Simple Outdoor Adventures for Boys {Day 3}: Make a Tornado in a Jar
How to Make a Tornado in a Jar…
Supplies:
- Glass Jar
- Water (3/4 jar full)
- 1 tsp of Dish Soap
- 1 tsp of Vinegar
- Glitter (optional)
- Butter Knife
Tornadoes in the sky – not so cool. Tornados in a jar – super fun. The boys have been fascinated in studying weather, and of course experimenting with it hands on is even more intriguing!
We found a tornado in a jar activity using these simple ingredients, that provided a great hands on simulation of the vortex motion of a tornado. It’s a great activity to take outside in case of a spill and to observe the current weather conditions.
Combine the ingredients above in a glass jar. Shake and swirl together in a circular motion and watch the funnel form. We discovered later that if you use a butter knife to swirl the water, the tornado is more defined and lasts longer. You can add glitter to help visualize the debris.
Helpful Tips/Resources:
- Soda Bottle Tornado Connector
- Tornado Alert (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
- Tornado Safety for Kids
- The Wizard of Oz DVD
* You might need a little force to get the circular motion.
* More natural dish soaps seems to have better results.
Have you ever experimented with making a tornado in a jar? How did yours turn out?
When I was growing up, we used two-liter pop bottles to make tornados like this. (I don’t think my mom trusted us with glass.) Always a fun activity!
I remember the 2 liter trick too. This one is so simple – and being outside makes it mess free! =) I’m sure a plastic clear jar would work as well…maybe a peanut butter jar?
I had forgotten doing this as a kid. We’re camping this weekend, so I’ll add this to the list. (right after we empty two 2-liter bottles of diet coke with the menthes volcano thing.)
My boys will love this! My 9 year old loves studying weather. This would be a fun stocking stuffer since I try to put homemade things in their stockings. Great series! Keep ’em coming! Lisa~
This is very cool! Even my 14 and 12 yo sons will enjoy making this! Thank you!
The boys loved it !.. 😀