🐘Elephant Toothpaste

🐘💥 Elephant Toothpaste

The Classic Science Experiment That Wows Every Time

If you want a science experiment that stops kids in their tracks and makes adults say “WHOA,” Elephant Toothpaste is it. This foamy, fast-moving reaction is pure science magic and a perfect mix of learning and excitement.

This experiment works with 10, 20, or 40 volume hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide typically found at the drugstore is 10 volume. It’s safe and fun, but the reaction is much less dramatic. Higher volumes create bigger reactions and should be handled with extra care.

🛒 Materials

½ cup (4 oz) hydrogen peroxide
- 10 volume: Drugstore strength (least dramatic)
- 20 volume: Classroom experiment
- 40 volume: Adult demonstration only
  (Use clear developer, NOT cream)
Food coloring
Very warm water
Yeast
- 1 packet per experiment or
- ½ tablespoon if measuring from a jar
Dish soap
Recycled plastic water bottle
Funnel
Tray with sides
Measuring cups and spoons
Safety goggles
Plastic gloves

⚠️ Safety Notes (Read First!)

Safety always comes first with this experiment.

• 40 volume hydrogen peroxide is for adult demonstrations only
• 20 and 40 volume peroxide can irritate or burn skin
• Adults should be the only ones pouring hydrogen peroxide
• Everyone wears goggles and gloves the entire time
• Bottles tip easily—have kids help hold the bottle steady
• The foam gets HOT. Do not touch until it cools
• Keep gloves on during the entire experiment and cleanup

🧪 Instructions

Wear gloves for the entire process when using 20 or 40 volume hydrogen peroxide.
If it touches skin, it may sting. Wash immediately with soap and water.

Step 1

Place the bottle in the center of a tray with raised sides. This experiment makes a LOT of foam. Place a funnel in the bottle opening.

Step 2

Add a few squirts of dish soap into the bottle.

Step 3

Carefully pour ½ cup (4 oz) of hydrogen peroxide into the bottle. Gently swirl to mix.

Step 4

Add a squeeze of food coloring. Gently swirl to mix.
(For striped toothpaste, see instructions below.)

Step 5

In a separate cup, mix 1 packet (or 1 tablespoon) of yeast with ½ cup (4 oz) of very warm water. Stir until dissolved. It may look a little pasty.

Step 6

Pour the yeast mixture through the funnel into the bottle.
Give the bottle a quick swirl, then step back.

💥 BAM! Elephant Toothpaste!

🌈 How to Make Striped Elephant Toothpaste

(Best as an adult-led demonstration)

This version works best with a smooth-sided bottle.

When you reach Step 4:

Gently tilt the bottle
Squeeze food coloring down the inside of the bottle neck
Let it drip down the sides
Rotate the bottle and add more “stripes”

🚫 Do NOT swirl the food coloring.
Add the yeast as directed and avoid moving the bottle too much.

🐝 Hive Hacks & Tips

Yeast Tip

Use freshly opened yeast if possible. Old yeast doesn’t react as well.

Foam Safety

The foam is HOT at first. Once cooled, it’s safe to touch, but keep gloves on just in case any peroxide remains.

Clean-Up Safety

Keep gloves on during cleanup. Any unreacted hydrogen peroxide can sting or burn skin and may leave a temporary white spot.

Clean Quickly

Clean everything right away. Over time, the yeast smell gets VERY unpleasant. (Learned the hard way!)

🧠 What’s the Science?

This reaction happens when yeast breaks down hydrogen peroxide into oxygen gas and water. The dish soap traps the oxygen, creating the giant foamy eruption.

More peroxide = more oxygen = bigger reaction.