Written by I’m not the biggest fan of fireworks, but the vibrant colours and explosions are fantastic inspiration for hands-on learning! I’ve gathered my favourite easy, low mess firework science activities and crafts for you and your little scientists to enjoy, without the cold weather or earplugs!!
Easy Firework Science Activities
First up is a classic firework in a jar. This is great for learning about density and how oil and water don’t mix, and it also looks fantastic! I am always surprised by how the food colouring stays in a perfect sphere in the oil, then drops and explodes when it hits the water. This activity is definitely full of awe and wonder!
Firework in a jar
You’ll need
- Transparent jar or bottle
- Water
- Food colouring
- Vegetable oil
Instructions
Fill a jar about two-thirds full of water and pour a 3cm layer of oil on top.
Drip food colouring into the oil and watch as it falls through the water, creating explosions of colour. A firework in a glass is a fantastic, visual, low-cost science activity.
The Science – Oil is less dense than water, so it floats at the top. The food colouring (which is water based) is denser than oil and slowly sinks. Once it breaks through the oil-water barrier, it dissolves into the warm water, bursting outward like colourful fireworks!
Learn about density, polar and non-polar liquids.
Edible Sparklers
Dip one end of a breadstick in melted chocolate and then in popping candy or sprinkles. Let the chocolate harden and then enjoy a tasty treat!
You’ll need
- Breadsticks
- Chocolate
- Popping candy and/or sprinkles.
Learn about melting, cooling and changes of state.
Film Canister Rockets
You’ll need
- Film canister or small effervescent vitamin tablet container
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Tissue or kitchen towel
The film canister shoots up quickly. This activity must be done outside with adult supervision. Stand back after placing the lid on the canister.
Instructions
Fill the canister about one third full with vinegar.
Wrap a teaspoon of baking soda in a small piece of tissue paper.
Drop the baking soda tissue into the canister and quickly replace the lid. Place it lid down and stand back!
The Science – the acid (vinegar) and base (baking soda) react to produce carbon dioxide gas. The gas builds up inside the canister until the pressure becomes enough to pop the lid, forcing the canister up into the air!
Learn about chemical reactions, forces and Newton’s Laws of Motion
Spin Art Fireworks
Make spin art firework pictures using a salad spinner. These always look fantastic and are super easy to make and set up. We’ve made spin art galaxies and many other variations over the years. I wouldn’t recommend using the spinner for food afterwards, though, so do use an old one.
You’ll need
- Thick paper or cardstock
- Washable paints
- Salad spinner
- Scissors
Instructions
Place a circle of paper into the salad spinner and drop different colours of paint on top.
Pop the lid on the spinner and spin for a few minutes quickly.
Remove the lid and leave your firework painting to dry.
Milk Fireworks
Create colourful explosions in milk using just food colouring and dish soap (washing-up liquid ).
You’ll need
- Whole milk
- Food colouring
- Dish soap
- Cotton bud
- Shallow dish or plate
Instructions
Pour a thin layer of milk into the shallow dish.
Add a few drops of different coloured food colouring.
Dip a cotton bud in the dish soap.
Gently touch an area of food colouring with the cotton bud.
You should see a mini explosion of colour!
The Science: Milk contains fats and proteins. Dish soap breaks the milk’s surface tension and attaches to the fat molecules, creating a swirling explosion of colour!
Learn about surface tension and emulsions
Chromatography Fireworks
Or how about a chromatography firework? This is brilliant for discovering which colours are hiding in your pens’ ink! You can also turn it into a challenge to find the ink with the most hidden colours, the brightest colours, or the ink that separates the fastest.
Toilet Roll Firework Painting
This firework painting activity from Learning4Kids looks like great fun and an excellent way to reuse toilet rolls! You could even use this to try some colour mixing.
Easy Firework Crafts
Kids Craft Room has a brilliant sparkler craft.
Fantastic Fun and Learning has some wonderful firework straw rockets. Try aiming these straight up or at an angle to see how the flight of the straw rocket changes.
Red Ted Art has a massive collection of firework crafts, including noisy things, coronation crafts and even a firework hat!
Finally, In the Playroom has a wonderful spinning top firework activity. Try using different sized spinning tops to see how the pattern changes.
Ask a Question
Do you know how fireworks fly? Or how the different colours in fireworks are created?
Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by Emma Vanstone
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