day Science Experiment Blooming Roses Elephant Toothpaste !

How To Clean Up Elephant Toothpaste

Once you are done with the experiment and playing with the foam, you can wash everything up in the sink . In fact, it cleans up easily thanks to the soap.

Sensory Experience

While doing this experiment ensure you discuss the sensory inputs provided by this fantastic foaming science.

First they will experience the sense of smell from the yeast. Have the kids discuss this smell and what it reminds them of.

Next we have the sensory experience of touch . This is done in two ways. Have them touch the sides of the beaker before and after the experiment starts. This way they can experience the exothermic reaction (the beaker will feel warm, but as long as you are using 3% hydrogen peroxide, it is not hot). You can reinforce this exploration by using a non-contact thermometer. The second touch experience is with the foam. The foam is perfectly safe to touch. As we explored in the science portion, the foam is just soap, water and oxygen.

Elephant toothpaste is a fantastic sensory science experience.

Elephant Toothpaste Classic Science

Creating Elephant Toothpaste is a quick and easy science experiment that can be easily adjusted to suit the learning needs of upper elementary through middle school. It has great WOW factor, and kids around the world have loved creating these foamy fountains we affectionately call, Elephant Toothpaste.

Enjoy this classic science experiment!

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How to Make Elephant Toothpaste

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As we all know, elephants probably don't brush their teeth. But if they did, they probably wouldn't use elephant toothpaste. It's really fun to make, though.

Imagine shaving cream shooting out of a volcano you made for the science fair. That's the satisfaction that comes with the foaming chemical reaction produced when you mix dish soap, hydrogen peroxide and dry yeast ― and the good news is, you can make it in your home. You know, if nobody minds you making a gigantic mess.

The elephant toothpaste reaction is just the speeding-up of a chemical reaction that usually happens very slowly. Hydrogen peroxide ― that antiseptic liquid that usually comes in a brown bottle and bubbles up when you put it on a cut ― is a chemical compound that's made of two hydrogen and two oxygen molecules bonded together. The chemical formula for hydrogen peroxide is H 2 O 2 , which might sound a bit familiar because it's very close to the most famous chemical compound of all time ― H 2 O, or plain old water. In fact, hydrogen peroxide, if left to its own devices, will sit around quietly decomposing into water and an extra oxygen atom ― especially when exposed to sunlight, which is why it comes in a dark brown bottle. But elephant toothpaste provides a way to see this chemical decomposition happen very quickly and dramatically.

The way to speed it up is to murder some yeast. These tiny organisms, like nearly all living things, contain an enzyme called catalase that acts as a catalyst for the reaction. Once the hydrogen peroxide comes in contact with the yeast, it starts splitting into water and oxygen gas at an alarming rate. The thing is, this reaction doesn't look like much unless you add the third ingredient: dish soap.

Because the oxygen gas released by decomposing H 2 O 2 just forms delicate bubbles that pop when they get to the surface, the spectacle of elephant toothpaste requires a little something extra to give the bubbles surface tension. Adding liquid soap preserves the bubbles and turns them into a rapidly proliferating foam.

Elephant Toothpaste Recipe

So, are you ready to make some elephant toothpaste? Great! You'll need:

• 1/2 cup (4 fluid ounces, or 12 millilters) hydrogen peroxide. There are several different recipes online, but most agree that you get the best reaction with the 12 percent hydrogen peroxide solution (called "V40 developer") you can find at beauty supply stores ― the kind you use to bleach hair. That said, if you're trying this with children, it might be safer (although less exciting) to use the 3 percent H 2 O 2 you get in the brown bottle at the pharmacy, as the stronger stuff can really irritate skin and eyes. Of course, none of this stuff should be ingested.
• One packet of dry yeast granules you can find in the baking section of the grocery store.
• A giant dollop of dish soap.
• Food coloring, for flair, though this is optional.
• Warm water to activate the yeast.
• Protective eye gear like safety goggles or even your own eyeglasses. Gloves and an apron also would be a good idea.
• A container ― any bottle with a narrow neck will show off the elephant toothpaste reaction to its best advantage.
• A pan to catch your results, though a bathtub would be a smart place to do this experiment.

Follow the activation directions on the packet of yeast, adding warm water and waiting until it begins to fizz. Pour the hydrogen peroxide into the bottle first, adding a couple drops of food coloring if you wish, and a generous squirt of dish soap. Pour the yeast mixture in last, and watch it blast off!

Please don't cap the bottle, and please don't try to use this toothpaste on your own teeth!

If you like elephant toothpaste, you might really like the Mentos and Coke explosion .

Elephant Toothpaste FAQ

How do you make elephant toothpaste, can you use 3 percent hydrogen peroxide for elephant toothpaste, what is the meaning of elephant toothpaste, what kind of hydrogen peroxide do you need for elephant toothpaste, what causes elephant toothpaste to explode.

Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article:

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Hands on kids activities for hands on moms. Focusing on kids activities perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

Science Experiment: Elephant Toothpaste for Kids

Science Grade School Kindergartners Preschoolers Bottles Experiment 11 Comments

Exciting elephant toothpaste science experiment for kids that is sure to bring amazement!

Perfect for your little scientist at home. Watch what will happen!

Get the FREE Week of Science Experiments

My daughters and I have done a lot of science experiments  over the years. There are so many to choose from!

We’ve tried color-changing milk , learned about what dissolves in water , and experimented with density in liquids . Just to name a few.

Recently, I was in the mood to do a science experiment  and asked my daughters which one they would like to do again.

I was (pleasantly) surprised they both said the same experiment: elephant toothpaste.

Not only did they both agree, but I already had all of the supplies on hand!

Make Elephant Toothpaste Experiment: Supplies Needed

Elephant toothpaste recipe ingredients:

• yeast packet (0.25 oz)
• 1/2 c. 3% hydrogen peroxide
• 3 Tbsp warm water
• food coloring
• 1/2 c measuring cup
• empty water bottle
• measuring spoon (1 Tbsp)
• small spoon
• safety glasses

How to Make Elephant Toothpaste Experiment for Kids

Once you have gathered all your supplies, you can follow the steps below. Which preschoolers can even assist with.

Place the empty water bottle in the cake pan. Put on safety glasses.

Hypothesize what will happen when you mix the ingredients together.

First pour 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide into the empty bottle using a funnel.

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Then squirt a small amount (about 1 Tbsp) of dish soap into the bottle.

Gently swirl the bottle to mix contents.

Then you can add some drops of food coloring. The more drops you add, the darker the color will be.

Gently swirl the bottle again to mix the contents.

We added yellow food coloring.

The kids hypothesized the yellow food coloring mixed with the green dish soap would create blue elephant toothpaste.

It didn’t. It was still yellow!

Next empty the yeast packet into a small bowl.

And then add 3 Tbsps of warm water.

Now mix with a spoon until the yeast is completely dissolved. (My daughter said it looked like chocolate milk when it was ready.)

Your almost ready now to watch the elephant toothpaste for kids in action!

Combine Everything!

Lastly, dump all the contents from the bowl into the bottle using the funnel. Remove the funnel quickly.

Observe & Explore the Elephant Toothpaste with your Kids

Foam and bubbles should ooze out of the water bottle.

Feel the side of the bottle.

It should feel warm because heat is created. (Do not attempt to put any of it in your mouth.)

Did what you had predicted happen?

Clean up by pouring the foam down a sink with some water.

Download the Elephant Toothpaste Experiment for Kids Free Printable

It is convenient to have a science experiment in an easy-to-follow print-ready format.

So, below is an easy-to-read file with supplies and directions to make your own elephant toothpaste for kids.

Download and enjoy!

What is the Scientific Method ?

My daughters fill out lab reports when we do science experiments for school.

But this science experiment was just for fun. No lab reports required!

With that being said, we still seemed to follow (at least most of) the scientific method.

• Hypothesize

I did some online research with the kids to explain what had happened with the elephant toothpaste.

There were quite a few technical terms we discovered including “exothermic reaction” and “catalysts”.

Feel free to do your own research for more information.

In simplest terms, however, we learned the bubbles that were created contain oxygen. (They knew oxygen is something in the air we breathe.)

The dish soap helped to make the foam.

And the yeast  helped to make the bubbles and foam form faster.

We absolutely loved the elephant toothpaste science experiment for kids! We hope you do too.

What is your favorite science experiment?

Share with us in the comments!

About Brigitte Brulz

Brigitte Brulz is a homeschooling mom of two daughters, wife of her high school sweetheart, and author of Jobs of a Preschooler and Pickles, Pickles, I Like Pickles. She offers free coloring pages and activity ideas on her website at BrigitteBrulz.com .

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August 4, 2022 at 5:53 am

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Elephant Toothpaste Science Experiment

Elephant Toothpaste anyone? Although elephants might not be too excited about the idea, your kids will be thrilled with the fun chemical reaction of this super simple science experiment.

With only a few common items that you probably already have at home, kids can see the quick and impressive results of the chemical reaction, feel the heat released from the process, and even play with the “elephant toothpaste” foam afterward.

Below you’ll find detailed and printable instructions, a materials list, a demonstration video, and an easy to understand explanation of why it works!

