Looking for a fun science experiment that you can set up in less than 5 minutes? This fireworks in a jar experiment uses warm water, oil and food coloring to create a fun “fireworks” effect. This is a perfect activity for New Years or Independence Day!
This activity is not only fun, but there is also real science behind the magic. Is there anything better than finding activities your kids love that also bring in learning concepts? This activity teaches science concepts in a visual way, it helps encourage prediction and observation and is perfect for kids of all ages.
Quick Look: Fireworks In A Jar
- 🧪 Activity Time: 5 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 10–15 minutes of observation
- 🎨 Supplies Needed: Clear jar or glass, water, oil, food coloring
- 👀 What Kids Will See: Colorful drops of food coloring sink through the oil and burst into the water below like bright fireworks
- 🎯 Ages: Preschool through elementary (with supervision for younger kids)
- 👌 Difficulty: Easy, perfect for quick kitchen science or classroom fun
- 💡 Why This Works: Oil and water don’t mix. The food coloring passes through the oil and disperses into the water, creating a fireworks effect as the colors spread.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
My son was home sick recently and asked to do a science experiment and I knew immediately that this experiment would capture his attention and keep him busy for a while! It is mesmerizing to watch the colored droplets fall, explode and create swirling colors. It really did look just like fireworks but in water!
This is a perfect activity for the 4th of July. Pair it with these shaving cream firework paintings and a little red, white and blue yogurt bark and you have a day full of fun activities!
Supplies You Need
- Clear jar or glass: A fully transparent container lets kids clearly observe how the color droplets move through the oil and water.
- Warm water: Slightly warm water helps the food coloring travel more smoothly and makes the “fireworks” effect more dramatic.
- 3-4 Tablespoons of vegetable oil: Oil is the secret to this experiment. Because oil and water don’t mix, it creates the perfect barrier that allows the colored droplets to fall and burst like fireworks.
- Food Coloring: Pick colors that are bright and vibrant for a fun fireworks show.
How To Make Your Fireworks In A Jar Experiment
Fill your jar 3/4 full with warm water
In a separate bowl add 3-4 tablespoons of oil
Add in a few drops of food coloring to the oil, we used a few different colors in our oil so added a few drops of each color
Gently stir the oil mixture just enough to break the drops into smaller colored droplets, be sure not to over mix the oil and food coloring
Slowly pour the oil mixture onto the top of the water
Watch the colored droplets sink, burst and swirl around the water
The Science Behind This Experiment
There are so many fun science concepts to introduce in this experiment. It is a great way to introduce your child science words like density, dissolve, separate and mixture. Here are some fun things to point out during the experiment:
Oil and water don’t mix (this is where you can talk about the density difference)
- Oil and water are made of different kinds of molecules and they don’t like to stick together. Water molecules are attracted to each other and oil molecules are attracted to other oil molecules. Because of this they separate into layers instead of mixing. Oil is less dense than water which means it floats on the top of the water.
Food coloring is water-based (which is why it won’t stay in the oil)
- Food coloring is mostly made of water. Since oil and water don’t mix, the drops of food coloring cannot dissolve into the oil. They stay trapped as little colored beads inside the oil layer.
Food coloring dissolves when it hits the water
- When the colored droplets finally reach the water, something exciting happens! Because food coloring and water are made of similar molecules, the color quickly spreads out and dissolves into the water.
“Tiny explosion” fireworks effect
- As the color bursts outward and swirls through the water it looks like a tiny explosion or real fireworks spreading through the sky. This all happens because of density and how different liquids interact.
Question To Ask Kids During The Experiment
- What do you think will happen when we pour this in?
- Why do you think the colors fall to the bottom?
- What would happen if we stirred the jar?
- Do you think cold water would work the same?
Tips & Variations With This Fireworks In A Jar Experiment
- If you find your colors blend too fast try to not stir the food coloring and oil as much before pouring it into the water
- If nothing happens your water may not be warm enough
- Looking for brighter colors? Add more food coloring
- Try baby oil versus vegetable oil to see how the oil and food coloring mix
- Have your child add an ice cube to see what happens to the color mixing in the water
Other Science Experiments You Will Love
If you tried this Fireworks In A Jar Experiment or any other activity on our blog please let us know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
