What’s a fun and easy science experiment for kids? Dissolving candy! Anything having to do with candy is a treat, and there’s plenty of science to be learned setting up this simple experiment for quick chemistry, including solutes and solvents. Grab the free printable science journal page too. Get ready to set up this incredibly simple and fun science activity for kids!
Dissolving Candy Fish Experiment
Also, see how we set up this experiment >>> What Can Dissolve In Water
Supplies:
- Gummy Candy Fish
- Small glass or plastic jars
- Warm water
- Rubbing alcohol
- Vinegar
- Cooking oil
- Stir sticks
Instructions:
STEP 1: Place one gummy candy fish in each jar. We used four jars and four different liquids. (See the possible options for this experiment at STEP 2.)
STEP 2: Measure and pour the same amount of different liquids into each jar.
What we used: Orange candy fish – water Green candy fish – alcohol Yellow candy fish – vinegar Red candy fish – cooking oil
Options: You can use water, rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and cooking oil. Additionally, you can try juice, soda, seltzer, or milk! Make sure you note which jar has which in it.
STEP 3: Observe the jars over several hours to see what happens to the candy fish. Alternatively, you can set a specific time allotment and record the results after a set period of time! Or even come back to it the next day.
TIP: This dissolving candy experiment is best if left at least 12 hours to work!
What Happens To Candy Fish In Water?
The main ingredients in gummy candy fish are gelatin, sugar, and flavoring.
When you place gummy candy fish in water, they move into them through osmosis since gummy bears don’t contain water. This is an example of physical change!
Osmosis is moving water across a semi-permeable membrane from a low-concentrated solution to a high concentrated one. A semi-permeable membrane is a thin sheet of tissue or layer of cells acting as a wall that allows only some molecules, like water molecules, to pass through.
💡Read more about fun with osmosis activities [here].
The semi-permeable membrane in gummy bears is gelatin. The gelatin also stops the gummy fish from dissolving in liquids other than an acidic solution, such as vinegar.
Growing Gummy Bears
If you love this dissolving candy experiment, check out this growing gummy bears experiment for osmosis.
Using The Scientific Method With Kids
The scientific method is a process or method of research. A problem is identified, information about the problem is gathered, a hypothesis or question is formulated from the information, and the hypothesis is tested with an experiment to prove or disprove its validity.
The scientific method can be used as a guide to help lead the discovery process. You don’t need to try and solve the world’s biggest science questions! The scientific method is all about studying and learning things right around you.
As kids develop practices that involve creating, gathering data, evaluating, analyzing, and communicating, they can apply these critical thinking skills to any situation.
To learn more about the scientific method and how to use it. Click here to learn more about the scientific method for kids with examples.
Even though the scientific method seems like it is just for big kids, it can be used with kids of all ages! You can have a casual conversation with younger kiddos or do a more formal notebook entry with older kiddos (free printable below).
Candy Science Fair Project
Science projects are an excellent way for older kids to show what they know about science. They can also be used in various environments, including classrooms, homeschools, and groups.
Kids can take everything they have learned about using the scientific method, stating a hypothesis, choosing variables, and analyzing and presenting data.
Want to turn this gummy bear osmosis experiment into an awesome science fair project? Check out these helpful resources.
Options To Set Up Your Experiment
This dissolving candy fish experiment can be set up in several ways for kids at home or in the classroom.
FIRST SET-UP OPTION: Use one jar of tap water to demonstrate to the class what happens to gummy candy fish in a jar of water over time. This makes a great intro to the overall activity and an obvious prompt for discussion. (See possible questions below.)
SECOND SET-UP OPTION: Use different water temperatures in each jar to investigate whether the water temperature affects what happens to the candy fish. This is a good option for small group activities.
THIRD SET UP OPTION: Use a variety of liquids to test which makes a better solvent for sugar (or candy fish). You could use water, milk, vinegar, oil, rubbing alcohol, juice, soda or seltzer, and hydrogen peroxide.
Discussion Questions To Ask Students
Before:
- What are all the things you are keeping the same and what one thing are you changing in this experiment?
- What do you think WILL happen to the candy fish when you put them in the jar of water, alcohol, vinegar, oil?
- Will something different happen or will the same thing happen for each jar? (PREDICTION)
During:
- What IS happening to the candy fish?
- Has anything changed in each jar?
- What does the liquid look like now? What do the candy fish look like now? (OBSERVATION)
After:
- Which jars had a change and which didn’t? Why do you think that happened? (EXPLANATION)
- Can you think of any everyday examples when a similar thing happens? (APPLICATION)
More Fun Candy Science Experiments
- Try a candy taste test with chocolate.
- Why do the colors not mix in this skittles experiment?
- Dissolving candy corn experiment is fun to do!
- Make a coke and mentos eruption!
- What happens when you add pop rocks to soda?
- Try this floating M&M experiment.
Helpful Science Resources
Here are a few resources to help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
- Best Science Practices (as it relates to the scientific method)
- Science Vocabulary
- 8 Science Books for Kids
- All About Scientists
- Free Science Worksheets
- Science Supplies List
- Science Tools for Kids
- Scientific Method for Kids
- Easy Science Fair Projects
- Citizen Science Guide
- Join us in the Club
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
Is this age level appropriate for preschool? How can you differentiate this activity?
You can put these in sealed bottles such as Voss bottles and let the kids explore them dissolving in this fashion. That way they won’t be tempted to taste the experiment. Talk about what you see, let them draw or paint fish. You don’t need a “worksheet” to go with it.