We are studying weather in my classroom right now and my own kids get to be the guinea pigs for all activities that I am not certain will go smoothly with my preschool class. I posted this Instagram of our first attempt and immediately people were asking for more information. I asked my kids to help me re-do the experiment with step by step photos so we did a little more kitchen science to show you how to make a cloud in a jar.
Gather your materials. You will need a glass jar with a lid (although a snug dish will work), hot water (boiling works even better), an aerosol spray (we used hairspray), and ice cubes. If you have a child capable of handling boiling water a pyrex measuring cup is great to have on hand as well.
Start by boiling the water then pouring it into the jar. We used about 1/3 of a cup.
Quickly spray the hairspray into the jar. The spray gives the water vapor a surface to condense into tiny cloud droplets. Some experiments use a match instead. Both work but boiling water was enough of a risk for one experiment.
Pop the lid on with the ice and watch the cloud form. 
This was our 4th time overall doing this and my 4-year-old was still amazed.
When you are ready to lift the lid and let the vapor out!
For more science ideas check out our list of 15 Fun Science Experiments For Kids.
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Nikki says
Awesoooooome. Will try this next time with my kids in therapy! I’m pretty sure they will be amazed 🙂
Jessica Fox says
This is so awesome!
Do you think it will work with an used pasta sauce jar?
Allison McDonald says
For sure!
Cocotteocafe says
Bravo ! Je reste avec mes enfants tout àl heure et je vais suivre tes aventures avec attention et bonheur !!!
Allison McDonald says
J’espere que mes adventures avec mes enfants sera amusant pour vos enfants!
Hannah says
I was thinking of using this for a demonstration. How long does it take for the cloud to form?
Allison McDonald says
It’s immediate!
Liane says
The little girl’s face is priceless. Sweet.
Allison McDonald says
I agree – it’s a blast living with her too 🙂
Gopesh says
Something new for Kids !!
Priyank says
Sounds great for kids…
Will share this on my blog.
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Carol says
I did this experiments with my classroom. We did not have any clouds. We had some condensation. But nothing like the picture. Don’t know what I did wrong. I used hot water and hair spray and ice cubes
Ginny says
Me too! I tried three times and it didn’t work like the posters did! Did you ever figure out what went wrong?
Allison McDonald says
I have only had it fail once and I think it was because the hairspray was almost gone in the can.
Carol says
I didn’t have success doing this experiment. I used everything you suggested. No luck!
Allison McDonald says
Oh, Carol, that’s such a bummer, I’m so sorry. It’s always worked well for me.
Olivia says
Great idea! We should try it with kids! They love experiments and have so much excitement making them!
Tiffany says
Wanting to do this as a review of water cycles. What size of jar did you use? I have one litre jars, would that work?