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Candy experiments for kids

November 22, 2013 by Katie 49 Comments

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Science for kids – that’s one of my all-time favorite topics to blog about. Perhaps because my mom spent most of her career teaching science, I’ve always loved the subject. So I really hope to pass my passion for science on to my kids.

Not too long ago the kids and I did an activity about exploring candy. The kids loved watching the candy fizz, pop, dissolve, and more. So I was thrilled when Loralee Leavitt, author of the book Candy Experiments, contacted me to ask if I would be interested in receiving a copy of her book to review. I thought it would be an engaging way to do more science with QBoy and XGirl.

Candy experiments for kids - fun candy science activities with lots of ideas for using up leftover candy in ways that will spark kids' learning and teach them some basic science! #ece #kbn #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

From the moment I opened the book, I was hooked. It is colorful, whimsical, and fun to look at. The experiments are well laid out with easy-to-follow directions and colorful pictures. Further – and thankfully! – each experiment includes a brief and accessible explanation of the science behind each activity. This is a life saver for parents who want to explain how and why to their kids but who don’t have a science background.

After we received the book, our family sat down to select several experiments we wanted to try. Once we had our list, my husband and kids went off to the candy store to purchase the candy we needed.

Candy experiments for kids: The Incredible Growing Gummi Worm

The first experiment we did was the Incredible Growing Gummi Worm (p. 72).

I gave the QBoy and XGirl two gummi worms and asked them to compare their sizes. The kids agreed that both were the same length and width.

Candy experiments for kids: The Incredible Growing Gummi Worm #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

Then we placed the green and yellow gummi worm in a bowl of water. We left the red and orange gummi worm on a plate.

At this point, I asked the kids to make some predictions about what would happen to each of the gummi worms. Remembering our exploring candy activity, QBoy predicted that the gummi worm in the water would dissolve and that the water would change colors.

Candy experiments for kids: The Incredible Growing Gummi Worm #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

After several hours, we pulled the green and yellow gummi worm out of the water. We laid it on the plate next to the red and orange gummi worm. I then asked the kids to share what they observed about the two gummi worms. They noted that the green and yellow gummi worm was bigger. It was also slimy. Further, we had left it in the water so long that it became very fragile and broke apart easily when touched.

Candy experiments for kids: The Incredible Growing Gummi Worm #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

QBoy was delighted to see that the water in the bowl had turned colors, just as he had predicted. 🙂

Candy experiments for kids: The Incredible Growing Gummi Worm #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

Candy experiments for kids: Enormous Expanding Marshmallow

Our next experiment was the Enormous Expanding Marshmallow experiment (p. 68). My husband purchased the very last Halloween Peeps marshmallows at the candy store for this experiment, but any sort of marshmallow will do. We placed the Peep on a plate and observed its size.

Candy experiments for kids: Enormous Expanding Marshmallow #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

Then we placed the Peep into the microwave and heated it on high for 30 seconds.

Candy experiments for kids: Enormous Expanding Marshmallow #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

We all watched in awe as it quickly expanded in size. It was also interesting to see how quickly the Peep contracted again once removed from the heat of the microwave.

Candy experiments for kids: Enormous Expanding Marshmallow #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

Candy experiments for kids: Floating Letters 

Our next experiment was Floating Letters (p. 60). The kids placed several M&Ms into a bowl of water, taking care to place the printed side face up.

Candy experiments for kids: Floating Letters off of M&Ms #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

Then we watched as the colors began to dissolve off of the M&Ms.

Candy experiments for kids: Floating Letters off of M&Ms #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

And it wasn’t long before the writing on the M&Ms began floating to the surface!

Candy experiments for kids: Floating Letters off of M&Ms #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

Most of the letters that floated to the top broke into pieces, but at least a few managed to stay fully intact.

Candy experiments for kids: Floating Letters off of M&Ms #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

Who knew this was even possible?!?

Candy experiments for kids: Candy Water Cooler

One of the experiments I was most anxious to try was the Candy Water Cooler activity (p. 104). I had my doubts about how well the experiment would work, but fortunately my doubts were misplaced.

The kids started by emptying the sugar from several Pixie Stix into a glass.

Candy experiments for kids: Use the sugar in Pixie Stix to lower the temperatures of water #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

Then I filled two glasses with 1 cup of room temperature water. The kids dipped their hands inside to test the water temperature. They reported that the water in both glasses was the same temperature.

Candy experiments for kids: Use the sugar in Pixie Stix to lower the temperatures of water #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

Next, I poured the sugar from the Pixie Stix into one glass and stirred it. The kids put their hands back into the glasses. This time they reported that the sugary water was colder than the plain water.

Candy experiments for kids: Use the sugar in Pixie Stix to lower the temperatures of water #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

Candy experiments for kids: Trying our own experiment

From talking to Loralee Leavitt, I learned that her book began when her daughter asked her one day what would happen if she were to put Nerds into water. From there, Leavitt and her daughter just began exploring and experimenting to see what would happen.

