Science Experiment: Elephant Toothpaste
Update: "Elephant toothpaste" is a science experiment that I used to do with my high school students. It is a strong multi-sensory demonstration that goes great with a lot of chemistry concepts.
It is also very popular with preschoolers and homeschoolers!
The internet loves it too! It has now been read by more than 3.9 million people! This was the post that started the trend on science activity sites across the internet and "irl!" Thank you for being here...I hope you enjoy it as well! 💕
This exciting science experiment works great in a discussion on reactions, as a demonstration, or as an actual experiment. We've also done seasonal twists with "elephant toothpaste" like making it in a pumpkin and using it for "reindeer toothpaste!"
To use it as a science project, perform it once with your child, then ask your child what might happen if you changed the amounts or left out an ingredient.
To use it as a science project, perform it once with your child, then ask your child what might happen if you changed the amounts or left out an ingredient.
Any time you experiment or demonstrate with liquids, heat, or glass you should use protective eye gear -- kids LOVE wearing science goggles!
And like everything else on this site, make sure you safely supervise your children.
Let your kids direct the experiment! Also, the foam created is safe to touch. It is simply water, oxygen gas, and soap, so if your child has no soap allergies, she can experience and experiment with the texture, temperature, and feel of the foam! If your child does have soap allergies or sensitive skin (or if you're just concerned), I'd encourage you to use gloves--you can still enjoy touching it with gloves on!
Elephant Toothpaste:
1. Set a water bottle or soda pop bottle in the middle of a pan to catch the toothpaste.
2. Mix these in a separate container and swirl together for a minute. The yeast will catalyze (or speed up) the reaction. Woo hoo!
** 2 Tablespoons warm water
** 1 teaspoon yeast
3. Mix these in your soda pop bottle:
** 1/2 cup 6% hydrogen peroxide. It is important to use at least 6%. You can use 8% or more (available on Amazon), or you can use Salon Care Professional Stabilized Formula. 20 Volume Clear Developer from Sally Beauty Supply works fine too. 3% from the grocery store will NOT work as well. :)
** 4-5 drops food coloring
** squirt of dish soap
4. Pour the yeast mixture into the soda pop bottle...and be amazed!
The reaction is summarized by this formula:
2 H2O2 --> 2 H2O + 02.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) naturally breaks down into water and oxygen. It is stored in opaque containers to help slow down this process. Catalase (an enzyme in all living things, including yeast) speeds up the reaction. Dish soap catches the oxygen and makes bigger bubbles and the food coloring makes it look cool. The foam and bottle feel warm because the reaction is exothermic--it releases energy as heat.
UPDATE: At the request of many of you, I am providing these amazon affiliate links for 6% hydrogen peroxide for your convenience. You will not pay any more for them, but we will receive a small commission for referring you. I recommend buying a larger container because your kids will want to repeat the activity many times!
And, of course, here are some other supplies for this experiment:
UPDATE: As discussed in the comments, it is called "elephant toothpaste" because it is so foamy it looks as if an elephant could brush with it. Elephants do not actually brush with it. Do NOT actually put it in your mouth, your children's mouths, or any animals' mouths.
What else can you do with this experiment?
1- Discuss decomposition reactions (with older kids)! Look at the formula for the reaction and track where the atoms move from the reactants to the products side. See how the hydrogen peroxide "decomposes" during the reaction!
2- Learn more about enzymes! Here is a great introduction to enzymes and catalase, the enzyme in yeast that speeds up this reaction!
3- Check out this "extreme" version that Imagination Station did! They used a different catalyst on a much larger scale!
More favorites at Preschool Powol Packets:
Are you looking for more experiments, activities, art, and STEM projects for older kids? Then check out my site Teaching Without Chairs!
Would you like more science project ideas for kids? Check out my Kid's Science board on Pinterest. It's full of science experiment fun:
Follow Carla in's board Kid's Science on Pinterest.
Happy Educating,
Carla
Never miss another post again! Sign up for our weekly updates newsletter and get links to all our posts once a week in your inbox! Sign up here!!
Comments
Lori
Ok that looks very cool. Oh we are so trying that. That's just what we love to do.
Veronica @ http://watchmeplaynlearn.blogspot.com/
S, It is a TON of fun--I think I enjoy this one at least as much as the kids!
