freezing water balloon experiment

Ice Balloons

Have a ball experimenting with a frozen water balloon—and learn about water chemistry, phase changes, and density.

• 9-inch (20-cm) spherical balloons (12-inch will also work)
• Water faucet (or some other way to fill balloons)
• Access to a freezer
• Plastic tub big enough and deep enough to float an ice balloon: 12 x 12 x 9 inches (30 x 30 x 22 cm) or larger
• Cafeteria-style plastic tray (to catch the meltwater)
• Food coloring

• Stretch the neck of a balloon over a faucet and carefully fill with tap water. Work slowly to avoid pumping a lot of air into the balloon. When the balloon is at least 5 inches (25 cm) in diameter, remove it from the faucet, squeeze out the air at the top, and tie it closed.
• Make as many water-filled balloons as you will need. Then put them in the freezer and allow them to freeze for at least two days.
• When everything’s ready, fill a plastic tub with enough water to float an ice balloon. Don’t fill it all the way to the brim; leave room for the water to rise when you add the balloon.

Cut off the neck and peel the balloon off the ice.

Put the ice balloon on the cafeteria tray and start by just taking a close look at it. What do you notice? A few things to look for are clear ice near the surface of the balloon, bubbles inside (some elongated, some making chains), the opaque center, and frost forming and then disappearing from the ice balloon’s surface (click to enlarge the photo below).

Sprinkle a small amount of salt on top of the balloon—about half a teaspoon (2-3 ml). Then wait and watch. Notice how liquid water forms around the salt, creating meandering patterns as it flows down the balloon. Put a few drops of food coloring onto the salt to make the flow patterns more obvious (see photos below).

Finally, rinse off the salt and food coloring and put the ice balloon into the water basin. Notice how it floats. How much of the balloon is above the water level, and how much is below?

There’s plenty to learn from a frozen water balloon, starting with the patterns of bubbles—or lack thereof—in the ice.

The water in an ice balloon freezes from the outside in. As the water freezes, it creates pure crystals of water, which are clear. Meanwhile, impurities such as air or minerals are left behind in the liquid, where they concentrate until they come out of solution as bubbles. One bubble can seed a neighboring bubble, creating a radial chain of bubbles. Since bubbles scatter light of all wavelengths, they give the ice balloon a white, opaque center (see photo below).  

When the balloon comes out of the freezer, it’s often at a temperature of 0°F (-18°C), much colder than the freezing point of 32°F (0°C). At these cold temperatures, water vapor in the air can freeze onto the balloon, creating a layer of frost. When the surface of the balloon warms to the freezing point, a visible film of water appears on the surface and the frost disappears.

Salt on the balloon will cause the ice to melt, even at temperatures below freezing. In any ice/water combination, there is an ongoing back-and-forth in which some liquid water molecules are freezing while some solid water (ice) is melting. Ions of sodium and chlorine from the salt get in the way of ice-crystal formation, turning the back-and-forth into more of a one-way street in which more ice melts then freezes.

As the salty liquid water flows down the balloon, it begins to form meandering streams, just as rivers do (see photo below). As in rivers, the meanders shift over time, responding to subtle changes in flow and channel shape.

Most substances shrink as they cool, but water is a notable exception, freezing into hexagonal crystalline structures that take up about 10 percent more space than liquid water. This increased volume translates into lower density, causing ice to float. A solid ice balloon placed in water displaces its weight in water—this is Archimedes’ principle —with 10 percent of the ice balloon above the surface and 90 percent below.

Try adding sugar to the ice balloon. How is the result different from adding salt?

If a water faucet it not easily available, you can also fill an ice balloon from a two-liter bottle. Just stretch the mouth of the balloon over the top of the bottle and squeeze in the water.

Related Snacks

Frozen Colored Water Balloons: Does it Work?

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We live in Minnesota where winter means crazy cold . Luckily for us, it means we can also try our hand at all the cold weather things we find on Pinterest, like frozen colored water balloons.

You’ve seen the pin. It says something along the lines of: In the winter, fill balloons with water and food coloring. Allow them to freeze solid, then cut the balloons off and use the frozen spheres as decoration.

Which sounds easy enough, right?

Back in the day, before my sons were teens, we decided we’d try this out. It was a colorful experience, to say the least.

Frozen colored water balloons: how to do it

First, we had to get water and food coloring into a balloon. Some people suggested that it would be easier to fill the balloon with water and then put food coloring in. However my oldest suspected the color of the balloons would be better mixed and brighter if we did the food coloring first and then the water.

Because we don’t have a fancy water balloon filler attachment, we filled the balloon just a little bit with water through a funnel to start this. This was just because I thought it would help keep a lot of the food coloring that had dripped onto the mouth of the balloon off my faucet.

Which really only mattered because I was having a fancy Christmas-type get together the next day and didn’t want a tie-dyed faucet.

I’m not sure if this step actually did anything…or just made me feel better about my shiny silver faucet.

Then we put the balloon on the faucet and filled it up more.

We chose not to make enormous balloons like the ones shown in the original pin. We decided our first attempt would be smaller balloons.

Now came the sciency part. Since it was so cold on the day we did the experiment, my sons suggested we should put three of the balloons outside in the snow filled bird bath…

…and three of them should go in our freezer.

My sons hypothesized that because the temps outside were way below freezing, the outside balloons would freeze faster.

But, science…it will get you ever time. What they found out instead was that because the balloons were actually insulated in the snow of the birdbath, they actually froze much slower.

Ultimately we let both sets of balloons freeze overnight, and impatiently waited for the next day it was time to bust those babies open and decorate our yard.

So. The results of the frozen colored water balloons experiment?

So did it work?

But making frozen colored water balloons is messy!

But (and this is a big but), the frozen colored water balloons project has the potential to be pretty sloppy. Filling the balloons with food coloring/water is messy, as is cutting the balloons off, because there is still food coloring inside the balloons and on the surface of the ice .

The potential for hand stain-age is high; wear gloves.

About the shape of the frozen colored water balloons…

The boys also pointed out the balloons that had been frozen in the freezer were more jelly bean shaped than the ones that froze in the cushion of snow. We hypothesized that if we had filled the balloons more full, perhaps sitting on the shelf of the freezer would not have flattened them out as much.

But those detective-like kids of mine also noticed that in the original pin’s picture, the frozen colored water balloons are sitting in the snow so you can’t tell what the bottom side of them looks like .

So did we bust the pin?

Nope. But that’s okay, because now our bird bath is the most festive one around.

Looking for a couple more experiments to check out? Try:

How to Make a Chocolate Bowl with a Balloon

How to Cut Glass with Yarn

How to Make (and Not Make) a Glow Jar

Tired of the sugarcoated version of homeschooling? Read my book The Homeschool Highway: How to Navigate Your Way Without Getting Carsick.

Related posts.

3 thoughts on “Frozen Colored Water Balloons: Does it Work?”

Neat! If we get another cold snap around here, we might have to try this one, too.

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Thanks! I have always wanted to try this. Awesome job boys, cant wait to see them. ~Maria Stevenson

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Freezing Ice Balloons Science Investigation

With temperatures below freezing, the choice is to stay inside or outside. We did a mix of both with this fun project! We used the freezing temperatures outdoors to freeze some ice balloons and then brought them inside for scientific discovery.

You can do this investigation with kids from preschool through upper elementary. With older kids, you can discuss more of the science, such as why salt lowers the melting point of ice or how cold ice needs to be to freeze solid. But younger kids will just have a blast exploring ice and watching it melt slowly (or quickly if you add it to a cup of warm water).

This is the perfect science investigation for preschoolers and kindergartners. But older kids will have fun with this, too!

You’ll need just a few things for this project:

• Water balloons
• Magnifying glass

Before getting started, fill your balloons with water and freeze the day before. If you live in a cold climate, put the balloons outside to freeze. If not, just put them in the freezer.

The next day, cut the balloons off the ice and start investigating!

First, we explored the ice with a magnifying glass and flashlight. It was neat to see the variations in the ice under the light.

We looked at the ice in the dark, too.

Next, we added salt. The ice started to melt quickly!

Finally, we added just a drop of food coloring to each ice ball. The food coloring really showed how the salt was melting the ice.