One of my goals is to foster a sense of curiosity, wonder, and experimentation in my kids. Since we had two Peeps left over from our experiments, I asked the kids to come up with their own experiment using the Peeps. After some discussion, they settled on putting one Peep in cold water and one Peep in hot water.

Candy experiments for kids: Experimenting with Peeps in water #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

I asked the kids to predict what would happen. They thought the Peep in the warm water would expand, similar to how the Peep in the microwave expanded. So once we put the Peeps in the water, I asked the kids to observe.

Their prediction did not turn out, since both Peeps stayed the same size. But of course, making a correct prediction wasn’t the point of the activity. Instead, my goal was for them to be curious and to practice predicting, experimenting, and thinking like scientists.

Candy experiments for kids: Experimenting with Peeps in water #handsonlearning #candyexperiments || Gift of Curiosity

We have had so much fun with the experiments in Candy Experiments.  And of course we’ve only just scratched the surface of what is in the book. I have no doubt we’ll come back to this book again to try more activities.

steam-kids-halloween-collage-rev

Looking for more Halloween projects that incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM)? Then you’ll love STEAM Kids Halloween.

This e-book includes 50+ pages of spooky fun STEAM activities that will wow the boredom right out of kids!

More Halloween resources

More Halloween posts from Gift of Curiosity:

  • Books about Halloween
  • Mason jar jack-o-lantern
  • Halloween sensory bin
  • Halloween Montessori activities
  • Ghost bubbles
  • Toilet paper mummies
  • Pumpkin decomposition experiment
  • Describe a pumpkin using all five senses
  • Halloween Printables Pack
  • Jack-o-lantern Printables Pack
  • Halloween Bingo
  • Halloween Sudoku
  • Pumpkin outlines

You can find more Halloween activities and printables on my Halloween Activities for Kids page and Halloween Activities for Kids Pinterest board. 

Follow Katie @ Gift of Curiosity’s board Halloween Activities for Kids on Pinterest.

Don't miss out!

49 Comments

Comments

  1. Missy Homemaker says

    November 23, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    I’d love this book for my kids for homeschooling. This looks like so much fun!

    Reply
  2. Debbie West says

    November 23, 2013 at 3:24 pm

    This book would be a great addition to our homeschool! So fun!

    Reply
  3. Crystal Young says

    November 24, 2013 at 4:37 am

    I am a prek teacher and I love to teach science and eat candy, so this book would be perfect to use with my kids! Thanks for sharing the review.

    Reply
  4. Kristen says

    November 24, 2013 at 4:43 am

    I would love to try these experiments with a co-op I teach.

    Reply
  5. Kate says

    November 24, 2013 at 5:30 am

    My grandsons love to do experiments. This would be perfect for them.
    Thanks, Kate

    Reply
  6. Rachel V says

    November 24, 2013 at 5:43 am

    I would like to win this book for my kids. My daughter would love this book, she is always wanting to learn and what better way than with her favorite candy.

    Reply
  7. Kathryn Alexander says

    November 24, 2013 at 6:10 am

    I am always looking for fun and easy ways to perform science experiments with my kids in our homeschool. This book looks like one they would really enjoy and would be easy for me to figure out and teach. For us non-science people, having a book like this can be invaluable.

    Reply
  8. Debbie Musser says

    November 24, 2013 at 6:47 am

    I am a kindergarten teacher at a very high poverty school. Most of the children in my class do not ever get to experience some of these things. This book would be a great way to introduce them to science and help them experience some hands on activities. Would love to incorporate these ideas into my classroom!

    Reply
  9. Patriciooa Heisch says

    November 24, 2013 at 7:13 am

    I would love this book to use with my grandchildren. It would be lots of fun and learning experience too.

    Reply
  10. Cheryl D says

    November 24, 2013 at 7:17 am

    My class loves science, so I’m sure they would love doing experiments using candy!

    Reply
  11. patti says

    November 24, 2013 at 7:26 am

    I am a preschool teacher and am always looking for different ways to explore simple science with my 2 1/2 -3 year olds that would engage them.

    Reply
  12. Tara S. says

    November 24, 2013 at 8:11 am

    I love science but have a hard time coming up with age-appropriate experiments for my kids. This book looks super fun!

    Reply
  13. Lisa Clark says

    November 24, 2013 at 9:34 am

    This book sounds like so much fun! I am always looking for new and interesting ways to teach and this totally fits that requirement.

    Reply
  14. kory says

    November 24, 2013 at 10:01 am

    My son is almost 4 and really interested in science. I would love to do these experiments with him!

    Reply
  15. Rhonda says

    November 24, 2013 at 11:13 am

    This looks like great fun with the grandsons at Grandma’s house plus I would enjoy this book as a former teacher

    Reply
  16. Heather says

    November 24, 2013 at 12:07 pm

    I would like to win this book for homeschooling purposes. My little LOVES to conduct experiments!

    Reply
  17. Lynn says

    November 24, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    My boys would so love this!! My 6 yr old has a major sweet tooth! I know he would love the candy lights experiment- he loves mints!! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply
  18. Jennifer G. says

    November 24, 2013 at 2:18 pm

    My daughter just started kinder and this would be a great addition to our homeschooling needs! Thanks the giveaway!

