Snow Storm in a Jar

When the weather is too cold to make it outside for play, enjoy simple winter science inside! Set up an invitation to make a winter snow storm in a jar experiment. Kids will love creating their own snowstorms with common household supplies, as they enjoy simple winter science experiments. Find everything you need below to get started!

SNOW STORM IN A JAR EXPERIMENT!

WINTER SCIENCE

The best part of this winter science experiment is that you don’t need any actual snow to enjoy it! That means everyone can try it, whether its cold outside or not.

You may have already tried something similar if you have ever tried our homemade lava lamp experiment!

We have extra freezing cold temperatures here right now as does much of the country. You don’t have to be stuck on screens if you are stuck inside, make your very own snow storm in a jar instead.

This is a classic science experiment with a seasonal twist and one extra special ingredient you will find listed below. Easy science experiments are our favorite, whether you love making slime or exploring cool chemical reactions, we have it all!

SNOW STORM IN A JAR

Let’s get started with making your very own winter snow storm in a jar! You have a choice when it comes to the oil you use in this activity. Here are your options.

Cooking oil is cheap and most likely you have a ton of it on hand. If not I recommend picking some up,  see our homemade science kit. However, as you can see, cooking oil does have a yellow hue to it. Baby oil is much more expensive, but it’s clear.

Then pick a vase or jar big enough to hold several cups of liquid. If you don’t have one big enough, you can cut the supplies used in half or to whatever proportion you need.

Click below for your FREE printable Winter Theme Projects!

YOU WILL NEED:

• Oil (vegetable oil or baby oil)
• White (or light blue) Washable School Paint (and/or food coloring)
• Alka Seltzer Tablets
• Cup, Jar, or Bottle

Want to make snow in a different way? Check out our easy fake snow recipe.

HOW TO MAKE A SNOW STORM IN A JAR

STEP 1: Add 1 cup of water to the vase or large jar.

STEP 2: Mix in 1 tsp of paint (acrylic glitter paint works well too). Add food coloring if desired.

STEP 3: Then pour oil in almost to the top of the container.

STEP 4: Break the Alka seltzer tablet into pieces and drop one at a time into the oil. You may want to add additional pieces for a blizzard!

Observe the reaction that takes place.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND SNOW STORM IN A JAR

Is this what happens in a snow storm? No. you are not actually recreating a snow storm or blizzard. But a simple chemical reaction can give the look of a snow storm for a fun winter theme science experiment.

There is also some interesting science behind this snow in a jar. Explore liquid density and chemical reactions all in one easy to set up science activity in a jar! Read on to find out more.

There are a couple of fun science concepts going on here if you look closely! The first thing to point out or ask your kids about is the density of the liquids being used.

Density refers to the compactness of stuff in space or the amount of material that is in a set size. Denser materials of the same size are heavier because there is more material in the same size space.

Is water lighter or heavier than oil? Make sure to notice that the oil sits on top of the water. What happens to the paint? Liquid density is fun to explore with kids.

Our density rainbow experiment is another fun science experiment to explore the density of liquids.

I am pretty sure everyone observed the chemical reaction that happened when the tablet was dropped into the cup. This reaction is what creates the awesome snow storm effect.

The alka seltzer tablet contains an acid and  a base that when mixed with the water, creates the bubbles. The bubbles are a result of the carbon dioxide gas that is released during the chemical reaction.

To make the snow effect, the bubbles pick up the white paint and carry it to the surface. Once the bubbles reach the surface they pop and the paint/water mixture drops back down!

Check out more fizzing science experiments here.

MORE FUN WINTER SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

• Frost on a Can
• Make A Snowball Launcher
• How Do Polar Bears Stay Warm?
• How To Make A Thermometer
• Snow Cream Recipe

CREATE A WINTER SNOW STORM IN A JAR

Click on the image below or on the link for more fun winter experiments for kids.