We looked at the ice in the dark as well. My preschooler was fascinated by it all.

Ice Science Explained

When drops of water are added to an ice ball, the ice is cold enough to freeze the drop. But when a lot of water is added, the ice starts to melt.

When you add salt to ice, it starts to melt faster because salt lowers the temperature at which ice can melt.

Adding food coloring to the salted ice shows just how fast the salt melts the ice.

What other ideas do you have for investigating ice balloons with your kiddos? Share here.

More fun science for kids:

Eating Richly

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Ice Balloons Science Experiment for Kids

Take your snow play up a notch with colorful ice balloons. They’re fun to play with and an easy science experiment for teaching kids how water turns to ice.

Here in Washington we’ve been hit with Snowpocalypse. Days of snow, frozen roads, and heavy winds. For those of you in colder parts of the country, our declared state of emergency is probably amusing.

But we don’t normally get weather like this, and don’t have the infrastructure to deal with it. Store shelves were wiped out, and people were acting like they’d be trapped for weeks.

Having the kids home for days on end has definitely been tough on our work schedule. Throw in some serious winter colds, and we’re all a bit stir crazy.

Fortunately, I have a few tricks up my sleeve to help relieve the cabin fever. From sensory bins to bath paint and slime , I’ve tried to keep the kids busy. But the biggest hit has definitely been the ice balloons.

FOR MORE FUN WITH ICE, CHECK OUT OUR DRY ICE BUBBLES EXPERIMENT !

COLORFUL ICE BALLOONS WINTER FUN

It’s hard to beat the magic of seeing the whole world covered in snow. Larkin was overcome with excitement by how it sparkled, shouting out, “Mommy! The snow is glittery! I can’t stop looking at it! I’m talking really loud!”

But I was able to take the magic even one step further with these beautiful colorful ice balloons.

Ice balloons are simply frozen water balloons. You peel the balloon away, and are left with a lovely solid ball of ice.

I decided to up the magic factor by making the kids one in each of their favorite colors.

I placed the peeled ice balloons out on top of the snow for the kids to discover. After holding and marveling over them, the kids turned them into a treasure hunt game.

They took turns burying the balls of ice just deep enough to see a splash of color. Then the other kid would try to find them.

LOOKING FOR MORE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES? PRINT OUR FREE NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT !

HOW TO MAKE ICE BALLOONS

Ice balloons are a lot of fun to play with in the snow. But you can make them anytime of year in the freezer as well. Here’s how to make ice balloons for your kiddos.

• Place the end of a 7″ balloon over your faucet.
• Fill with cold water until it is full about 3″ in diameter.
• Pull the end off of the faucet and hold it open.
• Drop a couple of drops of liquid food coloring into the water in the balloon.
• Tie the balloon and give it a few shakes to mix the color in.
• If it’s below freezing outside you can place the balloon in the snow overnight.
• Or place the ice balloons in your freezer for 12 hours.

I checked on the ice balloons a few times in the freezer to make sure they were freezing evenly without a flat side from sitting on top of the ice cream carton.

FREEZING ICE BALLOONS SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

If you love opportunities to teach your kids, freezing ice balloons is an easy way to teach about water and freezing temperatures.

Try making a few different balloons and putting them in different places. Put one in the freezer, one in the snow, and one outside but not in the snow (maybe a covered porch).

Take temperatures in each location and time how long it takes each ice balloon to freeze.

Have the kids describe the ice balls. How do they feel? What do they look like? What shape are they? Do they roll? Are they heavy or light?

You can also bring the ice balls inside to let them melt in a bowl. Time how long it takes for the water to return to its previous state (liquid).

PIN TO SAVE ICE BALLOONS SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Don’t lose this idea! Pin to save , and then leave a photo in the comments of the pin when you make your own frozen ice balloons. We’d love to see how yours turn out!

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1 thought on “Ice Balloons Science Experiment for Kids”

Made these but had to add the food coloring before putting the water in as it would come out of the balloon if we didn’t hold it shut after.

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Cool Ice Balloons Science Experiments for Kids

By: Author Teresa

Posted on Last updated: December 9, 2021

Categories Kids Games & Activities , STEM

Looking for a fun science experiment at home with the kids? Ice Balloons are super easy and fun experiments for kids. They’ll love exploring how water turns to ice and all the cool cracks & crevices the ice balloons create.

Learn how to make ice balloons easily at home then let the kids investigate the ice balloons’ shape. After that do a melting ice experiment with salt or warm water. When you’re done let the kids just play with these giant Ice jewels and have fun.

This cheap science experiment is a great way to enjoy a cold winter day at home. But don’t worry if you live somewhere warm you can just use your freezer and still have fun.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases . If you choose to buy something using my link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, see my disclaimer here .

Ice balloons science experiments for kids at home.

Are you ready to create these super cool Ice Balloons? They’re so much fun the kids won’t even realize they’re learning science while playing. Plus it’s a great winter activity for kids to keep them busy and off electronics.

What You Need

• Bin to Hold the Balloons (or melt ice in)

How to Make Ice Balloons

There are only a couple of steps to make an ice balloon. Here is what you need to do.

Add Food Dye to Your balloon – I do this first before I add water because after the balloon is full of water it tends to spray if you don’t tie it right away. I would suggest 5 drops of food dye.

Also, consider leaving one or two Ice balloons without color so you can add it later for another experiment I’ll show you below.

Add Water to the balloon – I have found it easiest if I attach the balloon to the faucet or a hose as shown above. Make sure not to add too much water that the balloon pops.

Tie the balloon – Once the balloon is full pinch the top and gently pull it off the faucet. Then quickly tie a knot to the top of the balloon.

Related Article – Easy Snow Painting Winter Activity for Kids

Freeze the balloon – If you’re trying this in the winter and it’s below freezing place the balloons outside overnight to freeze. You could try placing the balloons in different spots to see if they will freeze differently.

For example, put some in the snow, some on a cleared driveway, and some close to the warmth of the house. The kids can see if they freeze differently due to the placement of the balloons.

If it’s warm outside place the balloons in your freezer overnight.

Peel Off the Balloon – The last step is removing the balloon from the ice ball. The balloon will easily peel away from the balloon. Often the ice has popped open the balloon a little so you have a place to start peeling.

If there is no break in the balloon use scissors to cut the top off and then peel the balloon back.

Ice Balloon Tip

Your fingers might turn colors with the food dye either when adding it or removing the balloons from the ice.

You can either wear gloves for these parts or just go with it. The kids will love seeing a rainbow of colors on their hands & it will wash off within a day.

You could also rinse the ice ball with water or roll it through the snow and the excess dye will come off. The dye only stays on as you initially remove the balloon from the ice.

Related Article – Rain Clouds in a Jar A Fun Science Experiment for Kids

Science Experiment with Your Ice Balloons

Now that you have your Ice Balloons let the kids explore the ice. Talk about the different shapes the ice created. Is there a flat spot where it laid on the ground? Is it heavy or light? Drop it in a bowl of water and see if it floats.

Then pull out a magnifying glass and take a closer look at the cracks and crevices in the ice balloons. Can you see the cracks better with the ice that is dyed or clear?

Lastly, with the extra clear balloons, you made add a few drops of food dye to the top. This will help highlight the crevices in the ice so you can see it better.

Salt & Ice Experiment

Now have the kids try and melt their ice balloons. You’ll need two different bowls or bins that will fit an Ice Balloon.

In one bin add salt to the top of your Ice balloon. In the other bin use a dropper to add warm water to the balloon. Have the kids watch and see which helps the ice melt faster salt or warm water.

Tip: Add small figures to your balloons so the kids have something to discover when they melt. We like to make Dinosaurs Frozen in Ice .

Winter Play with Frozen Balloons

Once you’re done with your experiments let the kids play with the Ice Balloons you didn’t melt. If you’ve built a snow fort have the kids add them as decorations or pretend their jewels in the castle they need to protect.

My kids had a blast with their creative play and their new ice jewels in the snow.

Add more color to your snow fort with Snow Paint . It’s just water and food dye you spray to bring your snowman to life. Super simple with our easy Snow Paint recipe .

Ice Decorations

When the kids finish playing with the Ice Balloons use them to decorate your winter pots outside. I added the balloons to a pot with evergreen branches I cut from my backyard. It looks really cute on my front porch.