    Reply
  19. Anna D says

    November 24, 2013 at 2:25 pm

    We don’t eat much candy and we try to explain why…this experiment book would AWESOME to show them what we can DO with candy!!!

    Reply
  20. Tiffany says

    November 24, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    My daughter would love this book as a way of playing and experimenting. She loves to see how things work and if we can use candy, she will be head over heels!

    Reply
  21. Amber says

    November 24, 2013 at 5:22 pm

    I am a nanny for 3 kids with one of my own. They all love to learn especially with science experiments. I have a book called kitchen science and this would be a great addition to our learning and fun in the kitchen! Thanks for the great review.

    Reply
  22. Amber says

    November 24, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    My boys love science and this is perfect for them (4 and 2)!

    Reply
  23. barbee says

    November 25, 2013 at 6:09 am

    My son would LOVE to do the activities in this book.

    Reply
  24. Linda Kitchen says

    November 25, 2013 at 6:22 am

    I would love to win this book to share it with my teachers at school. I teach in a special education school so it would be very appropriate for my students

    Reply
  25. Karen Hunter says

    November 25, 2013 at 6:32 am

    My twins are 4.5 and what better way to keep these busy boys’ attention than candy to help them learn!

    Reply
  26. Jessica A. says

    November 25, 2013 at 6:37 am

    I would love to win because my son loves to do experiments and we are always looking for fun ones to do.

    Reply
  27. stacey h says

    November 25, 2013 at 7:18 am

    My two oldest kids would love this book and it would be great for when my younger ones get a little older! We love to do experiments and learn things together and this would be fun to try out. My favorite that you shared was the letter experiment – who knew?! is the same thought I had!!

    Reply
  28. Shae says

    November 25, 2013 at 7:47 am

    My kids would absolutely LOVE this…and so would I!!!

    Reply
  29. Kathryn says

    November 25, 2013 at 11:04 am

    I’m always looking for new science experiments for the students in my afterschool program….especially ones they haven’t already done at school! Thanks for the fun giveaway!

    Reply
  30. Kristin says

    November 25, 2013 at 11:37 am

    We are nearing preschool age and my son loves science-type things. He would get a kick out of these experiments!

    Reply
  31. Tiffany T says

    November 25, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    My 5 year old would love to do this with us – he’s always asking “what if” and some thought generators would be great!

    Reply
  32. Jeani Brickner says

    November 25, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    i’d love this book for homeschooling!

    Reply
  33. Leanne says

    November 25, 2013 at 8:08 pm

    This would fit in nicely with our homeschool science study of chemical changes.

    Reply
  34. Leanne says

    November 25, 2013 at 8:11 pm

    The chromatography experiment is great!

    Reply
  35. Cheryl Everson says

    November 26, 2013 at 9:32 am

    This would be a great addition to my preschool classroom activity library!!

    Reply
  36. Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above says

    November 26, 2013 at 7:15 pm

    These are great experiments. I’m pinning. Happy Thanksgiving.
    Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above

    Reply
  37. Joanna Bond says

    November 27, 2013 at 8:02 pm

    The book creates excitement over using the scientific method on a very fun and basic level.

    Reply
  38. Nada says

    November 28, 2013 at 5:51 pm

    Why do I want to win this book…simple – my kid is a candy coinsurer. LOL. It would be really cool to show an educational experiment as it relates to…

    Reply
  39. Nada says

    November 28, 2013 at 6:23 pm

    I love pop rocks!!!

    Reply
  40. Anne-Marie says

    November 29, 2013 at 3:57 am

    I would love to win this book. My daughter loves to learn and is always wanting to “see” everything that is new to her.

    Reply
  41. Cassie Travo says

    November 29, 2013 at 5:36 am

    I’m Nana to 7 grandchildren. We love to do arts and crafts activities. If I win this book, I would expand our experiences together into adding science experiments. It will be so much fun!!

    Reply
  42. Erine says

    November 30, 2013 at 10:40 pm

    I love science and am trying to find a fun new way to bring it in to my classrooms through experiments. I can’t wait to try these with my students. What kid doesn’t love candy and science!

    Reply
  43. Mary says

    December 2, 2013 at 6:17 am

    I’m surprised at how much experimenting you can do with candy! I would love to win a copy of the book!

    Reply
  44. Bonnie says

    December 2, 2013 at 7:36 am

    My children love science and doing science experiments. This would make a lovely gift for them to have even more fun with science.

    Reply
  45. Bonnie says

    December 2, 2013 at 7:37 am

    Love the color separation.

    Reply
  46. Ashley says

    December 2, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    We love candy experiments, and we have done several! Thanks for sharing at Mom’s Library!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      December 4, 2013 at 4:54 am

      Just wanted to tell you that you are featured this week!

      Reply
  47. stephanie says

    December 2, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    Love this! Featuring this post on the After School Linky!!

    Reply
  48. Lindsay says

    October 13, 2014 at 8:16 am

    I would love this book! I teach 4-5 year olds, getting them ready for kindergarten! I already wrote down these few and will be doing them in the next few weeks! My kids love science!

    Reply

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