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Extract DNA

Extract DNA from strawberries using dish soap, salt, water, and cold alcohol; observe and collect visible white, stringy DNA with adult help.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to extract DNA from strawberries

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What Is DNA for Kids | An easy overview of DNA for children | Awesome DNA Facts

What you need

Strawberries, dish soap, salt, water, cold rubbing alcohol chilled in the freezer, resealable plastic bag, small clear glass or cup, coffee filter or paper towel, measuring spoon or teaspoon, small bowl, wooden stick or toothpick, adult supervision required

Step 1

Ask an adult to put the rubbing alcohol in the freezer for at least 30 minutes so it becomes very cold.

Step 2

Wash your hands and clear a small clean area to work on.

Step 3

Remove the green tops from 2 or 3 strawberries and place the berries into the resealable plastic bag.

Step 4

Press all the air out and mash the strawberries inside the bag for about 60 to 90 seconds until they are very pulpy.

Step 5

Measure 1/2 cup of water into the small bowl.

Step 6

Add 1 teaspoon of dish soap to the water in the bowl.

Step 7

Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the bowl and stir the liquid gently for about 30 seconds to make the extraction solution.

Step 8

Pour about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the soap and salt solution into the bag with the mashed strawberries, seal the bag, and gently mix for 60 seconds.

Step 9

Place the coffee filter or a folded paper towel over the clear glass and slowly pour the strawberry mixture through it so the liquid drips into the glass.

Step 10

With an adult helping, slowly pour the very cold rubbing alcohol down the side of the glass until a 1-inch layer of alcohol sits on top of the strawberry liquid.

Step 11

Watch the glass without stirring and wait for 1 to 5 minutes for white stringy bits to form where the two layers meet.

Step 12

Gently insert the wooden stick or toothpick into the alcohol layer and twirl slowly to spool out the white stringy DNA.

Step 13

Take a picture or make a short note about your DNA and share your finished extraction on DIY.org

Help!?

What can I use if I can't find rubbing alcohol or a coffee filter?

If you can't find rubbing alcohol, you can use very cold clear vodka chilled in the freezer like in step 1 (though the DNA may be fainter), and a clean folded paper towel, fine mesh, or cotton cloth can replace the coffee filter in step 7.

I mashed the strawberries and followed the steps but don't see any white stringy bits—what went wrong?

If no white bits form, make sure the strawberries were mashed until very pulpy in step 4, that you used the correct soap and salt amounts when making the extraction solution in steps 5–6, and that you slowly pour the very cold alcohol down the glass side in step 9 so it forms a separate layer instead of mixing.

How can I adapt this extraction for younger or older kids?

For younger children, have an adult handle the freezer alcohol and the pouring step (steps 1 and 9) while the child mashes strawberries in the bag (step 4) and watches the DNA, and for older kids, have them precisely measure the soap and salt (steps 5–6), test variables, and record results.

How can we extend or personalize the DNA extraction activity?

To extend the activity, compare yields by extracting DNA from different fruits (replace strawberries in step 3), vary the amount of dish soap or salt in steps 5–6 to see the effect, and label, photograph, and decorate jars or notes to personalize and present your findings.

Watch videos on how to extract DNA from strawberries

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Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Make A Candy DNA Model! | STEM Activity

4 Videos

Facts about DNA and genetics

🧬 Strawberries are octoploid — garden strawberries have eight copies of each chromosome, so they contain lots of DNA!

🧪 You can extract visible DNA at home using dish soap, salt, water, and very cold alcohol (always with adult supervision).

🧼 Dish soap helps break open cell and nuclear membranes, while salt makes the DNA clump together so it can be seen.

❄️ Very cold alcohol (ethanol or isopropyl) causes DNA to precipitate out as white, stringy strands you can spool onto a stick.

👀 In cells DNA is microscopic, but extraction pools billions of molecules so you can actually see them as slimy threads.

How do you extract DNA from strawberries at home?

