Science, not sugar! 4 easy Halloween STEM activities for a brain boost

Science, not sugar! 4 easy Halloween STEM activities for a brain boost

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    Halloween's just around the corner, which means one thing: a candy avalanche is headed your way!Ā 

    But hey, before you dive headfirst into that sugary mountain, how about we rewind a little and shake things up a bit?

    Sure, trick-or-treating is a blast, but wouldn't it be epic to add a sprinkle of science to the mix?

    Kids doing trick-or-treat waiting outside a closed red home door for the treats to be shared.

    Image by Curated Lifestyle on Unsplash.com

    Thatā€™s right, Iā€™m talking about ditching the same old routine and transforming your house into a mad scientist's playground.Ā 

    We love this kind of stuff here at CircuitMess, so we've cooked up some frightfully fun, hands-on experiments that'll have you channeling your inner Frankenstein.

    (Pssst! You'll also be sneaking some STEM skills that'll give your kids a head start. Shh, it's our little secret. šŸ˜‰)

    So, gather your little monsters, throw on those lab coats (or costumes!), and get ready for a Halloween that's both spooky AND smart! šŸ§ šŸŽƒ

    A man in a Batman mask and plaid shirt playfully flexes his arms, smiling confidently

    Ā 

    Erupting pumpkins šŸŽƒ

    How long?Ā 15-20 minutes (plus some extra time for pumpkin prep and clean-up)

    Difficulty? Easy-peasy! Perfect for little scientists and their grown-up assistants.

    Individual or group? This one is great for both! Kids can work on their own pumpkins or team up for a volcanic eruption extravaganza!

    Carving pumpkins is so last year. This Halloween, our jack-o-lanterns are getting a serious upgrade ā€“ they're becoming bubbling, fizzing volcanoes! Hereā€™s how you trade the messy pumpkin guts for a science experiment that'll erupt with excitement.

    What you'll need:

    • One medium-sized pumpkin (the rounder, the better!)
    • A grown-up with a sharp knife
    • A big spoon or ice cream scoop
    • Baking sodaĀ 
    • White vinegarĀ 
    • Food coloring
    • Dish soapĀ 
    • A tray or plate

    Ā 

    Instructions:

    1. 1. Ask your grown-up helper to carefully cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin, like a little lid. Then, grab your spoon and scoop out all the seeds and stringy stuff. And finally, carve out a face!
    2. 2. In a separate bowl, mix a big pile of baking soda with a few drops of dish soap and your favorite spooky color of food coloring. This is going to be the lava for your volcano!
    3. 3. Carefully pour your magic potion into the hollowed-out pumpkin.
    4. 4. Now comes the exciting part! Slowly pour some vinegar into the pumpkin and watch the magic happen! The baking soda and vinegar will start to fizz and bubble, creating a foamy, colorful eruption that'll ooze out of the pumpkin's "mouth."

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        The STEM behind the spookiness:

        Wondering how this all works?Ā 

        It's a tiny chemical reaction party inside your pumpkin! When the baking soda (which is a base) meets the vinegar (which is an acid), it creates a gas called carbon dioxide.Ā 

        The gas bubbles get trapped in the dish soap, making the foamy lava that erupts from your volcano.Ā 

        Pretty cool, huh?

        Tips and tricks:

        • Want to make your eruption extra spooky? Try adding a sprinkle of glitter to your lava mixture.
        • What happens if you use more baking soda or more vinegar? Experiment and see!

        Ā 

        Dancing Frankenworms šŸ›

        Get ready to witness a Halloween miracle ā€“ we're bringing gummy worms back from the dead!

        Okay, not actually back from the dead, but with a little kitchen chemistry magic, these squishy little guys will come alive and dance right before your very eyes.
        It's a spooky spectacle that's both educational and entertaining, and it's sure to get a few giggles out of everyone.
        Oh, and this uses the same reaction as the experiment above, so why not do BOTH?!

        Ā 

        How long? 10-15 minutes

        Difficulty? Super easy! Even the littlest monsters can help with this one.

        Individual or group? This one's perfect for sharing the fun! Everyone can have their own worm or work together to create a whole graveyard of dancing Frankenworms.

        What you'll need:
        • Gummy worms (the thicker and longer, the better the dance moves!)
        • Baking soda
        • White vinegar
        • A clear glass or jar
        • Water

        Ā 

        Instructions:

        1. 1. If you want your worms to have some extra wiggly moves, cut them into quarters lengthwise. This will expose more surface area for the magic to happen!
        2. 2. Then, add a few tablespoons of baking soda and stir until it's completely dissolved.
        3. 3. Drop your gummy worms into the baking soda solution and let them soak for at least 15 minutes. The baking soda will start to work its way into the worms, preparing them for their big dance.
        4. 4. Carefully pour some vinegar into the glass and watch the show begin! The worms will start to wiggle and squirm, rising to the surface and dancing around. It's a Frankenworm party!

        Ā 

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        The STEM behind the spookiness:

        Remember that volcano experiment we did earlier? Well, this is the same kind of chemical reaction! The baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) mix and create carbon dioxide gas bubbles. These bubbles cling to the gummy worms, making them float and wiggle around like they're alive!

        Tips and tricks:

        • Try using different colors of gummy worms to create a rainbow of dancing Frankenworms.
        • Experiment with different amounts of baking soda and vinegar to see how it affects the worms' dance moves.
        • Add a few drops of food coloring to the vinegar for an extra spooky effect.
        • Don't forget to make some spooky sound effects as your worms come to life!

