Explosions, color-changing elements, invisible ink - we sure do miss all the fun chemistry experiments we used to do at school. Too bad we can’t do any of them without an actual school lab and safety goggles, or can you?
Combine entertainment with education by conducting a fun science experiment yourself. Best of all, this fun activity is absolutely safe to do at home with kids. It’s called “elephant toothpaste,” and you don’t need any special equipment or supplies to conduct it.
Elephant toothpaste is neither toothpaste nor does it have anything to do with elephants. This science experiment produces a dense colorful foam that fizzes out of a bottle and kind of looks like a big fountain of toothpaste coming out of a tube.
This active chemical reaction occurs when hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is rapidly broken down into oxygen and water. To make it work, you need something to speed up the reaction - a so-called catalyst. For this experiment, we can use regular dry yeast as a catalyst, as it contains something called catalase that will speed up the reaction considerably. For extra sturdy foam, you’ll also need to add a few drops of dish soap, as well as some food coloring to make everything look prettier and more toothpaste-like.
One important thing to note here - the more concentrated the hydrogen peroxide, the fizzier the reaction. Hence, many online recipes recommend using a 6% hydrogen peroxide instead of the 3% kind.
The ingredients and equipment you’ll need to make elephant toothpaste are:
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Pour the hydrogen peroxide into the plastic bottle. We suggest doing this on a tray, or a nylon tablecloth.
2. Drop food coloring onto the sides of the bottle to create toothpaste-like streaks as the foam starts fizzing.
3. Add the dish soap to the bottle and swirl the bottle gently to mix in the dish soap.
4. In the small bowl, combine the yeast with the warm water.
5. Quickly pour the yeast mixture into the plastic bottle, too. Then step back and watch foam go.
NOTE: Elephant toothpaste generates some heat - it’s an exothermic reaction. Therefore, avoid touching the bottle and the foam.
Clean up the foam while wearing rubber gloves, as any leftover hydrogen peroxide may cause skin irritation.
H/T: Mental Floss
9 Ways to Help Out Children With Anxiety
These nine strategies will enable you to support your children effectively, strengthening their mental well-being while helping them navigate their anxiety.
Lessons I Learned From My Father on How to Be a Parent
Although I've passed on these skills to my own children, my father also imparted 10 additional lessons that we couldn't have learned from anyone else...
These Parents Have a Great Sense of Humor...
These parents have the best sense of humor about their daily struggles. So stay awhile and crack some smiles!
8 Outdated Life Lessons We Teach Our Children
we'll explore eight ideas that you might have come to believe are correct and effective for raising children.
Print at Home: 24 Characters for Coloring with Kids!
For a fun time for kids of all ages, print out any of these popular characters for them to color.
Incredible Science Breakthroughs That Made News in 2022
Let’s check out some of the most interesting scientific discoveries of 2022.
Are These Schools the Most Unusual In the Entire World?
Many of us were educated in traditional classrooms, but the same cannot be said for the students at these 14 highly-unusual schools. Learn about them today.
They Taught Us Our Multiplication Tables All Wrong!
Most multiplication tables are designed really badly, so hardly anyone can learn from them. Read on to see what a real times table looks like.
How to Get Your Child to be Serious When Appropriate
How do you establish boundaries and make sure your child is behaving seriously at solemn occasions.
Hilarious: Before Being a Parent, and AFTER Being One...
Check out this hilarious photo-compilation of parents before and after children.
10 Easy and Fun Drawing Tutorials For Kids and Beginners
If you need a creative activity to keep the little ones engaged, look no further than these 10 fun and easy animal drawing tutorials!
A Beautiful Old Tale: The Lion and the Mouse.
Share a lovely tale with anyone who loves bedtime stories in classic style!
7 Ways to Combat Passive Aggressive Behavior
Common passive-aggressive behaviors and the recommended responses to situations you may encounter.
Nine Couples Games that Can Strengthen Relationships
Each game is designed to make you a more loving and understanding couple, whether you are just starting out or have been married for years.
7 Daily Habits that Cause Couples to Fights
If you've gotten into the habit of doing the following 7 things, know that they are responsible for 90% of your biggest fights, and you should learn how to curb those reactions.
5 Vaccinations Every Grandparent Should Get
As a grandparent, you may wonder what vaccinations you need to take to make sure your grandkids are safe.
