Boo! Stir up some spooky fun with Halloween science. These quick and easy experiments keep the focus on academics but are full of spooky fun.
Science is a terrific subject to delve further into during Halloween. Halloween science is full of mysterious concoctions, strange spooky sounds and sets a great stage for either demonstrations your kids will never forget or experiments that send shivers up their spines!
Three favorite halloween science experiments
- Making Vampire Blood
- Boil the Blood
- Bewitch an Egg
Making Vampire Blood
This Vampire Blood is created due to the interaction between a base and an indicator.
The base in our Vampire Blood is simple powdered dish soap. The indicator used is phenolphthalein, which you can order from a science supply shop or purchase in any drugstore…as a laxative.
Just check the ingredient label, and note that the chocolate kind does not work for this experiment.
An indicator will tell you when and what kind of a reaction has taken place. The phenolphthalein, when in contact with a base, actually changes its molecular structure.
It begins to absorb light and appears pink. The more stronger the base, the deeper the pink.
This is also a great time to talk about different types of bases and acids (two important groups of chemicals). Acids give food a sharp taste (think lemons, grapefruit) and are in your stomach too! Bases dissolve fats and oils (baking soda is one of the few bases we can eat).
Vampire Blood Directions and Student Sheet
Hang on to your blood! Let’s make it boil in the next Halloween science experiment.
Make the Blood Boil
Put your fangs on and make that Vampire blood bubble and boil! This vinegar baking soda experiment is a classic but never fails in the entertainment value.
- Set your vampire blood in a sink or a pie pan.
- Pour in a tablespoon of baking soda.
- Add a tablespoon of vinegar, step back and watch the action.
This is a chemical reaction. When the vinegar (acid) comes in contact with the baking soda (base) the molecular structure of both substances breaks down. Hydrogen is released which creates bubbles.
Oxygen and carbon are released too (carbon dioxide), but there isn’t a way to tell which is which (or “witch is witch!”).
Grab the Boiling Blood Scientific Method Sheet
Bewitch an Egg
In medieval times, witches were both feared and revered. But if local town folks thought you were a witch, it was a dunking and possible drowning in your future!
Of course, now we know that was just plain silly. But, can your students make an egg float in water?
- It all relates the the density of the water. The density of the raw egg that is inside the shell is greater overall than the density of the water. By adding salt (sugar works too) you can increase the density of the water so the egg will eventually float.
- What I like about this experiment is that it lends itself well to tracking simple data. Every time a tablespoon of salt is added, it is noted on a T-Chart with a simple “yes” or “no” under the question: Egg Floating? It also is great for drawing and labeling at the end.
- Expand the experiment to see if the same amount of sugar is needed to bewitch the egg, or if a hard-boiled egg makes any difference.
Here’s an easy student sheet to use: Bewitch an Egg Student Sheet
Ask the students to create their hypothesis based on the question written onto the sheet.
The materials you need are: a mason jar, one raw egg, salt, a tablespoon, stirring spoon and water.
Fill the mason jar with water, about 2/3 full.
- Gently place the egg into the jar.
- Add 1 tablespoon of salt at a time
Have students record every time they add a tablespoon of salt until the egg floats.