If you don’t have liquid dishwashing soap, you could also use shavings of bar soap for the same effect.
Try to let your kid do as much of the pouring and mixing as they can! If they are younger, this activity can really help them practice their fine motor skills, and if they are older, it’s fun for them to take charge and create things!
The dishwashing soap is going to make the potion super bubbly! If you don’t have liquid dishwashing soap, you could also put 1 or 2 shavings of regular bar soap into the container for a similar effect.
If the kid decides the potion is too light, simply have them add another few drops of coloring in. You could also try your hand at making natural food coloring to use in your potions.
Have each kid create their own mix and ask them what kind of potion they are making to encourage creativity.
Don’t stir the containers too vigorously. You want to mix the ingredients together, but you don’t want to make the mixture too soapy or frothy yet.
If you are using a container that has a small opening, like a chemistry flask, you may need to use a funnel to get the baking soda into the container.
The reaction between the vinegar and baking soda creates a gas called carbon dioxide, which is what makes the bubbles and fizz in your potion.
You need a lot of cotton balls! Depending on how large your container is, you may need as many as 3 or more bags, so consider buying a large bulk bag with 1000 cotton balls so you know you’ll have enough. Make sure to use a glass container that has a lid. You can buy all of these supplies at your local craft store.
Kids of any age will enjoy making this potion! It’s also a fun group activity for birthday parties!
Each kid can make the water as light or dark as they prefer—just add more paint for a deeper color versus just a few drops for a pastel tone.
Silver glitter shows up really well even through dark water, but you can also use gold or multi-colored glitter.
Make sure to use cotton balls rather than cotton swabs. The swabs are too concentrated and won’t create the same effect in the jar.
Use a spoon or wooden stick to gently mix together the second layer of water and paint.
You could even give the jar a few quick shakes to slightly mix together the colors for a more integrated look.
If you’re sending galaxy potion jars home with kids for gifts, make sure the lids are screwed on really tight. Also, you could write each kid’s name on the bottom of the jar in permanent marker so they don’t mix up which galaxy belongs to which kid.
Use containers that have lids so your kids can save the potions to play with again later.
No need to cut up the cabbage! You can boil it whole.
Your cabbage water may be blue or it may be pink! Either way, the experiment will work.
Leave a little bit of room at the top of each container, so that there is space to add in the other ingredients.
You could even have the kids use an eyedropper for a more authentic potion-making experience. The vinegar is an acid, which reacts with the cabbage water, which is an indicator, and that is why the color changes.
The baking soda is an alkaline, which also reacts to the acidity in the vinegar and the cabbage water.
If you need to, dump out a little of the cabbage water to make more room for the other ingredients.