JUMP TO SECTION: Instructions | Video Tutorial | How it Works

Supplies Needed

• 2 Tablespoons Warm Water
• 1 Teaspoon Yeast
• Food Coloring
• Hydrogen Peroxide – Either 3% or 6%
• Empty Plastic Bottle

Helpful Tip: You can find the 3% at most stores, but you will need to either go to a Beauty Supply Store or order the 6% online. In the video I perform the experiment two ways. Once using the 3% peroxide and once using the 6%. It is often recommended to use 6% peroxide, but we actually preferred the reaction that happened with the 3% better.

Elephant Toothpaste Science Lab Kit – Only $5

Use our easy Elephant Toothpaste Science Lab Kit to grab your students’ attention without the stress of planning!

It’s everything you need to  make science easy for teachers and fun for students  — using inexpensive materials you probably already have in your storage closet!

Elephant Toothpaste Experiment Instructions

Step 1 –  Combine two tablespoons of warm water with one teaspoon of yeast and mix until the yeast is completely dissolved in the water. 

Step 2 –  Pour 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide into the empty bottle. You’ll see here that we have two bottles. The bottle pictured on the left is being filled with 3% hydrogen peroxide while the bottle pictured on the right is filled with 6% hydrogen peroxide.

Step 3 –  Add a few drops of food coloring into the bottle. Take a moment to make a few observations. What happened when you added the drops of food coloring?

Note: This step is optional, but adding the color adds a fun element to the experiment. You’ll see that we used a different color of food coloring for each bottle. 

Step 4 – Next, add a squirt of dish soap into the bottle. Again, take a moment observe what happened. Did adding the dish soap appear to have any effect on the liquid already in the bottle?

Step 5 – Finally, pour the mixture of water and yeast into the bottle. Watch carefully and observe what happens. 

Helpful Tip: You may need to gently swirl the bottle in order to get the items to completely combine. We had to do that for the 6% hydrogen peroxide.

Sit back and watch what happens. Write down your observations as you watch the experiment. Can you describe what happens when you add the water and yeast mixture to the bottle. If you are using both the 3% and the 6% hydrogen peroxide like we are, is there a difference between what happens? 

Wondering what caused the liquid to react that way? Find out the answer in the how does this experiment work section below.

Video Tutorial

Watch the Elephant Toothpaste Science Experiment Step by Step Instructions Video

How Does the Elephant Toothpaste Science Experiment Work

This experiment shows a very impressive and fast chemical reaction! Hydrogen peroxide is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen (H2O2). In this experiment, yeast is a catalyst that helps release oxygen molecules from the hydrogen peroxide solution.

A catalyst is a material that increases the rate of a reaction without itself being consumed

The release of oxygen molecules in this experiment happens FAST! The foam created in this chemical reaction is made up of very tiny oxygen bubbles. These bubbles result when hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is broken down by the yeast into water (H2O) and oxygen (O2).

During the reaction, feel the bottle. It will feel warm to the touch because it is an exothermic reaction .

An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases energy through light or heat (in this case, heat).

The reaction will continue and foam will be produced until all of the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been broken down into water (H2O) and oxygen (O2).

**Have fun playing with the foam after the experiment is over! It is safe to touch because all that foam is just soap, water and oxygen. Let your kids have some fun with the foam too. Just be sure to have a towel handy!

Other Ideas to Try

Try adding more or less yeast when doing the experiment again. How does this affect the amount of foam produced?

Try the experiment again, but change the size of the bottle. How does this affect the amount of foam produced?

I hope you enjoyed the experiment. Here are some printable instructions:

• Hydrogen Peroxide – Either 3% or 6%

Instructions

• Combine two tablespoons of warm water with one teaspoon of yeast and mix until the yeast is completely dissolved in the water.
• Pour 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide into the empty bottle
• Add a few drops of food coloring into the bottle
• Add a squirt of dish soap into the bottle
• Pour the mixture of water & yeast into the bottle
• Sit back and watch what happens

Reader Interactions

February 7, 2016 at 8:13 pm

do it was a cemical reacin

February 8, 2016 at 1:15 pm

Correct! The yeast is mixed with the hydrogen peroxide causes a chemical reaction.

Which version did you like better, the one that reacted fast or the one that reacted slow?

May 17, 2018 at 12:31 pm

Looks amazing! What is the chemical reaction?

March 24, 2019 at 10:40 am

I’m am going to do that science project and this was super helpful thanks so much

March 24, 2019 at 10:46 am

Thank you so much I am doing this science project and I don’t know what to do and now I know what to do j

September 1, 2019 at 8:09 am

Did you try using more yeast or more 3 % hydrogen peroxide?

