We’re sure most people have put a packet of Mentos in Diet Coke and enjoyed the ensuing carnage by this point. But in terms of science experiments you can do at home, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
If you like watching weird and wacky science experiments, YouTube is a treasure trove of content. With that in mind, here are the best YouTube channels full of people doing madcap science experiments.
1. Doctor Mad Science
Have you ever wondered what happens if you put a grape in the microwave? Or what happens if you combine milk and soap? Doctor Mad Science has the answers.
A 15-year-old autistic boy called Jordan hosts the channel. Impressively, in addition to hosting, Jordan also records and edits all of the content.
His channel is filled with science experiments that use household products, meaning anyone can try them in their own home. Just make sure you take appropriate safety measures before starting!
2. Brusspup
The Brusspup channel goes in a different direction. It explores the boundaries between science and amazing optical illusions.
If you subscribe, you can look forward to finding out what happens when UV light hits sand or how to control magnets using static electricity.
One of the channel’s most popular videos (with almost 30 million views) is “10 Amazing Paper Tricks”. It’s impressive stuff, so make sure you check it out.
3. Whizz Kid Science
Whizz Kid Science is another channel that’s hosted by a child. The presenter is 13, but he often ropes in his younger brother and sister in be part of whatever experiment he is conducting.
Some of the channel’s most-watched videos include “Five Amazing Egg Experiments” and “Top Seven Colorful Experiments”.
The Whizz Kid Science channel also features a handful of how-to videos that straddle the divide between science and children’s activities. Examples include “How to Make Chocolate Slime” and “Glow Stick Hacks for Kids”.
Note: The same child is also responsible for the excellent Whizz Kid Math and Whizz Kid Play channels.
4. Incredible Science
Kids love a fad. It doesn’t matter how old you are; you’ll definitely be able to recall something from your childhood that everyone badly wanted then quickly got bored with (Tamagotchi, anyone?).
The Incredible Science channel aims to put those fad products to good use by extrapolating science lessons from them. We had no idea that a fidget spinner could be such a great learning tool.
There are also plenty of other experiments that don’t use toys. The most viewed video investigates the weird science behind polymer balls. At the time of writing it has been viewed more than 70 million times.
5. MC Experiments
If you have kids, the kitchen is a fantastic place to do science. There are so many things that you can combine to learn more about the world.
The MC Experiments channel takes the kitchen idea and runs with it. All the experiments on the channel are kid-friendly and can be performed using items that most families will have lying around.
Bouncing eggs, lava in a cup, and fun with food coloring—the channel has it all.
6. The Quirkles
The Quirkles is a 26-book science series for kids. Each book featured a different imaginary scientist who takes the reader on a journey through the subject matter. The YouTube channel is a spinoff from the book series.
It differs from the other channels on this list thanks to its focus on seasonal science. You’ll see experiments geared towards the time of year, but also towards events such as Halloween and Valentine’s Day.
7. Sick Science
Sick Science is the brainchild of Steve Spangler. Steve is an American TV personality, science teacher, toy designer, and author, meaning he’s well-placed to perform some entertaining weird and wacky science experiments.
Some of his most fun videos include “Liquid Light”, “Exploding Egg”, and “Make Your Own Lightsaber”.
Unfortunately, Spangler is slow to release new videos, so you can expect just a couple per year. Nonetheless, the back catalog is impressive enough.
8. The Spangler Effect
The clue is in the name. The Spangler Effect is Steve Spangler’s second YouTube channel. Thankfully, this one receives new content far more frequently—you’ll get at least eight new videos every month.
The content is broadly similar to Sick Science. If you want to see fire tornadoes, fizzy reaction contests, colorful convection currents, and magnetic slime, this is the channel for you.
The most viewed video on the channel is an experiment that shows you how it’s possible to unlock a car using nothing more than water. It has racked up 4.2 million views and counting.
9. The Backyard Scientist
It’s fair to say that The Backyard Scientist channel should come with a giant “Do Not Try This at Home” warning.
But, while the channel’s videos might be somewhat dangerous, they’re also packed with incredible science and wild experiments.
Honestly, we’d never given a thought to what happens when you pour molten aluminum into a watermelon before, but now we’re glad we know.
Other examples of what to expect include putting molten salt into water, what happens if you microwave a microwave, and whether someone can escape a human-sized glue trap.
10. Applied Science
Our final recommendation is Applied Science. It’s slightly less wacky than some of the other channels on this list, but the experiments are still fun and will teach you a lot.
If you subscribe, you’ll be able to learn what happens if you blow mold over plastic bottles or dissolve lithium in anhydrous ammonia. The channel’s most popular video looks at how to make a refrigerator work using rubber bands.
There are even some videos for foodies (which you can watch when you run out of Netflix documentaries for foodies). You can find out how a potato chip reacts if you fry it in Fluorinert FC-40 or how to make chocolate whip using high-pressure nitrous oxide.
Improve Your Scientific Knowledge Further
These channels will hopefully inspire you to get more involved with science. And they’re a reminder that science doesn’t have to be dry and boring.
If you’d like to further your scientific knowledge, the internet is a fantastic resource. To learn more, check out our articles listing apps that explain complex science topics and sites to keep abreast of the latest science news.
Read the full article: The 10 Best YouTube Channels for Wacky Science Experiments