Ice Ornaments

Decorate your trees this winter with  DIY Ice Ornaments . Get the kids outdoor collecting items they find in nature like leaves, berries, or small pine cones.

Add all your nature bits into a pie tin and freeze it with water overnight. The next day you’ll have a really cool frozen suncatcher to hang in your tree, on your kid’s snow fort, or on their snowman.

Learn How to make Ice Ornaments at home .

More Science Experiments for Kids

Need a few more fun science experiments for kids? Visit our Kids activity page to find lots of ideas or try these cool ones below.

How to Make a Volcano at Home in 3 Easy Steps – The kids will be in Awe!

Rain Clouds in a Jar Science Experiment – Learn how rain makes it through the clouds. This looks super cool.

Find 30 more fun Outdoor Winter Activites for Kids to keep them busy all winter long.

Are you ready now to make your Ice Balloons? I hope your kids have as much fun making this cool science experiment as my kids did. Let me know in the comments how it worked.

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Ice Balloons Science Experiment

Welcome to The Knowledge Nest's immersive guide to the intriguing realm of ice balloons. Embark on an incredible scientific journey as we delve into the captivating world of frozen wonders and explore the magic of this enthralling science experiment.

The Fascinating World of Ice Balloons

Ice balloons, also known as frozen orbs, are a captivating phenomenon that combines the enchantment of frozen water with the scientific principles of temperature and pressure. By using simple household items and a touch of creativity, you can unlock the secrets behind the formation of these mesmerizing frozen structures.

The Science Behind Ice Balloons

Creating ice balloons involves understanding the fundamentals of water's freezing point and the role of pressure. Through this experiment, participants have the opportunity to witness the transformation of liquid water into solid ice, while exploring the various factors that impact this process.

The Materials You'll Need

Gather the following materials to proceed with the ice balloons experiment:

• String or yarn
• Food coloring (optional)
• Salt (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed step-by-step instructions to conduct the ice balloons experiment:

• Fill a balloon with water, leaving enough space for expansion as it freezes.
• If desired, add a few drops of food coloring to the water to create vibrant ice balloons.
• Tie the balloon securely to prevent any leakage.
• Place the balloon outdoors in an area where freezing temperatures are sustained for an extended period. Ensure the balloon is in direct contact with a surface, such as the ground or a tray.
• Observe the balloon as it freezes and takes on a solid form over time.
• For an additional experiment, sprinkle some salt on the frozen balloon and note any changes in the freezing process or the resulting ice.
• Once the balloon is completely frozen, carefully remove it from its surroundings.
• Allow the frozen balloon to thaw and observe the changes that occur as it returns to its liquid state.

Unveiling the Magic

The ice balloons experiment unveils a captivating display of nature's power and the intricate relationship between temperature, pressure, and the state of matter. As you observe the freezing and thawing processes, take note of the unique formations and patterns that emerge.

The Science of Ice Balloons

Ice balloons exemplify the transformational properties of water and the wonders of scientific exploration. By investigating the freezing and thawing stages, participants gain a deeper understanding of concepts such as states of matter, phase changes, and the effects of external factors on these processes.

Engage in Further Exploration

Continue your scientific journey by conducting additional experiments related to ice balloons. Explore variations in freezing time based on different environmental factors, investigate the effects of adding various substances to the water, or analyze the structural properties of the resulting ice. The possibilities for further exploration are limitless!

Join the Knowledge Nest Community

At The Knowledge Nest, we believe in fostering a community of curious minds eager to learn and explore the wonders of the world. Join our community today and embark on a journey of discovery, where scientific exploration and hands-on experiments expand your horizons.

Be a part of The Knowledge Nest community and dive into a world where learning knows no bounds. Together, let's uncover the mysteries of the universe and ignite a passion for knowledge within ourselves and others.

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Ice Balloons Science Experiment!

• Learning Resources   Posted On Jan 28, 2022 | STEM

Level up snow play with a colorful science experiment! Ice Balloons are fun to play with and easy to teach kids how water turns to ice. Even if you don't have snow, this experiment is still fun to do using a freezer! Ice balloons are simply frozen water balloons. Once you peel the balloon away and are left with a superb solid ball of ice, add color and level up the magic factor of this experiment!

Get kiddos involved in the whole experience by using the Splashology Water Lab Set! Splashology has all the tools you need to take science discovery into uncharted waters. Encourage them to use the different beakers and tools to mix the colors and fill the balloons!

Once the balloons are frozen, discuss the science behind the water freezing. - Take temperatures in each location and how long it takes each ice balloon to freeze. - Have the kids describe the ice balls. How do they feel? What do they look like? What shape are they? Do they roll? Are they heavy or light? - You can also bring the ice balls inside to let them melt in a bowl. Time how long it takes for the water to return to its previous state (liquid).

About the Splashology!™ Water Lab :

Dive into the wonders of this water science kit with the splash-filled experiments for kids of Splashology! Water Lab from Learning Resources. Designed for the bathtub, sink, or water table, this experiment set teaches STEM at play through water activities for kids that introduce volume, buoyancy, flow, and more with every splish and splash.

The Splashology! Water Lab supports both guided and open-ended play - follow along with the lab's seven included kids' experiments (which come printed on waterproof cards), or use the pieces to explore every splash and bubble with a parent's supervision. Ride the waves with the Floaty Boat tray, squirt streams of water with the Splash Syringe, or turn your sink into a homemade bubbles kit with the lab's three bubble wands! Each of Splashology! Water Lab's pieces are made from durable plastic and foam, so they're ready to use again and again. Pieces also wash clean for easy storage until the next wet and wild STEM playtime.

Splashology has all the tools you need to take science discovery into uncharted waters: test tubes with floating tray targets that stick on walls or float for precision play, flasks, bubble wands, and experiments that bring everything together with more than a flourish of imagination. Take to the water, seafaring scientists, this aquatic lab has you covered, whether you’re at the beach, in the bath, splashing in the sink, or mixing it up at the water table! Notes for little water scientists (and their parents!): • Before diving into the experiments, check out all the pieces for yourself. Fill them up with water, fit the test

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Learning Resources (@learningresources)

As the new year begins, it’s a great time to get your kids and space organized. Organization is an essential skill for both adults and children alike and helps to create a sense of order, focus, and confidence. Here are some tips on how to help your kids get organized in the new year:

Have a plan:

Start by setting up a routine with your kids. Make sure to include designated times for activities such as homework, chores, and playtime.

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Balloon In Hot and Cold Water – Experiment

• March 30, 2021
• 7-9 Year Olds , Household Items , Physics

Let’s discuss about ‘Balloon in hot and cold water experiment’ in this article. This interesting balloon experiment helps children to learn about density , surface tension , and air pressure .

Balloon in hot and cold water experiment

• The volume of air changes based on the temperature surrounding it.
• Air expands or contracts based on increase or decrease in surrounding temperature.

Things you need to do Balloon Experiment

1) Two plastic/ glass container (bottles)

2) Balloons

3) Hot Water

4) Ice cubes as a cold water source

5) Containers to place hot and cold water

Preparation Steps

1) You can prepare your children or students by asking “How can you inflate the Balloon without touching it?”.

2) Note down their expected answers. But discuss their solutions only after performing the experiment to catch the science concepts behind it easily.

Step by Step Directions

Let’s start with the hot air experiment.

Step-1: 

Take a glass container and add cold water. Then, add few ice cubes to it to keep it cold.

Step-2: 

Pick another glass container and add some amount of hot water into it. Ensure the hot water’s hotness need not to be sizzling.

As step 3, bring our Balloon over the neck or mouth of the crystal clear plastic bottle in an upside-down position. And fix the mouth of the Balloon to the mouth of the bottle as shown in the picture.

Make sure the bottle is empty before you attach the Balloon to it.

Repeat the same method and prepare another set of water bottle and Balloon using the other empty bottle.

In this step, keep the ballon attached bottle inside the container, which consists of hot water. Let the bottle sit in hot water for some time.

You will observe the Balloon starts inflating itself without any external force. Amazing, isn’t it!?

Step-5: 

And then bring the same and another set of water bottle into the container which consists of cold water. And allow it to sit for some time to see the results.

