Egg in a Bottle Experiment for Kids

The egg in a bottle experiment is a fun food science activity that helps kids see air pressure in action. In this experiment, a peeled hard-boiled egg appears to get pulled into a bottle, even though the bottle opening looks too small.

This experiment is exciting for kids to watch, predict, and observe, but an adult should perform the part that uses fire. First, you will need a hard-boiled egg. Let it cool and peel the egg before beginning.

This activity is part of our Food Science Experiments for Kids collection where you can explore kitchen chemistry, growing experiments, and edible science projects.

What You Need

• 1 hard-boiled egg, cooled and peeled
• Glass bottle with an opening slightly smaller than the egg
• Strip of paper
• Match or lighter

Important Safety Note

This experiment should be done by an adult because it uses a lit match and burning paper. Kids can help observe, predict, and discuss the results, but an adult should handle the flame and hot bottle.

How to Do the Egg in a Bottle Experiment

1. Find a glass bottle with an opening slightly smaller than your peeled hard-boiled egg.
2. An adult should light a strip of paper with a match and place it inside the glass bottle.
3. Immediately place the peeled hard-boiled egg on top of the bottle opening. Put the narrow end down and make sure the egg forms a seal.
4. Ask kids to predict what they think will happen.
5. Watch closely as the egg begins to move and gets pushed into the bottle.

What Happens?

The heat from the flame causes the air inside the bottle to expand. As it expands, some of the air escapes around the egg. When the air inside the bottle cools and contracts, there is less air inside than before, so the pressure inside the bottle becomes lower than the air pressure outside the bottle.

The higher outside air pressure pushes the egg into the bottle.

Why It Matters in Cooking

This experiment helps kids understand that air and pressure matter in the kitchen. Heat changes gases, and pressure changes can affect containers, lids, and food storage. It also connects to canning and other food-preservation methods where changes in air pressure are important.

• Kids see that invisible air can move objects
• They learn that heat changes the behavior of gases
• It connects science to canning and food preservation
• It builds strong observation and prediction skills

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Questions to Ask Kids

• What happened when the egg was placed on the bottle?
• Why do you think the egg moved into the bottle?
• What changed inside the bottle after the flame went out?
• Why is air pressure important in this experiment?
• What do you think would happen with a different size bottle?

Ways to Extend the Experiment

• Compare bottles with different opening sizes.
• Discuss how canning uses a similar principle.
• Talk about other everyday examples of air pressure.
• Draw a before-and-after diagram of the egg and bottle.

Egg in a Bottle Experiment Video

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