Maker Monday: Kids can create their own ‘snowstorm magic’

The Pittsburgh region hasn’t seen much snow just yet, but many kids may already excited about snowy days ahead. As the holiday season begins, this Maker Monday project lets kids create their own DIY snowstorm in a jar — and learn a science lesson at the same time.  

As with all Maker Monday projects, kids can make this with items you may have around the house or can pick up at a dollar store. Just follow the step-by-step instructions below. This easy experiment comes from Little Passports Science Expeditions.

A note to kid makers: Please work with a parent or caregiver on this Maker Monday project. And always be careful when using tools of any kind, including scissors.

Maker Monday materials:

• water (about 1 cup)
• baby oil
• glitter
• Alka-Seltzer tablets
• white paint
• blue food coloring
• a large Mason jar
• a bowl
• a stick for stirring

Maker Monday instructions:

Step 1: Fill your jar about three-fourths full with baby oil. In a separate bowl, blend water and a few tablespoons of white paint.

Step 2: Add as much glitter and blue food coloring as you’d like to the oil in the jar. Then top off the jar with your water and paint mixture. The oil will float to the top of the water.

Step 3: Drop one Alka-Seltzer tablet into the jar, then take a step back and watch what happens. Once the storm ends and the ingredients settle down, add another Alka-Seltzer tablet to create another snowstorm.

Here’s the science behind this experiment:

Because oil is less dense than water, the water will naturally sink to the bottom of the jar. When the Alka-Seltzer is dropped into the jar, its interaction with the water creates pressure in an upward direction, and the oil pushes it back down. This pressure back and forth is part of what creates the snowstorm.

The other element causing the “snowstorm” is the interaction between water and sodium bicarbonate in the Alka-Seltzer, which generates carbon dioxide gas. The combination of these factors creates a blizzard every time.

Want more at-home fun creating cool stuff and making beautiful things? Check out more Maker Monday projects right here. Do you have an idea for a Maker Monday craft project? If so, please share it with Kidsburgh! Send your maker activity ideas to info@kidsburgh.org.