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Cool Dry Ice Experiments

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Dry ice is extremely cold, plus it's also cool! There are many interesting and educational dry ice experiments and projects to try.

Dry ice , the solid form of carbon dioxide isn't dangerous if stored and used correctly. If dry ice is not properly stored, it can present hazards such as frostbite , asphyxiation, and the possibility of an explosion . So be careful and have fun!

Here are several dry ice experiments for you to try:

Cool Dry Ice Fog

One of the simplest yet coolest things to do with dry ice is to toss a chunk of it into a container of hot water. This causes the dry ice to sublimate (turn into vapor) more quickly, producing dry ice fog. This is a popular party effect. It's even more spectacular if you have a lot of dry ice and plenty of water, such as enough dry ice to fill a hot tub.

Dry Ice Crystal Ball

CasPhotography / Getty Images

Place a piece of dry ice in a bowl or cup containing a bubble solution. Wet a towel with bubble solution and pull it across the lip of the bowl, trapping carbon dioxide into a giant bubble that resembles a crystal ball .

Make Your Own Dry Ice

waraphorn-aphai / Getty Images

Some grocery stores sell dry ice, but many don't. If you can't find any dry ice, the first cool thing to do is to make some yourself.

Frozen Soap Bubble

Freeze a soap bubble over a piece of dry ice. The bubble will appear to float in the air over the dry ice. You can pick up the bubble and examine it.

Inflate a Balloon With Dry Ice

Seal a small piece of dry ice inside a balloon . As the dry ice sublimates, the balloon will fill up. If your piece of dry ice is too big, the balloon will pop!

Inflate a Glove With Dry Ice

~UserGI15632523 / Getty Images

Similarly, you can put a piece of dry ice into a latex or other plastic glove and tie it closed. The dry ice will inflate the glove.

Simulate a Comet

Jonathan Blair / Getty Images

You can use simple materials to simulate a comet . In a big plastic bowl lined with a trash bag, mix together:

• 1-liter water
• 2 cups dirt
• 1 tablespoon starch (holds comet together, not found in real comets)
• 1 tablespoon syrup (comet organic component)
• 1 tablespoon vinegar (for amino acids )
• 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol (like the methanol in real comets)

Dry Ice Bomb

waraphorn-aphai / Getty Images

Sealing dry ice in a container will cause it to burst. The safest version is to place a small piece of dry ice into a plastic film canister or potato chip can with a pop lid.

Dry Ice Erupting Volcano Cake

JennyPPhoto / Getty Images 

While you can't eat dry ice, you can use it as a decoration for food. In this project, dry ice produces a volcanic eruption for a volcano cake.

Spooky Dry Ice Jack-o'-Lantern

joeygil / Getty Images

Make a cool Halloween jack-o'-lantern that spews dry ice fog.

Cool Dry Ice Bubbles

Amrut Kulkarni / Getty Images

Place a piece of dry ice into a bubble solution for fog-filled bubbles to form. Popping them releases dry ice fog , which is a cool effect.

Carbonated Dry Ice Ice Cream

RossHelen / Getty Images

You can use dry ice to make instant ice cream . Because carbon dioxide gas is released, the resulting ice cream is bubbly and carbonated, like an ice cream float.

Singing Spoon

Pakorn Kumruen / EyeEm / Getty Images

Press a spoon or any metal object against a piece of dry ice and it will appear to sing or scream as it vibrates.

Carbonated Fizzy Fruit

Castle City Creative / Getty Images

Freeze strawberries or other fruit using dry ice. Carbon dioxide bubbles become trapped in the fruit, making it fizzy and carbonated.

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The Homeschool Resource Room

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10 Incredible Dry Ice Experiments for Kids!

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Try these amazing dry ice STEM activities for kids ! Science experiments and projects that will make your kids say, “WOW!!!!”

If your science routine has become a little hum drum, it might be time to liven things up. And nothing gets the Ooooooos and Ahhhhhhs quite like dry ice!

Dry ice is an amazing material to experiment with. You can create everything from magical fog to strange, frozen bubbles. Below I’ve collected ten of our favorite dry ice experiments for you to try with your kids, class, or co-op group!

