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March 23, 2023

Flying Tea Bag Experiment for Kids

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There is nothing like a cool science experiment to get kids excited about learning something new.

This flying tea bag experiment has to be one of the most fun ways to teach kids about heat energy–between the fire and flying they are sure to be captivated.

It’s also way easier and less messy than you think!  

Flying Tea Bag Science Experiment for Kids! So cool! #scienceexperiments #scienceforkids #coolscienceexperiments

Flying Tea Bag Experiment Supplies

Here’s what you’ll need to try the flying tea bag science experiment:

  • Single serving tea bags
  • Matches
  • A small bowl
  • A solid stone or metal surface

Flying Tea Bag Science Experiment for Kids

Flying Tea Bag Science Experiment

How to do the flying tea bag experiment:

*Adult supervision is advised at all times. Only adults should handle matches and conduct this experiment for kids to watch.

  1. Conduct this experiment on a metal or stone surface. Make sure that you have enough space above the surface for the tea bag to float up and extinguish itself.
  2. Open the tea bags, and carefully unfold them.
  3. Empty out the tea leaves into a small bowl, and save them for use in other ways if you like. Tea leaves make great garden compost!
  4. Hollow out the center of the tea bags with your fingers, and stand them up on end on the solid metal or stone surface.
  5. With a match, quickly light the top tip of each standing tea bag.
  6. Watch as the tea bag burns to the bottom, and then quickly floats up into the sky.
Tea Bag Experiment

See the flying tea bag experiment in action!

How the Flying Tea Bag Experiment Works

The flying tea bag experiment is really a heat experiment masked as a super cool trick. As the flame burns is heats the air inside the hollow center of the tea bag. As the air gets hotter the molecules become less dense and move around.

The less dense warmer air rises above the more dense cooler air around the tea bag. Since the tea bag is so light it rises with it and appears to fly. This is a fun, hands on way for kids to see how heat effects air molecules.

If you like this one you’ll also want to try A Simple Heat Experiment too!

You only need a couple supplies and it helps kids visualize how temperature can change how air and water molecules react.

But don’t let the fun and discovery stop there!

We have TONS of science experiments your kids will love on our Super Cool Science Experiments for Kids page! 

The most fun science experiments for kids ever!

Take me to the experiments –> Super Cool Science Experiments for Kids

Pin it for later–> Huge List of the Very Best Science Experiments for Kids

 

About Megan Sheakoski

Megan is the creator of Coffee Cups and Crayons, a blog full of simple fun and learning. She believes that kids’ activities don’t have to be complicated to be fun and that learning is better with play.

Preschool Math Pattern Printables
ABC Fine Motor Preschool Busy Bag

Comments

  1. Bittinia Alvarez Mena says

    July 30, 2019 at 12:36 pm

    what kid of tea bags I tried many tea bags but they don’t fly

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      August 8, 2019 at 2:37 pm

      We just use the regular tea bags you can buy in a grocery store. Different brands have all worked. Make sure to completely empty them and take off any tags or strings. What kind have you tried?

      Reply
    • - says

      March 29, 2022 at 4:22 am

      Buy a tea bag which is folded and with the staples on it

      Reply
  2. - says

    March 29, 2022 at 4:21 am

    Who made this theory?

    Reply
  3. myrantha says

    February 9, 2023 at 11:01 pm

    i need the data table for this

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      February 16, 2023 at 7:46 am

      Hello! If you are trying to conduct trials of this experiment you can create a data table in Word, Excel or Powerpoint to use. Or even use a ruler to hand draw one in your notebook.

      Reply
  4. Cheryl Schenck says

    June 23, 2023 at 10:35 am

    I used two different types of teabags and they didn’t work. They burned but didn’t fly up in the air. Glad I tried it at home before I did it at work.

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      June 29, 2023 at 2:59 pm

      Did you try the old school, cheap non-flavored ones yet? That’s the type the author used. There are so many fancier ones now. We haven’t tried those.

      Reply
  5. Saara says

    July 13, 2023 at 1:42 pm

    My little scientist (aged 9) enjoyed this very much , worked first time ..
    Thanks so much for posting such an easy, no fuss experiment 🙂

    Reply

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