        Ā 

        Static electricity ghosts šŸ‘»

        Ever wanted to have your very own ghostly encounter?

        Well, get ready to be spooked (in the best way possible!) because we're about to turn your living room into a science-powered haunted house.

        Ā 

        How long? 10-15 minutes

        Difficulty? Easy! Perfect for little hands and big imaginations

        Individual or group? This experiment is perfect for a group to try together.
        What you'll need:
        • Balloons
        • Tissue paper
        • Scissors
        • Wool sweater or a piece of fur

        Ā 

        Instructions:

        1. 1. Cut out some simple ghost shapes from your tissue paper. Get creative! Give them silly faces, long flowing tails, or even glowing eyes with a bit of marker.
        2. 2. Blow up your balloon and tie it off. Then, rub the balloon vigorously against the wool sweater or fur. You're building up a static charge, like a tiny lightning storm on the balloon's surface.
        3. 3. Hold the charged balloon near your tissue paper ghosts. What happens? The ghosts will mysteriously rise from the table and cling to the balloon as if they're floating in mid-air. You can even make them dance and twirl by moving the balloon around!

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        The STEM behind the spookiness:

        Ā 

        Ever gotten a shock from touching a doorknob? That's static electricity! When you rub the balloon against the wool, it collects tiny particles called electrons, giving it a negative charge. The tissue paper ghosts have a positive charge. And just like magnets, opposites attract! That's why the ghosts are drawn to the balloon.

        Ā 

        Tips and tricks:
        • Try rubbing the balloon on different materials. Does your hair work? What about a fuzzy blanket?
        • Turn it into a ghostly game! See who can make their ghost float the highest or dance the longest.
        • Dim the lights and use a flashlight to create a truly eerie atmosphere as your ghosts come to life.

        Ā 

        Spooky slime science šŸ§Ŗ

        Why is slime so... slimy?Ā 

        It all comes down to a chemical reaction between glue (polyvinyl acetate) and contact lens solution (borax). Borax is like a tiny bridge builder ā€“ it connects the long chains of sticky molecules in the glue, transforming it from a runny mess to a stretchy, spooky slime.

        Ā 

        Time for a spooky slime experiment šŸ§Ŗ

        Ā 

        How long? 15-20 minutesĀ 

        Difficulty? Super easy!

        Individual or group? Perfect for both! Get messy on your own or have a slime party with friends!

        What you'll need:
        • 1 cup of clear glue
        • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
        • 1 tablespoon of contact lens solution (make sure it has borax!)
        • Food coloring (optional)
        • Glitter (optional)
        • A few drops of essential oil for a spooky scent (optional - ask an adult first!)

        Ā 

        Instructions:
        1. 1. In a bowl, mix the glue and baking soda until they're all cozy together.
        2. 2. Add a few drops of food coloring and/or glitter if you want to make it extra spooky.
        3. 3. Slowly add the contact lens solution, a little at a time, stirring until the slime starts to form and pull away from the sides of the bowl.
        4. 4. Get your hands dirty! Squish the slime until it's just the right consistency. If it's too sticky, add a bit more contact lens solution.

        Ā 

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        The STEM behind the Spookiness:

        Ā 

        This experiment shows us how chemistry can create something totally new! The glue is made up of long chains of molecules called polymers. When you add the borax, it creates links between these chains, making them stick together and form a stretchy slime. It's like magic, but it's science!

        Ā 

        Tips and tricks:

        • Experiment with different colors and scents to create your own unique slime creations.
        • Store your slime in an airtight container to keep it fresh and stretchy.
        • Remember, slime can be messy! Make sure to clean up any spills right away.
        • Have fun and get creative with your spooky slime!

         Remember:
        Always ask an adult before using essential oils or any other ingredients you're not familiar with.

        Ā 

        Happy Halloween!

        Two kids sit in the back of a car in Halloween costumes, pulling scary faces

        Ā Image by Getty Images on Unsplash.com

        We're all about swapping that sugary sweetness for a sprinkle of science and a dash of discovery.

        Why? Because at CircuitMess, we believe that traditions should be more than just routine - they should spark joy, connection, and a lifelong love of learning.

        So let's transform Halloween into a playground for young minds, create memories that last longer than any candy high, and inspire the kind of curiosity that leads to a brighter future.

        Let's make this Halloween the spookiest, smartest, and most FUN one yet!

        Ā 

        A kid in a Halloween outfit with bat ears and goggles poses with a CircuitMess Spencer kit, surrounded by spooky decorations

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        Happy Halloween from our mad scientist family to yours!

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        The fun doesnā€™t stop there! Check out our STEM subscription boxes, and get a monthly STEM activity shipped right to your doorstep!
        • Young explorers (7+): Gear up for a spooktacular introduction to STEM with our Wacky Robots subscription box! Every month, a new fang-tastic project will appear at your doorstep, ready to electrify your imagination and engineering skills.
        • Tech enthusiasts (11+): Dive deeper into the world of electronics and coding with our STEM Box. Unleash your creativity with projects that'll make your hair stand on end and your skills surge to new heights!
        Ā 

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        Read stories how our founder Albert turned his childhood passion into CircuitMess, and get exciting DIY project ideas you can do with your kids at home for free.

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