Simple Science and STEM for Every Day

Halloween Ghost Pumpkin Science Activity and Volcano!

We do love all things science and making things erupt around here! Stuff like this makes learning so easy. When fall arrives, pumpkins make the perfect vessel for cool baking soda science experiments. It all began three years ago with the famous pumpkin-cano! This year we also tested out mini pumpkin volcanos. Now, we can check this cool ghost pumpkin science eruption off our list.

HALLOWEEN GHOST PUMPKIN SCIENCE ERUPTION

We do love making things erupt around here. Pumpkins make the perfect vessel for a cool baking soda science eruption. It all began three years ago with the famous pumpkin-cano! This year we tested out mini pumpkin volcanos. Now, we can check this cool ghost pumpkin science eruption off our list.

COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN: 31 Days of Halloween STEM

We have a fun lineup of ideas for you this fall as we approach Halloween! 31 ideas for cool STEM activities gives you tons of ways to include a bit of STEM into a fun holiday. In fact, Holiday STEM is our favorite.

 

WHAT IS STEM?

Science, technology, engineering, art, and math to be exact!  Make sure to add our ghost pumpkin science experiment to your list this season. This cool baking soda science eruption makes a great family Halloween science activity. Super simple, our ghost pumpkin science uses ordinary kitchen ingredients.

SUPPLIES

  • Ghost Pumpkin (white pumpkin) or an Orange Pumpkin
  • Baking Soda
  • Vinegar
  • Dish Soap {optional but will provide a more dramatic visual affect of eruption}
  • Food Coloring and Glitter {Optional but cool}
  • Containers, Basters, Measure Cups, Spoons, Towels

Halloween Pumpkin Science Baking Soda Volcano Carved Pumpkin Activity

SET UP

We have managed to try some awesome science and STEM ideas with white pumpkins, see the collection here.

Gather your supplies. I like to use some sort of tray or storage container lid with high sides to catch the mess. Keep some towels handy just in case. You might want to try out our Ghost Pumpkin Geo Board first!

Carve your pumpkin {adults only!}. I did not completely clean ours out, but you can and make a cool pumpkin squish bag too.

Pour vinegar into a bowl and have a baster or scoop ready. You can also set up a Pumpkin Investigation Tray with the insides of the pumpkin!

*** If you don’t want to carve a face, just remove the top. You will still have a cool pumpkin volcano***

Add a few scoops of baking soda.

Next, add glitter and food coloring if desired

Then add a few drops of dish soap if desired

Finally, add vinegar and get ready to say WOW!

Repeat the process until you run out of baking soda or vinegar. 

WHAT’S THE SCIENCE?

This ghost pumpkin science eruption is called a chemical reaction. When the baking soda {base} and vinegar {acid} mix, they react. The reaction is a gas called carbon dioxide. Therefore,  you can see the bubbling fizzing action the gas produces.

The addition of dish soap creates suds that make for a more dramatic appearance. Try it both ways. Without the dish soap, you can observe the chemical reaction more closely. You can hear, see, and feel the bubbling, fizzing action.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Bubbling Brew Experiment

Halloween Carved Pumpkin Science Baking Soda Volcano

What happens when you add extra soap? You get an extra bubbly ghost pumpkin science eruption.

Halloween Pumpkin Volcano

CONTENT SUBSCRIBE BAR

Kids will ove to do this simple ghost pumpkin science experiment over and over again since it’s fascinating to watch. We have tons of neat pumpkin science activities and challenges to explore this season.

Carved Pumpkin Activity

If it’s nice outside, why not try it outdoors. Finally, when you are all done, wash the mess down the sink.

Ghost Pumpkin Science Baking Soda Volcano

START THE SEASON OFF WITH GHOST PUMPKIN SCIENCE!

Check out our 31 Days of Halloween Countdown for a fun filled holiday season.

HALLOWEEN STEM 31 Days Countdown

Check out some more fun ways to explore STEM with pumpkins and books!

Pumpkin Book STEM Activities

Pumpkin Science Ideas

Pumpkin Science Experiments and Activities for Fall STEM

 

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Comments

  2. Sue Lively

    This is hilarious Sarah – it totally looks like the pumpkin is vomiting! Too funny and I can see why kids would LOVE this! I’ll be keeping my eyes open for white pumpkins this year!

  6. Leslie

    This looks AMAZINGLY fun. We’re having a pumpkin-themed holiday party in a couple of weeks… and I think we might try it out!

Trackbacks

  7. […] This ghoulish holiday twist on the classic volcanic eruption experiment will delight kids and parents. It's also one of the simplest science crafts and can easily be done as a last-minute activity on Halloween night. You may want to try this experiment outside since it can be pretty messy. What you will need: To make it, you'll need either a white ("ghost") or orange pumpkin that has already been cleaned out and carved by an adult. If you're short on time, you can just cut off the top of the pumpkin instead of carving it, making sure to clean out most of the inside. Baking soda and vinegar are essential. If you have dish soap, food coloring, or glitter, these will help add to the visual drama of this experiment. How to do it: If you're doing this activity inside, once your pumpkin is ready, place it in the sink or in a dish with deep sides so that the eruption will be contained. Next, mix together 1/2 cup of water, 1/4 cup of vinegar (any kind), and 1/4 cup dish soap (optional). Add a few drops of red or orange food coloring until you achieve the color you desire. Finally, add as much or as little glitter as you wish. Depending on the size of your pumpkin, you may want to double this recipe. Once you've mixed up all of these ingredients, pour the mixture into your pumpkin. Alternatively, for less mess, you can pour the mixture into a plastic bottle or jar and place it inside the pumpkin. Now for the best part: triggering the eruption! When you're ready, place two tablespoons of baking soda (or four tablespoons if you've doubled the recipe) inside a tissue. Drop the tissue inside the pumpkin or container with the mixture, step back, and enjoy the colorful explosion. […]

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