We love playful science activities for preschoolers and are always exploring classic science experiments, adding our own unique and fun twists! Sensory science is an appealing form of play and learning for my son. Explore what happens to ivory soap in the microwave!

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Experiment With Soap In The Microwave

Ever wondered what ivory soap does in the microwave? So easy! The photos below tell it all! Read more about the science behind this ivory soap experiment as well.

I would have to say someone (namely a 4-year-old) was pretty excited and interested about this soap experiment, and then absolutely amazed by the results!

Simple science around the house is perfect for preschool-age children, especially if you can turn it into fun sensory play. Learning and playing, hand in hand for amazing early learning development!

Think microwaved soap is tricky, think again! It’s super easy and safe to put ivory soap in the microwave. You only need to know how long to microwave your ivory soap!

Plus, microwaved soap is a simple science activity illustrating physical change and changes in states of matter! Read more below.

WATCH THE VIDEO!

Ivory Soap Sensory Science Experiment MicrowavePin

Why Does Ivory Soap Expand In The Microwave?

There are two types of changes called reversible change and irreversible change. Heating ivory soap in the microwave, like melting ice is a great example of reversible change or a physical change. Learn more about physical change.

When you heat ivory soap in the microwave, the appearance of the soap is changed but no chemical reaction occurs. This soap is still useable as soap! See what fun thing we did with our expanded ivory soap at the end.

The soap expands in size because the air and water inside the soap heats up. The expanding gas (air) pushes on the softened soap, causing it to expand up to 6 times in size. Microwave popcorn works in much the same way!

ALSO CHECK OUT: States Of Matter Experiments

Baking bread or cooking something like an egg is an example of an irreversible change. The egg can never go back to its original form because what it is made of has been changed. The change cannot be undone!

Can you think of any more examples of reversible change and irreversible change?

Grab your free printable ivory soap project!

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Ivory Soap Experiment 

You will need:

  • bar of Ivory Soap
  • large microwaveable bowl
  • Optional; tray and play accessories

How To Microwave Ivory Soap

STEP 1. Unwrap and place your soap in the microwave.

STEP 2. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.

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Soap Play

What’s even better is the texture which isn’t messy! I wasn’t sure what microwaved soap was going to feel like and many messy textures turn off my son’s interest.

This soap is flaky and stiff so we could break off chunks. I supplied him with spoons and cups and then thought a plastic knife would be a great idea! So did he! He spent a great deal of time sawing little pieces until there were just flakes left!

This was a super spontaneous sensory science experiment for easy morning fun. I had no idea how it would go or what would happen or if he would even be interested, but he was!

ALSO CHECK OUT: Soap Foam Sensory Play

Ivory Soap Sensory Science What Happens nextPin

Helpful Science Resources

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.

More Fun Science Experiments

Click below for fun science activities that show reversible change. Looking for examples of irreversible change or chemical change? Check out these fun chemical reactions.

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

5 Comments

  1. I couldn’t find the recipe for clean mud/ How much toilet paper ,how much water and how much ivory soap?

  2. Pingback: Classic Science Experiments Must Try Science Activities

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