Fire and Flames Projects

Do you want to play with fire? This is a collection of science projects involving fire, including how to color fire, fire magic tricks, and interesting chemistry demonstrations involving fire and flames.

A true pyromanic or pyro has an unhealthy fascination with fire. (Nath Planas) — Pyromaniacs or pyros are people who have a fascination with fire, which usually involves playing with fire or setting fires. Are you a pyro? Do you know a pyro? How would you know? Well, here are some ways you might be able to tell. You might be a pyro if… […]

You Might Be a Pyro or Pyromaniac If

This entry was posted on June 29, 2015 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on May 19, 2021)

Instant Fire Chemical Reaction (deradrian) — Make instant fire using sugar, potassium chlorate, and sulfuric acid. No matches or flame is needed for this exciting chemistry demonstration! Instant Fire Materials You only need three chemicals for this reaction: Perform the Instant Fire Demonstration You can do this demonstration in a test tube or on a heat-safe […]

Instant Fire Demonstration

This entry was posted on June 12, 2015 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 8, 2023)

Rainbow Fire Pumpkin — Looking for an over-the-top science-y Halloween jack o’ lantern? Here’s my favorite… a carved pumpkin that’s both covered in colored flames and shoots fire from every orifice. The colors work much like the analytical chemistry flame test in which heated ions release a characteristic spectrum of light. Materials Real Pumpkin […]

Rainbow Flames Halloween Jack o’ Lantern

This entry was posted on September 26, 2014 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on December 22, 2021)

Okay pyros, I know you’re out there… I’ve got a project right up your alley (and mine). Obtain or make a sparkler and use it to draw pictures on paper. Are you a little unclear about what I mean? It’s an art form called pyrographie (or pyrography) and it involves […]

Pyrography – Draw Pictures With a Sparkler

This entry was posted on July 19, 2014 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on June 21, 2021)

Burning Dandelions (Anne Helmenstine) — I continued my experimentation into the colors of flames produced by dandelions with a bouquet of ‘wishes’ or seed heads. In Nebraska, dandelions are used for dandelion wine, but mainly are a weed. No one objected to getting the flowers cleared out their yard. Actually, I suspect they were glad […]

Burning Bouquet of Dandelions

This entry was posted on July 19, 2014 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on April 23, 2018)

Red & Blue Fire Tornado — It’s fun and educational to make a tabletop fire tornado or fire vortex. Why not experiment with color, too? The easiest variation is the green fire tornado, but you can use other chemicals and a similar technique to get other colors or even multiple colors. This fire tornado showcases red […]

Make a Tabletop Fire Tornado: Red and Blue Flames

This entry was posted on June 13, 2014 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on August 25, 2021)

How to Make a Green Fire Tornado

This entry was posted on June 9, 2014 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on December 22, 2021)

Safe Method of Doing the Colored Flames Chemistry Demonstration

This entry was posted on April 29, 2014 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on June 15, 2022)

Black Snake Firework (Anne Helmenstine) — Black snake fireworks are small, non-exploding fireworks that you ignite to push out a growing column of black ash. While you can buy these fireworks, they are easy to make using kitchen ingredients and a fuel. Materials You only need a few common household chemical for making black snake fireworks: […]

Homemade Black Snake Fireworks

This entry was posted on July 4, 2013 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on July 5, 2021)