Three INSANELY Easy Dry Ice Experiments

Halloween is the perfect time for these spooky experiments!

We love science in our house. It might not always turn out the way we expect, but always provides some amusement. None have done that better than experiments with dry ice! Before we get into the experiments it's very important to read a few safety warnings and tips first.

**CAUTION! DRY ICE CAN BURN SKIN!**

Please make sure that you are using proper gloves when handling. We use a thick pair of leather winter gloves, and if you hold it for too long you can still start to feel the cold creeping in.**

**These experiments are meant for slightly older children. Make sure they are able to understand NOT to touch. If you're worried it might be a problem I suggest an extra adult be in charge of watching closely or wait until your child is older**

*Dry ice can be a little bit of a pain to find. Google search in your area, but we have always had luck with our local Meijer. You can get enough for all of these experiments for under $10 bucks worth of dry ice. You will need a cooler to bring home your dry ice. Meijer has a simple foam cooler for less than $5.00 that works perfectly*

Now that we have gotten that out of the way on to the fun stuff!

The Fog Maker

You will need:

Dry ice (broken up)

Safety gloves

Container to hold water (glass containers work great because you are able to see the reaction)

Warm/Hot Water.

1) Fill up your container(s) a little under half way with hot to warm water. The reaction will not be as strong with cold water. We like to use different shaped containers because the fog will build up differently.

2) Set your containers on a flat, stable surface. I often put a towel underneath just in case we spill.

3) An adult should use the thick gloves to take a small chunk of the dry ice and carefully put it into the bowl.

4) Enjoy the reaction! The fog is safe for the kids to touch. Just make sure they don't reach their hands into the water, and are careful not to spill it out. You can drop another piece of dry ice in or add a little more hot water if the reaction slows down.

Bubble Snakes

You will need:

Dry ice (broken up)

Safety gloves

Container to hold water (tall containers work best for this)

Dawn dish soap

Hot/warm water

Winter gloves for the kids (helps the bubbles not pop as fast)

1) Fill your tall container a little less than half full with hot/warm tap water. Set on your flat surface.

2) Squirt the dawn dish soap on your fingers and rub the soap around the edge of the cup. The more soap the better. It's ok if some of the soap gets into the water. This actually helps the reaction.

3) An adult should use thick gloves to take a small chunk of the dry ice and carefully place it into the container. Enjoy the reaction! The bubbles are safe for the kids to pick up and play with. A simple winter glove on their hands helps stop the bubbles from popping as fast.

And last but not least... our all time favorite!

Boo Bubbles

You will need:

Dry Ice (broken up)

Safety gloves

Boo Bubble contraption (you can order these online or create one out of materials. We made ours for less than $20. You can find the instructions we followed from Science Bob here

Dawn dish soap

Small bowl for soap mixture

Gloves for the kids (helps the bubbles not to pop in their hands)

1) Mix some of the dawn dish soap with a cup of water in the small bowl. You want it to be mostly soap.

2) Fill your bubble contraption 1/4 full with hot/warm water. An adult should use safety gloves to drop a chunk of dry ice into the water.

3) Dip the end of the hose into the bubble solution.

4) Close the lid on your boo bubble contraption (make sure it doesn't stay closed too long) . This will force the reaction to go through the hose instead of the lid. As it comes through the hose it will produce gas filled bubbles.

5) You can drop these into a gloved hand or onto a clean dry towel. When you pop the bubble it creates a cool fog effect.Open the lid and dip the end of the hose into the bubble solution when it stops making bubbles to create more. **Make sure the lid doesn't remain closed too long or the gasses will build up in the container**