If your kids love science and experiments, then our Fireworks In A Jar activity will score big points with them! All you need is a few household supplies for hours and hours of fun!

The 4th of July is without a doubt one of my favorite holidays. There’s just nothing like watching the beautiful fireworks displays and wondering how in the world they do that.

I prefer watching a fireworks display instead of setting off my own because that has always scared me a bit. And of course, the kids love it and want to be involved so I am always on the lookout for something that is super safe for them. Better yet, no loud and scary noises either.

I think I found it with this Fireworks In A Jar Science Experiment! Super easy, extremely safe and you only need a few simple supplies that I’m sure you have in your kitchen right now.

Science experiments geared towards kids are SO much fun! Watching the wonder in their eyes as they see some chemical reaction or change happen gives me a warm fuzzy as a mom.

Then to be able to explain to them why that reaction is happening and see them “get it” – it almost makes me wish I had become a science teacher!

What Is The Science Behind Fireworks In A Jar?

It is really quite simple if you understand the basics.

Vegetable oil is less dense or lighter than water. The food coloring drops will float on the top of the oil.

Once they hit the water they begin to sink and dissolve into the water. The oil holds the food coloring drops in one place until you are ready to add it to the water.

And once you do it looks like a tiny fireworks explosion.

How To Teach The Kids About This

The density of the liquid is fun to experiment with and explore. It teaches our kids a little bit about physics and chemistry. But they won’t know it, they are just having fun.

Why don’t oil and water mix if they are both liquids? All liquids are different in weight or density. This is because of their molecular structure. Water weighs more than vegetable oil because it is made up of different molecules.

Basic food coloring is water-based and will dissolve in the water but not in the oil. This is why the food coloring drops remain intact when you add them to the oil.

Cool, right?!

So what are you waiting for?!?! Go grab the food coloring and a jar and enjoy the afternoon with your kids. 😉

If you want more kid-friendly activities and experiments, try my:

Ingredients Needed For Fireworks In a Jar Science Experiment

Water – warm water
Vegetable Oil – canola oil will work as well
Food Coloring – the liquid kind will work great for this

How To Make Fireworks In A Jar

Just follow these steps for an easy science experiment that will delight the kids!

Fireworks In A Jar Video

Check out this video tutorial showing how to do this experiment and how amazing it is to watch in real-time!

Step 1

Put warm water in a glass jar filling it about 3/4 full.

Step 2

Put 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a small glass bowl.

Step 3

In the bowl with the vegetable oil, add 3 drops of each of the food coloring colors you want to use.

Step 4

Now place a metal fork in the glass jar and swirl one time.

Step 5

Slowly and carefully pour the oil/food coloring mixture into the jar.

Step 6

Enjoy the fireworks display!!! 😉

Fireworks In A Jar Recipe Notes And Tips

A large mason-type jar is going to work best for this experiment. If the jar is too big or too small you will not get to enjoy the full effect of the Fireworks In A Jar experiment.

If you are experimenting with different temperatures of the water, please do not get the water too hot, especially with kids being involved. I would not want to see anyone get hurt or burned.

Be mindful when using a glass jar around small children. Keep a close watch so it doesn’t get knocked off the table or get broken.

Variations Of Fireworks In A Jar To Try

If you don’t mind spending a little extra on food coloring, get yourself some glow-in-the-dark or neon food coloring. FUN! 😁

Use just one color at a time or mix two or more of your favorite colors and see what you can create.

Drop an Alka-Seltzer (or similar) tablet and give it a homemade lava lamp feel. (Before you add the tablet, make sure you have a pan or towel under the jar in case it fizzes up over the top of the jar.)

FAQs

Here are some common questions about our Fireworks In A Jar Experiment. If you don’t see your question below, please leave it in the comments so I can answer it!

Does the temperature of the water affect what happens to the fireworks in a jar?

Honestly, I don’t know. I have seen several recipes for the same experiment. Some call for cold water, others call for warm water and a few said to use room temperature.

I would love for you to let me know how the different temperatures worked for you. 🙂

What is the best kind of food coloring to use for this Fireworks In A Jar Science Experiment?

My suggestion is to use the least expensive, regular food coloring. If you want to spend a little extra, you can pick up some pastel, neon, or glow-in-the-dark food coloring.

I would not recommend using oil-based food coloring. I am uncertain how it would react with the vegetable oil and it might be a little on the expensive side.

What other type of oil can I use instead of vegetable oil?

Canola oil will work in place of vegetable oil if you prefer. Light olive oil is also a great substitute if that is all you have on hand.

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