Ever make clouds in a jar? Don’t worry, this has nothing to do with pudding. But it’s still oh so very cool. Read on for the how-to of this experiment, which comes courtesy of The Zula Patrol’s “Launch Pad for Learning” Kit.

Clouds in a Jar

*Obviously, you’re not supposed to let your offspring manipulate the hot water or the matches in this experiment. And ix-nay on letting them pick up the jar, too. But you already knew that.

1. Fill mason jars one-third full with hot water from the faucet (should not be boiling.)
2. Place a lighted match at the opening of the jar with the water and blow it out. Then quickly place aluminum foil on top. (The match should not touch the water.) What you are doing is adding dust particles into the jar filled with water drops. Water drops and a tiny bit of dust particles condense to form clouds.
3. Place ice on top of the foil. What you are doing is creating cooler air above the warm water and dust particles. This will cause them to rise, and create cloud formations. You will clearly see the clouds form and rise in the jar. You will also see air currents.
4. Ask children what they see. How are clouds forming in the jar? How do they now think clouds form outside? What color and shape is the cloud? What clouds and shapes are the clouds outside?

Find additional activities and “Launch Pad for Learning” science kits at Carolina Curriculum.

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