Here’s a fun and safe science experiment for kids using just a few household items. It’s a great way to explore chemical reactions and watch a balloon inflate—without blowing into it!
Baking Soda and Balloon Experiment Tutorial
What You’ll Need:
- 1 empty plastic bottle (small water bottle works great)
- 1 balloon
- 1 funnel (or a spoon + paper rolled into a cone)
- 2–3 tablespoons of baking soda
- ½ cup of vinegar
- Optional: food coloring for fun visuals
- Safety goggles (for extra science flair!)
Instructions:
Step 1: Add Vinegar to the Bottle
Pour about ½ cup of vinegar into the empty bottle. You can add a few drops of food coloring for fun.
Step 2: Add Baking Soda to the Balloon
Use a funnel to spoon 1 tsp of baking soda into the balloon. Make sure it goes all the way to the bottom of the balloon.
Step 3: Attach the Balloon to the Bottle
Carefully stretch the balloon opening over the mouth of the bottle without letting any baking soda fall in yet.
Step 4: Lift and Watch!
Hold the balloon upright so the baking soda drops into the bottle. Watch the reaction bubble and fizz—then inflate the balloon!
What’s Happening? (Kid-Friendly Explanation)
- When you mix baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid), they create a chemical reaction.
- This reaction produces carbon dioxide gas (CO₂)—the same gas we breathe out.
- The gas needs space to escape, so it fills up the balloon, causing it to blow up!
Tips:
- Don’t overfill the balloon or bottle—too much of either ingredient might cause a mess.
- This is best done over a tray or outside in case of spills.
Learning Concepts:
- Chemical reactions
- States of matter (gas production)
- Cause and effect
- Science safety and observation skills