This is a spooktacular Halloween STEAM activity for the whole family! Your kids will be amazed as they watch your styrofoam ghost magically disappear into acetone. This is a can’t miss Halloween activity for kids ages 3+.
My kids and I had so much fun making our styrofoam cup ghosts disappear. We did it four times in a row and would have continued to do it many more times if we had more cups! So this is your sign to start saving those styrofoam cups you get from Chick-Fil-A and Sonic. No need to send those non-degradable cups to the landfill, you can make them disappear!
Check out our reel on Instagram below for a simple overview of the activity.
Safety:
The acetone nail polish remover has a strong smell, so beware and remind children not to inhale it. I recommend using safety glasses if your child will be playing with the ghost in and out of the acetone (I recommend to not remove the cup from the acetone once it is placed in the bowl to prevent spills and splashes). If acetone gets into eyes, immediate flush with water.
Protect surfaces from potential acetone spills by covering them before beginning this activity. If the acetone spills, immediately clean it up to prevent a slip hazard.
Materials:
- Acetone nail polish remover
- Styrofoam cup (reusing one from a fast food restaurant is recommended)
- Black permanent marker
- Small clear bowl
- Safety glasses (optional)
Procedure:
- Draw a ghost face (large oval eyes and bigger oval mouth, or any design you like) on the styrofoam cup.
- Draw the face with the widest part of the cup (the opening) facing downward, so the cup has more of a ghost shape.
- Pour acetone nail polish remover into the bowl.
- You don’t need a lot, just cover the bottom of the bowl about a centimeter deep.
- Place the cup into the bowl (widest part of the up facing downward), then gently push down on the cup.
- The cup will start to disappear into the acetone solution. Continue pushing down on the cup until it is completely dissolved.
STEAM Concepts Learned:
The styrofoam is about 95% air. It is non-polar – just like Acetone. The similar polarities makes the acetone soften and begin to dissolve the styrofoam. The air is released that’s why it appears to be disappearing as the styrofoam becomes soluble in acetone solvent in a case of “like dissolves like”. You will notice it didn’t actually disappear, there is some slimy residue leftover from the styrofoam. Our liquid turned purple from the red and blue Sonic logo and the permanent marker on our cup.
To dispose of the acetone and styrofoam goo, soak it up in a paper towel and throw it away.
We got this fun experiment idea from @shelovesscience on Instagram. Check her out for weekly experiments that are always amazing!
Are you going to try this simple and fun Halloween activity with your kids? Wishing you a safe and happy Halloween!