Found this explanation: “The yeast acted as a catalyst; a catalyst is used to speed up a reaction. It quickly broke apart the oxygen from the hydrogen peroxide. Because it did this very fast, it created lots and lots of bubbles. Did you notice the bottle got warm. Your experiment created a reaction called an Exothermic Reaction – that means it not only created foam, it created heat! The foam produced is just water, soap, and oxygen ” The yeast is not reacting with the hydrogen peroxide. Rather it is acting as a catalyst. A catalyst is a substance that causes a chemical reaction to speed up but is not “used” up during the reaction. Hydrogen Peroxide: H2O2 hydrogen and oxygen Baker’s Yeast: C19H14O2 carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

August 18, 2020 at 2:25 pm

My son did this experiment which was great! The only problem was that he played with the foam afterwards and his hands got super itchy. Can you be allergic to the yeast? Just a warning in case this happens to anyone else.

August 11, 2023 at 8:49 pm

Yeah I did this with potassium iodide and 25% hydrogen peroxide in a lab and my fingers went a little white on the tips (I had gloves on after this happened) they did get itchy and I think it was just the hydrogen peroxide bleaching the skin. This is an exothermic reaction so it can get hot not sure how hot with yeast.

January 25, 2022 at 11:25 am

It did not work for me and i don’t know why maybe caused i used rubbing alcohol insted

December 6, 2023 at 3:55 pm

good helpful and fun

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Elephant Toothpaste Experiment: How-To Plus Free Worksheet

Heat things up with this larger-than-life science lesson.

Who knew toothpaste could be so fun? While no actual toothpaste is produced, this experiment is an exciting and hands-on way to bring several science lessons to life. You’ll want to use some caution when performing it with kids. Some of the chemicals used can be irritating and the substance produced is hot, so you won’t want to actually brush anyone’s teeth with the foam, as tempting as that may be! Read on to see how to do the Elephant Toothpaste Experiment, and  fill out the form on this page  to grab your free recording sheet.

How does the Elephant Toothpaste Experiment work?

This experiment works through a chemical reaction that results from a catalyst (potassium iodide, aka yeast) being introduced into a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. The hydrogen peroxide is decomposed into water and oxygen and the catalyst speeds up the reaction, forcing the oxygen into the soap bubbles. The resulting effect is the substance quickly pouring up and out of the container.

What does the Elephant Toothpaste Experiment teach?

This experiment is a crowd-pleaser, but it also serves to teach kids a lot. The concept of a catalyst speeding up a reaction is demonstrated in an obvious and exciting way as the introduction of the yeast forces the foam to explode up and out of the bottle. It also teaches kids about exothermic reactions as the foam coming out of the bottle is hot. Additionally, kids get to see a decomposition reaction as the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide results in the release of oxygen gas.

Is there an Elephant Toothpaste Experiment video?

This video from teacher Hilary Statum will give you the step-by-step instructions for making your own Elephant Toothpaste.

Materials Needed

To do the experiment, you will need:

• 16-oz. empty plastic soda bottle
• Very warm water
• 3% hydrogen peroxide (6% is better, if available)
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Safety glasses
• Safety gloves
• Funnel or measuring cup with a lip
• Food coloring

Our free recording sheet is also helpful— fill out the form on this page to get it!

Elephant Toothpaste Experiment steps:

1. place the bottle on a large tray and put on your safety goggles and gloves., 2. mix 1 tablespoon of yeast into 3 tablespoons of warm water until you achieve a creamy consistency. place in a small cup and set to the side., 3. use a funnel or measuring cup to pour half a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the bottle., 4. add a bit of food coloring. for a solid color, add directly into the bottle. for stripes, squirt it with the pipettes so it trickles down the sides of the inside of the bottle., 5. add approximately 1 tablespoon of dish soap to the hydrogen peroxide., 6. use a funnel or measuring cup to add the yeast mixture to the bottle., 7. step back and watch the explosion, grab our free elephant toothpaste experiment worksheet.

Fill out the form on this page to get your worksheets. The first worksheet asks kids to make a prediction about what they think will happen. They can use the provided spaces to draw or write their predictions and observations. The second worksheet lists questions for students to answer about the experiment.

Additional Reflection Questions

• Why do we add the yeast to the water?
• What do you think would happen if we added more dish soap?
• What do you think would happen if we added more yeast to the mixture?
• What is the liquid that is left in the bottle?
• Describe the reaction that occurs. How long does it last?

Can this experiment be done for a science fair?

Yes! If you want to do the Elephant Toothpaste Experiment for a science fair, we recommend switching up some of the variables. For example: Does the type or shape of the container matter? Does the type of dish soap matter? Does adding more yeast change the reaction? Form a hypothesis about how changing the variables will impact the experiment. Good luck!

Looking for more experiment ideas? Check out our  big list of experiment ideas here.

Plus, be sure to  subscribe to our newsletters  for more articles like this., you might also like.

61 Wet and Wild Outdoor Science Experiments and Activities

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How to make elephant toothpaste

This is one to really sink your tusks into.

