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in STEM Activities

How Does Frost Form? Making Frost in a Jar

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We love quick science demonstrations that can quickly illustrate scientific concepts. One of our favorite quick STEM activities is making frost in a jar (if you don’ t have a jar, you can also make frost in a can).

This winter science experiment shows how with the right conditions, condensation turns to frost!

We love doing this activity as a winter STEM activity, because we don’t get a lot of snow and ice where we live in Texas, but we still want the winter wonderland experience!

Winter science experiments are tons of fun! This science experiment is all about making frost in a jar. #stemed #steamsational #stemactivities #scienceexperiments #winteractivities

Keep reading to learn about frost in a jar science and making frost in a jar.

Frost in a Jar Science

Wondering how the frost in a jar experiment works? This is the basic frost in a jar science.

winter STEM challenge cards

How does frost form?

frost in a jar

Air contains water particles known as water vapor (which is also what clouds are made of). Cold water can’t hold as much moisture as warm air, so when the air cools, water vapor clings to surfaces and creates condensation. When the solid surface is below freezing, the condensation turns to frost.

Frost is a thin ice layer that forms on a solid surface (you’ll often see it on windows, roofs, grass, and cars). Frost forms when the air temperature is slightly above freezing, while the surface of the solid is below freezing.

When the water vapor comes in contact with the freezing surface, it causes the vapor to change from vapor to ice and forms a thin layer of ice crystals.

making frost

Why does frost form on the jar when it’s not freezing?

A jar of ice water will cause the glass of the jar to hover right around freezing temperature. This is cold enough to make condensation, but not frost.

So, how does the frost get there?

Frost is able to form with the addition of salt.

Salt lowers the melting point of ice (meaning that it starts to melt even at freezing temperatures). When this happens, the glass jar actually falls below freezing.

When the glass freezes, the condensation turns to frost.

That’s why you can see the condensation change to frost right before your eyes after adding salt to the jar.

If you’re in a rush, these are our favorite weather science kits.

Making Frost in a Jar

how to make frost

Follow along with these simple steps to making frost! It’s easy, and kids will have a blast with this cold-weather science experiment.

What you’ll need when making frost

For this winter science experiment you will need:

  • Glass mason jar (we usually order ours from Amazon)
  • Ice
  • Salt
  • Blue food coloring (we like these colors)

Making frost in a jar directions

The secret to making thick frost is adding just a bit of water to the jar in addition to the ice.

In a small bowl, color some water blue and set it aside.

Fill your mason jar about 3/4 of the way full of crushed ice (crushed ice will freeze faster than larger chunks).

Add a half-inch layer of salt.

Pour the blue water over the salt.

The frost should start to form in just a few seconds.

If you’re super impatient, you can add a lid to the jar and give it a quick shake. This will speed things along.

At first, you may not be able to tell that the condensation has become frost.

But after about 3 minutes, you’ll see a thick layer of ice crystals on the surface of the jar.

Don’t forget to record your data in a science notebook!

If you like this experiment, you might also like making a magnifying glass from ice, doing the hot ice science experiment, and making a snowstorm in a jar.

Making Frost Variations

frost in a jar science experiment

If you want to do this frost science experiment as a true experiment instead of a demonstration, you must test variables. Here are some things to test:

  • How long it takes different amounts of salt to create frost.
  • If the amount of ice changes how quickly frost forms.
  • If other frozen liquids could be used to make frost.
  • If frost will ever form without the use of salt.
  • If shaking the jar changes how quickly the frost forms.
winter STEM challenge cards

Winter STEM Activities by Grade Level

Try these winter STEM activities for each grade level!

Winter Science Experiments for Toddlers

Winter STEM Activities for Preschool

Winter Science Experiments for Preschool

Winter STEM Activities for Kindergarten

Winter STEM Activities for 1st Grade

Winter STEM Activities for 2nd Grade

Winter STEM Activities for 3rd Grade

Winter STEM Activities for 4th Grade

Winter STEM Activities for 5th Grade

Winter STEM Activities for Middle School

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Filed Under: STEM Activities Tagged With: science in a jar, winter

About Brenda Priddy

Brenda grew up thinking she hated science.

But when her 4-year- old daughter was more interested in reading science facts than fairy tales, Brenda realized she had to learn more about science to keep up with her daughter.

Through simple at-home science experiments, Brenda developed a passion for science and now acts as an advocate for STEM education for kids at her website STEAMsational.com.

« Snow Storm in a Jar Science Fair Project
How to Make Instant Ice in 5 Seconds »

What is STEAM?

STEAM activities for kids promote the idea that science, technology, engineering, art, and math can all work together to help kids become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators!

Join us on our journey to discover just how much fun science experiments can be.

What we do… 

STEAMsational offers STEM and science lesson plans and teaching resources to provide a firm STEM foundation for children in the classroom or home.

All you need to do is find your supplies, gather your scientists, and let the innovation unfold.

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