Tips for Dry Ice Experiments

Before you begin, make sure to familiarize yourself with a few safety tips for working with dry ice . Experiments should be monitored from start to finish and whenever the dry ice is accessible.

If you’re buying a hunk of dry ice, it’s good to have a couple experiments lined up so you can use it before it disappears. So pick a few things and get those materials set up before you bring the ice home. You can usually find dry ice in the freezer section of your grocery store.

1. Dry Ice Soda Geyser by Science Kiddo

2. smoking bubbles dry ice experiment by raising dragons,  3. make frozen bubbles by though co., 4. watermelon dry ice explosion by thrifty fun, 5. coin in dry ice experiment by ifl science, 6.  mad scientist potion by our best bites, 7. harry potter crystal ball: dry ice experiment by teach beside me, 8. homemade root beer with dry ice by paintbrushes and popsicles, 9. make ice cream with dry ice by pop shop america, 10. inflate a balloon: cool dry ice experiments by science kiddo.

Ashley helps parents who want to homeschool find the resources they need to successfully teach their children. Ashley is a former teacher, current homeschooler, published author, and designer behind Circle Time with Miss Fox printables as well as the creator of this website, The Homeschool Resource Room.

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Top 15 Dry Ice Experiments: Super Cool & Fun

Spark your scientific curiosity and amaze your senses! We have collected 15 dry ice experiments that will produce exciting effects.

These experiments are not only educational but also kid-approved, which means that they are safe, simple to carry out, and will hold the interest of kids of all ages.

Kids can have fun and satisfy their curiosity while learning about the characteristics of dry ice, such as its sublimation process, through these experiments.

These dry ice experiments are likely to be a hit, whether you’re a teacher seeking for classroom activities or a parent looking for a fun weekend project.

Remember, it’s important to remember that dry ice can be dangerous if not handled properly.

Adult supervision is necessary to ensure that all safety precautions are followed and to prevent accidents or injury. By working together and taking the necessary precautions, you can safely and responsibly conduct dry ice experiments and create an exciting learning experience for everyone involved.

Okay, now put on your safety glasses and gloves and let’s get started!

1. Mad Scientist Potion

Trying Mad Scientist potion experiments can be a great way to engage children in science and encourage their curiosity and creativity. These experiments are designed to be safe and fun, allowing kids to explore scientific principles in a hands-on way that is both educational and entertaining.

Get ready to brew up some fun with this Mad Scientist potion experiment that’s both safe and exciting for kids!

Learn more: Mad Scientist Potion

2. Smoking Dragon Science with Dry Ice

Smoking Dragon Science with Dry Ice is a fascinating and exciting way to explore the unique properties of solid carbon dioxide. With its ability to create a cool, fog-like effect, dry ice is perfect for creating the illusion of a smoking dragon.

This type of experiment is not only visually captivating but can also help teach principles of science, such as the sublimation process and states of matter. Unleash the power of the Smoking Dragon with these thrilling science experiments using Dry Ice!

Learn more: Smoking Dragon Science with Dry Ice

3. Dry Ice Rockets

The dry ice rockets experiment is a fantastic exercise for kids since it is entertaining and educational. It is an excellent approach to teach children about chemical reactions, pressure, and sublimation in a fun and interactive way.

Learn More: Dry Ice Experiment

4. Ghostly Boo Bubbles

The Ghostly Boo Bubbles Experiment is an entertaining and educational game that may teach kids about scientific concepts while they are having fun. It is a fantastic approach to capture children’s curiosity and motivate them to discover what’s happening around them.

Learn more: Ghostly Boo Bubbles

5. Make Dry Ice Balloon

The Ice Dry Balloon experiment is a fantastic approach to show children the scientific method and emphasize the value of making observations and coming to conclusions based on data. In a science journal, they can write down their observations, place questions, and make predictions.

Learn more: How to Make Dry Ice Balloon

6. Frozen Bubbles

The frozen bubbles experiment is a visually spectacular technique to teach kids about scientific ideas in a playful and interesting way. It can aid in their comprehension of the characteristics of water and how they alter while freezing, as well as the mechanism of sublimation and how it relates to dry ice and other substances.