Dr Stuart Farrimond

Need some eye-opening and fun science experiments to try at home with family and friends? Here's one from our DIY Science special in issue 310 of BBC Focus magazine ( subscribe here ) .No specialist equipment is needed for this one, butjust remember to wash your hands after making elephant toothpasteand make sure that children are supervised by an adult.

To make elephant toothpaste you will need:

• Safety goggles (best to get a pair that completely seal your eyes so that notoothpaste gets underneath)
• Washing-up liquid
• Dried yeast (make sure that it is in date)
• Food colouring
• Empty 500ml plastic drinks bottle
• 9% hydrogen peroxide, whichis a mild skin disinfectant that you can buy over the counter at pharmacies(Warning: hydrogen peroxide can irritate eyes and sensitive skin, so wear safety glasses and gloves. Do not swallow hydrogen peroxide or splash in eyes.)
• Glycerine, which you can find in the baking section of the supermarket, or in bigger bottles at a pharmacy
• This experiment is messy! Either work at a table that’s easy to clean, or head outside.

• Put on gloves and safety glasses.
• Pour half a cupful of hydrogen peroxide into the bottle (more if you’re using a larger bottle).

• Pour in up to two tablespoons of glycerine.
• You are going to be making toothpaste, so why not add some food colouring? I drizzled some orange food colouring down one side of the bottle and blue down the other.
• Pour the (now activated) yeast into the bottle using the funnel.
• Stand back as the bottle erupts with a thick foam that seems to just keep on going. It looks like toothpaste, but it’s definitely not for brushing teeth with!

What's going on?

Elephant toothpaste isn’t toothpaste at all, but a foam of oxygen bubbles that have been ensnared by the washing-up liquid and thickened by the glycerine.

Chemically, hydrogen peroxide is made of two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms (H 2 O 2 ). This makes it similar to water (H 2 O) but with an extra oxygen atom (O) – yet hydrogen peroxide is poisonous to living things, which is why we use it as a disinfectant, and why we keep it away from our mouths and eyes.

Yeast, however, carries a protective enzyme called catalase that destroys hydrogen peroxide. The moment the living yeast cells touch the liquid disinfectant, the enzymes go to work tearing the hydrogen peroxide molecules apart, into water and oxygen. The oxygen bubbles up vigorously to form a rapidly growing foam that erupts from the top of the bottle, such is the fervour of the reaction.

You can try this science demonstration with liver instead of yeast, as this organ also contains enzymes that destroy hydrogen peroxide.

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How to Make Elephant Toothpaste

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• Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
• B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

The elephant toothpaste demo is one of the most popular chemistry demonstrations , in which a steaming tube of foam keeps erupting from its container, resembling a smooshed tube of elephant-sized toothpaste. The classic demo uses 30% hydrogen peroxide, which is not safe for kids , but there is a safe version of this demonstration that is still very cool. It goes like this:

• Empty 20-ounce plastic bottle (or other container)
• 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (available at nearly any store)
• Packet of active yeast (from the grocery store)
• Liquid dishwashing detergent (such as Dawn™)
• Food coloring (optional, but it looks nice)
• Pour 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide solution, 1/4 cup dishwashing soap, and a few drops of food coloring into the bottle. Swish the bottle around to mix the ingredients. Set the bottle in a sink, outdoors, or someplace you won't mind getting wet foam everywhere.
• In a separate container, mix a packet of active yeast with a little warm water. Give the yeast about five minutes to activate before proceeding to the next step.
• When ready to start the demo, pour the yeast mixture into the bottle. The reaction occurs immediately upon the addition of the yeast.

Chemistry Behind Elephant Toothpaste

Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) is a reactive molecule that readily decomposes into water (H 2 O) and oxygen:

• 2H 2 O 2 → 2H 2 O + O 2 (g)

In this demonstration, yeast catalyzes the decomposition so it proceeds much more rapidly than normal. Yeast needs warm water to reproduce, so the reaction won't work as well if you use cold water (no reaction) or extremely hot water (which kills the yeast).

The dishwashing detergent captures the oxygen that is released, making foam . Food coloring can color the film of the bubbles so you get colored foam.

In addition to being a nice example of a decomposition reaction and a catalyzed reaction, the elephant toothpaste demo is exothermic, so heat is produced. However, the reaction makes the solution warmer, but not hot enough to cause burns.

Christmas Tree Elephant Toothpaste

You can easily use the elephant toothpaste reaction as a holiday chemistry demonstration. Just add green food coloring to the peroxide and detergent mixture and pour the two solutions into a Christmas tree-shaped container.

A good choice is an Erlenmeyer flask because it has a cone shape. If you don't have access to chemistry glassware, make a tree shape by inverting a funnel over a glass or make your own funnel using paper and tape (which you could decorate, if you like.)

