#Scienceforkids- “Potato and Straw”- An Easy Science Experiment for Kids!
Hi everyone and welcome back to #Scienceforkids series.
I know, it is hard to get back to work after festive fun and holidays.
So, this week we are trying to get back into momentum slowly by doing a simple and easy science experiment.
This experiment is easy, interesting and can be conducted at home by using only two supplies.
Name of experiment is “Potato and straw science experiment”
Overview
As the name suggested, the experiment will be conduct by using potato and straw. In this experiment, we will try to stab a potato with straw and after few steps, we will learn the amazing power of air pressure. With this fun experiment, we can show how air pressure can be used in surprising ways.
Supplies
You will need only two main supplies for conducting this experiment.
- Potato 1
- Straw 1
Method
- First start the experiment by asking a simple question to kids, “Can you stab this straw through this potato?” and most probably, they will answer no, it is not possible to stab a straw through a potato completely. If we try hard, it will go only up to a certain extent and then straw will get bend.
- Now, as a first step ask kids to do this thing practically. Ask them to hold a straw by it sides (without covering the hole at top) and then quickly stab it through the potato, what will happen? It will not come out through the potato.
- In next step, use another straw and now apply magic of “Science”.
- Now, cover the top of straw with our thumb and again try to stab the straw through potato.
- You will see a scientific magic, and this time straw will come out completely through the potato.
How this happen?
When we cover the top of straw with the thumb, the air get trapped inside the straw, and build a good quality air pressure. This air pressure makes the straw strong enough to pierce the potato completely. ( while in first attempt, when air is outside the straw , there is no air pressure inside the straw, so it is hard to pierce the potato completely)
The science behind this experiment
This experiment is an excellent way to teach kids “The power of air pressure”. With this simple and fun experiment kids will learn how they can use the power of air pressure by just placing the thumb over the straw. It is a kind of strange to think about the invisible air that is all around us. Normally, we did not realize the power of this invisible air power, but with this easy experiment kids get a chance to learn about it practically.
Extra fun
- You can use this experiment during birthday party or play date and can amaze your friends with this amazing “Scientific magic”.
- You can use more supplies to make this experiment more fun. You can use pencils, knife as pocking material along with straw. (adult supervision is always compulsory while conducting science experiments)
- You can try this experiment with other fruits and vegetables too.
- You can conduct some other experiment based on power of air pressure ( next one is coming soon!)
- It is always a good idea to do documentation or journaling of your science work for future reference.
My girls had great time while doing this easy science experiment. They had learnt the power of air pressure practically with this project.
watch the video for step by step tutorial
Did you like this experiment? Please share your thoughts, in comment box.
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Stay tuned for next post, will share another easy and exciting science experiment in next post.
Loved your girl’s video, either what ease they have done the experiment. I will check out the other experiments too.
Thanks dear, I am glad you liked it.
this is great to go for kids for science experiment for kids sure will be planning for my kids next experiment.. ty for sharing
Thanks Simi, please try it and share your experience with me
This is a nice and safe experiment to work out with kids. I am sure my nephew would enjoy this too.
Oh wonderful, this is such an interesting experiment to understand the concept of air pressure. I was a science student but never knew about this easy experiment. I’m going to show this trick to Nemit, he will love it.
Thanks Neha, I am glad you liked it.hoping Nemit will also liked it.
Very interesting and simple way to teach kids about air pressure!! My daughter has a science week coming up in school. Thanks for the idea 🙂
Thanks Aarushi, i am glad you liked it
It’s easy and at the same time great way of teaching kids about air pressure. I used few experiments in the past to teach my students about air pressure but this one is real fun.
Wow.. Thisbis is so cool! This is such a fun and easy experiment. Loved the video.. Will try for my niece’s birthday party
Your girls are amazing .Very beautiful show and explain the concept of air pressure.
Thanks Gurjeet for kind words. I am glad you liked it.
That is such a simple experiment. Even though we use these ingredients daily in our lives never thought that we could do this experiment with potatoes.
Yes Aishwarya, there are so many routine ingredients that can do wonderful science magic. thanks for stopping by,
What an interesting article. At first I thought “no this is impossible” but then I read further and saw that the pressure will help making a whole in the potato. I think this is a nice activity for children and provides some good brain stimuli.
Thanks Leana for kind words. it is really great to get connected with you
Aaww I loved the experiment as well the video to the core, lots of love n blessings to the little ones from me ♥️♥️
Thanks Buddy, I am glad you liked it
Easy to do experiment to teach kids about The power of air pressure. Will share with my little ones
Thanks doctor, I am glad you liked it
You have proposed such an easy way of explaining the kids about the air pressure. Would definitely share the video with my kids and I know they would love it.
Thanks a lot dear, I am glad you liked it
You know what, I have showed the video to my girl and she ran towards the kitchen to get these easy ingredients. We are all set to conduct this fun DIY science experiment. Thanks for sharing this with us.
wow your comment has made my day Dee, please let me know how it went?
this is so cool, my son would enjoy this. I will try it out with him. I like ur science experiment series.
Thanks Tina, your appreciation means a lot to me.
This is a cute and very fun experience for the kids. I am going to try this with my kids as well thank u for that! Also how cute are your girls!?! They are adorable! The little one had me giggling and that older one has a knack for being on camera. She’s a natural!
Thanks felicia for kind words. it is really great to get connected with you
Science experiments especially the simple ones are so much fun and a great way to learn! Cute video, Surbhi! This is an experiment my son did at his school and really enjoyed it. And I love how they keep laughing over the straw bending and refusing to go through the hard potato! Thank you for sharing this easy activity!
Thanks Vidhya ji, your appreciation means a lot to me
We are certainly doing this one today. Science can be so much fun for children. Thanks for sharing, we really will enjoy this one
This is such an interesting experiment to learn /teach about the power of air pressure. I am certainly going to include this in our next children’s party. Thanks for sharing, Surbhi.
Thanks Shilpa, I am glad you liked it.
Your girls are so adorable and smart. What a fun way to teach kids about air pressure. I don’t remember dping this in school but I might give it a try now ?
Thanks Rajlakshmi, I am glad you liked it.
Oh my your girls are lovely! This looks like such an amazing experiment to try with my kids – they absolutely love this sort of thing. I will give it a go with them soon, so thanks for sharing. There is an experiment my husband tried with my kids that they loved and maybe you can try that one out with your kids. I am not sure exactly how he did it but it had to do with a bowl of water and pepper. I think perhaps he put dish soap in too? Then you touch the water with a match or toothpick and the pepper moves away.
That’s quite an amazing experiment. you have captured it really well in your post without the need for any frills or hype. There can’t be a better way to teach science to kids than through experiments as simple as the one you have covered in your post. The hands-on approach ensures instant concept clarity and helps build affinity towards science. Thanks for sharing this amazing experiment and i look forward to the next ones in the series 🙂
[…] Potato and straw science experiment […]
Thanks for sharing this simple experiment.I will surely try it with my grandson next time they are with me.
Wow super cool experiment Surbhi! I will try it at home with my son for sure!
[…] Potato and straw science experiment […]
[…] Potato and straw science experiment […]