You will observe the Balloon starts shrinking itself by deflating the air inside it.

Note:  If you feel the hot water is becoming cool, replace it with another hot water cup. In the same way, if you feel the cold water is becoming hot due to outside temperature impact, add some more ice cubes and make it cool. In this way, you can maintain the temperatures of the water while repeating the experiments.

Science Behind Expanding Balloon on Hot Water

The quantity of air occupied in a particular space, i.e., an open or closed container, denotes ‘Volume.’ 

Well, an empty water bottle is also populated with a certain amount of air molecules inside it—the air molecules inside and outside the bottle move with equal pressures at normal surrounding conditions.

In this activity, when we attach a balloon over the bottle’s mouth and place it in a hot water container, the Balloon starts inflating. It is because the hot air molecules enter into the Balloon from the bottle, which is in a hot water container.

These hot air molecules move faster inside the Balloon and occupy more space as they become less dense than usual. When they become less dense, it requires more space to settle, and that is why the Balloon starts inflating to provide more space for hot air molecules.

And when the Balloon inflates in hot water, bring it into the container containing cold water. Here, the cold air molecules replace the hot air molecules because hot air molecules cool down due to cold water.

When the air molecules become colder, air molecules’ density gets back to a denser state and requires less space to occupy. That is why the inflated Balloon deflates when the bottle is placed inside a cold water container.

This is how the volume of air calculated:

Volume= Mass x Density

Safety Tips

Have adult supervision at all times during the experiment to avoid any unforeseen incidents.

Suggested to wear gloves and safety glasses while doing experiments with hot water.

Avoid handling hot water by small kids.

Learning for Elementary, Middle School, and High School Students

The same experiment can be used differently based on the level /grade of the students.

Elementary Students

When kids are in elementary school, it is the best time to learn about different states of matter, i.e., solids, liquids, and gases. Solids and liquids are visible to the naked eye, and hence students can easily catch up with the properties and characteristics. And it is easy for them to compare various objects and liquid things and determine the state of matter properties.

But when coming to gases, it is difficult for them to determine their properties because gases won’t appear to the naked eye, and children go confused. That is why we need to explain them clearly by concentrating much on performing various science experiments that involve gases. One such experiment is the ‘Balloon in a bottle’ experiment.

Through this experiment, students can quickly learn about gases and their properties.

Middle School Students

In middle school, students focus on macroscopic particles and determine the objects around them and tell whether they have solid or liquid or gaseous properties. Because at this level, they will get to learn about states of matter in regards to their arrangement, position, and movement. Also, they can explore that all forms of matter are made of atoms and molecules that consist of weight, especially gases. As the air is invisible, they think that gases do not have mass, but they learn about gases containing mass with this experiment.

Besides, they can explain the conservation of matter with a good reason using the concept of closed systems.

High School Students

At this level, as the name suggests, students become sharp and can apply their knowledge on gases. This knowledge helps in understanding even the difficult context of gases, i.e., ‘Gas Laws.’ Also, they can apply Charles Law and explain Gas Law. And using conservation of matter principles and laws, they will make out the differences in temperatures and their relation to the volume of gas.

In this way, students at different school grades learn the gaseous properties by performing this super classic experiment of ‘Balloon in a Bottle.’

Laws Behind the Experiment

Gas Law or Gas Laws is/are a collection of laws which include Boyle’s Law, Charles’s Law, Gay-Lussac’s Law, Ideal Gas Law, and Avogadro’s Law. These laws combine to state how an amount of gas reacts to changes in temperature, pressure, and temperature. The following are such statements these combined laws work on:

1) The complete temperature of a gas

2) The amount of volume working with a gas

3) The amount of pressure experienced between the walls of a container and a gas

4) The mass of a gas

The above-mentioned combination laws were a great invention during the 18th century, and here are the definitions of each law:

    Boyle’s Law:  The law which states the kith and kin between the volume and pressure of a given amount of gas is nothing but Boyle’s Law.

    Charles’s Law:  Charles’s Law is the law that tells about the absolute temperature of a gas and its association with the volume employed by it. 

    Avogadro’s Law:  The type of law which states the correlation between the number of moles of a gas and the amount of volume occupied by it refers to Avogadro’s Law. 

    Gay-Lussac’s Law:  Gay-Lussac’s Law tells that the relation between the absolute temperature and its pressure is directly proportional at constant volume. 

    Ideal Gas Law:  Ideal gas law is a combination of three laws, i.e., Boyle’s Law, Charles’s Law, Avogadro’s Law, and hence refers to the term ‘combined gas law.’ This law states the differential behavior of gases at different conditions and concludes that a gas’s pressure is directly proportional to the absolute temperature. 

Pressure, volume, and temperature are the three significant physical factors that determine the behavior of gases. When these parameters are at standard conditions, the activities of all types of gases remain the same. The states of gases can vary based on the condition. 

So, the gas law and all other five laws state all gases’ behavior is associating with all three physical parameters.

Boyle’s Law Formula: P∝1/V

Charles’s Law Formula: V∝T

Avogadro’s Law Formula: V ∝ n

Ideal Gas Law Formula: PV= nRT

Gay-Lussac’s Law Formula: P ∝ T

Here, P= Pressure of the gas, V= Volume of the gas, T= Absolute Temperature of a gas, n= Number of moles, R= Equilibrium Constant.

Here are some worksheets that would complement the science experiment. Attempting these worksheets might help studnets to sustain the knowledge gained through the experiment. On the other hand, teachers use these worksheets to understand and monitor student’s previous and current knowledge.

https://scied.ucar.edu/sites/default/files/files/activity_files/BalloonOnBottle_0.pdf

https://www.flinnsci.com/api/library/Download/e2dfff9fc2324f51889429583a51ac63

https://ps21pd.weebly.com/uploads/1/2/0/6/12065719/kinetic_theory_-_hot_and_cold_balloons.pdf

https://www.sciencenorth.ca/sites/default/files/2020/June%202%20Grade%207%20Particle%20Theory%20Offline%20ENG.pdf

Practical Applications

Let’s learn how to apply these science concepts in real life applications happening around us.

Hot air balloon:  Yes, the science behind hot air balloon and Balloon in the bottle activities is similar, i.e., hot air rises, sending the cool air to replace the space created by it. When you provide heat flames in the hot air balloon set up, the heat energy enters into the Balloon.

Generally, the hot air consists of less dense air molecules, which tend to rise. That’s why and the hot air balloon rises in the sky until they provide enough heat.

Not only air, any substance that exhibits less dense molecules than the surrounding gaseous or liquid matters float . Forex: Wood floats on top of the water because wood consists of less dense molecules than water. This phenomenon of increasing the molecules’ speed regarding the increase in temperature of a gas refers to ‘Thermal Expansion.’ And the wonder of floating objects due to the pressure or force exerted is ‘Buoyancy.’

Sun Producing Wind on Earth:  The winds produced by Sun on the Earth also exhibit the same phenomenon, i.e., thermal expansion and buoyancy.

Earth’s temperature is uncertain, so we cannot predict its long-term weather and climatic conditions. It is because different parts of Earth receive heat from Sunlight at different times as Earth is round and rotating.

So, the Sun can’t provide Sunlight to all parts of the Earth at the same time. Hence, Earth receives different air temperatures at places closer to the surface of the Earth. Besides, the Sun’s angle is focussing its Sunlight on the Earth also plays a significant role in changing the temperatures of Earth.

According to the above concepts, several continents on Earth receive more heat than other continents. Comparing land and water, land absorbs more heat faster than water, and therefore we see continents with more land exhibits high temperatures.

But during nights land releases heat more quickly than air and hence we feel cooler climates at night time. In this way, Earth reveals different climatic conditions and atmospheric temperatures during the day and night times.

Let us discuss these concepts in detail with a practical example, i.e., Off-shore and On-shore Winds. During nights, the oceans’ surface gets warmer so quickly because the surrounding land cools down and shows lesser temperatures.

As a result, the warmer air becomes less dense and rises upwards, leaving the space on the surface occupied by the cold air from the land. Thus, creating the off-shore winds that produce renewable and pure energy.

And at daytime, we experience on-shore winds that mean the land absorbs more heat from the Sun and exhibits warmer air. This hot air does not remain on the land surface; instead, it rises into the air because it consists of less dense air molecules.

