This rubber egg experiment is such a COOL and easy science experiment for kids. Dissolve egg shells in vinegar leaving you with bouncy eggs - a great STEM activity!
Active Time2 minutesmins
Waiting time2 daysd
Total Time2 daysd2 minutesmins
Yield: 1naked egg
Author: Debbie Chapman
Cost: $1
Equipment
Mason jar (or other glass or container)
spoon/stir stick (if using food colouring)
blacklight/UV flashlight (optional, for highlighter glowing egg)
Pour vinegar into the jar, enough to generously cover the egg.
Step 2: Make a coloured egg (optional)
Follow step 1, then add 8 to 10 drops of food colouring. Stir.
Step 3: Make a glowing egg (optional)
Follow step 1. Have an adult cut the end off of a highlighter and pull the ink tube out of it with needle nose pliers or tweezers. We used utility scissors to cut through the plastic but you might be able to remove the highlighter end with pliers.
Squeeze the ink into the vinegar. Place the ink tube in the vinegar with the egg and leave it to soak along with the egg.
Step 4: Wait for shell to dissolve
Allow the egg to soak in the vinegar for 24 to 48 hours.
Check the egg in 24 hours to see if it's translucent. If any hard parts of the shell remain, leave it in vinegar for another day.Notice the difference in the size of the eggs in the photo above when the eggs were first put in the vinegar compared to the next photo after they had soaked for 48 hours.
Remove the egg from the jar. You can pour out the jar over a sink and catch the egg in your hand, or you can tip the jar and take it out with a spoon.
Rinse the egg to remove the remains of the shell. Dry the egg with a paper towel and let it sit for a few minutes to dry.
Your rubber egg is complete!
Bounce and squeeze your egg. (Gently!)
Use a blacklight/UV flashlight to see the highlighter glowing egg.
Video
Notes
Make sure your jar or glass has an opening large enough to remove the egg - it will grow! The mason jars we used had a 2.5 inch opening, which was perfect.