Make a Galaxy in a Jar
Make a swirling galaxy in a jar using water, glue, oil, food coloring, and glitter; observe density, colors, and motion while crafting safely.
Step-by-step guide to Make a Galaxy in a Jar
Step 1
Lay out all materials on a flat table and put a paper towel under your jar.
Step 2
Pour water into the jar until it is about one-third full.
Step 3
Measure and add the same amount of clear glue as the water into the jar.
Step 4
Stir the water and glue together until they look evenly mixed.
Step 5
Add 2 to 4 drops of liquid food coloring into the glue mixture.
Step 6
Sprinkle a small pinch of glitter into the jar.
Step 7
In a separate cup pour baby oil to fill the rest of the jar above the glue mixture.
Step 8
Slowly pour the baby oil into the jar so it forms a separate layer on top.
Step 9
With adult help screw the lid on the jar tightly to prevent leaks.
Step 10
Gently tilt and swirl the sealed jar to make a spinning galaxy of colors and glitter.
Step 11
Observe how the oil floats above the glue mixture and how the colors and glitter move and change.
Step 12
Take a photo of your galaxy and share your finished creation on DIY.org
Help!?
What can we use instead of clear glue or baby oil if they're hard to find?
If you can't find clear glue, substitute clear school glue or clear craft gel, and if you don't have baby oil use mineral oil or light vegetable (cooking) oil though vegetable oil may be slightly cloudy and may smell.
My oil mixed into the glue layer or the colors didn't show—what went wrong and how do I fix it?
Be sure to measure equal parts water and clear glue and stir until evenly mixed before adding 2–4 drops of food coloring and a pinch of glitter, then pour the baby oil very slowly so it forms a separate top layer and tightly screw the lid on to prevent leaks.
How can I adapt this activity for different age groups?
For toddlers have an adult do steps 2–8 while the child sprinkles glitter and takes the photo, for school-age kids let them measure, stir, color, and pour with supervision, and for older kids try layering different colored glue mixtures or adding tiny star confetti.
How can we enhance or personalize our Galaxy in a Jar?
Personalize it by mixing a little glow-in-the-dark paint into the clear glue before adding food coloring, sealing the lid with hot glue after screwing it on for extra leak protection, and adding tiny star confetti or an LED tea light when photographing your galaxy.
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Facts about density and liquids
🌌 Galaxies can contain hundreds of billions of stars — our Milky Way has about 100–400 billion!
💧 Oil floats on water because it's less dense and doesn't mix, so it forms a separate layer you can see in a jar.
🧪 Food coloring is water-based, so in an oil-and-water jar it travels as colorful droplets through the oil before mixing with water.
🌀 Glue makes mixtures thicker (more viscous), so adding glue helps the galaxy swirl more slowly and hold sparkles in place.
✨ Most glitter is tiny plastic — for outdoor or long-lived projects pick biodegradable glitter or reusable sequins to be eco-friendly.
How do I make a swirling galaxy in a jar?
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What safety tips should I follow when making a galaxy in a jar?