Simultaneously, the temperature at the ocean level exhibits less heat than the land surface temperature. So, the cold air from the ocean surface replaces the hot air molecules’ space creating on-shore winds.

Lesson Plan

Here is the best lesson plan on the ‘Balloon in hot and cold water’ experiment.

Preparations

1) Ask the students whether they can inflate the Balloon without touching it. Note down their answers and discuss their solutions after the experiment.

2) First, invite your student’s answers and discuss their solutions with a scientific reason.

3) You can encourage and inspire students by telling them that they are upcoming engineers, chemists, and other respectable designations. Forex: if a student predicts the answer would be ‘by adding baking soda and vinegar,’ explain why his response went wrong. Then, encourage him by saying he/she is thinking smartly like a chemist. In this way, depending on their predictions, a teacher can inspire them with specific designations.  

4) If a student does not respond to your challenge of inflating a balloon without touching it, then give him an example and ask him/her to compare. Let the student come up with his/her answer with a bit of explanation.

Guide your students on the instructions of the ‘Balloon in hot and cold water’ experiment step by step, clearly as mentioned at the top of this post. You can also ask and discuss a few questions related to the subject while experimenting. Such that students feel more encouraged and involved in the topic rather than feeling bored.

Here are the basic questions you can discuss with students:

1) Why does the Balloon inflated on itself?

2) What is the difference between hot and cold water changes and their impact on the Balloon?

3) How long the Balloon takes time to inflate itself in hot water?

Explain about Misconceptions

Students think that hot air blows up the Balloon as the hot air rises upwards. But prove it as a misconception by reversing the bottle with an inflated balloon. Still, the Balloon remains inflated without deflating. It is because hot air rises when there is cold air beside it.

Finally, explain the background science involved in this experiment and discuss students’ predicted answers with a scientific reason. Tell them clearly that their answers may not apply in this science activity, but they may use them in another way of experimenting.

In hot water, the Balloon inflated because of hot air molecules, and in cold water, the Balloon deflated because of cold air molecules. The hot air molecules are less dense in weight and tend to rise and occupy more space. That’s the reason the hot air molecules travel inside the Balloon and make it expand. In contrast, the cold air molecules are denser in weight and require less space, causing the Balloon to deflate.

Take an empty plastic water bottle. Attach a balloon (make sure it is not leaking anywhere on its surface) to the bottle’s mouth using its neck part by placing it upside down. That means the mouth of the Balloon and the bottle gets attached in opposite directions using their mouthparts. Now place the bottle set up in a container that consists of hot water in it. Leave it for some time. The Balloon starts inflating by filling its inside part with hot air molecules.

Bring the Balloon’s mouth part in an upside-down position over the neck part of the bottle. And then stretch the Balloon’s opening around the neck part of the bottle. But before that, you need to uncap the bottle. That’s it! Your Balloon’s opening nicely sits over the bottleneck part.

Boyle’s Law is valid at very high temperatures until or unless the gas remains as a gaseous matter. Because at high temperatures, the gases may change their state of mass, for which Boyle’s law is not applicable. Boyle’s law tells that the volume and pressure of a gas-related each other quite the opposite.

When you squeeze the bottle, the Balloon begins inflating itself because we squeeze some air molecules into it while squeezing the bottle. And due to more air occupying inside the Balloon, the Balloon starts expanding and inflates itself to fit the air molecules coming inside. When you stop squeezing the bottle, the balloon deflates.

When you let the Balloon warm up again, it starts inflating itself because of warmer air molecules. The warmer air molecules rise and enter into the Balloon, making it expand. Hot air molecules are less dense in weight and tend to travel upwards. And they require more space since they like to scatter in larger areas.

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Explore the natural world through science and sustainability

How to Create Critical Thinkers by Freezing Water: A Science Experiment

Creating critical thinkers can be done with little more than water, food coloring, and a below-freezing temperature! Learn how freezing water can become a science experiment in this simple investigation.

The other day, my nine-year-old daughter asked me if the color of water would affect its freezing point. I asked her what she thought the answer was, and she said that because darker colors absorb heat better than lighter ones, she assumed that dark-colored water would freeze at a lower temperature than light-colored water. 

I suggested that she get some food coloring and test her hypothesis! Although I knew that the addition of food coloring wouldn’t change the freezing point of water, I realized that this would be an excellent opportunity for her to design, test, and analyze her very own experiment. Nurturing her confidence in carrying out the scientific method from start to finish was a fundamental part of her education, so we quickly gathered our supplies and she got started!

Experimenting with Freezing Water

From this simple experiment, your learners can (with a bit of guidance depending on ability level):

• Form a hypothesis
• Discuss background information
• Create a materials list
• Write step-by-step instructions to conduct the experiment
• Collect data
• Visualize data with the creation of a graph
• Analyze the data
• Form a conclusion based on the data collected

Learning how to properly design, conduct, and analyze an experiment takes time. We did this activity in two days. The first was spent on designing and conducting the experiment, the second was devoted to graphing the data, analyzing the results, and drawing conclusions. Depending on the ability level of your learners, and the time you have to devote to this lesson, it is perfectly appropriate to spread the learning out over a week.

To give you an example to work from, here is what my daughter chose to do:

Asking a Question and Forming a Hypothesis

The question my daughter asked was, “Does the color of water affect its freezing point?”.

Using her background knowledge of heat absorption and colors, she determined that a plausible answer to the question would be yes because darker colors absorb more heat than lighter colors. This is also known as her hypothesis, as it is an educated guess as to the outcome of the experiment.

Your learners may choose a different question, such as “Does the container the water is held in effect its freezing point?” or “Does the volume of water affect its freezing point?” – any question that has one variable will work well for this experiment! 

Discussing Background Information

Being familiar with the freezing point of water is a key element in this experiment. Discuss with your learner that water freezes at 0℃ or 32℉. Temperatures above freezing point will cause a phase change from solid to liquid water, and temperatures below freezing point will do the reverse.

We happen to live in a seasonal climate where winters dip below freezing on a regular basis, which is why we chose to conduct this experiment outside. However, this experiment could easily be done in a freezer, so long as the temperature is adjusted to be a few degrees below the freezing point of water, to allow for a more gradual phase change from liquid to solid.

Creating a Materials List for the Experiment

Now it’s time for your learner to get to work. Have them collect the materials that they will need and place them in the designated workspace, then write a list of the necessary items in their science journal. Here is what my daughter chose to use for her freezing water experiment:

• Red, yellow, and blue food coloring
• 4 plastic cups*
• Thermometer
• Measuring cup

*my daughter originally wrote that she would use 4 jars until we discussed that thin glass jars could potentially crack when water was frozen in them, so she switched to using clear, plastic drinking cups.

Designing the Instructions for the Freezing Water Experiment

Writing instructions challenges even the brightest of students, because writing clear, concise directions is a skill that requires a lot of practice. If possible, allow students to verbalize their instructions to you or to a partner to help them clarify their meaning and add in any missing steps. Students may find they need to revisit and edit their materials list once they’ve created their instructions, as additional items may be needed to experiment!

Here is the final list of instructions my daughter created to conduct her freezing water experiment:

• Get your materials.
• Put 100 mL of water into four cups.
• Put two drops of food coloring into each cup of water; leave one cup clear.
• Stir each cup to spread out the food coloring drops.
• Take the starting temperature of each cup and record.
• Place the four cups outside.
• Set a timer for 10 minutes.
• Every 10 minutes, check until they are frozen.

Designing instructions is a great time to have a conversation about controls and variables. In my daughter’s experiment, she chose to have one cup without food coloring, which served as her control. The only variable, or the factor that changed, was the food dye color difference added to the three remaining cups.

Collecting Scientific Data

Before my daughter began to collect data for her freezing water experiment, she created a simple table to record her information. We have a thermometer that measures temperature in Celcius, so that is the measurement she recorded every 10 minutes. She planned to collect data until each cup reached 0℃. 

That being said, temperature collection is not necessary to complete this experiment. I wanted my daughter to collect data to practice her graphing skills. For younger learners, this could be used instead as a qualitative observational experiment, where learners watch to see when the cups begin to form ice inside.

