Halloween is the perfect occasion to try some spooky, creepy, candy-centered Halloween science experiments! We’ve rounded up 30 hands-on Halloween science experiments that explore concepts such as the scientific method, osmosis, exothermic reactions, and more.
You’ll only need simple supplies for most of these Halloween science experiments, so any teacher or family can head out to learn about chemistry, biology, physics, and more. To make it even easier to find the right science activities, we’ve rated each of our Halloween science experiments for difficulty:
Chances are good your students already love making and playing with slime. Turn the fun into an experiment by changing the ingredients to create slime with a variety of properties—from magnetic to glow-in-the-dark!
This fun activity will teach your students about the effect of salt on frozen water. They will make observations as the creepy hands melt and colorful Halloween toys emerge from the slush.
Determine if a pumpkin sinks or floats in water by conducting an experiment. Test other elements of the pumpkin separately, such as the stem, seeds, and pulp.
Let your little scientists loose as they play Mad Scientist … mixing, dumping, shaking, pouring, and experimenting to create their own magic potions from Halloween candy.
Decomposition, or rotting, is the process by which organic substances are broken down after death. Eventually, decomposition breaks organic matter down so that it becomes part of the soil again. And what better tool for this lesson than an old jack-o’-lantern?
Print different pictures of jack-o’-lantern faces individually on cards. Code a moveable robot to collect pieces that will complete the jack-o’-lantern face.
By using the scientific method, determine the density, volume, and mass inside different candy bars.
Create a paper tube that fits around a straw and close off one of the ends. Draw or print out a bat template and attach it to the paper tube. Blow through the straw and watch the bat fly!
Exploding? Say no more! Your students will be enthralled as they watch ghost-shaped Peeps transform when they’re placed in the microwave.
Observe how M&M’s have different chemical structures that make the colors dissolve in water, but the letters stay intact.
A simple experiment to test whether candy has acid in it. All you need are sour Skittles, water, and baking soda. If the candy has acid, the mixture will bubble and fizz when the baking soda is added.
This simple activity is perfect for little scientists who want to see creatures come to life before their eyes.
Create a monster face on the outside of a plastic water bottle. Mix together glue, borax, baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring and add to the bottle. Watch how the foaming mixture leaks out of the monster’s head.
Little ones will love this Alice in Wonderland–style experiment. Using water, salt, and gummy bears, your students will learn about the process of osmosis.
What makes these candies dissolve the fastest—and why? Your students will get a taste of the scientific method as they experiment with different liquids and leftover Halloween candy.
Who knew candy had more than just sugar in it? This experiment using Starbursts and heat is eye-opening.
Using recycled materials and a simple circuit, build a haunted house that lights up from the inside.
Gather packing peanuts and use a permanent marker to draw ghost faces on them. Grab a bowl of water and watch the ghost disappear right before your eyes!
Using Q-tips, scissors, and glue, craft a model of a skeleton. Kids can position their skeletons in fun poses!
On a white balloon, draw a ghost face with a permanent marker. Insert a small metal hex nut before blowing up the balloon and tying it off. When the balloon is swirled around, the hex nut will spin around on the inside, creating a spooky sound.
Who says a haunted house can’t be tasty? Using candy, graham crackers, and frosting, build a haunted house that’s actually delicious!
Using orange Skittles, create an outline of a pumpkin in a plate. Slowly pour warm water on top and observe the colors melting into the liquid.
Cut out tissue paper ghosts and draw faces on them. Rub a balloon on your hair to create static electricity, then float it on top of the ghosts to make them fly!
Carefully cut out a face design in an orange pool noodle. Then, create a play dough circuit that will light up the pumpkin from the inside.
Attach a spider ring to a pencil using yarn. Then, build with LEGO bricks a device that can hold the pencil and have the spider move up the web by rolling the pencil.
