Fizzy and Fun Holiday Magic

Want a sweet way to sneak in some science this holiday season? Try this candy cane experiment!

Gather supplies

You’ll need several candy canes, warm water, cold water, vinegar, oil, baking soda and mason jars.

Candy Cane Experiment

• Step 1: Drop a candy cane into each jar.
• Step 2: Add warm water to one jar, cold water to another, vinegar and baking soda to a third, and oil to the last jar.
• Step 3: Watch and record what happens!

Observe

You’ll notice the warm water dissolves the candy fastest. That is because heat makes the sugar molecules move around more quickly. The vinegar and baking soda fizz because of a chemical reaction that releases carbon dioxide gas. And the candy in oil just floats since sugar doesn’t mix with oil.

Discuss

Talk with your kiddos about why some liquids dissolve candy faster than others, and what the fizzing reaction tells us about chemical changes. It’s a fun, hands-on way to explore solubility, reactions and temperature, all while enjoying a little holiday magic!