Comparing the Original Reaction With the Kid-Friendly Recipe

The original elephant toothpaste reaction, which uses a much higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide, can cause both chemical and thermal burns. While it produces a larger amount of foam, it's not safe for kids and should be performed only by an adult using proper safety gear.

From a chemistry perspective, both reactions are similar, except the kid-safe version is catalyzed by yeast, while the original demonstration is usually catalyzed using potassium iodide (KI). The kid's version of elephant toothpaste uses chemicals that are safe for children to touch.

The lower concentration of peroxide can still discolor fabrics. Care should be taken to avoid ingestion because the project includes detergent, which can cause vomiting.

Key Takeaways

• The elephant's toothpaste chemistry demonstration produces heated foam when chemicals are mixed.
• The original demonstration results from the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by potassium iodide. The detergent solution captures gases to form the foam. The kid-friendly version uses a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide, with the decomposition catalyzed by yeast.
• While both versions of the reaction may be performed for a young audience, the original version uses concentrated hydrogen peroxide, a strong oxidizer, and potassium iodide, which may not be readily available.
• The kid-friendly version uses chemicals that are safe for children to touch, in case of a splash.
• As with all chemistry demonstrations , adult supervision is recommended.
• Dirren, Glen; Gilbert, George; Juergens, Frederick; Page, Philip; Ramette, Richard; Schreiner, Rodney; Scott, Earle; Testen, May; Williams, Lloyd. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry. Vol. 1. University of Wisconsin Press, 1983, Madison, Wis.
• " Elephant's Toothpaste ." University of Utah Chemistry Demonstrations . University of Utah.

“ Toxic Substances Portal - Hydrogen Peroxide .” Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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How to Make Kid-Friendly Elephant Toothpaste at Home

While some science experiments are best left to experts (or no one ), others are safe enough to try at home with kids . One that falls in the latter category is known as “elephant toothpaste”—and the recipe might not even require a trip to the store.

Why Is It Called Elephant Toothpaste?

First off, elephant toothpaste has nothing to do with actual elephants or toothpaste. It’s a kind of foam that, as it explodes out of a cylindrical container, looks a bit like toothpaste being squeezed out of a tube. And because there’s way more foam than you could fit in a regular-sized toothpaste tube , it seems like an animal much larger than a human—say, an elephant —would use it.

How the Elephant Toothpaste Chemical Reaction Works

As Scientific American explains , elephant toothpaste results from speeding up the reaction that occurs when hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) breaks down into water and gaseous oxygen. To do this, you need a catalyst: a substance that makes a chemical reaction happen at a quicker-than-normal rate. The catalyst in this case is dry yeast, which harbors a certain enzyme—catalase—known for swiftly breaking down hydrogen peroxide. 

But before you add the yeast, you toss in some dish soap, which increases the surface tension across the hydrogen peroxide. Then, when the yeast causes oxygen to break off and form bubbles, they won’t burst right away—and the foamy concoction will pour forth from its receptacle.

A Kid-Friendly Elephant Toothpaste Recipe

By this point, you’ve probably already gathered that you’re going to need hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and dry yeast. In Science Bob’s recipe , he recommends 6 percent hydrogen peroxide over 3 percent (which won’t generate quite as impressive an eruption). You’ll also need a 16-ounce plastic bottle, 3 tablespoons of warm water, and food coloring. Safety goggles are recommended for safety purposes, plus a funnel for easy pouring.

First, pour 3/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide into your bottle, and then squeeze in roughly 10 drops of food coloring. ( Scientific American suggests adding your food coloring toward the top of your bottle, so it runs down in streaks along the inside. That way, your foam will have toothpaste-like stripes.) Next, pour in about a tablespoon of dish soap and swirl your bottle so it gets evenly distributed throughout the hydrogen peroxide. Mix your 3 tablespoons of warm water with one tablespoon of dry yeast and then pour that concoction into the bottle, too. After that, just step back and watch the magic happen.

Elephant toothpaste is an exothermic reaction—meaning it generates heat—so don’t touch the foam or the bottle during or right after the eruption. There could also be leftover hydrogen peroxide that didn’t break down, so if you used the heavy-duty, 6 percent stuff, it’s best if you keep your hands off the foam altogether.

See Science Bob’s full recipe and demonstration here .

[h/t Scientific American ]

Elephant’s Toothpaste – Foaming Hydrogen Peroxide

It's the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide that produces the erupting foam that chemistry teachers love.

Print this Experiment

It’s the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide that produces the erupting foam that chemistry teachers love!

GOOD NEWS! This post contains a recipe for a kid-friendly version of Elephant’s Toothpaste. 

