If you're looking to spark curiosity and bring a little magic to your classroom, camp, or family gathering, dry ice might be just what you need. With its foggy flair and exciting properties, dry ice makes science fun, visual, and unforgettable. Whether youâre a teacher looking to engage students or a parent planning a weekend activity, these dry ice experiments are perfect for all ages.
Reminder: Dry ice is extremely cold (-109.3°F), so always handle it with gloves or tongs and conduct experiments in well-ventilated areas. Safety first!
The Screaming Spoon
What Youâll Need:
- Metal spoon
- Small piece of dry ice
What to Do:
Press the spoon gently against a piece of dry ice. Youâll hear a high-pitched "screaming" sound as the metal rapidly vibrates from the sublimation of the ice into gas. Itâs simple, safe, and a crowd favorite!
The Science:
Dry ice turns directly from a solid to a gas (sublimation), and the rapid gas release causes the spoon to vibrate, creating sound.
The Expanding Balloon
What Youâll Need:
- Balloon
- Small piece of dry ice
- Empty plastic bottle
What to Do:
Place a small chunk of dry ice into the bottle. Quickly stretch the balloon over the opening and watch as it inflates like magic!
The Science:
As dry ice sublimates, it releases carbon dioxide gas. Since the gas takes up more space than the solid, it fills the balloon.
Bubbling Cauldron (aka Foggy Soap Volcano)
What Youâll Need:
- Clear container (like a beaker or bowl)
- Warm water
- Dish soap
- A few pieces of dry ice
What to Do:
Fill the container halfway with warm water and add a generous squirt of dish soap. Drop in a few pieces of dry ice and step back to watch a bubbling, foggy eruption!
The Science:
The dry ice reacts with the warm water, forming gas and fog. The soap traps the gas in bubbles, creating a dramatic and fun visual effect.
Dry Ice Bubble Dome
What Youâll Need:
- Bowl with a wide rim
- Warm water
- Dish soap
- Strip of cloth or string
- Dry ice
What to Do:
Add warm water and dry ice to the bowl. Dip the cloth into soapy water, then run it across the rim to seal it. Watch a giant foggy bubble dome begin to grow.
The Science:
As the dry ice sublimates, gas builds up under the soap film, expanding it into a large bubble.
Mini Rocket Launch (Advanced Supervision Needed)
What Youâll Need:
- Film canister with a tight-fitting lid
- Small piece of dry ice
- Warm water
What to Do:
Place a small piece of dry ice into the canister, add a little warm water, and snap the lid on quickly. Set the canister down lid-side down and stand back. In a few secondsâliftoff!
The Science:
The pressure from the gas builds up inside the container until it forces the lid off, sending it flying!
Caution: This should only be done with adult supervision and protective gear. Never point the canister at anyone.
Why Dry Ice is Great for Science Education
Dry ice brings the âwowâ factor to lessons on gas laws, states of matter, chemical reactions, and physics. Itâs safe when handled correctly, and it's one of the best ways to make learning both visual and interactive.
Need Dry Ice for Your Next Experiment?
Bakerâs Dry Ice in Jackson, MI has everything you need to bring your science projects to life! Whether you're a school, summer camp, or curious family, weâve got the dry ice and safety tips to help make your experiments both exciting and safe.
Reach out to Bakerâs Dry Ice in Jackson, MI today for all your dry ice needs! Letâs make science unforgettable.
