FUNKY MONKEYS

  Ages: 6-12 Objective: Explore how a chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar can produce carbon dioxide gas, which inflates a balloon. Materials Needed: A small plastic bottle Baking soda (about 2 tablespoons) Vinegar (about 1/2 cup) A balloon A funnel (optional, for easier pouring) A measuring cup Procedure: Prepare the Bottle: Pour the vinegar into the plastic bottle. You can use a funnel to make this easier and to avoid spills. Prepare the Balloon: Use the funnel to add the baking soda into the balloon. Stretch the balloon a little to make sure the baking soda gets to the bottom. If you don’t have a funnel, you can carefully pour the baking soda into the balloon directly. Attach the Balloon: Carefully stretch the open end of the balloon over the top of the bottle, making sure not to spill any baking soda into the vinegar just yet. Combine Ingredients: Once the balloon is securely on the bottle, lift the balloon so that the baking soda falls into the vinegar. The reactio

  Ages:  8-12 Objective:  Show how air pressure works by using a simple candle and water to create a surprising effect. Materials Needed: A small candle A shallow dish or plate A glass or jar (clear) Water Matches or a lighter (for lighting the candle) A piece of paper (optional, for catching drips) Procedure: Prepare the Setup: Place the candle in the center of the shallow dish or plate. Light the Candle: Light the candle with matches or a lighter. Be careful and make sure an adult supervises this step. Prepare the Water: Fill the glass or jar with water. The water should be enough to cover the base of the glass when inverted. Perform the Magic: Once the candle is burning, carefully place the glass or jar over the candle. Make sure the glass is right-side up and completely covers the candle. Observe: Watch as the flame of the candle gets smaller and eventually goes out. You will also see the water rise up into the glass as the candle goes out. Explanation: When the candle burns, it he

  Ages:  6-12 Objective:  Demonstrate how a chemical reaction produces gas and creates a bubbling, fizzing eruption similar to a volcano. Materials Needed: A small plastic or paper cup Baking soda Vinegar Red food coloring (optional, for lava effect) Dish soap (optional, for extra bubbles) A small tray or plate (to catch spills) A spoon for mixing Procedure: Prepare the Cup: Place the cup on a tray or plate to catch any spills. Add Baking Soda: Put about 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda into the cup. Prepare the "Lava": If you want a lava effect, mix a few drops of red food coloring and a small squirt of dish soap into the vinegar. The dish soap will create more bubbles, making the eruption more dramatic. Combine Ingredients: Pour the colored vinegar mixture into the cup with baking soda. Observe: Watch as the mixture fizzes and bubbles, creating a volcanic eruption effect. Explanation: The reaction between baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) produces carbon dioxide gas.

  Ages:  6-12 Objective:  Demonstrate how different liquids with varying densities can create a colorful layered effect, illustrating the concept of density. Materials Needed: A clear glass or jar Water Food coloring (various colors) Honey Dish soap Vegetable oil Rubbing alcohol A dropper or pipette A spoon for stirring Procedure: Prepare the Liquids: Color each liquid with food coloring to make it more visually appealing. For example, you can use red for honey, blue for dish soap, green for water, yellow for vegetable oil, and purple for rubbing alcohol. Layer the Liquids: Start by pouring honey into the bottom of the clear glass or jar. Gently tilt the glass and slowly pour dish soap over the back of a spoon to avoid mixing. The spoon helps the liquid flow gently, preventing it from mixing with the honey. Next, add the colored water the same way, pouring it slowly over the back of a spoon. Follow with vegetable oil, using the same technique to avoid mixing. Finally, add the colored r

  Ages:  6-12 Objective:  Explore the concepts of density and buoyancy to understand why some objects float while others sink. Materials Needed: A clear container or aquarium Water Various small objects (e.g., paperclip, cork, plastic toy, coin, sponge) A bowl for each type of object A spoon (optional, for stirring) Procedure: Fill the Container: Fill the clear container or aquarium with water until it is about halfway full. Predict and Test: Take each object one by one and predict whether it will float or sink. Drop the object into the water and observe what happens. Record Observations: Note which objects float and which sink. You can use a piece of paper to jot down your predictions and observations. Compare and Analyze: Discuss why some objects float and others sink. Consider the size, shape, and material of each object. Explanation: Objects that float have a lower density than water, which means they are less dense than the liquid they are placed in. Objects that sink have a highe

