Twister in a Bottle

Twister in a Bottle
©2007, Publications International, Ltd.
Twister in a Bottle
Create a twister in a bottle, and you'll see how tornadoes work. While most real tornadoes are made of air, this easy science activity for kids uses water to demonstrate the same swirling action that tornadoes display.

What You'll Need:

  • Water
  • Two 2-liter bottles
  • Cardboard
  • Pencil or pen
  • Scissors
  • Tape

Step 1: Pour water into a 2-liter plastic bottle until it is about three-quarters full.

Step 2: Use a pen to trace around the bottle's opening on a piece of cardboard, and cut out that circle. Then cut a 1/4-inch hole in the center of the circle.

Step 3: Place the cardboard circle on top of your water bottle's opening.

Step 4: Turn the second 2-liter bottle upside down, and tape the two bottles together, top to top.

Step 5: Wrap the bottle necks with tape so the connection doesn't leak.

Step 6: Flip the bottles so the bottle of water is upside-down on top.

Step 7: With one hand, hold the bottom bottle to steady it. With the other hand, begin moving the top bottle in a circle.

Step 8: Watch what happens. You'll see a tornado in a bottle.

Water tornadoes, such as the one you just made, happen in nature, too. When a tornado forms over water, it's called a waterspout.

Look on the next page to learn how you can make a whirling color wheel that makes a rainbow of colors disappear.

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