Science Experiments for Kids: Making Salt and Pepper Dance

Seeing a child’s eyes light up over simple science experiments for kids that you helped with is amazing.  Using a few items you may already have around your house, you can make salt and pepper dance.

Materials Required to Make Salt and Pepper Dance

• Salt
• Ground Pepper
• Balloon
• Dry Hair

Science for Kids – Dancing Pepper Pick Up

Sprinkle some salt and ground pepper onto the counter (or a plate). Blow up a balloon and tie.  Have your child rub the ballon against dry hair (creating static).  Bring the balloon close to the salt and pepper.  Watch as the balloon picks up the pepper.  It looks like the pepper dances to the balloon!

Why It Works

When you rub the balloon, it picks up electrons from your hair and becomes negatively charged. When you put the balloon over the salt and pepper the electric charge of the balloon attracts the light and fluffy pepper particles. The charge pushes electrons toward the back of each pepper particle and then attracts the front side, which now has a positive charge. That doesn’t work as well on salt grains since the grains are heavier.

My girls loved this easy, quick, at home science project.  They had so many questions about what was going on and were even curious if the color of the balloon made a difference in the pepper pick up.

The Stepping into Science Science Kit is sure to add even more fun science to your family.

What do you think – will you try this science experiment at your house?  Do you have a science experiment that you love?   Please share if you do!

While you have your balloons out, try blowing one up with baking soda and vinegar!

We love crafting!  Be sure to check out our Craft Posts for more ways to create fun, frugal crafts and projects at your house!

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