  Ages:  8-12 Objective:  Demonstrate how air pressure can be used to create movement and explore the principles of action and reaction. Materials Needed: Balloons (one per participant) Drinking straws (one per participant) String or yarn (about 6 feet long) Tape Scissors Ruler (optional) Procedure: Setup the Track: Stretch a piece of string or yarn across a room or open space. Secure each end of the string with tape or tie it to two stationary objects (e.g., chairs, doorknobs). Make sure the string is taut. Prepare the Balloon Rocket: Thread a drinking straw onto the string. This will act as the “rocket” that travels along the string. Attach the Balloon: Inflate a balloon but do not tie it. Pinch the end of the balloon to keep the air from escaping. Tape the balloon to the straw so that the opening of the balloon is facing backward (opposite the direction you want the straw to move). Launch the Rocket: Release the pinched end of the balloon and let go of the straw. The escaping air wi

  Ages:  8-12 Objective:  Show how temperature affects the rate of a chemical reaction and create a delicious treat in the process. Materials Needed: Small plastic or paper cups (2 per child) Ice cream mix (store-bought or homemade) Ice Salt Milk Sugar Vanilla extract (optional) Spoons Plastic bags (ziplock or resealable) A towel or apron (to protect from spills) Procedure: Prepare Ice Cream Mix: In one cup, mix 1 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract (if using). Stir until the sugar is dissolved. This is your ice cream base. Prepare Ice Bath: Fill a large plastic bag with ice and add 1/2 cup of salt. This will create a very cold environment for the ice cream mix. Combine Ingredients: Pour the ice cream mix into a smaller plastic bag. Seal the bag tightly. Submerge in Ice Bath: Place the small plastic bag with the ice cream mix into the larger bag with ice and salt. Seal the large bag tightly. Shake and Wait: Shake the large bag vigorously for about 5-1

  Ages:  8-12 Objective:  Demonstrate how chemical reactions produce gas and cause pressure buildup, resulting in an exciting “explosion” effect. Materials Needed: A small sandwich bag (resealable) Baking soda Vinegar A measuring spoon A small cup or container A towel or apron (to protect from spills) Procedure: Prepare the Bag: Place the sandwich bag on a flat surface. Add Baking Soda: Measure 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda and add it to the sandwich bag. Try to get it into one corner of the bag. Prepare the Vinegar: Measure about 1/4 cup of vinegar and pour it into a small cup or container. Combine the Ingredients: Carefully pour the vinegar into the sandwich bag with the baking soda. Seal the bag quickly, ensuring it’s tightly closed. Shake and Watch: Gently shake the bag and place it on a safe surface, away from your face and body. Watch as the bag inflates and eventually bursts! Observation: The sandwich bag will start to inflate as the vinegar reacts with the baking soda, produci

  Ages:  8-12 Objective:  Demonstrate the concept of density and how liquids of different densities can stack on top of each other to create a colorful rainbow effect. Materials Needed: A clear glass jar or tall glass Honey (or corn syrup) Dish soap (liquid) Water Vegetable oil Food coloring (various colors) A spoon or a dropper Procedure: Prepare the Jar: Start with a clean, clear jar or glass. Add the First Layer: Pour a layer of honey into the bottom of the jar. This will be your densest layer. Let it settle. Add the Second Layer: Mix a few drops of food coloring into the dish soap. Gently pour the colored dish soap over the back of a spoon so it floats on top of the honey. Be careful to pour slowly to avoid mixing the layers. Add the Third Layer: Mix a few drops of food coloring into the water. Slowly pour the colored water over the back of the spoon so it floats on top of the dish soap layer. Add the Fourth Layer: Mix a few drops of food coloring into the vegetable oil. Carefully