Learn more: How to Make Frozen Bubbles

7. Home Made Root Beer with Dry Ice

By performing this experiment, you may discover more about the characteristics of dry ice and how it turns into gas when it is exposed to room temperature. The process of fermentation, which is used to make carbonated drinks like root beer, is another topic you might explore.

Learn more: Home Made Root Beer Recipe

8. Make Ice Cream

Another excellent method to learn about the principles of phase shifts and the characteristics of dry ice is to make ice cream with it. Teaching kids about the wonders of science can be a fun and interactive experience.

Learn more: Like Magic: Make Ice Cream with Dry Ice!

9. Inflate a Balloon

The process of inflating a balloon using dry ice can be an educational and engaging way to teach children or students about the properties of dry ice and how it sublimates from a solid to a gas.

Learn more: Inflate a Balloon

10. Dry Ice Soda Geyser

The experiment can also be an educational opportunity to learn about gas pressure and carbonation. It can help to illustrate the process of phase changes and the release of gases from carbonated beverages.

Learn more: Dry Ice Soda Geyser Experiment

11. Watermelon Dry Ice Explosion

In this experiment, dry ice is combined with watermelon to create a powerful impact or explosion that will surely take your breath away.

Learn more: Watermelon Dry Ice Explosion

12. Dry Ice Color Changing Liquid

Dry ice color changing experiments can be a fun and educational activity for kids. This experiment involves adding dry ice to water mixed with a pH indicator, which changes color as the dry ice reacts with the water.

Learn more: Dry Ice Color Changing Liquid

13. Dry Ice Boat

This experiment is not only fun but also a great way to teach kids about the properties of dry ice and how it interacts with water. Concepts like buoyancy, gas pressure, and chemical reactions can be explained in an interesting and practical way.

14. Dry Ice Bubble Tower

The dry ice bubble experiment demonstrates how dry ice can go from a solid to a gas (sublimation) when it is exposed to room temperature. This is a great way to teach students about the different states of matter and how they can change from one to another.

15. Dry Ice Bomb

The dry ice bomb experiment is a popular activity that involves creating a chemical reaction using dry ice and water inside a sealed container. The reaction produces a build-up of gas pressure inside the container, leading to an explosive release of gas and a loud popping sound.

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Fun Things to Do With Dry Ice

Try these fun things to do with dry ice . Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide. It’s much colder than regular water ice. Dry ice is “dry” because it goes directly from the solid to gas phase, with no liquid in between.

How to Get Dry Ice for Projects

Many grocery stores carry dry ice, but it’s a good idea to call ahead to make sure they have it in stock. Otherwise, labs, businesses that liquefy gases, and ice houses may have the product.

Dry ice sublimates into carbon dioxide gas pretty quickly, so buy it the same day as you’ll use it. To maximize how long it lasts, transport it in a paper bag in a cooler and transfer the paper bag to the freezer. Don’t latch the cooler or the freezer closed. As dry ice changes to gas it produces pressure that needs to be allowed to vent. Transport and store dry ice in well-ventilated spaces because it increases the concentration of carbon dioxide in air.

Things to Do With Dry Ice

Cool dry ice fog.

The easiest dry ice project is tossing dry ice into a container of hot water. The cold carbon dioxide vapor chills water vapor in the air, producing fog. The activity works with cold water, too, but hot water increases the rate of sublimation and makes the most fog. Dry ice fog is a spooky special effect on its own, plus you can use it for punch bowls or drinks. If you add dry ice to a drink, it sinks to the bottom of the glass. Don’t touch it with your mouth or eat it!

Dry Ice Bubbles

Add a squirt of liquid dishwashing detergent to water before plopping in the dry ice. You’ll get a mountain of bubbles that release fog when they pop.

Dry Ice Crystal Ball

Add a bit of liquid detergent to a bowl of water. Dampen your hand with the soapy water. You’ll get bubbles when you add the dry ice, but if you pass your hand over the rim of the bowl, you’ll get a large single bubble that resembles a foggy crystal ball.

Frozen Soap Bubble

Blow bubbles into a container of dry ice . The bubbles float on the dense layer of cold carbon dioxide. Eventually, they freeze and form frost patterns.

