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

Plus in the process, you can teach your kids about acids and bases.

Let's dig in...

Crazy Colors {A Halloween Science Activity}

Materials Needed

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

Steps to Complete

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!

Results & Explanation

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.

Additional Resources

Need a few more ideas for adding some science to your Halloween festivities? Check out our fall science board!