Here is an example of the data collection table we used:

During the data collection phase of this experiment, my daughter quickly realized that measuring the temperature of each cup every ten minutes was quite a chore! I told her to make a note of that in her science journal, as a reminder for the next time she designed an experiment that had time as a factor.

Visualizing Scientific Data with a Graph

Temperature was the measurement we recorded to determine if the color of water affected its freezing point. Since the temperature was collected at even time intervals, a line graph is an appropriate way to visualize the information. Remember to point out the following things when helping your learner create their graph:

• The x-axis is at the bottom of the graph and will display time, or the independent variable.
• The y-axis is on the left vertical side of the graph and will display temperature, or the dependent variable.
• Label each axis in even increments and include the unit of measurement in the axis title.
• Draw a clear dot to represent each data point
• Connect the data points for each colored cup like you would connect dots on a picture.
• Include a key to help explain the data.
• Create a title for the graph that highlights what the graph is visualizing.

Again, depending on the age and ability level of your learner, you may choose to only demonstrate how to graph the data, or set up the graph and allow the student to plot their information. Or skip this step altogether and verbally discuss the results of the freezing water experiment!

Drawing Conclusions from the Freezing Water Experiment

This is one of the best parts of any science experiment – discovering if your prediction was accurate! Make sure to stress to your learners that making a correct prediction is not the goal of the experiment; learning from the experiment is!

For my daughter’s experiment, she concluded that adding food coloring to water didn’t affect the freezing point. She then went on to talk about other things she could try to change the freezing point of water, like adding salt to the water. I think she may have remembered a lesson I taught with Medinah of Science Teacher Mom that looked at why we add salt to roads in the winter ! 

You may notice that once your student understands the process of designing and conducting an experiment, they’ll want to experiment over and over again. I’d count that as a win! 

Making Science Easily Accessible

Conducting simple scientific experiments like this one allows students to see that science is everywhere and doesn’t require fancy equipment to conduct investigations. Additionally, their confidence in making predictions and interpreting information will grow, strengthening their critical thinking skills.

If you try this freezing water experiment, please let me know by tagging me @thoughtfullysustainable on Instagram or Facebook , or by leaving a comment below! If you have any questions, feel free to email me ! 

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20 Balloon Experiments to Make Your Lessons Really Pop

See what we did there?

There’s something about the sight of colorful balloons that just makes you feel a little excited, don’t you think? That’s why kids will go crazy for these balloon experiments, whether they’re building a balloon-powered boat or powering a light bulb with static electricity. Plus, balloons are inexpensive, so stock up at the dollar store and get ready to throw a science party!

1. Blow up a balloon … without blowing

This is one of those classic balloon experiments everyone remembers doing in school. Kids learn about chemical reactions by mixing acids and bases. They’re always amazed at the results!

Learn more: Balloon Baking Soda Experiment

2. Design a balloon-powered car

Explore the laws of motion and encourage creativity when you challenge students to design, build, and test their own balloon-powered cars. Bonus: Use only recycled materials to make this project green! ( Find more cool car activities for the classroom here. )

Learn more: Balloon-Powered Car Challenge

3. Skewer a balloon without popping it

If you do this one right, you’ll make kids’ eyes pop—but not the balloon! They’ll learn about the polymers that make balloons possible, and even a little bit about how to stay cool under pressure.

Learn more: Balloon Skewer

4. Float a balloon-powered boat

Discover the power of air pressure and the third law of motion with this fun and inexpensive balloon experiment. Take this one outside on a sunny day and let kids splash away while they learn!

Learn more: Balloon-Powered Sponge Boat

5. Create ice crystal explosions

Fill balloons with water and leave them to freeze overnight. The next day, carefully cut open the balloons to reveal the beauty inside. Kids learn about crystallization and the expansion of water as it freezes. ( Get more science experiments involving ice and snow here. )

Learn more: Super Cool Melting Ice Experiment

6. Explore the science of swim bladders

Just how do fish manage to float without sinking or rising? Find out when you explore buoyancy with this swim bladder experiment using a glass bottle, balloon, and a few other basic materials.

Learn more: How Fish Sink and Float

7. Assemble a heart pump model

Anatomy lessons literally come alive when you do balloon experiments like this one. This working heart model demonstrates how blood pumps through the valves and chambers.

Learn more: DIY Heart Pump

8. Learn how lungs work

Your students might be surprised to learn that lungs have no muscles to make them work. Instead, the contraction of the diaphragm pulls air in and forces it out. This clever model helps explain the process.

Learn more: Lung Science Experiment

9. Blast off with a two-stage rocket

The rockets used for space flight generally have more than one stage to give them the extra boost they need. This experiment uses balloons to model a two-stage rocket launch, teaching kids about the laws of motion.

Learn more: Two-Stage Balloon Rocket

10. Build a hovercraft

It’s not exactly the same model the military uses, but this simple hovercraft is a lot easier to build. An old CD and a balloon help demonstrate air pressure and friction in this simple experiment.

Learn more: DIY Hovercraft

11. Parachute a water balloon

Water balloon experiments make a big splash with kids! In this one, they’ll explore how air resistance slows a water balloon’s landing using a homemade parachute.

Learn more: Water Balloon Skydiving

12. Sink or swim with water balloons

Fill water balloons with a variety of different liquids like oil, salt water, and corn syrup, then float them in a bucket of water to learn about density and buoyancy.

Learn more: Water Balloon Experiment

13. Perform the two balloons experiment

You have two balloons, one filled with more air than the other. When you open the valve between them, what will happen? The answer is almost certain to surprise you. Learn how it works in the video at the link below.

Learn more: Air Pressure Experiment

14. Power a light bulb with static electricity

One of the first balloon experiments most kids try is rubbing a balloon on their hair to make their hair stand on end. The next step is to hold the balloon over a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) to see it glow from the static electricity. Wow!

Learn more: Magic Light Bulb Balloon Science Experiment

15. Spin a penny round and round

In this simple experiment, students use kinetic energy and centripetal force to spin a penny inside a balloon. They’ll want to try other objects too, so hold a contest to see which spins the longest.

Learn more: The Spinning Penny

16. Fire up an air cannon

Discover the power of an air vortex with this easy DIY air cannon. To really understand how it works, use some incense to create visible smoke rings that will really impress your students.

Learn more: Air Cannon Smoke Ring

17. Create a working water fountain

See the power of air pressure when you build a balloon-activated water fountain. You’ll only need simple supplies like a plastic bottle, straw, and putty.

Learn more: Water Bottle Fountain

18. Explore the effects of hot and cold air

The concept of expansion and contraction of air can be hard to visualize. That’s where this experiment comes in to save the day. Watch the balloon expand and contract as the air around it changes temperature.

Learn more: Exploring the Effects of Hot and Cold Air

19. Fireproof a balloon

A balloon will obviously pop when touched to a hot flame, right? Not if you put some cold water in it first! Kids will be so amazed they won’t even realize they’re learning about the heat conductivity of water.

Learn more: Fireproof balloon

20. Experiment with balloons and pushpins

A pin pops a balloon in no time flat, so what happens when you place a balloon on a table full of them? Once again, the answer won’t be quite what your students expect until you explain the science of distributed pressure.

Learn more: Pinning a Balloon

Have more balloon experiments to add to the list? Come and share in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out our big list of easy science experiments .

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Frozen Family Fun: Try These Cold-Weather Science Experiments

Record-cold temperatures sweeping across parts of the Midwest, East Coast and Southeast likely have many shuttered indoors with the heat cranked up. Lengthy stints inside can be a recipe for cabin fever.

For those looking to keep their kiddos occupied and have chill family time, there's a way to use the extreme cold for some entertainment (and sneak in a little science education, too). Here, LiveScience has rounded up a few fun experiments that can be done with just a little time outdoors (make sure to bundle up!), from making frozen soap bubbles to creating your own colorful snow. (There are also some experiments to make sure the little ones  don't  try.) 