Make a Model Comet

You can use simple materials to simulate a comet. In a big plastic bowl lined with a trash bag, mix together:

• 1 liter water
• 2 cups dirt
• 1 tablespoon starch (holds comet together, not found in real comets)
• 1 tablespoon syrup (organic component of real comets)
• 1 tablespoon vinegar (for amino acids in real comets)
• 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol (like the alcohol in real comets)

Tie a string around your comet to keep control of it. When you hold the comet by the string it gives off vapor. Bring it near a simulated star (a hot light bulb) to see what happens when a comet approaches its Sun.

Dry Ice Poppers

Sealing dry ice in screw-cap or latched containers can lead to dangerous ruptures. But, you can put a small piece of dry ice in a container with a pop lid safely. Film canisters and potato chip cylinders work great. Another option is loosely sealing a plastic container with a cork. Don’t use glass, just to be safe. These poppers also work as small rockets.

Dry Ice “Smoke” for a Model Volcano

Decorate a model volcano and just use a cup of water and a chunk of dry ice to to make smoke. Add a chunk of dry ice to a baking soda and vinegar volcano to simulate erupting lava and smoke. The effect works for any water-based volcano , so be creative!

Dry Ice Volcano Cake

It’s easy to make a dry ice volcano cake, plus the effect is spectacular. Stack a small round cake on top of a larger one. Use a biscuit cutter to remove a circle from the top of the cake. Ice and decorate the cake so it looks like a volcano. Place a small cup inside this hole. Add a bit of warm water and a chunk of dry ice to get cascading fog.

Spooky Dry Ice Jack o’ Lantern

Dry ice goes well with a carved pumpkin for Halloween. Either pour a bit of water into the base of the pumpkin and add a chunk of dry ice or place a small cup of water inside the jack o’ lantern and add the dry ice (less mess). If you like, color the fog using a sealed LED . Remember, dry ice sinks, so pay special attention to the jack o’ lantern mouth to get the best effect.

Make Carbonated Ice Cream

Blend dry ice into any ice cream recipe to freeze it. You’ll get soft carbonated ice cream (no freezer needed). The effect is sort of like an ice cream float.

Make Carbonated Fizzy Fruit

Ice cream isn’t the only food you can freeze using dry ice. Place small pieces of fruit in a bowl of dry ice. You’ll get frozen fruit containing tiny carbon dioxide bubbles. The fizzy fruit works great as a topping for dry ice ice cream or to decorate drinks. Use grocery store dry ice for this, as not all dry ice is suitable for food .

Singing Spoon

Make a metal spoon “sing” by holding it against a piece of dry ice. The sublimation of carbon dioxide from a solid into a gas vibrates the spoon, producing the sound. You’ll get the same effect if you grab dry ice using metal tongs.

Inflate a Balloon With Dry Ice

Seal a piece of dry ice within a balloon. As the dry ice sublimates, carbon dioxide inflates the balloon. If the piece of dry ice is large enough, the balloon may even pop!

Inflate a Glove With Dry Ice

Similarly, seal a piece of dry ice inside a disposable glove. The inflated gloves make great Halloween decorations.

Make Your Own Dry Ice

If you can’t find dry ice, make it yourself. You need a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher or a carbon dioxide tank, a cloth bag (to capture the dry ice), and heavy-duty insulated gloves.

• Put on the gloves.
• Insert the nozzle of the tank into the cloth bag. Clamp or tape the edges of the bag around the nozzle so the dry ice won’t escape. (Don’t use your hands!)
• Discharge the fire extinguisher or partially open the valve of a CO 2 cylinder.
• When you have a bag filled with dry ice, turn off the extinguisher or close the valve.
• Gently shake the bag to dislodge dry ice from the nozzle. Store the dry ice in a freezer. Because the particles are so small, this form of dry ice needs to be used quickly.

Safety for Dry Ice Activities

• Don’t store dry ice in a sealed container. It could burst.
• Handle dry ice using insulated gloves. If you don’t have gloves, use a kitchen towel or tongs.
• Work with dry ice in a well-ventilated room. As the solid changes into a gas, the carbon dioxide concentration rises. The cold gas sinks, so the effect is greatest near the floor.

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