6 easy at-home Halloween Experiments

By Amber Weldon, Mommies R Bomb 

Halloween this year will be much more intimate than before. Do not just settle for watching scary movies: get spooky AND creative and try out a Halloween experiment with your family.  These six easy experiments will keep the family in the festive spirit while showing science in action. They require few supplies that you more than likely have at home. The entire family will be thrilled with a pumpkin volcano, magic potion, witches brew and more. 

Pumpkin Volcano 

It is only right that one of the Halloween experiments your family does includes a pumpkin. This one is super simple, requiring items in your pantry to make it happen. For less mess inside, it is best to try this one outdoors, but can also be done in your home with proper preparation. The eruption will be slow and steady, but please be cautious. A great thing about the pumpkin volcano is it can be done over and over again.  

Items needed: 

• Small hollowed out pumpkin, with top cut off 
• White vinegar 
• Liquid dish soap 
• Food coloring 
• Baking soda
• Tray or pan (if experimenting inside) 

Instructions 

1. Fill the inside of the pumpkin halfway with vinegar 

2. Add a tablespoon of dish soap 

3. Add 2-3 drops of food coloring 

4. Mix the liquids with a spoon, until bubbles start forming 

5. Add 2 ½ tablespoons of baking soda 

6. Watch your volcano erupt 

Rising Ghosts & Jack-O’-Lanterns 

This Halloween experiment will for sure have your family saying, “BOO!” This activity will be scary-cool as you start to see ghosts and jack-o’-lanterns float seemingly by magic. You will use ghosts and jack-o’-lantern balloons that inflate without losing your breath. If you don’t have traditional Halloween balloons use white and orange and draw faces on them using a permanent marker. There are two different ways to make your ghosts rise, fast or slow, both are easy. 

Items needed: 

Instructions for slow rise: 

1. Fill water bottles with ¼ cup of warm water 

2. Add packet of yeast and mix with water by swirling bottle 

3. Add in a teaspoon of sugar and swirl around again 

4. Place balloon opening over the neck of the water bottle 

5. Set in a warm area and watch as it slowly inflates 

Instructions for quick rise: 

1. Fill ¼ of water bottle with vinegar using funnel 

2. Use clean funnel to add 1 ½ tablespoons of baking soda to balloon 

3. Place balloon opening over the neck of the water bottle and lift it up making the baking soda fall into the vinegar 

4. Watch as the balloon instantly inflates 

Witches Brew 

An edible Halloween experiment is next on the list. A witches brew seems most appropriate for the holiday and if done with the right serving bowl, it can give off Hocus Pocus vibes in your home. Your whole family will be deliciously satisfied with this holiday punch. 

Items needed: 

Instructions: 

1. Put on gloves and break up dry ice into small blocks 

2. Fill the bottom of the punch bowl with blocks of dry ice 

3. Add ginger ale or lemon-lime soda to bowl 

4. Add pineapple juice to bowl 

5. Mix liquids together slightly, the dry ice will start smoking 

6. Add 3-4 scoops of lime sherbet, do not mix up, it should be lumpy 

7. Watch as the brew comes to life with the eerie green color and smoke 

8. Drink up your delicious Halloween experiment 

9. Bonus, add smaller pieces of dry ice to serving glasses for lasting smoke effect 

Magic potion 

Staying with the witch and wizard theme, making a potion will make your children really feel like they are creating magic. Similar to the pumpkin volcano this Halloween experiment will have a foamy explosion. Make it feel like you’re not at home and pretend like you are casting a spell while the potion explodes and comes to life. Please supervise children because this is not edible. 

Items needed: 

Instructions: 

1. Place bottle or tube in large container 

2. Using the funnel, pour hydrogen peroxide in bottle until half way full 

3. Add 2-3 drops of food coloring 

4. Add a tablespoon of dish soap into the bottle and swirl around 

5. In a separate cup, mix ¼ cup of warm water and yeast until fully dissolved 

6. Pour the water-yeast mixture into the bottle 

7. The potion will start to slowly explode and spill over into the large container 

8. Add a few drops of a different food color to the foam 

9. Use the Popsicle sticks or skewers to make designs with the food coloring and pretend the potion is whatever they like 

Dissolving M off of M&Ms 

If you are looking for a way to get rid of some candy, this Halloween experiment will keep the cavities away. Little to no mess in your home is the best part. Dissolving the M’s off the M&Ms will be easy and exciting, especially for the little ones in your family. 

Items needed: 

• Water 
• Original M&Ms 
• Clear cup 

Instructions: 

1. Fill cup halfway with water 

2. Place 3-4 different colored M&Ms in the cup of water with the ‘M’ facing up 

3. Watch as the colors start to dissolve and the M comes off 

Sink or float 

Simple Halloween experiment for when your kids have too many treats. Have your family use a few different pieces of their candy and decide ahead of time if it will sink or float. This could be used as one of your tricks for indoor trick-or-treating. 

Items needed: 

• Water 
• Assortment of candy 
• Cup or bowl 

Instructions: 

1. Fill water in cup or bowl ¾ full 

2. Drop different pieces of candy in water 

3. Observe if you were right or wrong about which one will sink or float 

Amber Weldon

Amber Weldon is a mom of two, wife and content creator and author of mommiesrbomb.com. Mommies R Bomb was designed to inspire moms to maintain a healthy family lifestyle and embrace their authentic self. Amber is motivated through the experiences with her family, self-care and other influential mothers.