How to Make Kitchen Fireworks

Fireworks are a common denominator in many celebrations, such as the 4th of July or closing time at major theme parks. While fireworks are beautiful, they are not safe for children to make themselves--except when they are making kitchen fireworks. There is no chance of starting a fire in your kitchen while making these fireworks, but your kids will explode with joy.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Pour some milk (about 2 cups) into a rectangular cake pan or baking dish.

2. Scatter numerous drops of food coloring in several different spots in the milk.

3. Squeeze some dishwashing detergent into the milk (especially near the food coloring drops).

4. Gander at the wonderful firework display going on right before your eyes inside the cake pan. The "fireworks" are the result of the liquid dishwashing detergent separating the fat in the milk, thus causing it to move.

5. Add more liquid detergent to the milk and food coloring when you see that the display is dying down. Watch as the firework show starts all over again.

Tips & Warnings

• Let each child make his own pan of fireworks to let creative juices explode. Encourage them to use different colors and put them at unique spots in the milk. Have a contest and see whose fireworks display lasts the longest—then start all over just by adding more liquid dishwashing detergent.
• Although these kitchen fireworks may look just like flavored milk, make sure to just watch them and restrain from taking a taste--they look good, but they're not meant for consumption.