Winter in a Jar: 3 Simple Science Experiments with Stockmar
Jess @learnandbloom for Oskar's Wooden Ark | 13th June, 2022
Winter is upon us and what better way to kick it off than with some frozen fun! For this blog post, we teamed up with Jess (@learnandbloom) and her two little scientists to explore the wonders of winter by recreating the coolest of weather elements in just one jar! These three simple experiments can easily be conducted right at home, or in the classroom with minimal supplies and mess. All three activities use our Stockmar Aquarelle Watercolours Paint. For the ultimate chill, Jess and her boys chose to use the colour blue for all of their experiments, but your little one can use whatever colour(s) they desire!
Simply follow the steps below to create your own icy experiments, remembering to snap a photo and share it with us on Facebook and Instagram, making sure to tag us at @oskarswoodenark and using the hashtag #oskarswoodenark.
Experiment 1: Rain Cloud
Get ready to control the skies with this mesmerising and fabulously foamy experiment!
You will need...
Stockmar Liquid Watercolour Paint
Shaving Foam
Pipette
Water
Step 1
Fill the glass jar with water before dispensing a generous amount of shaving foam on top - this is going to be your cloud, so make it as fluffy and foamy as you wish!
Step 2
Mix some blue paint and water together in a small jar.
Step 3
Use the pipette to dispense drops of the blue watercolour paint into the shaving foam and watch it rain through the cloud.
The science behind this experiment: The liquid watercolours make the shaving foam raincloud heavy and 'rain' slowly starts to fall down.
Experiment 2: Frost
Let's have some frosty fun with this icy marvel!
You will need...
Stockmar Liquid Watercolour Paint
Crushed Ice
Water
Salt
Step 1
Fill the glass jar with crushed ice before sprinkling it with a generous amount of salt.
Step 2
Mix blue paint in with some water before pouring the azure mix into the jar with the ice.
Step 3
Watch the frost form on the surface of the jar. The cold never bothered us anyway!
The science behind this experiment: Frost is a thin layer that forms when the air temperature is slightly above freezing and the surface of the solid is below freezing. Adding salt lowers the melting point of ice and creates a temperature that goes below freezing. The moisture from the air will freeze because of this lower temperature, thus forming the frost.
Experiment 3: Snowstorm
Let the storm rage on by unleashing your frozen superpowers!
You will need...
Stockmar Liquid Watercolour Paint
Poster Paint
Alka-Seltzer
Baby Oil
Water
Step 1
Fill the glass jar with 3/4 cups of baby oil.
Step 2
Mix your blue paint with water before adding the mix into the jar with the baby oil.
Step 3
Mix the white poster paint with some water before pouring it into the jar.
Step 4
Add a couple of alka-seltzer tablets and watch your miniature snowstorm unfold, Elsa-style!
The science behind this experiment: Water and oil don’t mix so the alka-seltzer tablets create a reaction that makes the droplets of white paint bubble up just like snow.
We hope you and your little Einsteins enjoy recreating your own little Winter Wonderland!
