When it comes to kids’ science, it doesn’t get much simpler than making a tornado in a jar. This five minute activity uses just two common household ingredients and has a big wow factor. It’s easy AND exciting. Gotta’ love that kind of kids’ science!
Follow the simple step-by-step below and then grab 30 more easy-to-follow science experiments kids will beg to repeat (plus a no prep science journal to keep track of their results!) in our shop or on Teachers Pay Teachers!
Make a Tornado in a Jar
To whip up our mini tornado, Â we grabbed a clean mason jar and our supplies:
- 3 cups of tap water
- 1 teaspoon of dish soap
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- Glitter or other small objects {optional}
We filled the mason jar with water – making sure to leave about an inch of space at the top.
Then we poured in the dish soap and vinegar and closed the lid.
NOTE: I gave the cap a double check just to make sure that our tornado wouldn’t get free and make a big mess.
Holding one hand on top and one below, we swirled the jar for about 5 seconds and then set it down on the table to watch the tornado do its thing. So simple and easy.
To add some extra “wow,” try adding glitter or mini Legos to the jar!
The Science Behind It
When you spin the water in the jar, it creates a vortex in the center.
As the water spins, centripetal force causes the water to spin around that vortex making a mini tornado. Hurricanes have a vortex, too!
More Playful Kids’ Science
Grab 30 easy-to-follow science experiments kids will beg to repeat (plus a no prep science journal to keep track of their results!) in our shop or on Teachers Pay Teachers!
I love all of your science activities. My mom is a preschool teacher and when I tell her about these projects she does them in her classroom. Thank you for giving the teachers some great ideas!
You are very welcome! I’m sure your mom appreciates all of your help!
Warmly,
Ashley // Happiness Ambassador
Hai I like all your experiments it’s cool
We’re so glad you’re enjoying them!
Warmly,
Ashley // Happiness Ambassador
i like those ideas thank you.
You are very welcome, Tiya!
Warmly,
Ashley // Happiness Ambassador
I love all of these ideas! I am starting a virtual science experiment club next week with my school and I’m finding so many ideas from your blog. Thank you so much!
Awesome, Alex!
Hope your students enjoy 🙂
Warmly,
Ashley // Happiness Ambassador
I did not see any results and I did it twice, swirling it for 5 seconds. I did it in two different mason jars too! I don’t know what i’m doing wrong.
Hi Richard,
I’m so sorry you’re not seeing the results. Please be sure you added the vinegar to the water. This really makes a difference in being able to see the tornado.
Hope that helps!
Warmly,
Ashley // Happiness Ambassador
Doesn’t work as well with Palmolive dish soap. Worked better with the cheaper stuff.
Good to know. Thanks for sharing the tip, Jaden.
Warmly,
Ashley // Happiness Ambassador
What is the vinegar doing, in terms of the science? I’ve seen this experiment without vinegar, and so I’m curious what the difference is here. Thanks!