Hydrophilic & Hydrophobic Polymer Experiments

Hydrophilic means "water loving". Hydrophilic polymers mix well with water. Some examples are Instant Snow Polymer, which instantly expands to 40 times its original volume when mixed with water, producing a snow-like material, and Sodium Polyacrylate, the super-absorbent polymer found in disposable baby diapers, also used in many "disappearing water" magic tricks.

Hydrophobic means "water fearing". Hydrophobic polymers will not mix with water. Magic Sand repels water and never gets wet.
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  • Surprising Science for Kids: Magic? No, It's SCIENCE!

    Surprising Science for Kids: Magic? No, It's SCIENCE!

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    This exclusive kit combines spectacular illusions with solid science!
    $25.95
  • Polymer Snow Tube

    Polymer Snow Tube

    Create your own winter wonderland in just a few seconds!
    $4.95
  • Water Marbles Tube

    Water Marbles Tube

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    Polymer balls that absorb and expand 100 times their size in water.
    $4.95
  • Hydrophobic Sand Tube

    Hydrophobic Sand Tube

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    Great for learning about hydrophobic (water fearing) substances.
    $4.95
  • Large Gro-Beast Dinosaurs (Set of 6)

    Large Gro-Beast Dinosaurs (Set of 6)

    When dry, these little dinos fit in the palm of your hand...
    $6.95
  • Growing Frogs (Pack of 30)

    Growing Frogs (Pack of 30)

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    When placed in water these amphibians expand about 600%!
    $9.95
  • Dissolving Paper

    Dissolving Paper

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    Dip it in water and watch it disappear before your eyes!
    $9.95–$56.95
  • Growing Cubes

    Growing Cubes

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    Place these small cubes into water and watch them expand!
    $6.95
  • Fortune Fish

    Fortune Fish

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    Science phenomenon at its best!
    $6.95–$12.95
  • Growing Spheres

    Growing Spheres

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    Place these hard crystals in water and they expand about 300 times.
    $6.95
  • Fluorescent Magic Sand

    Fluorescent Magic Sand

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    Sand that repels water and never gets wet!
    $6.95
  • Super Bouncing Ball Kits

    Super Bouncing Ball Kits

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    Make your own bouncing balls.
    $7.95–$16.95
  • Poly-Ox: A Self-Siphoning Gel

    Poly-Ox: A Self-Siphoning Gel

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    Watch as this fluid moves from one beaker to another on its own.
    $10.95–$44.95
  • Sodium Polyacrylate (Diaper Polymer)

    Sodium Polyacrylate (Diaper Polymer)

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    The super-absorbent polymer found in disposable baby diapers.
    $7.95–$89.95
  • Instant Snow Polymer

    Instant Snow Polymer

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    Is it magic? No, it's science!
    $8.95–$99.95
  • Water Gel Crystals - "Ghost Crystals"

    Water Gel Crystals - "Ghost Crystals"

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    Placed in water these growing crystals become virtually invisible.
    $6.95–$14.95
  • Water Gel Spikes

    Water Gel Spikes

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    Great for quantitative measuring experiments.
    $3.50
  • Large Gro-Beast Alligator

    Large Gro-Beast Alligator

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    These alligators grow more than 6" when placed in water!
    $3.95–$23.85
  • Small Gro-Beast Dinosaur

    Small Gro-Beast Dinosaur

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    They double in length and more than quadruple in weight in water!
    $0.95