Brittney
www.moms-heart.blogspot.com
Tammy, I bet your kids will love it! My daughter asks to add food coloring to almost everything we do--I love the color too!
Our Homeschool Reviews, It is definitely fun!
Erin, I'm so glad you'll use it!
Thanks, Julia!
Thanks for hosting the hop, Enchanted Homeschooling Mom, and thanks for following! I'm glad you like it!
Thanks, Laura!
Sherrie, I should have mentioned this! I've used both and they both work great. If you look closely, in the pictures I posted here, I actually used a 20-ounce water bottle! It works great--I don't drink soda either, but I do have lots of water bottles! And while I have bought sodas for other experiments, it definitely isn't necessary for this one! Have fun!
~Tonia @TheGunnySack.com
Thanks, Rachel!
Tonia, I'm sure you'll all enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks, Tonia! I'm so excited! I love The Gunny Sack!
PS.. we used the 3% and it worked just fine for us....the bubbles kept coming for quite a while.
Thanks, Steph!
Kristie, I'm so glad you found me! and I'm SO glad the 3% worked for you! Thanks so much for letting me know you and your kids enjoyed it! Knowing that people are using this is one of my biggest motivations to keep posting stuff like this!
Charity
www.thehelpingbridge.com
(found this on pinterest)
1- Yeast and water temperature: If the water is too hot you will kill the yeast and it won't work. If it's too cold the yeast won't have a chance to start growing. If the yeast is too old, it won't work as well either, though I've used some very old yeast. ;) You can make sure this combination is right by waiting to see the yeast start to foam and bubble before stirring it in.
2- If your hydrogen peroxide (20Vol Developer works great) is too old, it will have already dissociated into water and oxygen and you won't have any actual hydrogen peroxide left for the actual experiment. This happens faster if you store it in light, a warm place, or a clear container.
I don't remember the brand of yeast I used. I buy it in bulk about once a year.
Good luck! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!
I only had 3% peroxide, but it worked well enough to get a reaction and lots of bubbles to play with. Also, if you had more peroxide after the reaction has stopped, it starts up again, which was further fun.
Cheryl, I actually stock some 6% just for this one--the kids just love it too much! Good luck next time!
Jennifer, I am SO glad you and your kids enjoyed it! It's definitely a great boredom-buster! It's wonderful that the 3% worked too! Thanks so much for coming back and letting me know!
Also, new to the blog world would love for you to come and check me out/follow.
Randy, I'm so glad you can use it! I would definitely NOT use it as toothpaste, though! It would taste absolutely horrible! It gets its name because it looks like the sort of toothpaste you would imagine an elephant using. ;)
Just curious, because let's face it, the little ones will get the "toothpaste" all over them when they play in it; will the HP bleach their hair should they happen to get the mixture in it? As a preschool teacher I would have some very unhappy parents.
Linda, I've never tried a glowing splint--thanks for sharing!!
Anon, I'm no expert in hair products, but I believe that 30 volume is 9% hydrogen peroxide. I would expect it to work wonderfully! Let us know how it goes!
Thanks, Jessica! I don't mind you linking to it at all!
I think it's important, too, Mrs. Crisostomo! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks, Amanda!! I'll definitely pick up the button!!
Definitely do **not** let your children play in the developer before the reaction. ;)
The equation {2 H2O2 --> 2 H2O + 02} does actually summarize the whole reaction. Catalysts are often not included in equations because the reaction will happen whether or not they are present. In this case, the yeast contains catalase, which is an enzyme that will make the hydrogen peroxide separate into water and oxygen faster. The soap is not in the chemical equation because it is not part of it. It is a simple physical reaction. Have you ever blown bubbles with a straw into a cup of water? The gas you blow into the water makes a bubble which quickly pops. Blow the same air into a cup of soapy water and you will have bubbles, just like the oxygen from the reaction discussed above makes bubbles in the soapy water in your water bottle. Combined, of course, the soap and the hydrogen peroxide reaction make a fabulous show! :D
Also does it matter what kind of yeast you use, freeze dried, fast acting, brewers yeast etc?
Finally, if I were teaching in a classroom, I would not divide the children (even teens) in groups to do this. That would not be appropriate supervision. But I would absolutely invite 1-2 children to the front of the room to help with the demonstration. And finally, in a small group setting (like a homeschool), parents will be closely supervising (if not performing) the activity.