We can show you how to make it frosty inside even when it’s not outside! Whether you have freezing cold temperatures keeping you inside or too hot temperatures outside, you can still enjoy some simple winter science. Learn how to make frost on a can for an easy winter science experiment you can share with the kids!
LEARN HOW TO MAKE FROST ON A CAN
WINTER SCIENCE
Although we live in a wintery climate, we either have freezing cold temperatures keeping us indoors or a blizzard! There’s only so much screen time I can handle as a parent, so it’s great to have simple science activities one hand to pass the time. Make sure to check out our winter snowstorm in a jar too!
This is another easy to set up winter science experiment that pulls from what you have around the house. We love science that can be set up in minutes and is really hands-on for the kids.
My goal is to have you feel comfortable with enjoying science at home. Learn how easy it is to set up science at home with your kids or find fun new ideas to bring into the classroom.
Click below for your FREE Winter Themed Projects
HOW TO MAKE FROST ON A CAN
You might need to go to the recycling container for this one. Or if you are like me, you will need to cook something first to get a can ready. Make sure there are no sharp edges on your can!
Let’s get started learning how to make frost on a can! It’s really COOL science in all meanings of the word, but it’s also quick and fun for kids.
YOU WILL NEED:
- Ice (crushed if possible)
- Salt (rock salt or coarse salt if possible)
- Can
INSTRUCTIONS
Again, whether you have recently enjoyed a can of soup or beans, make sure the edges of the can are kid-safe and friendly for little fingers. ALSO, save the lid! Work gloves and safety glasses are never a bad thing to have on hand for kids.
STEP 1. You will want to fill the can with ice.
STEP 2. Add a layer of salt and cover the contents with the can’s lid.
STEP 3. Then all you need to do is shake! Be somewhat carefully so the contents don’t spill everywhere.
Watch the frost form on the outside of the can. It can take up to 10 minutes!
Scroll down to read a little simple science behind the whole effect of creating frost on the outside of the metal can.
Shake up the ice and salt and keep a look out for the frost forming on the outside of the can.
HOW DO YOU GET FROST ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAN?
First, what is frost? Frost is actually a thin layer of ice that forms on a solid surface. Go outside on a cold winter morning and you might see frost on things like your car, windows, grass and other plants.Â
But how do you end up with frost on the outside of the can when you are indoors? Â Putting ice inside the can makes the metal can very cold.
Adding salt to the ice, melts the ice and lowers the temperature of that ice water to below freezing point. Learn more about salt and ice with our what makes ice melt faster experiments! That means the metal can gets even colder!
Next water vapor in the air (water in its gas form) comes in contact with the metal can whose temperature is below freezing now. This results in a phase change from water vapor to ice as the water vapor reaches the freezing point. Voila, frost has formed!
Learn more about states of matter!
It’s easy to experiment with winter science inside. Even if you live among palm trees, there’s always new things to learn and discover!
MORE FUN WINTER ACTIVITIES
Click on each of the links below to find more fun ways to explore winter even if it isn’t winter outside!
- Engineering our own snowball launcher for indoor snowball fights,
- Creating a winter snow storm in a jar.
- Exploring how polar bears stay warm.
- Fishing for ice cubes indoors!
- Creating a snowflake salt painting.
- Whipping up some snow slime.
HOW TO MAKE FROST ON A CAN WINTER SCIENCE WITH KIDS!
Click on the image below or on the link for easy and fun winter science activities for kids.
Valentine’s Day STEM Activities for Kids
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