Tag: ghost

Spooky Expanding Ghost

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Spooky Ghost (4)

Your little one will get a kick out of watching the spooky-not-scary ghost puff up in this experiment, a trick made possible with good old vinegar and baking soda. It might not be quite as impressive as flaming ghosts, but is sure to earn a giggle.

First we gathered our materials, and I drew two ghost eyes and a big ghost mouth on an uninflated white balloon.

Spooky Ghost (1)

Have your child carefully help add 1/2 cup white vinegar to an empty plastic bottle; set aside.

Spooky Ghost (3)

Next, fill the balloon with 1 tablespoon baking soda. A funnel is your best bet to get the baking soda into the narrow neck of the balloon, but we managed to do so with one adult holding the balloon wide and the other spooning in the baking soda with a baby spoon.

Fit the balloon over the opening of the plastic bottle – don’t let the baking soda fall inside just yet.

When you’re ready, stand the ghost up straight; the baking soda will sprinkle into the vinegar, and the resulting air makes him puff up.

Spooky Ghost (5)

Boo!

Travis loved this so much we went through 3 ghost balloons before the fun was done.

Flying Ghost Teabag

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Flying Ghost (3)

Here’s a Halloween experiment that’s exciting for kids and grown-ups both. A note of caution, since the game involves fire; I recommend making this an activity for two adults and any children; one grown-up can light the match while the othe keeps kids a safe distance away.

Snip open a tea bag and empty the tea – as a nice bonus, the experiment smells lovely already!

Flying Ghost (1)

Once you open up the tea bag you’ll be left with a long cylinder. To give it a spooky flair, draw a ghost face on the bag.

Flying Ghost (2)

Now set alight the top edge of the cylinder with a match.

Flying Ghost (4)

The flame will travel down the “ghost”, and when enough heat is trapped in the cylinder, he rises up and flies!

Flying Ghost (5)

Everyone in the room gasped and giggled at this one, from kids to grandparents.

Interestingly, we tried it with a different brand of tea bag on the final go, and it burned faster but didn’t fly as well – so if yours doesn’t work spectacularly at first, consider testing a few tea brands. This final try is the one I caught on video, though, so enjoy!