All year long, we’ve focused on various STEM activities you can do with your students. But, one of our favorite times to think about STEM is Halloween! We get to bring you super silly – sometimes even gross – science experiments you can just have fun doing! This year is no exception, so we thought we’d bring you something light-hearted and fun!
Halloween Oobleck:
Oobleck is somewhat similar to slime, so you can see where it’d come in handy for Halloween! All you need is cornstarch, water, and food coloring! In a 2 to 1 ratio, mix together the cornstarch and water. Slowly add drops of food coloring as desired and see what you can come up with! In keeping with the Halloween theme, you may also want to add in little things such as fake bugs!
Poisonous Brew:
Just how do you make a poisonous brew? With a little nitrous oxide (dry ice) and water, you’ll be able to give the impression that you’re cooking up something horrid! You’ll need a large bowl (or a plastic cauldron), dish soap, baking soda, white vinegar, and food coloring if desired. Add a heaping amount of baking soda to the bowl, then add in a squirt of dish soap and food coloring. Then, slowly add in the vinegar and watch what happens to your “brew!”
Pumpkin Guts: 
You’re probably heard of “busy bags” before – they’re small bags of beans or rice that have tiny objects hidden throughout. The point of these bags is to keep little ones occupied and “busy” when parents need a small break. Give this idea a Halloween spin by using pumpkin “guts” (the inside of a pumpkin, including its seeds) in place of rice or beans. Scoop the pumpkin guts into a sandwich baggy and then slowly add in tiny objects. Close the bag tightly and maneuver the objects around so they’re not all clumped together. Then, hand the bag to your little one and let her have at it!
For those who participate in Halloween, it can be a fun time of dressing up, painting faces, and eating candy – all things kids don’t usually get to do on a regular basis. You can pull something educational into just about everything you do, and Halloween STEM projects are no exception. Enjoy these super silly STEM projects and just have FUN with your students!
Tasha Swearingen
Tasha is a homeschooling mom to 5 and has been homeschooling for 14 years. Currently, her children's ages span from toddler to young adult. Tasha has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Social Sciences from Florida State University and is working on her MBA through SNHU/Berklee School of Music.
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