Your kids will love doing three different cocoa winter hands-on science activities to go with my winter season unit study.
And we’re taking one of our favorite winter treats and turning it into science.
Using a simple packet of cocoa, we’re going to do three fun winter hands on science activities that your kids will love.
These activities will appeal to multiple senses and can be used to teach some basic science principles.
Adding a new sensory experience to some science activities that might be ordinary and basic can give them new life.
Too, it makes them interesting, stirs your child to ponder about science, and helps your child retain what he has learned in an exciting new way.
3 Fun Cocoa Science Activities for Kids
Grab some of your favorite chemistry books like Basher Chemistry to reference while exploring these cocoa winter science activities.
And learn some of the vocabulary and scientific terms that go with them.
Don’t forget to enjoy a delicious cup of cocoa with your little scientist while you have fun with these activities.
Don’t confuse it with one of science mixtures.
1. Hydrophobic Hot Cocoa Science Activity
First, begin with this hydrophobic hot cocoa activity.
You’ll need:
- A clear container
- Spoon
- Hot cocoa mix
- Water- hot and cold
Directions:
Grab a glass of cold water and a heaping tablespoon of hot cocoa powder.
Slowly lower the spoon into the glass.
Twist and move the spoon a bit.
Raise the spoon out of the glass. What happened? The liquid that was wrapped around the powder rolls right off.
Now heat up a cup of water. It doesn’t have to be boiling just nice and hot.
Stir another tablespoon of cocoa into the water and see how fast it dissolves.
What is the Science of Hydrophobic Hot Cocoa
Cocoa is a substance that is known as hydrophobic. This means that it repels water.
The fat in the cocoa makes it hydrophobic. Oil is also hydrophobic. Have you heard the old saying oil and water don’t mix? It’s true.
So why does it dissolve in hot water so much better than cold water? Simply put, hot water has more energy in it than cold water.
This means that the molecules move faster and break down the cocoa powder faster than cold water does.
You can also try this experiment with cold and hot milk. It will work the same due to the amount of water in the milk.
2. Hot Cocoa Slime Science Activity
Second, slime is not just a fun sensory activity.
It can be used to learn some basic chemistry terms like
- molecules
- polymers
- chemical reactions
- and nonnewtonian fluid ( neither a solid or a liquid).
And slime is also calming. It helps with focus and builds fine motor skills. This slime smells amazing and is a great winter themed experiment.
You’ll need:
- 1 packet of hot cocoa
- 1 cup of school glue
- 2 Tablespoons of contact solution
- 3 teaspoons baking soda
Directions:
Place glue, baking soda, and contact solution in a large bowl.
Stir in an entire packet of hot cocoa.
Remove from bowl and knead with your hands for a few minutes until desired texture is reached.
What is the Science of Cocoa Slime
When you mix baking soda with contact lens solution the main ingredients polyvinyl alcohol and borate ion undergo a chemical reaction called an endothermic reaction
Together, these two ingredients create a non-Newtonian fluid which is a substance that is neither liquid nor solid.
Slime is a polymer.
And polymers are made up of long chains of molecules.
Too, the glue contains polymers which can bend and slide past each other. This allows the slime to flow and to take the shape of the container it is in.
Last, this activity is the hot cocoa volcano.
3. Hot Cocoa Volcano Science Activity
This is a fantastic multi-sensory science experiment. It smells great and creates an exciting chemical reaction that kids love.
You can continue to add baking soda and vinegar to keep the reaction going indefinitely.
You’ll need:
- Small plastic cup
- 1 Tablespoon Hot Cocoa
- 2 Tablespoons baking soda
- Vinegar
Directions:
Mix baking soda and hot cocoa in a small cup.
Place your cup outside or on a surface that is easy to clean, this could WILL get messy.
Slowly pour vinegar into the cup and watch it bubble over.
Add more baking soda and vinegar to continue with the cocoa lava flow.
if you really want to get a bubbly foaming concoction that resembles lava add a bit of dish soap to your mixture.
What is the Science of the Hot Cocoa Volcano
Baking soda and vinegar react to neutralize each other.
Vinegar is an acid and baking soda is an alkali.
And the resulting reaction releases carbon dioxide which is the bubbles of gas that make it look like a bubbling volcano.
More Winter Season Unit Study Resources
Then, here are some other winter unit study resources you’ll love.
- Free Amazing Winter Unit Study and Winter Lapbook for Kids
- Inuit of the Arctic: How Animals Survive Harsh Winters Fun Blubber Activity
- Colorful Winter Bird: Northern Cardinal Lapbook & Unit Study
- 16 Ways to Make Homeschool Memorable During Winter
- Arctic and Inuit Unit Study. Free Lapbook – Hands-On Ideas
And add my other unit study Arctic Region.
What do you think? Are you ready for a bit of winter fun and science?
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