April Fools’ Day Science Activities

So, you know that I like to have fun and that I love to fool my sister, Tracey!

Every April Fools' Day I always have a virtual bag full of tricks to add some . . . umm . . . excitement to the day. Of course, Tracey doesn't always agree that it is exciting, but that is what twin brothers are for, right?

Being the generous guy I am, I would like to share a few of the science tricks I have lined up for tomorrow!

April Fools' Day Science Activities

Before I share the fun, I have to add a disclaimer that you (the parent) should be the one doing these activities. Plus, you need to have gloves and protective eye-wear anytime you handle dangerous chemicals like bleach or ammonia. On to the science fun!

Disappearing Color

Now you see it, now you don't - a classic April Fools' Day science activity. This is a super easy trick that is guaranteed to fool your peeps!

You will need the following:

• Cranberry juice
• Clear glass
• Eyedropper
• Bleach

Here is what you do:

1. Pour about half a cup of cranberry juice into the clear glass.
2. Then, use an eyedropper to add a bit of bleach to the juice.
3. Keep adding until the juice turns completely yellow! (BTW - Do NOT drink the clear juice, it is no longer safe for your belly...or your throat...or your mouth.)
4. Then, slowly pour a steady stream of cranberry juice into the glass and watch the color disappear!

Science-in-the-House:

The bleach oxidizes the color molecules in the juice, which is just a fancy way of saying that the bleach causes the color-making compounds to lose electrons, thus making the color disappear.

Crazy Green Liquid

Part color-change, part stink-up-the-kitchen - this April Fools' Day science activity requires a bit of preparation, but it is totally worth it!

You will need the following:

• A head of red cabbage
• Knife
• Pot
• Water
• Strainer
• Clear glass or plastic container
• Ammonia

Here is what you do:

1. Chop up a third of the red cabbage head. Place it in the pot and cover it with water. Bring the water to a boil and let it boil for 10 to 15 minutes - basically until the water is a deep purple color.
2. Let cool the red cabbage juice before straining about a cup of the liquid into the clear glass or plastic container.
3. In front of the peeps, you want to fool, add a tablespoon or so of ammonia. (You should see the liquid go from deep purple to bright neon green! If you don't, add more ammonia.)
4. If you want to add a bit more, you can always add some white vinegar to change things back to purple and then pink, which is really fun too!

Science-in-the-House:

Red cabbage juice acts as an indicator of pH, which is a fancy way of saying that it changes color - in the presence of an acid, it can turn pink and in the presence of a base, it can turn bright green. Ammonia is a base, vinegar is an acid.

Happy April Fool's Day!!