Fireworks in a jar is a fun science activity to do with your children! It will mesmerize them; at least it did S. This science experiment only uses what you should already have in your house: water, vegetable oil and food coloring.
You will need a jar or vase or some kind of vertical container that is clear and see through. Fill your container almost to the top with water; you just need enough at the top to be able to add in 2 tablespoons of oil. Once you fill your container with water set it aside. In a small bowl or measuring cup, pour in two tablespoons of vegetable oil and a couple drops of food coloring (we used two drops of each color). You can choose how many different colors you want to add. Using a fork, whisk the food color and oil until you get tiny droplets of food coloring.
When you’re ready go ahead and pour the vegetable oil mixture into the container of water. You will immediately see the oil drop towards the bottom of the jar but then pop right back up to the surface. Since water and oil do not mix, they will stay separate. It will not be long and you will start seeing the food coloring droplets drop down into the water. As more and more drop into the water a beautiful array of colors will appear. Some of the colors will mix together. 
S was a mesmerized by the bursts of color. You can do this experiment over and over, just make sure to rinse your jar out first. I hope you give this experiment a try and I would love to hear what you and your kids think!
Why does it work?
Food coloring will not dissolve in oil, but it does in water. Oil is a lower density than water, therefore it will float on top of the water. The food coloring droplets are heavier than the oil, so they sink down until they hit the water, where they start to dissolve.
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The next time my grandkids come over, I’m going to do this with them. They’ll think I’m so cool. 🙂 I love all the beautiful colors.
I’m sure they already think you are cool 🙂 but fireworks in a jar won’t hurt! Thanks Alli!
That is such a clever idea! I’m going to do this with the little boys I teach english too!
Thanks Madaline! I hope that your boys have fun with the experiment!
Now this is very neat Paris! I didn’t realize that food coloring doesn’t dissolve in oil.
Thanks Louida! Give the experiment a try with your girls – I am sure that they will enjoy watching the colors burst free from the oil!
How fun! I think we’re going to try this over Easter break!
I hope you guys have fun trying out this experiment!
I have to admit I was interested on how you created fireworks in a jar just from your title. How creative and cool, especially for kids! I’m putting this on my list of crafts to do with my kids while we are on Easter break.
I hope your kids have fun with this experiment! It’s a lot of fun to watch!
This is so cool. I had no idea you could do this. I will have to show my nephew – he’ll love it
Thank you Heather! I hope your nephew has fun with the experiment!
I’m pinning this to remember to do when my daughter gets a tiny bit older. What a cool project! 🙂
Thanks Natalie! It was so much fun to watch!
That looks so dang cool, I’d do it even if I didn’t have a kid!
It is a lot of fun to sit and watch to see what colors come downs first and how they swirl together.
That is too cool! The kid in me wants to make one. =)
It is a lot of fun to sit and watch to see what colors come downs first and how they mix and swirl together.
My daughter loves science, so any cool experiments of science tricks are always welcome in our house.
I hope your daughter enjoys Nicole!
What a fun way to entertain the children and get them talking science at the same time!
Looking for something to do with the kids tonight and came across this, lovely idea and shall give it a try
I hope you enjoyed!