This experiment allows children to see how certain materials create a reaction to remove the dark copper oxide coating from older pennies. Provide students with an assortment of old, dull pennies. Place a small amount of water, lemon juice, vinegar, dish washing soap and soda each in their own cup and allow students to place their pennies in one of the liquids. After the pennies have been submerged for several minutes, take them out and have students use a paper towel to clean their pennies. Observe the penny's colorization and the paper towel to see which liquid creates the strongest chemical reaction and makes the penny the cleanest.
Making homemade ice cream is a memorable way to teach students the chemical reaction between ice and salt. Fill a gallon-sized resealable bag halfway with ice and add 6 tbsp. of rock salt to begin the reaction. Place a smaller resealable bag with an ice cream mixture inside the gallon bag. The Kaboose website notes that an ice cream recipe consisting of 1 tbsp. sugar, 1/2 cup milk or half and half and 1/4 tsp. of vanilla makes about a scoop of ice cream. Allow students to shake or toss the bag as the reaction takes place, which should take about five minutes. As they shake the bag, discuss the temperature of the bag and the reaction that is taking place to help freeze the ice cream.
Vinegar, baking soda and dish detergent create an experiment for kindergarten students to observe a chemical reaction that creates bubbles. Pour 3 tbsp. each of vinegar and water into a plastic bottle and then add 1/4 tsp. of dish detergent. Swirl the mixture together, being careful not to shake the bottle. Add 3 tsp. of baking soda to the bottle and swirl the mixture again to create a chemical reaction of bubbles. Invite students to observe the reaction taking place between the vinegar and baking soda.
Place a raw or hard-boiled egg into a lidded glass jar full of white vinegar and invite students to predict what chemical reaction might take place in the jar. After students have shared their predictions, place the jar out of the way. Change the vinegar the next day and allow the container sit for a full week. Once a week has passed, rinse the egg in water and invite students to observe the reaction that took place, causing the vinegar to wear away the egg's shell. In addition, if you used a hard-boiled egg, it will bounce when dropped on the floor.