Snowstorm in a Jar Instructions
Make it Snow for the Elf
Make this fun snowstorm in a jar activity with your kids using your Elf on the shelf! It’s a great way to do a Science experiment that’s educational! It’s actually mesmerizing to watch it “snow!”
Let’s Create a Magical Snow Globe! Grab these simple materials: baby oil, white acrylic paint, water, and an Alka-Seltzer tablet. We’re about to make it snow!
First, fill your jar about ¾ of the way with baby oil. Next, mix 4 squirts of white acrylic paint with ¼ cup of water in a separate measuring cup. Stir until the paint is fully dissolved, then carefully pour the mixture into the baby oil. Let it settle for a bit – the anticipation is building!
The Magic Happens! Now, here’s the fun part! When you’re ready to make it snow, simply drop the Alka-Seltzer tablet into the jar. Watch in wonder as the “snowflakes” start to fall, creating a mesmerizing winter scene. It’s like having your very own snow globe, minus the shaking and mess!
How long does the snow effect last?
Once you drop the Alka-Seltzer into the glass, it can react for 1-3 minutes. The best part is once it’s done snowing, you can just add in another tablet! You can also break it into 3 pieces so you can keep dropping them in to make it snow! I let it sit overnight before and added the Alka-Seltzer the next day and it worked fine.
Can I use different colors?
Absolutely, you can use any paint color you want to mix with the water. I have seen people do a light blue color so it looks like a snowstorm in jar! You can also add fine glitter into the oil and it makes a pretty scene.
What is the Science Behind this?
So, what makes this snow globe concoction come to life? It’s all about the chemistry! When you mix baby oil, water, and white paint, you create a density column, where the oil floats on top of the water. But here’s the cool part: when you add the Alka-Seltzer tablet, it reacts with the water to produce carbon dioxide gas. As the gas builds up, it creates bubbles that get trapped in the oil, making it look like snowflakes are falling! As the bubbles rise and pop, they create a mesmerizing, snow-like effect that’s simply magical.
Watch it snow in real time…
Snowstorm in a Jar
Materials
- Baby oil fill your jar 3/4th full
- 4 squirts White acrylic paint
- 1/4 cup Water
- Alka seltzer tablet
Instructions
- Fill your jar or glass 3/4th full of baby oil.
- In a seperate measuring cup, mix the white paint with the water until combined.
- Pour into the baby oil and let settle.
- Drop the alka seltzer in when you want it to snow!