  Ages:  6-12 Objective:  Demonstrate how carbon dioxide gas can affect objects in a liquid, showcasing principles of buoyancy and gas reactions. Materials Needed: A clear glass or plastic cup Carbonated water (like soda or sparkling water) Raisins (or other small, lightweight objects like popcorn kernels) A spoon (optional, for stirring) Procedure: Prepare the Glass: Fill the clear glass or plastic cup about three-quarters full with carbonated water. Add Raisins: Drop a few raisins into the carbonated water. Observe: Watch what happens to the raisins in the carbonated water. Optional - Stir: If you want to see the effect more clearly, gently stir the water with a spoon and then observe the raisins again. Observation: The raisins will begin to move up and down in the glass. This happens as bubbles from the carbonated water attach to the raisins and lift them to the surface. Once the bubbles burst, the raisins sink again. Explanation: Carbonated water contains dissolved carbon dioxide g

  Ages:  6-12 Objective:  Demonstrate how chemical reactions can cause changes in color and create a fun visual effect using milk and food coloring. Materials Needed: Whole milk (or any milk with a higher fat content) Food coloring (various colors) Dish soap A shallow dish or plate Cotton swabs Procedure: Prepare the Milk: Pour the milk into the shallow dish or plate, filling it just enough to cover the bottom. Add Food Coloring: Drop several different colors of food coloring onto the surface of the milk. Try placing drops in different areas to create a colorful pattern. Prepare the Dish Soap: Dip a cotton swab into the dish soap. Make sure the cotton swab is well-coated with soap. Create the Reaction: Gently touch the soapy cotton swab to the surface of the milk, ideally in the center of where the food coloring was added. Watch the colors move and swirl. Observation: The food coloring should spread out and swirl around the milk, creating a dynamic, colorful effect. Explanation: The mi

  Ages:  6-12 Objective:  Demonstrate the principles of chemical reactions and eruptions using a simple volcano model. Materials Needed: A small container (like a plastic cup or a small bottle) Baking soda Vinegar Red food coloring (optional, for lava effect) Dish soap (optional, for more bubbly eruption) A tray or dish to contain spills Modeling clay or playdough (to create the volcano shape) Procedure: Build the Volcano: Place the small container (this will be the "volcano") on the tray or dish. Use modeling clay or playdough to build a volcano shape around the container, leaving the top open. Make sure the container is securely in place and the shape resembles a volcano. Prepare the Lava Mixture: Add a few drops of red food coloring and a small squirt of dish soap to the container. The dish soap will make the eruption foamier. Add Baking Soda: Spoon several tablespoons of baking soda into the container. Prepare the Eruption: When you’re ready for the eruption, pour vinegar

  Ages:  8-12 Objective:  Demonstrate the concept of surface tension and how it allows objects to float on water even if they are denser than water. Materials Needed: A shallow dish or bowl Water Paperclip (preferably a standard-sized one) A piece of tissue or paper towel A pair of tweezers (optional) Procedure: Prepare the Dish: Fill the shallow dish or bowl with water, leaving some space at the top to prevent spills. Prepare the Paperclip: Gently unfold the paperclip into a shape that can float on the water's surface. You can also use a whole paperclip if it’s small enough. Test Floating: Carefully place the paperclip on the surface of the water. To do this, you can use a piece of tissue or a paper towel to float the paperclip gently onto the water. The paperclip should initially sit on the surface without sinking. Observe Surface Tension: Watch how the paperclip floats on the surface. If it sinks, try again with the tissue or paper towel method to avoid disturbing the water too

  Ages:  8-12 Objective:  Demonstrate how certain substances can be used to create invisible ink and reveal hidden messages. Materials Needed: Lemon juice (or milk as an alternative) Cotton swabs or a paintbrush White paper A heat source (e.g., a lamp, a hair dryer, or an iron - with adult supervision) A bowl or cup for the liquid Procedure: Prepare the Ink: Squeeze some lemon juice into a bowl or cup. If using milk, just pour a small amount into a bowl. Write a Secret Message: Dip a cotton swab or paintbrush into the lemon juice (or milk) and use it to write a secret message or draw a picture on a piece of white paper. Allow the paper to dry completely. The message will be invisible once dry. Reveal the Message: To reveal the hidden message, gently heat the paper. You can use a lamp or a hair dryer, but be cautious with the heat source. For safety, an adult should handle the heat source. Hold the paper close to the heat source or gently iron it on a low setting. Observe the Changes: A

