Learn How to Make a Tornado in a Bottle for a really fun activity with your kids. This is the perfect activity to keep the kids entertained while being very simple and budget friendly.
This cool tornado experiment will provide lots of fun for the kiddos but is so simple to do. Impress your kids and keep them busy with this fun activity.
Children of all ages will love learning how to make a water tornado. With just a few simple items you probably already have, this activity comes together in just minutes. We also love to make a Volcano for kids.
Table of contents
Why We Love This
It is the perfect rainy-day activity or when it is just too hot to play outside.
This is one of our favorite science experiments and the kids just love it. We have a blast with DIY activities.
Not only is it so fun to do but it is a learning activity as well. This is really a fun science experiment!
The kids will also love these Water Bottle Crafts for Kids.
Supplies
- 2 Empty Plastic Bottles – I used 2-liter size for this experiment, but you can use any size clear plastic bottle. Both bottles will need to be the same size.
- Water
- Duct Tape
- Food Coloring. The food coloring is optional. However, I think that it is easier to see the tornado when the color has been added. I chose black to look more like a dark storm, but you can choose any color that you would like.
You probably already have most of these supplies at home. This experiment is so simple and does not require much to do.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. Pour the water into the pitcher.
Step 2. Next, add the food coloring.
Step 3. Mix together.
Step 4. Use the pitcher and begin filling the bottle.
Step 5. The amount of water should be about ¾ full.
Step 6. Align the empty bottle directly on top of the bottle with the water in it. Then use the duct tape to secure the 2 plastic bottles together. To create the tornado, turn the bottles full of water over and swirl the water clockwise. Then a tornado funnel shape will form as the water moves from the top bottle to the lower bottle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this experiment works the same with water bottles. You can use water bottles instead of 2-liter bottles if you prefer for this tornado diy.
If you have an empty jar, you can also use this to make a tornado. The technique is a little different but still creates a vortex like the other methods do with centripetal force.
It is so fun to turn the bottle upside down and watch as it creates a water vortex that looks like tornado alley. Spin the bottle slightly in a circular motion toward the center of the vortex. My kids could do this for hours. It really is so neat to watch and mesmerizing.
If you are making a lot of these experiments for a classroom or any other large group of children, you may consider using these tornado bottle connectors instead of the duct tape. However, if you are just making 1 or 2, the duct tape works great!
Just make sure the bottom bottle is secure. You could probably also use a metal washer to connect them.
We just like using duct tape because we typically always have that here already. Feel free to use what is easiest for you and that you already have on hand.
The tornado is caused by a vortex that makes the liquids travel in spirals. The vortex happens when a liquid goes through the opening in the bottle and gravity is what makes the liquid go down.
This is so fun for kids to watch, and the entire experience is just really fascinating.
It all keeps rotating which is how the vortex keeps going and looks like a tornado. It is so neat how all of this works.
My kids were amazed the first time we did this bottle experiment. They thought it was really cool and still love doing it.
More Fun Ideas for Kids
- Easy Homemade Playdough Recipes
- 25 Boredom Busters for Kids (to do indoors)
- Tissue Paper Crafts for Kids
- 20 Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for Kids
- Seashell crafts for kids
- how to make slime for kids that is calming
Go ahead and make a tornado. Please come back and leave a comment once you try it.
