Make Your Own Tornado in a Jar!
Have you ever seen a real tornado? Hopefully only on TV! These huge whirlwinds spin so fast that they sweep everything away. But guess what? You can make your own tornado. Completely safe, at home, in a simple jar. And then watch it spin, swirl, and dance. You only need a few things from the kitchen and a bit of curiosity. Ready for the whirlwind adventure?
What you'll need
- A jar
- Water
- A teaspoon of dish soap
- A teaspoon of vinegar
- A splash of blue food coloring
- A tablespoon
- A towel as a base
How it works
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Fill your jar almost to the top with clear water. Leave a little space at the top so nothing spills over when you stir.
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Add a small splash of blue food coloring to the water. Just a little! Watch how the color slowly spreads in the water. It already looks exciting!
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Now the magic comes in. Add a teaspoon of dish soap to the jar. Then add another teaspoon of vinegar. This helps the tornado get moving.
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Now take a spoon and stir vigorously in a circle. Always in the same direction. Spin, spin, spin, as if you are revving up a little storm.
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As soon as you stop stirring, you'll see a whirlpool forming in the middle. Your very own tornado! Even though it's not a real tornado, it looks quite similar. A tornado is air in motion. It forms when warm and cold air meet and create a whirl.
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Research questions for you: What happens if you stir faster or slower? How long does the tornado stay visible? Does it work without vinegar? Or without dish soap? Give it a try!
What kids learn from this
- Curiosity & scientific thinking
