Elephant’s Toothpaste: A Foamy, Fizzy Science Experiment You Can Do While Camping!
Looking for an exciting way to mix learning with outdoor fun? Try making Elephant’s Toothpaste—a foamy, fizzy science experiment that’s perfect for kids and adults! Whether you're at the campsite or in your backyard, this is a super fun way to bring science outside and make unforgettable camping memories.
It’s easy, quick to set up, and the dramatic bubbly reaction never fails to get "ooohs" and "ahhhs." It’s messy (in the best way), safe with supervision, and a great way to sneak a little STEM learning into your outdoor adventures.
What You’ll Need:
1 clean plastic bottle (like a water or soda bottle)
Hydrogen peroxide (3% is best and safe for kids – available at most drugstores)
A squirt of dish soap
Dry yeast (1 packet or about 1 tbsp)
Warm water (2-3 tablespoons)
Food colouring (optional but fun!)
A tray, pie plate, or shallow dish to catch the foam
Safety goggles (recommended, especially for kids)
Directions:
Set up your experiment outside.
Place your plastic bottle in a tray or on the ground in a clear area—trust us, this can get wild!Add the hydrogen peroxide.
Pour about ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide into the bottle.Add colour and dish soap.
Drop in a few drops of food colouring and a good squirt of dish soap. Swirl it around gently to mix.Mix the yeast.
In a separate cup, mix 1 tbsp of yeast with 2–3 tbsp of warm water. Stir well for 30 seconds.The fun part—add the yeast to the bottle!
Pour it in quickly and stand back...
FOAM EXPLOSION! A big, bubbly column of foam will erupt out of the bottle and ooze everywhere!
Why It’s Great for Camping
No screens, just science! This activity gets kids excited about chemical reactions and lets them explore curiosity in a hands-on way.
Outdoor cleanup is easy. No worries about mess—just rinse off with water.
It sparks conversations. You’ll have campers talking about oxygen, catalysts, and reactions without even realizing they’re learning.
Camping is all about new experiences, and this one blends education with pure, silly fun. Plus, it’s a perfect way to keep the kids entertained before dinner or as a morning surprise experiment.
What’s Happening?
Hydrogen peroxide naturally breaks down into water and oxygen. The yeast acts as a catalyst to speed up the reaction, and the dish soap traps the oxygen, creating tons of foam. It’s science in action—and it’s awesome.
So next time you're packing for a weekend away, toss in a bottle of peroxide, some yeast, and dish soap. You’ll be the coolest site on the campground!
Want more fun science experiments you can do while camping? Let us know!
