Tea Bag Ghost Experiment
Have you ever seen a homeschool science experiment that made you say, “Wow, I want to try that!”? The Tea Bag Ghost Experiment is one of those experiments.
This easy but exciting science experiment will leave your kids fascinated this Halloween or any time of the year. (Well, that’s if they’re not scared of ghosts! lol)
But don’t worry, you will love how cute this little ghost lifts! And if you want to know why you can try this simple experiment now.
Like this ghost idea? See this list of fun Halloween Activities for kids.
Read on to find out how to do this Ghost Experiment.
This post may contain affiliate links meaning I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Read my disclosure policy here.
The Flying Tea Bag Ghost Experiment
Homeschooling can be a lot of fun. You can do experiments that you wouldn’t ordinarily have time for, and dig deep into topics that interest you.
One homeschool experiment that’s always a hit is the Tea Bag Ghost Experiment. It’s a spooky and easy way to teach about the relationship between fire, air density, and how hot air rises.
Recommended Science Experiment Books for Kids
You probably have a kid who loves experiments. These books will give you a ton of ideas on what science experiments are perfect for your homeschool lessons.
Awesome Science Experiments for Kids: 100+ Fun STEM / STEAM Projects and Why They Work (Awesome STEAM Activities for Kids)The Everything Kids’ Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You!Awesome Kitchen Science Experiments for Kids: 50 STEAM Projects You Can Eat! (Awesome STEAM Activities for Kids)Awesome Outdoor Science Experiments for Kids: 50+ STEAM Projects and Why They Work (Awesome STEAM Activities for Kids)Steve Spangler’s Super-Cool Science Experiments for Kids: 50 mind-blowing STEM projects you can do at homeSmithsonian 10-Minute Science Experiments: 50+ quick, easy and awesome projects for kids
What do you need?
- Flat tea bags
- Black permanent markers
- Lighter
- Non-flammable surface
Disposable Tea BagsLarge Chisel Tip Permanent Marker, BlackBIC Multi-Purpose Lighter
Tea Bag Ghost Instructions
- Create a straight edge by cutting the top part from the tea bag.
2. Unfold the tea bag. Make sure to empty the contents.
3. Using a black permanent marker, draw the face of the ghost towards the bottom of the tea bag.
4. Shape the tea bag into a cylinder and stand it on the non-flammable surface in a draft-free location.
5. Light the top of the tea bag on fire.
Recommended Halloween Activity Kits for Kids
Little Learners Print & Go Activity Kit: Halloween
Your preschooler or kindergartener will happily sit down with these Halloween themed worksheets and practice their skills with frightful entertainment.
Your kids will enjoy creating amazing crafts from this Halloween-themed craft box.
Recommended Halloween Books for Kids
If you are looking for some books that has something to do with Halloween, check out these great books about jack-o-lanterns, witches, and more!
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of AnythingIf You Give a Mouse a PumpkinRoom on the BroomLittle Blue Truck’s HalloweenThe Halloween Tree: Build New Traditions with This Funny and Imaginative Holiday Book for Children (Halloween Gifts for Kids)The Last Train on Halloween (Naomi and a Bunch of Kids)
Are you ready for another spooky experiment? Try this Spooky Dry Erase Floating Ink Experiment and see how awesome it is.
How does the flying tea bag ghost experiment work?
As the tea bag burns, the air density on the inside of the tea bag will change, resulting in a lift of the final pieces.
The tea bag appears to be floating or flying because hot air is less dense than cold air. The heat from the fire makes the air molecules inside the tea bag expand, making the air around it denser. As a result, the tea bag rises until it reaches an area with colder and less dense air.
Be aware that some tea bags lift higher and faster than others. Some may burn all the way down before blowing. The humidity in the air may also change the flight of the tea bag.
Looking for more? Try these fun Halloween activities for 1st graders! I’m sure your little one will have a blast this Halloween with these activities.
Tea Bag Ghost Experiment
Materials
- Flat tea bags
- Black permanent markers
- Lighter
- Non-flammable surface
Instructions
- Create a straight edge by cutting the top part from the tea bag.
- Unfold the tea bag. Make sure to empty the contents.
- Using a black permanent marker, draw the face of the ghost towards the bottom of the tea bag.
- Shape the tea bag into a cylinder and stand it on the non-flammable surface in a draft-free location.
- Light the top of the tea bag on fire.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Do you see how easy this is? Just make sure your child is supervised while doing this experiment. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Now gather those tea bags and start learning about the science behind this experiment so next time you see a flying tea bag, remember that it’s not magic… just science!
If you love this activity, then you should also try these awesome Halloween science experiments that your little scientist will love.
More Halloween Science Activities
Halloween Chemistry Experiments
Halloween Worksheets for Kindergarten
Kids will enjoy these Halloween Worksheets for Kindergarten that includes fun activities like Halloween Letter Sounds, Word Sorting, Halloween Addition, and more.
Halloween Books for Preschoolers
Fizzy Pumpkin Science Experiment
Amazing Halloween Science Activities
Halloween Science Activities for Elementary Students
Brain Surgery Leak Proof Bag Experiment by Schooling A Monkey
Halloween Science Fun with Fizzling Eyeballs by B-Inspired Mama