These experiments are sorted into length of time to complete. If you’re doing a day camp, starting crystals on the first day will allow your kids to see a progression during a week. Shorter experiments can be used after starting a longer one or for shorter events.
You can use those given below or select your own experiments. Since most science experiments do things that appear “magical”, the number to choose from is great.
Steps
Longer Experiments
1. Crystals.
Using either salt or sugar and water, grow crystals. You might use this to make rock candy. Make sure you have some that you have grown for examples.
2. Seeds.
Growing a seed in water or a paper towel allows your participants to see roots start to grow. Your container needs to be clear as well. This project may also be used for “Herbology.”
3. Terrarium.
Create a miniature world within a bottle or other clear container. This is another possibility for “Herbology.”
Shorter Experiments
4. Sun.
Using construction paper, use the magic of the sun to make prints. Specialty paper is also available if you’re willing to spend the money on it.
5. Invisible.
Use lemon juice, sweat, saliva or experiment with recipes to create disappearing ink. See the Enrichment Project supplement for some ideas or find your own recipes for experimenting.
6. Slime.
Find your favorite recipe for slime. If you don’t have one, experiment with those you find on the Web until you get one you are happy with. Mix in magical components like glitter.
7. C02.
Combine water, baking soda and vinegar to make carbon dioxide bubbles. Place this in a beaker or cauldron. Determine the amount you need and adjust for your container.
8. Fire.
Varying chemicals can change the color of the flames. Find sources for these materials to color your night fire.
- Calcium — red flame
- Copper — green flame
- Sodium — orange flame
- Lithium — pink flame
- Lead — blue flame
- Potassium — purple flame
- Barium — light green flame
NOTE: Other materials can also make your fire magical such as granulated sugar will spark.
9. Paper.
Chromatography allows you to analyze complex mixtures by separating them. Use paper materials for this experiment. You can make this a mystery where your participants have to match the ink on a note. Compare with sample pens you have to determine who wrote the note.
10. Levitate.
www.mrsruss.com/Science/potter2.htm
Try both the scientific and magical approaches to levitating a feather.
11. Reducio!
www.mrsruss.com/Science/reducio.htm
Reducio! Is a spell to reduce the size of an item. Do the experiment in the link to make an egg fit into a bottle.
12. Dry ice.
The smoking dry ice allows you to make fog or sinking bubbles. Search the Web and try a variety of dry ice experiments. Pick a few to share with your participants.
13. Colors.
A few drops of food coloring placed into warm milk and dish soap in a bowl makes the coloring dance on the surface of the milk. Find more out about this experiment and try it yourself.
14. Goop.
Find a recipe and make silly putty for wizard goop. Show how messages can be shared and then magically disappear.
15. More.
Don’t stop now. Explore sites and books to find more experiments. Share those you find work well with other EP members.
Badge and Supplement Files
Member Level
- 0EP_B_BPG_HP_Science_2in_12up_MS1_larajla — generic badge printable
- 0EP_BLIST_HP_Science_MS1_larajla — badge items per membership level
- 0EP_BSET0_HP_Science_MS1_larajla —badge set and related badges
- 0EP_SUPP0_HP_Science_Journal_MS1_larajla — badge journal
- 0EP_SUPP0_HP_Science_Planner_MS1_larajla — badge planner
- 0EP_SUPPL_HP_Science_MS1_larajla — supplements currently available per membership level
Supplement Fun
- 0EP_SUPP0_Formula Fun_Ink_Invisible Baking Soda_MS2_larajla – Formula Fun: Invisible Ink, Baking Soda
- 0EP_SUPP0_Formula Fun_Ink_Invisible Corn Starch_MS2_larajla – Formula Fun: Invisible Ink, Corn Starch
- 0EP_SUPP0_Formula Fun_Ink_Invisible Lemon Juice_MS2_larajla – Formula Fun: Invisible Ink, Lemon Juice
- 0EP_SUPP0_Formula Fun_Ink_Oak Gall_MS2_larajla – Formula Fun: Ink, Oak Gall
- 0EP_SUPP0_Formula Fun_Ink_Walnut Shell_MS2_larajla – Formula Fun: Ink, Walnut Shell
Sites to Explore
- guidezone.e-guiding.com/bvfmagic.htm
- www.mrsruss.com/Science/disappea.htm
- www.dadcando.com
- www.campfiredude.com/campfire-magic.shtml
- rediscoveredfamilies.com/harry-potter-science
- www.edutopia.org/article/magical-approach-science-lessons
- www.weareteachers.com/harry-potter-science
- www.make-stuff.com/formulas_&_remedies/home_&_hearth/flames.html
- scienceblogs.com/ethicsandscience/2007/07/27/fun-with-paper-chromatography
- www.mrsruss.com/Science/potter4.htm
- www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/awesome-dry-ice-experiments
- www.ehow.com/how_5668084_make-sun-prints-construction-paper.html
- www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-make-a-sun-print.htm
- www.instructables.com/id/Science-Experiment-Inflate-a-Balloon-with-Vinegar
- www.funology.com
- www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Lava-Lamp-with-Household-Ingredients
- www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments
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