Experiment Videos

Here's What You'll Need

Hydrogen peroxide (30%), sodium iodide crystals (this is a dry chemical that looks like salt.), 250-milliliter beaker, liquid dish soap, food coloring, 1,000-milliliter graduated cylinder, measuing spoons, safety glasses, plastic tarp to cover the demonstration table, rubber gloves, let's try it.

The first step is to put on your safety glasses. Since 30% hydrogen peroxide will burn if it comes in contact with your skin, it’s best to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.

Fill the beaker with 4 ounces (that’s approximately 120 mL) of room temperature water. Add about a tablespoon of sodium iodide crystals to the water and stir with a spoon until all of the crystals have dissolved. Repeat this several times until the crystals no longer dissolve in the water. When this happens, you have what is called a saturated solution . Label the beaker “Sodium Iodide Catalyst” and set it aside to use later.

Cover the table with the plastic tarp to make cleanup easy at the end of the demonstration.

Measure 2 ounces (that’s 60 mL) of the 30% hydrogen peroxide into the graduated cylinder. Position the graduated cylinder in the middle of the plastic tarp.

Add a squirt (that’s a very technical term meaning about 5 milliliters) of dish soap to the graduated cylinder containing the 30% hydrogen peroxide.

Add a huge squirt of your favorite food coloring to spice things up. Give the solution a quick swirl to mix the contents.

The last step is to pour a tablespoon (that’s about 15 milliliters) of the sodium iodide catalyst into the graduated cylinder and to quickly stand back. Within seconds, the reaction will occur and a mountain of erupting foam will cover the table. Note: You can even take this basic reaction one step further by switching out the graduated cylinder for a large Erlenmeyer flask, creating an even bigger and better reaction.

Everyone will want to touch the foam on the table, but you must keep the eager ankle-biters away just in case some of the hydrogen peroxide did not react with the catalyst. You don’t want anyone to get his or her hands burned or stained by touching the foam. All of the aftermath from this reaction is safe to either throw away in the trash can or wash down the drain.

How Does It Work

You might remember Mom treating your scraped knee or a cut with hydrogen peroxide. H 2 O 2 is the scientific name for hydrogen peroxide, which is made up of two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms. H 2 O 2 looks like ordinary water (H 2 O), but the addition of that extra oxygen atom turns the molecule into an extremely powerful oxidizer. The hydrogen peroxide used in this demonstration is ten times stronger than the over-the-counter hydrogen peroxide you can find at the store. Low-grade hydrogen peroxide (3%) will not produce the massive amount of foam seen in this version of the Exploding Toothpaste demonstration. The secret ingredient is actually sodium iodide, which acts as a catalyst (something that speeds up a chemical reaction, and in this case, it’s the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide). When hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) decomposes, it breaks down to form water (H 2 O) and oxygen (O 2 ). The soap bubbles that erupt from the cylinder are actually filled with oxygen. You’ll notice that the foam has a brown tint. This color is due to the presence of free iodine produced by the extreme oxidizing power of the 30% hydrogen peroxide. As the reaction takes place, you’ll also see steam rising from the erupting foam. This shows that the reaction is exothermic , meaning that it gives off heat. Hydrogen peroxide (30% strength) will act as an oxidizing agent with practically any substance. This substance is severely corrosive to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Sodium iodide is slightly toxic by ingestion. Given these safety precautions, it’s best to leave this one to the experts. Just befriend a chemistry teacher and ask her to perform the famous Exploding Toothpaste experiment.

Take It Further

Concentration Variations

NOTE: This would make a good science fair project—especially for a teacher to model for the class.

Because it is often hard for anyone but a chemistry teacher to obtain 30% hydrogen peroxide, you might want to test the effectiveness of other concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. For instance, 3% hydrogen peroxide is the household concentration that would typically be used for cuts and scrapes. It is safe to touch, but powerful enough to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi on surfaces. Hair stylists can purchase peroxide that is anywhere from 6% to 12% in strength.

To make four different solutions, start with 30% hydrogen peroxide and dilute it by one-half to make a 15% solution. Dilute a small portion of the 15% solution by one-half to arrive at a 7.5% solution. One more dilution will produce a solution that is approximately 3.5%. Now you have the four solutions needed for the experiment. It is possible to purchase various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide at drugstores, beauty supply stores, and chemical supply stores, but this dilution method is easy to do if you start with a good supply of 30% hydrogen peroxide.

The most important part of the experiment is that everything stays the same except for the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. This simple process is a very effective way to illustrate how a scientist would control a single variable (the strength of the hydrogen peroxide) to affect the outcome of the reaction. Each cylinder should have 60 milliliters of hydrogen peroxide, an equal sized squirt of dish soap, and an equal amount of the sodium iodide catalyst. The only variable you want to change is the concentration of hydrogen peroxide; otherwise, there is no way to know which variable causes the effect in the experiment. Remember, a good science experiment changes only one variable at a time.

