Halloween will be here before we know it, so I’ve put together a collection of my Top 10 Science Experiments to celebrate. There’s a spooky lava lamp, creepy shadow puppets, fizzy witch and wizard potions, and even a noise making machine!
Print off the list below and tick off each Halloween science activity as you go along. Which will you try first?
Top 10 Science Activities for Halloween
1. Spooky Lava Lamp
Lava lamps also feature in my Top 10 Science Experiments Every Child Should Try at Least Once. They are super easy to set up and can be used over and over again.
Pumpkin-themed lava lamps always make me smile. They make an unusual window decoration and a fun science activity.
If you place a torch behind the lava lamp, the pumpkin’s face glows eerily as it erupts.
2. Creepy Shadow Puppets
Shadow puppets are another very easy activity. Adding coloured cellophane for extra effect can make them fun for older children.
Shadow puppets are a fantastic activity for learning that light travels in straight lines and how shadows are formed.
3. Witchy Potions
My collection of fizzy and slimy Halloween potions is great for this time of year and perfect for little witches and wizards. Who doesn’t love a fizzy witchy brew?
You can use red cabbage indicator to make a colour-changing potion and baking soda and vinegar to make the potion fizz!
4. Scary Giant Sweets
Place leftover Halloween candy jelly sweets in clean water and watch them expand over a few hours as they absorb the water.
5. Bug Filled Ice
Ice excavations are easy and inexpensive to set up. Younger children usually enjoy dripping warm water over the top to melt the ice, while older children can try adding salt ( take care; this can make the ice extra cold ) and investigate how the salt speeds up the melting process.
7. Erupting Pumpkins
You’ve probably made an erupting volcano before, but a pumpkin ( once you’ve scooped out the delicious insides ) can be erupted too! Add a little baking soda and vinegar to a mixture of food colouring and water for hours of fizzy fun.
8. Ghostly Optical Illusions
These are actually pumpkin illusions, but a ghost would also look great.
New for 2024 is a FREE Halloween optical illusion template.
9. Nasty Noise Maker
All you need to make spooky noises is a plastic cup, ribbon and a paperclip! If you pair this up with creepy shadow puppets, you have a great trick for trick-or-treaters!
10. Magic Mirror Writing
Write creepy messages backwards using a mirror to help!
Which of my Top 10 Science Experiments for Halloween is your favourite?
More Halloween ideas for kids
Make spooky Halloween Push and Pull Puppets. These are a cute spooky science craft that can be used for learning about forces.
Keep the kids busy with my free Halloween science quiz.
Try my simple Halloween themed paper science experiments!
Gross Science is perfect for Halloween and is jam-packed with icky, sticky, and slimy science for kids! Make jelly scabs, fake poo, a blood cocktail and lots more!
If you’d rather do something more autumnal, take a look at my easy Autumn STEM Challenges.
Last Updated on October 15, 2024 by Emma Vanstone