  Ages:  6-12 Objective:  Demonstrate the principles of air pressure and propulsion by creating a balloon-powered car. Materials Needed: A small toy car or a homemade car made from lightweight materials (e.g., a piece of cardboard, bottle caps for wheels) A balloon A straw Tape Scissors Procedure: Prepare the Car: If you’re making a homemade car, cut a piece of cardboard to serve as the body of the car. Attach four bottle caps as wheels using small pieces of wooden skewers or straws as axles. Attach the Straw: Tape the straw to the top of the car. Make sure the straw is securely attached and points straight out from the back of the car. Prepare the Balloon: Stretch the balloon to make it easier to inflate. Then, slide the neck of the balloon over one end of the straw. Secure it tightly with tape to ensure no air escapes from the balloon. Inflate the Balloon: Blow up the balloon by blowing through the straw. Pinch the neck of the balloon to prevent the air from escaping. Launch the Car:

  Ages: 5-12 Objective: Demonstrate the reaction between dish soap and milk, creating a colorful explosion. Materials Needed: A shallow dish or plate Whole milk (enough to cover the bottom of the dish) Food coloring (various colors) Dish soap Cotton swabs or a toothpick Procedure: Prepare the Dish: Pour enough whole milk into the shallow dish to cover the bottom. The milk should be about 1/2 inch deep. Add Food Coloring: Add a few drops of different colors of food coloring to the milk. Place the drops near the center of the dish, but not touching each other. Prepare the Dish Soap: Dip a cotton swab or toothpick into the dish soap. Make sure the tip is well-coated with soap. Create the Reaction: Gently touch the surface of the milk in the center of the food coloring drops with the soapy cotton swab or toothpick. Hold it there and watch the magic happen! Observation: The food coloring will quickly spread out and swirl around the milk, creating a colorful and dynamic pattern. Explanatio

  Ages: 8-12 Objective: Show how liquids of different densities can layer on top of each other. Materials Needed: A clear glass or plastic jar Honey (1/4 cup) Dish soap (1/4 cup) Water (1/4 cup) Vegetable oil (1/4 cup) Food coloring (optional, for color differentiation) A spoon or stirrer Procedure: Prepare the Jar: Make sure the jar is clean and dry. Add Honey: Pour 1/4 cup of honey into the bottom of the jar. It will settle at the bottom because honey is very dense. Color the Soap: If you want to make the layers more distinct, add a few drops of food coloring to the dish soap and mix well. Add Dish Soap: Slowly pour 1/4 cup of dish soap on top of the honey. You may need to pour it slowly and gently to avoid mixing. The dish soap will float on top of the honey because it is less dense. Color the Water: Add a few drops of food coloring to the water if you’re using it. Mix well. Add Water: Carefully pour 1/4 cup of colored water on top of the dish soap. Again, pour slowly to avoid mix

  Ages: 5-12 Objective: Demonstrate a simple chemical reaction using baking soda and vinegar to create an exciting "volcanic eruption." Materials Needed: A small plastic bottle Baking soda (2-3 tablespoons) Vinegar (1/2 cup) Dish soap (a few drops) Red food coloring (optional, for a lava effect) A large tray or baking sheet (to contain the mess) A funnel Construction paper (to make the volcano structure, optional) Tape or glue (optional, for the volcano structure) Procedure: Prepare the Volcano Structure (Optional): If you want to create a more realistic volcano, you can use construction paper to build a cone around the plastic bottle. Tape or glue the construction paper to form a cone shape and place it over the bottle, ensuring the bottle's opening is at the top of the cone. Set Up the Tray: Place the plastic bottle in the center of the large tray or baking sheet to catch any spills during the eruption. Add Baking Soda: Using the funnel, add 2-3 tablespoons of baking