TinkerLab

Walk on Eggs Science Project

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Have you ever tried walking on raw eggs? I certainly had not, but this fun experiment inspired by this project at Steve Spangler Science gave us reason to give it a go.  I knew this was something my kids and I would enjoy. So I pinned it, and along with the pin I asked my readers if they would try this themselves.

What? Walk on Eggs?

I was floored by the number responses which ranged from “Do you know how much eggs cost?” to “That looks like a lot of fun!” What do you think? Would you try this? My husband went grocery shopping the other day, took a look at my list, and said, “What? Do you really need 6 dozen eggs?” I explained that yes, I really did need that many, but being an omelette/pancake/crepe-loving family, we’d be sure to eat every single one that wasn’t a science project casualty.

Walk on Eggs Science Project

As you’re getting ready for Passover or Easter, when you might actually have reason to buy 6 dozen eggs, keep this project in the back of your mind as a fun egg-stension into the sciences. This experiment fosters curiosity (what will happen if we walk on raw eggs?) and problem-solving skills (what’s the best way to walk on them so they don’t crack?), and would be appropriate for anyone older than three (although our 1.5-year old played with us and is still talking about it). standing on raw eggs

How to Walk on Eggs

To get us started, I took one package of eggs from the fridge and invited my 3-year old to stand on them. She wasn’t so sure about this. Understandable. She’s a pretty smart kid. The directions I read suggested walking on the shells barefoot. Presumably if you crack an egg and get egg guts all over your foot, it’s easier to clean. But 3-year old N insisted on keeping her socks on, and I respect that. egg walking demoOnce we mastered egg-standing, it was time for egg-walking. Oh-my-goodness, hold your breath. I showed N how to walk on the eggs with a flat foot, which helps distribute the pressure and keeps the eggs from cracking. If you place extra pressure or force on your heels or toes, an egg is bound to crack. We had the added benefit of using egg cartons with extra-high chipboard separators, which I think absorbed some of the pressure. I hadn’t even thought about getting specific kinds of egg cartons, and I wonder if the carton could make a difference. N did crack a couple eggs, and complained when her sock was full of goo, but overall it was a cool experiment. walking on raw eggsOf course, my one year old wanted to join the fun too. To make this work for her, I held her hands and a lot of her weight so she could take a stroll over the eggs. After Nutmeg cracked an egg with her heel, Rainbow kept saying “crack. egg. foot. trash.” And it made me wonder how an experience like this might affect her interpretation of the world. So, would you try this experiment with your kids?

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Comments

  1. Ooh what fun!! Walking on eggs is such a great experiment!
    We have lots of egg crafts and it is really hard for me to choose arrrrgh.. though I do like our “Egg Blowing How To” (plus a pretty Austrian design) http://www.redtedart.com/2011/03/04/how-to-austrian-easter-egg-blowing/And our Dino Egg Soap! Using real eggs as the mould!  http://www.redtedart.com/2012/03/09/how-to-make-soap-for-beginners/ 

    Really looking forward to Easter now!Maggy 

    • I loved your Dino Egg Soap, Maggy! the link to the Egg Blowing post isn’t going through for me, but here’s the link again: http://www.redtedart.com/2011/03/04/how-to-austrian-easter-egg-blowing/

  2. This is so cool! We definitely have to try this! I would have never thought you could do something like this in a million years.  How neat that your kids have had this experience. N will probably be talking about this in years to come and Baby R might for the next week! C saw this and her first ? was did they break? SO just seeing the pictures of your experiment has impacted even my child and we haven’t even done it! 

    • I love hearing about C’s response to this, Melissa! I look forward to knowing my kids as an old person and hearing the stories of their childhood in their own words — that’ll keep me entertained for a long time!

  3. I could see my son walking gingerly for about 3 seconds then using dinosaur stomps until none were left in tact! But I am sure he would love it. Will wait til it is a little warmer and make this an outside experiment!

    • Oooooh, well, that would be another way to do this project. And your son would have a LOT of fun, I’m sure. Come to think of it, I bet my kids would be up for some summer egg crushing too. Thanks for the idea.

  4. I can’t wait to try this!  So fun, and this is the perfect time to try it, as you said!

    • Oh, I’m sure you’ll love it. It’s a quick project, but why not give it a go if you already have a gazillion eggs in the house already?

    • I would have loved that too! Thanks for the sweet feedback. I love hearing from my readers!!

    • You’re so nice to say so, Kim! She’s still talking about it today, and it’s melting my heart too. 

  7. This is really amazing! I am a little nervous about trying it, but it looks really cool.

    • Thanks 🙂 and don’t be nervous — even if they do break, remember that you’re building memories!

  8. You are so cool! My son would love it if I let him do that! I kind of want to, but scared of the mess! AND could the cracked egg shells be sharp and cut foot?

    • Oh no, Carolyn, don’t be scared! Set it up over trash bags or take it outside and then it won’t matter if it’s a mess. It may even be more fun if it’s messy. You can do it!! As for cutting feet on egg shells, I’m not sure, but I would imagine it would be similar to breaking eggs with your hands. I’ve cracked thousands of eggs in my life and have never cut my hand on an eggshell. I’ve also worked in elementary classrooms where teachers use eggshells for art lessons — same thing there. 

  13. I love those little feet walking on the eggs! .. also love this: ” And it made me wonder how an experience like this might affect her interpretation of the world.” Ha.

    My daughter would love this. Might have to try it!