One of the other experiments we did during the party was Exploding Elephant Toothpaste. It is a very easy experiment; but it does require some ingredients that you may not have on hand.

You need:

plastic bottles

gloves

safety glasses

yeast

12% hydrogen peroxide (I got mine from Sally’s Beauty Supply)

funnel

dish soap

food coloring

We did this experiment outside. Each child was given safety glasses and gloves to wear.  I gave each child their own bottle. I had them choose a color to add to their bottle. Using the funnel, they then added 4 oz. of hydrogen peroxide. After adding a drop of dish soap, they gently swirled the bottle to mix the ingredients. In a small cup, they then added a packet of yeast and warm water. Then the fun was really about to begin…

They added the yeast mixture into their bottles and voila…Exploding Elephant Toothpaste.

photo credit: http://www.stevespanglerscience.com

I had the bottles in a deep disposable metal pan. The children could feel the heat from the exothermic reaction that had been created.

Steve Spangler explains the science behind it. “The yeast works as a catalyst to release the oxygen molecules from the hydrogen peroxide solution. The oxygen-filled bubbles, which make up the foam, are actually the remainder of what happens when the hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water (H₂O) and oxygen (O₂). The bottle will feel warm to the touch because this is an exothermic reaction in which energy, in the form of heat, is given off.”