Are you looking for a simple, exciting science activity that will absolutely wow your kids? Try this Fireworks in a Jar experiment! With just a few basic supplies, your children can watch a colorful explosion of swirling “fireworks” in water—right in your kitchen or classroom.
This experiment is perfect for celebrating New Year’s Eve or patriotic holidays like the 4th of July or Memorial Day, and it’s also a fun, hands-on way to introduce kids to basic scientific concepts like density and solubility.
Do you love colorful science experiments? You may also enjoy trying the Magic Milk Experiment!
Oil and Water Experiment
This experiment is a cool combination of art and science, making it especially engaging for young learners. Whether you’re planning a holiday-themed activity, incorporating hands-on learning into your science curriculum, or just looking for a fun way to spark curiosity, Fireworks in a Jar is a go-to summer favorite.
The colorful display mimics real fireworks, but it’s completely safe, mess-free, and easy to do indoors.
Materials Needed
Before you get started, make sure you have all the right supplies.
- Fireworks in a Jar Recording Sheet – Perfect for school or home!
- Jar – Mason jars, pickle jars, and glass vases or votives work well.
- Small bowl – A small condiment bowl is perfect!
- Food coloring – Various colors of liquid food coloring.
- Extra virgin olive oil – You can also use vegetable oil.
- Water – Warm is best.
Watch the Video Tutorial
Watch our Fireworks in a Jar video below to see our beautiful oil and water art in action!
Fireworks in a Jar Experiment Steps
Fireworks in a Jar is a simple and exciting way to introduce kids to basic chemistry. They’ll love watching the colorful bursts swirl and spread just like real fireworks—right before their eyes! Follow the steps below to try this fun experiment at home or in the classroom.
STEP 1: Fill the jar. Start by pouring warm water into your clear jar, filling it close to full. Set it aside.
STEP 2. Mix oil and food coloring. In a small bowl, add a few tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Then, add several drops of different food coloring into the oil. We used 3 drops of red, blue, and yellow for a total of 9 drops.
STEP 3: Watch the droplets form. Use a fork to gently whisk the mixture. You’ll notice the food coloring doesn’t mix with the oil—it forms little droplets instead.
STEP 4: Pour the mixture into the jar. Slowly pour the oil and food coloring mixture into the jar of water. Let the mixture settle for a few moments.
STEP 5: Watch the fireworks! As the food coloring droplets sink through the oil and into the water, they’ll begin to dissolve and swirl—creating beautiful bursts of color that look just like fireworks! (My kids say it also looks like the Obscurus from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them!)
STEP 6: Record your observations. Invite your child to use our free printable Fireworks in a Jar worksheet to draw or write about what they saw before and after pouring the oil and food coloring mixture into the water. Noticing the changes helps build observation and science skills!
Fireworks in a Jar Experiment Explanation
This experiment is a fun way to see how different liquids act when you mix them! Oil and water don’t mix because they have different densities—oil is lighter, so it floats on top.
Food coloring is made with water, so it doesn’t mix with the oil. Instead, the drops sink through the oil and into the water. Once the food coloring reaches the water, it starts to spread out and swirl, making a firework-like effect!
Take it Further
This experiment offers many opportunities to explore and learn even more about liquids and colors.
- Pair this activity with a book about fireworks.
- Repeat the experiment using cold water instead of warm to see how temperature affects the movement of the food coloring.
- Experiment with different types of oils like vegetable, coconut, or baby oil to observe any changes in how the “fireworks” form.
- Does the height of the jar matter? Try this experiment using both short and tall jars!
- Replace water with other liquids like apple juice, saltwater, or milk to explore how solubility impacts the reaction.
- Combine multiple food coloring drops to create new color mixtures and see how they spread and blend underwater.
- Encourage kids to draw or write about their predictions and observations to build science communication skills.
- Talk about how the colorful explosions in the jar mimic real fireworks and discuss safety when enjoying fireworks outdoors.
- Pair this activity with our red, white and blue Star Suncatcher Craft for even more 4th of July fun!
More Easy Science Experiments for Kids
Looking for more hands-on science activities? Try these kid-friendly experiments that are simple to set up and full of learning fun:
- Baking Soda and Vinegar – A classic experiment that introduces kids to chemical reactions.
- STEM Design Challenge – Build Something that Floats – Use everyday materials to design and test floating creations, exploring buoyancy and engineering skills.
- Skittles Color Melt Experiment – Arrange Skittles on a plate, add warm water, and watch the colors melt and spread for a fun lesson on diffusion.
- Frozen Bubbles – Blow bubbles outside on a cold day and watch them freeze, creating beautiful ice patterns and a cool lesson on states of matter.
- Flower Color Change Science – Use colored water to change the color of white flowers and teach kids about how plants absorb water.
Save This Craft
Save this activity on Pinterest using the image below.
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