Frozen bubbles

Kids love bubbles. And while summer is typically the time to crack open a bottle of bubbles, there's a way to make them work in the winter. If it's cold enough outside ( Steve Spangler Science  recommends temperatures below freezing, though he says the colder it is the better), you can make the bubbles freeze. The trick is to blow them up in the air so that they have time to freeze before hitting the ground or another surface. The bubbles will form crystalline patterns and some might break, looking a bit like the shell of a cracked egg. Don't have any bubble solution handy? The post also has a simple homemade recipe. [ See More Science Experiments for Kids ]

Maple syrup candy

Do just like Half Pint did in the "Little House on the Prairie" books and make your own maple syrup candy. Just heat butter and syrup together, according to this recipe , and after it cools, you can pour it onto fresh snow and it will harden into something like maple taffy. Yum!

Magic balloons

Okay, so maybe they're not magic, but they will seem that way to the kids, and this one is quite easy. Just inflate a balloon and and tie the end, then stick it outside and watch it deflate. Bring it back inside to warm up and watch it re-inflate. (This is a nice lesson in how the volume of a gas, in this case, air, changes with temperature, shrinking in the cold, as its density increases, and expanding in the heat, as its density decreases.)

Make your own snow

This one is for those of you experiencing really cold temperatures. Meteorologist Eric Holthaus demonstrates it nicely in a video posted to Youtube : If it's cold enough outside, you can take some boiling water throw it up in the air (make sure it will blow away from you), and it will freeze into snow. When Holthaus did his experiment in Viroqua, Wisconsin, it was minus 21 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 29 degrees Celsius) with a wind chill of minus 51 degrees F (minus 46 degrees C).

Don't run outside with a bowl of super-hot water just yet. Yes, the water will surely freeze into snow (temperatures are in the single digits and below in many spots), but before it does so some of the scalding water could burn your kid's skin.

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In a YouTube video posted Jan. 6, 2014, a Chicago man threw a pot of boiling water off his balcony, with some of the hot water landing on his girlfriend and him. In that same year, news reports suggest that some 50 people burned themselves with the icy experiment. 

How does water turn into snow  in the first place? Colder air holds less water vapor than warmer air, while the boiling water is giving off lots of water vapor (that's the steam you see rising from the pot). When the hot water is thrown into the cold air, the air gets more water vapor than it can hold, Mark Seeley, a climatologist at the University of Minnesota, explained previously to Live Science, so the water vapor clings to tiny particles in the air, crystallizing into snow. Seeley said the air must be quite cold to attempt this one, somewhere in the region of minus 30 degrees F (minus 34 degrees C) or lower.

On Dec. 28, 2017, atop Mount Washington in New Hampshire, where temperatures dropped to minus 31 degrees F (minus 35 degrees C), weather observer Adam Gill, of Mount Washington Observatory, carried out the snow-making trick, with the boiling water immediately freezing into crystals and rushing away in hurricane-force winds, according to a video of the experiment on Facebook .  

Do NOT try this at home

One "experiment" to make sure the kids don't attempt is triple-dog daring anyone into sticking their tongue to that frozen flagpole. Maddie Gilmartin, 12, of East Kingston, N.H., gave this one a try and, sure enough, her tongue was frozen to the pole, as the New York Daily News notes . Her parents tried to blow warm air on her tongue and douse it with warm water to get it unstuck, but to no avail. Eventually the paramedics were able to free her; and her tongue is expected to recover, though it could take up to six months for the swelling to go down.

Why does this happen? The tongue is warm, and when it touches the frigid pole , the pole saps that warmth and cools the tongue, causing the body to send more heat to the cooled area. But the high thermal conductivity of the metal pole means it sucks up that warmth faster than the body can resupply it to the tongue. The upshot: The moisture on the tongue freezes in the pores of the tongue and the metal and, voila, you're stuck.

Editor's Note: This article was first published in 2014 and updated in 2017.

Original article on LiveScience .

Andrea Thompson is an associate editor at Scientific American, where she covers sustainability, energy and the environment. Prior to that, she was a senior writer covering climate science at Climate Central and a reporter and editor at Live Science, where she primarily covered Earth science and the environment. She holds a graduate degree in science health and environmental reporting from New York University, as well as a bachelor of science and and masters of science in atmospheric chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

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Fun Laminar Flow Experiment with a Balloon

Categories Science Experiments

If you’ve been hanging out on the Internet recently, you may have seen the viral laminar flow experiment with a balloon . YouTube or TikTok recently (go follow STEAMsational if you haven’t yet!). In the laminar flow experiment, water appears to freeze when it’s coming out of a balloon. The secret to this magic trick is, as almost always, science. We love doing this activity as part of our no prep STEM challenges!

Read on to learn how to do your own viral laminar flow experiment.

What is a Laminar Flow?

There are two ways that water typically flows through a hole or opening. In fluid dynamics, there are two main types of ways that water flows. The normal way is called “turbulent flow,” which just means that there is a lot of disruption in the flow and the water has a lot of movement.

In laminar flow, the fluid doesn’t have disruption or has minimal disruption, so that the water particles can flow evenly and gently out of the opening. When viewed from the right angles, this can make the water look as if it has frozen in the air, especially on camera.

What You Need to Do the Laminar Flow Science Experiment

You can do this experiment easily at home (or in the classroom) using basic supplies. You’ll need a balloon, a container or bowl to stabilize the balloon, tape, and a pin.

Laminar Flow Balloon Explanation

Here’s how the balloon lamiar flow experiment works. Balloons have soft edges. When you prick a balloon, the opening is typically even.

This means that when you stabalize the opening with tape, the water can flow out gently without disruption. This makes the water particles flow evenly and gently past one another, creating the illusion of frozen water.

Laminar Flow Balloon Tutorial

Follow along with these directions to do your own version of the laminar flow experiment.

It will probably take you a few tries to get right, but if you keep at it, you will be able to do the experiment as well. It took us about 5 tries before we got it to work.

Tips for Getting Your Laminar Flow Experiment to Work

First of all, the kind of tape that you use is important. We first tried our experiment with washi tape, but that failed. The tape you use must be able to hold the streched balloon in place as the water emerges. If the balloon is allowed to collapse like it would without the tape, it will fail.

Use regular scotch tape or duct tape and your experiment will work a lot better.

Next, you’ll want to stabilize your balloon. We put ours in a bowl and it worked fine. If you let the balloon flop everywhere as you do the experiment, it won’t work as smoothly.

Lastly, keep trying until it works. This is a trial and error project, so don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work right away.

Doing the Laminar Flow Science Experiment with a Balloon

Here is the step by step tutorial for completing the balloon laminar flow experiment.

First, fill up your balloons with water. Fill up about half a dozen to about half capacity. This is so that they don’t pop just from the pressure of the water.

Next, dry the balloons so your tape sticks better. Move your balloons outside.

Gather a pin, a bowl, and your duct tape or scotch tape.

Make a hashtag pattern on the balloon with your tape. Leave the center opening pretty small (about 1/2 an inch or less). This will make the flow better than a larger opening.

Place the balloon in your bowl or container and prick it with the pin.

The water should start to flow out evenly. If it doesn’t, there could be a few things wrong:

The flow is wobbly: This could mean that your hole is too small. Try pricking your next balloon with a slightly larger pin or sticking it in for longer.

The balloon explodes: You probably need a sharper pin.

The balloon empties too fast: You need a smaller opening.

Keep trying until it works! There is no actual magic involved in this, just fluid dynamic science!

More Science Experiments for Middle School

Middle School STEM Activities

Next Generation Science Standards for Middle School

Iodine and Vitamin C Experiment (magic disappearing color experiment!)

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Freezing Water Experiment

Love simple science experiments? YES!! Well, here’s another one the kids are sure to love! Explore the freezing point of water and discover what happens when you freeze salt water. All you need are some bowls of water and salt. We love easy science experiments for kids !

Suggestion : Follow up this experiment with our ice melting experiment and investigate how salt affects the melting point of ice!

Instructions:

STEP 1: Label the bowls “Bowl 1” and “Bowl 2”.

STEP 2: Measure out 4 cups of water for each bowl.

STEP 3: Add 2 tablespoons of salt to bowl 2, a little at a time, stirring as you go.

STEP 4: Place both bowls in the freezer, check the bowls after a hour to see how they have changed.

Optional – use a thermometer to measure the water in both bowls.

STEP 5: Recheck them after 24 hours. What do you notice?

What is the Freezing Point of Water?

