Learning chemistry doesn鈥檛 have to be scary. Well, except on Halloween! Find creepy chemistry ideas using dry ice, glow-in-the-dark pumpkins, and more.
Activities
- from ACS Chemical Education Today
Students dress in costume to represent an element from the periodic table. - from Mom Advice
- Add glowing Jell-O to your party menu with this recipe.
- from ThoughtCo
Create a collection of glowing skull Halloween decorations. - from Science Bob
This ghost wants to dance but needs your help鈥攜our balloon鈥檚 help, that is. - from The Spruce
Feels like鈥� brains! Try this creepy but fun way to hone your observational skills, without peeking in the box.Watch others cook, taste, and smell in these videos. Then, connect chemistry to what you see.
Demos
- from C&EN
Halloween twists on several common chemistry demonstrations make for spooky excitement, including the puking pumpkin, ectoplasmic drool, and the dark-side pumpkin. - from Flinn Scientific
When sodium iodide is dropped into a flask containing 30% hydrogen peroxide, a 鈥渕agical鈥� genie appears in the form of water vapor and oxygen. - from ThoughtCo
Listen carefully for the sounds of Halloween screams. - from Kitchen Pantry Scientist
Stab a bag of 鈥渂lood鈥� without spilling a single drop in this easy Halloween demo. - from Mom it Forward
Frankenstein鈥檚 hand comes alive in this acid鈥揵ase reaction.Watch others cook, taste, and smell in these videos. Then, connect chemistry to what you see.
Labs
- from Oregon Agricultural in the Classroom Foundation
Do pumpkins sink or float? Students engage in several lab activities using pumpkins. - from STEAMsational
Put the pressure on this ghost to make it sink, then float up to the top once again. - from Little Bins, Little Hands
Create this extra fluffy slime recipe in a brain-shaped (or Halloween themed) mold. - from Little Bins, Little Hands
Students can grow borax crystal pumpkins overnight!
Articles
- from C&EN
Can鈥檛 think of a thing to wear to the Halloween party? Try one of these creative (and cheap!) chemistry-themed costumes. - from C&EN
Pumpkins take front and center during this holiday. Learn about their chemistry before you carve.
These aren鈥檛 the perfect size to display on your front porch, but they鈥檙e some cool science.- , from Smithsonian Magazine
Looking for ideas on how to keep your cut pumpkin pristine? This pumpkin expert has some suggestions. - from C&EN
Both pumpkins and chocolate have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties鈥攚hich would you rather eat first? - from Science Meets Food
Learn how long you can expect all that candy to last. - from Compound Interest
What makes your blood, blood? This chemistry really gets under your skin. - Molecule of the Week Archive: Putrescine and Cadaverine from ACS
Learn more about the foul smelling odors associated with the dead.
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