Bubble Science Experiment With Pumpkins!!

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles!!  This bubbly science experiment is a perfect way to combine Halloween science, fall, and so much more!

This week I have three exciting bubble posts for you!  Today's bubble fun:  Bubble Science Experiments With Pumpkins!!   Grab your child goggles, pumpkins, and let's get started on the science project fun!

Halloween Science Experiment: Bubbles!

Lab Supplies: 

• pre-gutted pumpkin for each child (I use the small "decorative" pumpkins and let my kiddos help in the gutting process.  But, those details are for another post!)
• straw for each child
• water
• dish soap
• optional: pans to catch the mess (you can always do this outside or on a table...the clean up is easy!)

Lab Goals:

• sensory experience
• explore bubbles
• explain how bubbles work (basic bubble science)  

Lab Set-up & Procedure:

1- Fill one pumpkin half full of water, add a squirt of soap, and show your children how to blow bubbles in the pumpkin.

2- Let your children set up their pumpkins and make bubbles! 

3- At some point, show them that the straw will not pop the bubbles, but their dry fingers will.  Ask them why they think that is (the straw is covered in bubbles too).  They may want to dip their fingers in bubbles and see if it can "go through" the bubbles too.

My 3-year old wanted to dip the pumpkin's lid in soapy water and see if it would also go through the bubbles...it did!  Try other objects too!

4- Discuss the Science Points as they come up!  Obviously I expect my older daughter to explain more than the preschoolers, but even a 3-year old can tell you that he is blowing air into the liquid and that the soap is "catching" and surrounding the air.

Science Points:

• Pumpkins have seeds in them.
• Pumpkins float.  (Click here for a Pumpkin Science Lesson.)
• Bubbles are made by a soapy "skin" surrounding air.  You blow the air into the soapy solution and the bubbles surround the air.  (See below for Advanced Bubble Science!)
• The Soapy Bubble Skin has three layers: soap, water, and soap.
• Rainbows sometimes appear in the bubbles because the bubbles separate 

Advanced Bubble Science (For your Halloween Science Experts!):

Dish soap (detergent) molecules have two "ends" -- a polar end and a non-polar end, just like water.  When you blow bubbles the polar ends surround a very thin "sheet" of water and form a bubble as the soap molecules form weak hydrogen bonds with each other.  At the same time, weak hydrogen bonds are being formed between water molecules, attracting the positive hydrogen and negative oxygen atoms together.  

Be sure to join me all week for more amazing bubble posts featuring science experiments!! 

Are you looking for more Halloween Science Experiments? Check out our collection!! We love combining Halloween and science, and these are our favorites experiments and activities!

And check out our fun Preschool Pumpkin Theme and 150+ Science Projects Activities for Preschoolers!

And here are some fun Amazon affiliate links for your convenience.  You can read more about my policies here.

Happy Educating,

Carla

Have you seen HEEP? It is a preschool homeschool curriculum! Learn more here!

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