Grinch Heart – Peeps Candy Science Experiment
The Grinch in the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas had a heart problem. His heart was two sizes too small. This STEM candy experiment explores what liquids help the Grinch’s heart grow. It also looks at how each of the liquids affects a Peep heart.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
We have included affiliate links to products and resources we recommend. If you make a purchase through one of these links we may earn a small commission
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is one of the Classic Dr Seuss books. As with many of the Dr Seuss books, there are fun characters and rhymes as well as plenty of silly made-up words.
Getting Ready for the Candy Experiment
Getting the Recording Sheets
You will need to download the Grinch Heart Peeps Candy recording sheets. You will need to print out one for each of your children.
Gathering the Supplies
You will need the following supplies to conduct the candy experiment
Vinegar (We used apple cider vinegar.)
Conducting the Candy Experiment
While the recording sheet focuses on how each of the hearts looks during the experiment, you will want to discuss some these other observations with them.
Here is what you will want them to discuss before and after the hearts have spent time in the liquids:
- What does each heart feel like?
- How does each heart smell?
- Do they make a sound when you touch them?
- How does each heart change the look of the liquid it is in?
You could write down their observations on chart
Place the Hearts in the Liquids
You will want each of the hearts to stay in its liquid for about 24 hours. Your children will start to notice changes after only a few hours, but it will take awhile to see all the changes. You can totally have them check on the hearts during the soaking time.
Observing the Changes
You may want to give your children hand lens to explore how each heart has changed visually. They may want to see if each heart looks different out of its liquid. When they have finished their observations, they can draw and write about each heart on their recording sheet.
Once each heart is out of the liquid, it will also be a good time to touch and smell each of the hearts. If your children don’t want to touch the hearts with their hands, they can use popsicle sticks.
Discuss the Results
Please take time to talk with your children about how each of the Grinch’s hearts changed. They may also have insights about how each of these changed hearts might have affected the Grinch.
Our Results
We found the heart in the olive oil grew a little and was hardened.
The heart soaked in the lemon juice grew a little and was super mushy.
The vinegar soaked heard grew and softened some.
More Science Resources for Kids
Candy is such a great resource for easy science experiments and perfect for some edible chemistry. This Candy Chemistry set from Steve Spangler Science is great for learning about states of mater, crystalisation and works on some basic science skills like measurements and observations
We have recently started to get a Kiwi Crate for the kids with a combination of science, art and creativity it’s ideal as it’s capturing their interest and encouraging them both to explore one of my favourite subjects. Delivered straight to the door and addressed to the kids it’s perfect to capture their interest and imagination. From the 8th December to 12th December there is a special offer on any of the KiwiCo line – 60% off your first month. Just click on our affiliate link below to sort this out.
60% off first month of any KiwiCo line
More Grinch Activities for Kids
Deirdre from JDaniel 4's Mom
Deirdre is the founder and author of JDaniel 4’s Mom. A teacher from South Carolina. She has 1 son JDaniel 4th. He is ten years old.
A specialist in Technology Integration as well as Early Elementary teaching she can be found sharing hands-on learning over on her blog.