Did You Know Grandkids Are Good for Your Health?
In this article, we will introduce the many good ways grandkids influence your life, mind, and body.
For a Divorce-Proof Marriage These Tips Are All You Need
Read these words of advice carefully, and write them on your heart!
9 Ways to Help Kids Study Pleasurably, Easily & Memorably
Studying is one of the things people don't often enjoy. That is because they haven't been taught how to study. Here are 9 scientifically proven tips.
A Few Things About Child Obesity We All Need to Know
What causes childhood obesity, why is it getting more common, and what can be done about it?
Remember This 6-Letter Phrase to Mend Passive Aggression
Emotional intelligence experts swear by this one simple 6-phrase to stop passive aggression in its tracks.
As a Baby Grows, THIS is What It Will See...
It's no secret that babies see the world differently than the rest of us do, and this video will show you just what their visual development looks like.
Why Children Suck Their Fingers and How to Make It Stop
To aid in understanding and addressing finger sucking, this article discusses why it may happen and how to stop the behavior.
Beautiful: What Kids Should REALLY Be Taught at School!
Children and young teens need to be taught life lessons, that will enable them to be independent and certain, yet respectful.
Celebrating a Bond Between Grandmother and Grandson...
This short video is a gentle and beautiful example of loving your family.
12 Classic Christmas Stories All Children Will Love
Enjoy the holidays with your kids by reading one of these heartwarming Christmas books to your kid.
The Good and Bad White Lies in a Relationship
Four scenarios where it is acceptable to tell a white lie and 4 in which it is not permissible under any circumstances.
8 Outdated Life Lessons We Teach Our Children
we'll explore eight ideas that you might have come to believe are correct and effective for raising children.
Solving 10 Food-Related Problems Some Parents Face
we have gathered 10 common problems and the best solutions to address them, assisting you to get through each family dinner or feeding the baby with ease.
Does Your Child or Grandchild Sit in This Dangerous Pose?
There is a worrying argument that one of the most common kneeling poses that children make is damaging their health.
How to Deal With Parental "Burnout"
Parental burnout is a problem that can affect anyone, and it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of it.
They May Drive You Crazy, But Family is Family!
Family can drive you crazy but at the end of the day you can't help but love them. Here are some beautiful and funny quotes and pictures to make your day.
7 Ways to Develop a Child's Executive Functions
What are these executive functions and how can you help your child develop them? You will find all of this in the following guide.
This Father Has the Cutest Way of Handling His Baby...
This father will do anything to help his baby sleep...
The Naked Truth Behind Why Men Don't Listen to Women
Have a good look at the 10 biggest reasons why men don't always appear to listen to the women in their lives.
10 Worst Things to Say When Talking to Your Grandchildren
In this article, we will look at some of the things you should never say to your grandchildren.
If a Child Lives with Praise, This Is What He'll Learn...
How should we go about raising our children to be strong, independent and certain of themselves?
Everyone Deserves Self-Care: 6 Easy Tips for Parents
A reminder for parents to take time for themselves. 6 small ways to practice self-care in a parent's busy everyday life.
Couples Passionate About Each Other Practice These Rituals
It's amazing to think what miraculous things can happen between a couple when new positive, behavior patterns are developed.
What Life Looks Like for British Royal Babies
Discover the cool and surprising facts about the Royal family's babies, the only babies in the world who are given passports at birth.
Children of the Past: Historical Photos of Kids Having Fun
19 Nostalgic photos of children having fun playing outside.
Which Occupations Cheat the Most? The Answers are In...
Research indicates that certain professions tend to have a higher likelihood of infidelity.
The Speech EVERY Generation Should Hear...
Jack Webb Dragnet giving one of his most compelling speeches to youngsters complaining about the state of the country.
These 40 Compliments Will Have a Lasting Effect on a Child
Every child should hear these words every once in a while.
6 Embarrassing Parental Moments and How to Deal with Them
Here are 6 embarrassing situations you may encounter. Don't worry - there are ways to tackle them!
Study: Why It's Crucial to Talk to Toddlers
This study sheds light on why it's so important to speak to toddlers and how best to go about it.
40 Sentences Every Child Needs to Hear to Succeed in Life
Help your child succeed in life with these 40 sentences.