Creepy Gelatin Heart Halloween Science Experiment for Kids

Ewwww! That looks so gross. Yep, those were the exact words out of my son’s mouth when I placed the jiggling gelatin heart down in front of him. We have been going for a bit more creepier science activities this season like our zombie brain slime just because, gross and creepy science is super cool. This gelatin heart Halloween science experiment is no exception. Get in on the Halloween fun with cool STEM activities your kids will love!

GELATIN HEART HALLOWEEN SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

There’s a lot of chemistry happening in the kitchen when it comes to cool Halloween science experiments and activities. Even the most common kitchen supplies like gelatin and jello are filled with simple science concepts that are easy to share with your kids.

A creepy, gross gelatin heart {or jello heart} makes for even creepier edible science if you choose! Make it for a party or make it for a fun Halloween science activity and let your kids explore the cool chemistry behind the jello or gelatin. Hint: You can also make cool fake snot slime with gelatin!

Read about the creepy gelatin heart Halloween science below!

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YOU WILL NEED:

Gelatin or Jello Packs {we choose gelatin for the color but you could also use red jello}
Water
Pot {boil water with adult supervision}
spoon
Heart or brain Molds (dollar store or Amazon)
Pipette, Skewer, Plastic Butter Knife {for dissecting and exploring}
Food Coloring Mixed in Water

MAKE A GELATIN HEART OR BRAIN

Follow the directions on the package of the gelatin or jello mix. Originally we made both a brain and a small heart, the brain didn’t fare well when we removed it from the mold. The heart was perfect though. I am wondering if a quick spray with a non-stick cooking spray would help the release.

Check out the cool jello science below and check out 31 Days of Halloween STEM Countdown

WHAT’S THE SCIENCE BEHIND GELATIN?

Note: This is edible but unflavored with the gelatin packets we chose. Probably not tasty!

Who would have thought Jello was chemistry? I love being able to share simple science with my son when we are doing what he considers way cool activities. It just amazes all of us that science is really everywhere and easy opportunities like making simple jello is a hands-on learning experience for both of us.

Jello or gelatin is all about chemistry. Our gelatin heart is called a semi-solid. Not quite a liquid and not quite a true solid. Gelatin is long strings of amino acids {with a little hydrogen} that when heated loosen up and jiggle and slide along each other in a liquid state, but they also love water and like to stick to it {just not very well}.

As the water cools, when the gelatin heart is placed in the fridge, the bond between the atoms in the water and gelatin strengthen and the semi-solid gelatin heart forms. It’s only a weak bond though making it semi-solid.

Read more in deathly about the change from liquid to semi-solid here.

That’s some grossly, cool, and creepy chemistry that I am pretty sure every mad junior scientist can get around for Halloween!

Check out more of our awesome Halloween science experiments and activities here.

Whether you call it creepy science, gross science, or edible science, it sure is extremely cool science that you can really do with your kids. Don’t be afraid of trying out science at home. Make it playful and everyone will have a blast.

FUN GELATIN HEART HALLOWEEN SCIENCE EXPERIMENT FOR KIDS!

Check out more cool ideas for Halloween science here. Click on the pictures to get started.