Cloud in a Bottle: DIY Science Project Ideas for Kids

Learn how to make cloud in a bottle by following the step-by-step instructions mentioned in this article. Clouds are wonderful things, aren’t they? These fluffy, white pieces floating in the sky in fascinating shapes are responsible for keeping our planet warm and cool. They are also responsible for snowfall and rainfall. Have you ever wondered if you can have your very own cloud? Well, now you can make your own cloud with the amazing cloud in a bottle experiment!

Cloud in a bottle

Clouds are a large collection of tiny water droplets and ice crystals, which are so light that they float in the air. Lessons on weather science can sometimes be too complex for kids to understand. So, add a wow factor to the lesson with some simple science experiments for kids and help them understand in a fun way. The cloud in a bottle is one such fun experiment that makes learning about the weather more interesting and fun for kids. 

If Olaf can have a cloud of his own, why shouldn’t you? Read on to learn how to make a cloud in a bottle with this fun experiment.

Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Make Cloud in a Bottle

Jazz up your child’s lesson on precipitation with the cloud in a bottle experiment. Here is a list of all the things you need to perform the cloud in a jar science project. Most of these things are easily available and inexpensive.

What You’ll Need?

  • A glass jar with a lid
  • Black chart paper
  • ½ cup boiling hot water 
  • A few drops of blue food coloring
  • Hairspray
  • 4-5 cubes of ice

How to Make Cloud in a Bottle?

You don’t have to be Elsa to make clouds and ice! You can do it on your own with this simple step-by-step guide to make a cloud in a jar for your kids.

  • Step 1: Add a few drops of blue food coloring to the boiling hot water to dye it the color of the sky. Stir it to ensure that the water turns blue completely.
  • Step 2: Carefully, pour the blue colored hot water into the bottle and swill it around the glass jar. This warms up the sides of the jar. Now place the jar in front of the black chart paper, this makes it easier to see the cloud forming.
  • Step 3: Cover the mouth of the jar with the lid, but place it upside down. Place the ice cubes on this overturned lid. Allow it to sit for about 20 seconds.
  • Step 4: Take the lid off the jar and quickly spray hairspray into it. Cover the jar immediately using the lid with the ice cubes on top.
  • Step 5: Now watch the magic happen as the cloud starts to form. After a few seconds remove the lid and watch the cloud vanish into thin air!

What You’ll See?

So, how did the cloud form without any of Elsa’s magic? The answer’s pretty simple, it’s science! Let’s learn the science behind the cloud in a bottle experiment.

How Is A Cloud Formed?

Contrary to what kids believe, clouds are not made up of cotton candy! They are made up of very small and light water droplets and ice crystals. When the earth’s surface heats up, the water evaporates and rises to the atmosphere in the form of water vapor. As they rise, these tiny droplets of water cool down in the air. At this point, they condense or stick to particles of dust, dirt, ash etc in the air to form clouds. 

What Made The Cloud Form In The Bottle?

In this experiment, the boiling water heated up the air trapped inside the jar. Some of the air turned into water vapor and moved to the top of the jar. As it reached the top of the jar, it came in contact with the lid with ice on top of it. This caused the water vapor to cool down, and when it came into contact with the hairspray, it condensed to form the cloud in the bottle. 

In nature, the water vapor sticks to microscopic particles of dust, ash and dirt in the air to form a cloud. However, in this experiment, the vapor clings onto the particles of hairspray to form the cloud in the jar.

Download Cloud In A Bottle Printable

Another Way to Perform the Cloud in a Bottle Experiment

Did you have fun making your very own cloud in a jar? Want to have more fun? How about making your cloud in a jar rain? What clouds do best? They pour down rain! Here is another creative way to perform the cloud in a jar experiment, let’s make it rain. 

What You’ll Need?

  • A glass jar 
  • A few drops of blue food coloring
  • White shaving cream
  • Water

How to Make Cloud in a Bottle?

  • Step 1: Fill the jar with water until it’s about ¾ full.
  • Step 2: Now, top the jar with shaving cream. Remember, the more shaving cream you add, the thicker your cloud will be and more difficult for the food coloring to penetrate.
  • Step 3: Finally, have your child drip the blue food coloring on top of the cloud. Wait for a bit and you’ll see the drops of food coloring seeping through the clouds and dripping down the jar like raindrops.
  • Step 4: If you shake the jar, you might even see a “storm” or a “tornado” in your jar!

This experiment is a great way to help kids learn about the water cycle. Boost your child’s learning using our water cycle worksheet. Learning science becomes more fun when kids can see the magic happen in front of their eyes. Fun science experiments like these not only boost your kids learning with their wow factor, but also boost their interest in the subject. Check the rest of our website for more fun activities, games and worksheets to make learning more engaging.

Frequently Asked Questions on Cloud In A Bottle

What are the items required for Cloud In A Bottle?

The items required for the cloud in a bottle experiment are a glass jar, half cup boiling water, blue food coloring, 4 to 5 cubes of ice, and black chart paper.

What is the science behind Cloud In A Bottle?

The science behind cloud in a bottle experiment is that kids can learn about cloud formation on how it is made of ice crystals and droplets.