If you don’t have four graduated cylinders, you’ll need to set up the experiment four times and collect the data after each eruption. If you do have four graduated cylinders, it’s easy to observe the differences in each eruption if you add the sodium iodide solution to each cylinder one right after the next. How does the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide affect the amount of foam that is created in each reaction?

A Halloween Twist on the Exploding Toothpaste Experiment The classic Exploding Toothpaste experiment takes a whole new twist when you see it oozing from the face of your jack-o’-lantern!

This is what happens when chemistry teachers get tired of doing the same old Exploding Toothpaste demonstration over and over again. Instead of using a graduated cylinder, simply use a glass beaker to hold the 60 milliliters of hydrogen peroxide along with the squirt of dish soap and the food coloring. Place the beaker down inside a carved-out pumpkin and you’re almost ready to go. The only thing left to do is to make sure your safety glasses are on and the kids in the front row have moved back to the third row. After adding the tablespoon of saturated sodium iodide solution, immediately replace the lid of the jack-o’-lantern and wait for the kids to scream. The foam will ooze from the eyes, nose, and mouth of the pumpkin, and you’ll come away with a new discovery . . . ooze = ooohs!

Safety Information

WARNING! TEACHERS ONLY! The Exploding Toothpaste demonstration requires chemicals that are not available to the public. Teachers and science professionals wanting to perform this demonstration must be trained in the proper way to handle and store concentrated hydrogen peroxide.

Everyone will want to touch the foam on the table, but you must keep the eager ankle-biters away just in case some of the hydrogen peroxide did not react with the catalyst. You don’t want anyone to get his or her hands burned or stained by touching the foam.

All of the aftermath from this reaction is safe to either throw away in the trash can or wash down the drain.

HOW TO GET THE STAINS OUT OF CARPET

If you perform this demonstration enough times, you’ll have a situation where the foam spills over onto the floor. Unfortunately, the iodine that is released as part of the reaction will stain the floor or carpet, unless you know something about removing iodine stains. The secret is OxiClean ® . This oxidizing, stain-removing detergent is available at any grocery store, and it does wonders for removing iodine stains. As the pitchmen say, “Use the power of oxygen to remove stains in an instant!” . . . and it works.

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Elephant Toothpaste: Easy DIY Science Project!

• Posted On Jul 23, 2019 | Science

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How to Make Elephant Toothpaste at Home

If you are looking for a “wow factor” outdoor science experiment for the kids this summer, you have come to the right place! Mixing reactive ingredients on the sidewalk creates a foamy, blast-y spectacle resembling toothpaste for elephants!

What you don’t see in the video, however, is the days of testing  that went on behind the scenes to pull these demonstrations off. It turns out that, at a large scale, Elephant Toothpaste can be a fickle demo; slight variations to the chemistry, and the reaction can increase, or decrease significantly. If you change the temperature of chemicals a bit, or mix the chemicals a little longer, it can be the difference between filling a pool, and, well, overflowing it.

The Elephant’s Toothpaste Reaction requires 3 things:

• Hydrogen Peroxide
• A catalyst (often potassium Iodide or yeast)

THE CHEMISTRY Hydrogen peroxide is basically water ( H 2 O ) with and extra oxygen (making it H 2 O 2 ) But don’t be fooled into thinking it is close to water. Concentrated hydrogen peroxide can result in a strong chemical burn if it gets on your skin. To create the elephants toothpaste reaction a second chemical is added (know as a catalyst) which basically tears-apart the hydrogen peroxide into water while releasing Oxygen gas inside the bubbles.

This was a test of the Elephant Toothpaste filled balloon. A piece of scrap wood with a needle on it acted as a spear. The result was beautiful.

This carousel of foam was one of our experimental surprises. The foam was supposed to go higher, but we top-loaded the reaction with food color which diluted the peroxide. It is one of my favorite shots in the video. Here’s an extended clip.

SCALING UP We scaled up using a 5 gallon bucket, and then a kiddie pool with the hope of getting the foam to just reach the top of the pool and this first scaled up test was promising:

OVERFLOW! Why did our foam overflow the swimming pool? There are many variables in this experiment that ranged from the temperature of the chemicals, to the addition of water from food coloring, to the efficiency of the mixing of the yeast and water. We’re still not exactly sure what bumped up the amount of foam, but let’s face it, it was better to overflow the pool than have it come up short.

CLEAN-UP One of the nice things about the reaction is that it breaks down into generally harmless,  bio-degradable components when the chemistry is correct. (Basically you end up with soapy water with small amounts of  either iodine or yeast in it) Cleaning the pool was simply a matter of hosing down the coloring and soap and disposing of what was left down the drain like you would after doing the smaller, home version.

Science Experiments, Experiment Videos, and Science Fair Ideas from Science Bob

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