Oil and Water Experiment: Fireworks in a Jar

Have your child to add a few tablespoons of oil to a small container.

Drop food coloring droplets into the oil. Ask your child to describe what she sees. Does the oil mix with the water? (It won't.) Ask if she knows why. If she needs help, tell her that water molecules have a stronger attraction to each other than they do to oil molecules. A molecule consists of two or more atoms that are bonded together. Everything that exists is made up of atoms.

Have your child use a fork to carefully swish the oil and food coloring droplets to create smaller droplets.

Pour the oil with food coloring droplets very slowly into a glass of warm water.

Wait and watch. What does your child think will happen? She'll notice the drops of food coloring make their way to the water and create fireworks! Was your child's prediction correct?