Watchly Safety Review

World's Largest Elephant Toothpaste Experiment

10:33 · 100.5M views · August 29, 2019

Minor FlagsReviewed June 2026

5Minor Flags

This is a high-quality science education video where Mark Rober (former NASA engineer) breaks a Guinness World Record by creating the world's largest elephant toothpaste experiment in a swimming pool. The video demonstrates real chemistry principles with clear safety precautions, adult supervision, and educational explanations throughout.

Content Breakdown · 5 Categories

Hidden Advertising & Sponsored ContentA little

The video contains promotional content for CrunchLabs (creator's own company) and LastPass (partial sponsor). However, the LastPass sponsorship is disclosed ('partially sponsored by LastPass'), and the CrunchLabs promotion is transparent about being the creator's company. The promotional content is relatively brief and disclosed.

See evidence (3)

“In today's video, which is partially sponsored by LastPass”Beginning of video

“I started a company called CrunchLabs where we build a toy together and then I teach you all the jucy physics for how it works”Throughout video

“check out the current promotion where you get 2 FREE boxes at https://crunchlabs.com”

Algorithm-Bait & Disguised ContentA little

Minor detection: The title uses superlative language ('World's Largest') which is a common YouTube optimization tactic. However, this is accurate (they are attempting a Guinness World Record) and the content delivers on the promise. The tags include unrelated terms like 'Mr. Beast', 'Dude Perfect', 'Jimmy Kimmel' which may be algorithm optimization, but the actual content is straightforward and matches the title/thumbnail promise.

See evidence (1)

“Tags include: mr. beast, dude perfect, jimmy kimmel (potentially for algorithm reach)”

Engagement Baiting & Manipulative CTAsA little

Minimal detection: The video includes standard YouTube promotional CTAs for the creator's company (CrunchLabs) and channel subscriptions. These are straightforward promotional requests without guilt-tripping, superstition, or manipulative language. The tone is informational rather than coercive.

See evidence (1)

“You should also go subscribe to the CrunchLabs YouTube channel cause we've got some great videos in the pipeline”Video description

Low-Quality, Extreme & Stunt ContentA little

Moderate detection: The video is a large-scale stunt (world record attempt) with high production value. However, it's educational in nature, teaching chemistry concepts, and involves significant planning and safety measures. The 'extreme' nature serves an educational purpose rather than pure shock value. This is more educational spectacle than low-quality stunt content.

See evidence (3)

“World's Largest Elephant Toothpaste Experiment”Throughout video

“we're hoping to quadruple the amount of the current record”

“we had ran over 150 tests”

Playful & Fantasy ViolenceA little

Minimal detection: The video includes playful references to 'attacking' kids with an elephant toothpaste gun as 'revenge' for a prank, and slip-and-slide kickball. However, this is clearly presented in a playful, non-threatening context with no actual violence occurring. The 'attack' plan was abandoned for safety reasons.

See evidence (2)

“I planned to kick things off by attacking them with an elephant toothpaste gun we made as revenge”Early-mid video

“slip and slide kickball”

What Parents Need to Know

This video shows a large-scale chemistry experiment involving hydrogen peroxide, yeast, soap, and food coloring. The creator explicitly addresses safety concerns, noting that the foam reaches nearly 200°F immediately after the reaction and demonstrates why children must stay at a safe distance. All experiments are conducted by adults with proper planning and safety measures. There's a brief mention of a prank involving fake cockroach cookies and one moment where the creator jokes about the visual looking like it might get 'demonetized' when cutting red-colored material. The video includes a brief sponsorship mention for LastPass. The content is educational, shows proper scientific method, and emphasizes safety throughout.

Talk to Your Kids About

1What safety steps did Mark and his team take before doing the big experiment? Why is it important to test things many times before doing something at a large scale?
2The video shows that the foam gets very hot right after the reaction. Why do you think they had to wait before letting kids play in it?
3Mark mentions he's not a chemist and had to do over 150 tests to get this right. What does this teach us about trying new things and learning from mistakes?
4What's the difference between doing a science experiment at home versus trying to break a world record? What extra planning would you need?

World's Largest Elephant Toothpaste Experiment

Protected Viewing

What's This Video About?

I'm not a chemist. Elephant toothpaste (aka slime foam) has sort been done so many times I wanted to do it really big. We did a ton of testing. Science Bob's Elephant toothpaste recipe- https://sciencebob.com/fantastic-foamy-fountain/ Here is Science Bob’s behind-the-scenes commentary: https://sciencebob.com/elephant-toothpaste-experiments-with-mark-rober/ I started a company called CrunchLabs where we build a toy together and then I teach you all the jucy physics for how it works. So if you want to learn to think like an engineer and have really fun time doing it, check out the current promotion where you get 2 FREE boxes at https://crunchlabs.com You should also go subscribe to the CrunchLabs YouTube channel cause we’ve got some great videos in the pipeline- https://www.youtube.com/crunchlabs Thanks to these folks for providing some of the music in the video: Ponder - https://youtube.com/@Pondermusic Laura Shigihara - @supershigi Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie Blue Wednesday - https://soundcloud.com/bluewednesday MERCH- They are soft- https://teespring.com/stores/markrober

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the elephant toothpaste experiment safe for kids to try at home?

The small-scale version using household ingredients (hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, yeast, and food coloring) is safe when done with adult supervision and proper safety gear like goggles. However, the video emphasizes that the reaction produces heat, and the large-scale version shown requires extensive planning and should only be attempted by adults with proper safety measures.

What educational value does this video provide?

This video teaches real chemistry concepts including catalysts, exothermic reactions, and the scientific method. It shows the importance of testing, safety planning, and problem-solving. Mark explains the science clearly and demonstrates how hydrogen peroxide breaks down to release oxygen, which gets trapped in soap bubbles to create foam.

Are there any scary or inappropriate moments in this video?

There's one brief moment where Mark jokes about a visual looking like it might be 'demonetized' when cutting into red-colored material, and a mention of kids pranking him with fake cockroaches. The large-scale experiment might look overwhelming to very young children, but the overall tone is playful and educational with clear safety messaging throughout.

Does this video encourage kids to do dangerous experiments?

No, the video repeatedly emphasizes safety and shows adults conducting the large experiment with extensive planning and precautions. Mark specifically demonstrates why the reaction is too hot for immediate contact and directs viewers to Science Bob's website for safe, age-appropriate home versions. The video models responsible experimentation.

Is this just entertainment or does it have real educational content?

This is genuine educational content created by a former NASA engineer. While entertaining, it teaches real chemistry principles, demonstrates the scientific method through repeated testing, and shows problem-solving skills. The collaboration with Science Bob (a known science educator) adds credibility and educational value.

What about the sponsorship mentioned in the video?

There's a brief mention of LastPass sponsoring the video at the beginning, which is disclosed transparently. The sponsorship doesn't interfere with the educational content, and the video focuses almost entirely on the science experiment itself. This is a standard practice for educational YouTube creators.

What age is "World's Largest Elephant Toothpaste Experiment" appropriate for?

Watchly's safety review recommends "World's Largest Elephant Toothpaste Experiment" for ages 8 and up. See the content breakdown above for the category-by-category findings behind this recommendation.