The freezing point of water is 0° Celsius / 32° Fahrenheit. But what temperature does salt water freeze at? If there is salt in the water, the freezing point is lower. The more salt there is in the water, the lower the freezing point will be and the longer the water will take to freeze.

What happens when water freezes? When fresh water freezes, water molecules of hydrogen and oxygen bind together, forming ice. Salt in the water makes it harder for the molecules to bind with the ice structure; basically, the salt gets in the way of the molecules, blocking them from joining the ice. This is an example of a physical change !

That’s why salt water takes longer to freeze. It is also why salt is sometimes used on icy roads to slow down freezing and make them safer to drive on.

Also check out our states of matter experiments !

Using the Scientific Method

The scientific method is a process or method of research. A problem is identified, information about the problem is gathered, a hypothesis or question is formulated from the information, and the hypothesis is put to test with an experiment to prove or disprove its validity. Sounds heavy…

What in the world does that mean?!? The scientific method should be used as a guide to help lead the process.

You don’t need to try and solve the world’s biggest science questions! The scientific method is all about studying and learning things right around you.

As kids develop practices that involve creating, gathering data evaluating, analyzing, and communicating, they can apply these critical thinking skills to any situation.

To learn more about the scientific method and how to use it, click here.

Free printable freezing water science project!

More Fun Experiments to Try

Explore states of matter , phase changes and water experiments with these activities below…

• Water Cycle In A Bag
• What Makes Ice Melt Faster?
• Solid, Liquid, Gas Experiment
• Water Evaporation Experiment
• Frost on a Can Experiment
• Salt Water Density Experiment
• Try Ice Melt Activities with younger kiddos

Helpful Science Resources To Get You Started

Here are a few resources that will help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

• Best Science Practices (as it relates to the scientific method)
• Science Vocabulary
• 8 Science Books for Kids
• All About Scientists
• Free Science Worksheets
• Science Supplies List
• Science Tools for Kids
• Join us in the Club

Printable Science Projects For Kids

If you’re looking to grab all of our printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets and bonuses like a STEAM Project pack, our Science Project Pack is what you need! Over 300+ Pages!

• 90+ classic science activities  with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information.  NEW! Activity-specific observation pages!
• Best science practices posters  and our original science method process folders for extra alternatives!
• Be a Collector activities pack  introduces kids to the world of making collections through the eyes of a scientist. What will they collect first?
• Know the Words Science vocabulary pack  includes flashcards, crosswords, and word searches that illuminate keywords in the experiments!
• My science journal writing prompts  explore what it means to be a scientist!!
• Bonus STEAM Project Pack:  Art meets science with doable projects!
• Bonus Quick Grab Packs for Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics

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~ projects to try now ~.

Freezing Weather Experiments

Introduction: Freezing Weather Experiments

What do you do when it is bitter cold outside? Freezing Weather Experiments of course!

This is fun for all ages. However, it can aid students with science fair ideas and homeschooling experiments, while fostering curiosity and creativity.

This particular day was -28°F (-33.3°C).

This instructable will show how to:

• Freeze Bubbles
• Crunch Frozen Bubbles (Surprisingly Fun)
• Transform Boiling Water into Snow
• Make Crystal Clear Ice
• Demestrate the Incredible Self Deflating and Inflating Balloon
• Discover Sun Dogs

For more videos like these and other DIY Projects click here.

Step 1: Freezing Bubbles

Trial and Error :

We tried regular bubble solution with mixed results. When we tried blowing bubbles outside, the bubble wand either froze to quickly, or the warm breath filled bubbles rose in the cold air to quickly to see them freeze. As you see in the video, what worked better was using a small cup that was half full with a water and dish soap solution. Then using a bubble wand to make and attach the bubbles to the top of the cup. To attach the bubble, the rim of the cup must be soapy. Using this method, you can position and observe the bubble easily.

Step 2: Transform Boiling Water Into Snow

There are just a few steps to this experiment. It works best when the outside temperature is well below freezing.

This is potentially dangerous and people have gotten hurt while attempting this experiment. Children need to have an adult do this for them.

First : You need to boil a small amount of water. I used a pot in the video, but a water filled mug in the microwave works well.

Second : Carefully, without burning yourself, carry your very hot water outside to a safe place.

Third : Here is the dangerous part. Toss the water up and away from you and other people. DO NOT toss the water above your head, because boiling water could fall back on you.

Fourth : Enjoy the white snowy cloud as it drifts away.

How does this Work

When you boil water, you're adding energy to water in its liquid state. That energy moves the molecules farther away from each other until the water vaporizes into a gaseous state.

By throwing boiling water into the air, the hot water separates and forms hot droplets.

Because they're so hot, those tiny water droplets start to vaporize quickly. But since cold air can't hold as much water vapor as warmer air, the water condenses. Extremely cold temperatures quickly freeze the water droplets, which fall as ice crystals.

Step 3: Make Crystal Clear Ice

Items Needed:

• Small cooler with lid open or taken off
• A freezer large enough to put your cooler in, or freezing temperature outside

Impress you friends with "classy" ice in their drinks! :-)

To make DIY Crystal Clear Ice at home, all you need is a small cooler, water, and a freezer to fit the cooler in (or freezing outdoor temps). The trick is to let the water freeze from the top-down. This will help release any air in the water/ice. So, just leave the cooler lid open/off and let it freeze.

The first try only "half worked" but the second try was very clear! The only difference between my two attempts was the second one was left in my freezing garage instead of outdoors. Perhaps the wind and snow made the first try a bit cloudy.

After a day of freezing, take the cooler and carefully tip it over in your sink. It will likely only be about half frozen, so drain the water and the ice will fall out. Either, chip, break, or cut the ice to any size you like.

Step 4: The Incredible Self Deflating and Inflating Balloon

For this simple experiment, you only need a few items:

• One Balloon (latex or mylar) *A mylar balloon may be more obvious with the result.
• A cold environment (like outside in the winter, or your home freezer.)
• Kids around, so they can be make a hypothesis and be amazed.

Gather kids around to watch. Inside a warm room, blow up a balloon. Then place the balloon outside in the freezing weather or just in your freezer. Ask the kids what they think will happen to the balloon from being in the cold. Then after a short while, retrieve the balloon and show the result.

The balloon should have shrunk a little due to the air molecules in the balloon losing heat energy and moving closer together. But if warmed back up the air will spread out and expand the balloon again.

• It would be interesting to make a graph to chart the temperature and balloon circumference change.
• Using helium instead of air should give greater results and its buoyancy may change which would be neat to see.

Common Sense Note: If you put your balloon outside, make sure to tie it down. We tried to make a video to show this experiment with our only balloon, but it blew away.

Step 5: Sun Dogs, Sun Halo, and Sun Cross

If you are lucky, on very cold days you will see sundogs, a sun halo, and cross in the sky. This phenomenon usually only happens when the Sun is low in the sky, either in the morning or evening. Sun dogs are a concentrated patch of light about 22° to the left and right of the Sun. They are created when the sunlight refracts through icy clouds. The process is similar to a rainbow. The dogs can either look bright yellow like the sun or colorful, like pieces of a rainbow with red on the inside, toward the Sun, and blue on the outside. A similar phenomenon can happen at night with the moon. These are appropriately called Moon Dogs.

A Sun halo, a circle of light that creates a circle 22° wide around the Sun, is a related phenomenon. As with sundogs, ice crystals in the clouds refract sunlight to create the halo, sometimes also called an icebow.

Step 6: Contact Me

Thank you for viewing this project.

Feel free to comment and/or send me a message and I will do my best to reply. What is your favorite freezing weather experiment?

For more videos and other DIY projects, check out and subscribe to my YouTube channel.

YouTube: GeekGuyMJ DIY Projects & More

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DIY Frozen Water Balloons

• If possible, carry filled balloons outside before adding food coloring to avoid making a mess indoors.
• Watch for leaks, as food coloring shooting out of a tiny hole in a balloon can stain wall paint, tiles and clothes.
• Wear gloves to protect your hands from the food coloring. Black gloves are perfect because they won’t show stains!
• If you don’t get snow or freezing temps at your cabin, use the freezer instead.

For more artsy activities, check out Vanessa’s blog at www.queenvanna.wordpress.com .

For more craft ideas, as well as recipes and great cabin photos, follow us on Pinterest .

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