Place one or two ripe strawberries in a sealable plastic bag and mash them until pulpy. Mix about 1/2 cup water with a teaspoon dish soap and a pinch of salt; add to the bag and gently mix for a minute. Filter the mixture through a coffee filter or cheesecloth into a clear glass. With adult help, slowly layer very cold rubbing alcohol down the side of the glass. White, stringy DNA will precipitate at the interface—use a wooden stick to spool it.

What materials do I need to extract strawberry DNA?

You'll need fresh strawberries (1–2), a sealable plastic bag, measuring cup and spoons, dish soap, table salt, plain water, coffee filter or cheesecloth and funnel, a clear glass or test tube, very cold rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) chilled in the freezer, a wooden skewer or toothpick to spool the DNA, and optional safety items: gloves and safety goggles.

What ages is extracting strawberry DNA suitable for?

This activity is best for school-age children, roughly ages 6 and up, with adult supervision. Younger kids (6–8) can help mash strawberries and filter but need close help with alcohol handling and layering. Children 9–12 can follow steps more independently while an adult handles the cold alcohol. Teens can perform almost all steps under supervision. Always consider each child's maturity and supervise any handling of alcohol or glassware.

What safety tips should I follow when extracting DNA from strawberries?

Safety first: always have an adult present to handle very cold rubbing alcohol, glassware, and any spills. Do not drink or breathe alcohol; keep it away from heat and open flames. Wear gloves and eye protection if available, and wash hands after the activity. Use food-safe utensils and avoid if your child has strawberry allergies. This experiment also teaches hands-on science, observation skills, and basic lab safety.

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All Activities

Extract DNA

Extract DNA from strawberries using dish soap, salt, water, and cold alcohol; observe and collect visible white, stringy DNA with adult help.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to extract DNA from strawberries

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

What Is DNA for Kids | An easy overview of DNA for children | Awesome DNA Facts

What you need

Step 1

Ask an adult to put the rubbing alcohol in the freezer for at least 30 minutes so it becomes very cold.

Step 2

Wash your hands and clear a small clean area to work on.

Step 3

Remove the green tops from 2 or 3 strawberries and place the berries into the resealable plastic bag.

Step 4

Press all the air out and mash the strawberries inside the bag for about 60 to 90 seconds until they are very pulpy.

Step 5

Measure 1/2 cup of water into the small bowl.

Step 6

Add 1 teaspoon of dish soap to the water in the bowl.

Step 7

Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the bowl and stir the liquid gently for about 30 seconds to make the extraction solution.

Step 8

Pour about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the soap and salt solution into the bag with the mashed strawberries, seal the bag, and gently mix for 60 seconds.

Step 9

Place the coffee filter or a folded paper towel over the clear glass and slowly pour the strawberry mixture through it so the liquid drips into the glass.

Step 10

With an adult helping, slowly pour the very cold rubbing alcohol down the side of the glass until a 1-inch layer of alcohol sits on top of the strawberry liquid.

Step 11

Watch the glass without stirring and wait for 1 to 5 minutes for white stringy bits to form where the two layers meet.

Step 12

Gently insert the wooden stick or toothpick into the alcohol layer and twirl slowly to spool out the white stringy DNA.

Step 13

Take a picture or make a short note about your DNA and share your finished extraction on DIY.org

Help!?

What can I use if I can't find rubbing alcohol or a coffee filter?

I mashed the strawberries and followed the steps but don't see any white stringy bits—what went wrong?

How can I adapt this extraction for younger or older kids?

How can we extend or personalize the DNA extraction activity?

Watch videos on how to extract DNA from strawberries

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Make A Candy DNA Model! | STEM Activity

4 Videos

Facts about DNA and genetics

🧬 Strawberries are octoploid — garden strawberries have eight copies of each chromosome, so they contain lots of DNA!

🧪 You can extract visible DNA at home using dish soap, salt, water, and very cold alcohol (always with adult supervision).

🧼 Dish soap helps break open cell and nuclear membranes, while salt makes the DNA clump together so it can be seen.

❄️ Very cold alcohol (ethanol or isopropyl) causes DNA to precipitate out as white, stringy strands you can spool onto a stick.

👀 In cells DNA is microscopic, but extraction pools billions of molecules so you can actually see them as slimy threads.