Water Challenges!

Our goal with this blog has been to get you started with some fun activities, using materials that you have around the house.  Who doesn't have some water at their house? Let's experiment! Share your favorite water experiment with us on the Alaska 4-H facebook page! 

Bending Water!

Defying Gravity!

Watch the power of static electricity!
​All you need is a water faucet with running water, a latex balloon, and a nylon comb. After rubbing the balloon against the nylon comb to create a static charge on the comb, slowly and carefully place the teeth of the comb next to the stream of water. Watch what happens to the water.

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Elephant Toothpaste! 

Please note: this is CALLED toothpaste, but it is NOT.  Wear safety goggles and do it outside or into a tub if you have one! Activity complements of Scientific American!

You'll need: 

• Empty plastic bottle
• Dry yeast (found in the baking section of the grocery store)
• Warm water
• Liquid dish soap
• 3% hydrogen peroxide
• Safety glasses
• Large tub or tray to catch the foam 
• Liquid food coloring (optional)

• Measure 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide, and carefully pour it into the bottle.
• Add a big squirt of dish soap into the bottle, and swirl gently to mix.
• If you want to make your foam a single color, add a few drops of food coloring directly into the hydrogen peroxide, and swirl the bottle gently to mix. If you want to give your foam stripes like some toothpastes, put the drops along the inside rim of the bottle’s mouth. Let them drip down the inside of the bottle, but do not mix. 
• In a measuring cup mix together one tablespoon of yeast and three tablespoons of warm water. Stir for about 30 seconds. 
• Pour the yeast mixture into the bottle then quickly step back, and watch your reaction go! What happens? How long does the reaction last?
• Extra: Try the activity without the dish soap. What happens? How was the result different?
• Extra: Try the activity with different-shaped containers. What happens if you use a bottle with a narrower or wider neck—or a cylindrical drinking glass with no neck?

Results/Observations

Having too much fun? Check out some more ideas for fun water experiments! Design a "magic" show for your family full of the experiments you've learned!