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Balloon magic with baking soda and vinegar

September 12, 2013 by Katie 12 Comments

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Today I’m sharing a very classic activity that uses two household ingredients: baking soda and vinegar.

This balloon demonstration looks like magic but is really just science. It is a great opportunity to talk to kids about chemical reactions if you choose.

Balloon magic - a fun science activity where you inflate a balloon using baking soda and vinegar #STEM #STEAM #handsonlearning #giftofcuriosity || Gift of Curiosity

Inflating a balloon with baking soda and vinegar is a classic kids’ science activity. Considering that it’s so simple and fun, I can’t believe it took us so long to do this activity!

To make some balloon magic, we gathered the following materials:

  • Baking soda
  • Vinegar
  • Empty water bottles
  • Balloons
  • Funnels
  • Measuring spoon

Balloon magic - a fun science activity where you inflate a balloon using baking soda and vinegar || Gift of Curiosity

Start by putting the funnel into the balloon. This will make it much easier to get the baking soda inside.

Balloon magic - a fun science activity where you inflate a balloon using baking soda and vinegar || Gift of Curiosity

Add baking soda. We added about 4 teaspoons to each balloon. To get your balloons a bit bigger than ours, you could add 1 or 2 teaspoons more.

Balloon magic - a fun science activity where you inflate a balloon using baking soda and vinegar || Gift of Curiosity

Next, use a funnel to pour some vinegar into your bottles. I didn’t measure the vinegar, but it was probably 1/3 cup or so, which ended up being much more than we needed.

Balloon magic - a fun science activity where you inflate a balloon using baking soda and vinegar || Gift of Curiosity

Then, place the opening of the balloon around the opening of the bottle. Try not to let any baking soda into the bottle as you do this.

Balloon magic - a fun science activity where you inflate a balloon using baking soda and vinegar || Gift of Curiosity

Finally, when you are ready for some magic, lift the balloon to allow the baking soda to fall into the bottle.

Balloon magic - a fun science activity where you inflate a balloon using baking soda and vinegar || Gift of Curiosity

As soon as the baking soda hits the vinegar, a chemical reaction takes place that produces carbon dioxide. This gas is what inflates the balloon!

Balloon magic - a fun science activity where you inflate a balloon using baking soda and vinegar || Gift of Curiosity

And after the oohs and aahs have died down, feel free to repeat the experiment! 🙂

Balloon magic - a fun science activity where you inflate a balloon using baking soda and vinegar || Gift of Curiosity

STEAM Kids book

Looking for more hands-on activities that incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM)? Then you’ll love STEAM Kids! This book features 52 hands-on activities are helpfully identified by category (science / technology / engineering / art / math) so you know exactly what skills your kids are developing.

Grab a copy of the e-book delivered as a PDF download (or this e-book for EU residents) and in print at Amazon.

More science activities for kids

More science activities from Gift of Curiosity:

  • Dancing raisins
  • Candy experiments
  • Jumping colors science activity
  • Make your own glycerin soap
  • Crystallized snowflakes
  • Dissecting an apple
  • What do ants like to eat?
  • Make your own telescope
  • The great baking soda and vinegar experiment
  • Magic inflating balloons

Don’t have time to gather materials? Want to make science super easy? Check out these monthly subscription services that will send science and creativity kits to your door!

  • Steve Spangler Science Kits
  • Tinker Crate Hands-On Experiments
  • Discover Boxes from Green Kids Crafts

Find more great science activities on my Science Activities for Kids page and my Science Activities Pinterest board. 

Follow Gift of Curiosity’s board Science on Pinterest.

M&M science rainbow | Candy science for kids | M&M STEAM activity for kids | M&M STEM activity for kids | Preschool science activity | M&M rainbow science | Candy STEAM | Candy STEM || Gift of Curiosity

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12 Comments

Comments

  1. Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom says

    September 12, 2013 at 10:25 am

    This would be perfect for the 1st grade science fair this year!!

    Reply
  2. Stephanie @ From the Burbs to the Boonies says

    September 12, 2013 at 11:06 am

    Oh this is so fun! I want to start a Science Saturday for Brady and I, and this would be great. Also, I saw your comment on the egg-free pie post and I wanted to tell you if you go to the link on the post it will take you to a recipe that does not have either egg or milk. I decided to keep t he milk in since it is not an issue for us, but the other recipe omits milk as well. The Kids with Food Allergies website seems like a good one.

    Reply
  3. Missy Homemaker says

    September 12, 2013 at 11:10 am

    So much cooler than the old baking soda/vinegar volcano! And the kids get a balloon out of the deal. We will be doing this!

    Reply
  4. Michelle says

    September 12, 2013 at 6:21 pm

    We did this activity when I was an elementary school teacher. My class loved it, and it was a great hands-on way to learn!

    Reply
  5. Roshni says

    September 12, 2013 at 9:00 pm

    hahhah!! So cool and saves the effort of blowing the balloon! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Sara @ Brainstorm In Bloom says

    September 14, 2013 at 7:31 am

    We are doing V week this week and will be doing this for one of our Vinegar experiments! I’m like you and can’t believe I haven’t done this classic with my kiddos yet and know they will love it! Thanks for the good reminder.

    Reply
  7. Anna@The Measured Mom says

    September 17, 2013 at 9:16 am

    I actually tried this with my four year old a month or so ago (at his repeated requests) and we couldn’t get it to work — I see why now, because I put the baking soda in the bottle instead of in the balloon. Whoops! When I have an empty bottle he’ll be thrilled to try again!

    Reply
  8. Carrie says

    September 20, 2013 at 8:58 am

    So fun!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!

    Reply
  9. Jill says

    September 20, 2013 at 9:28 am

    Children’s chemistry fun is almost always magical. Especially the look on their faces throughout experiment. Thank you for linking up this week to the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop 🙂

    Reply
  10. Deceptively Educational says

    September 21, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    I have GOT to do this with my sons. I can just see their chins dropping and their eyes popping! Thanks for linking this up to the After School Linky!

    Reply
  11. Victoria says

    September 23, 2013 at 9:51 am

    Oh, I’m definitely going to try this with my girls! They will absolutely love it and it looks like so much fun! I love trying new Science experiments! Thanks for linking up with the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop, you were featured as one of my favorites last week 🙂

    Reply
  12. Tilanie Chitrananda says

    September 24, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    Awesome child friendly experiment!
    Thank you!
    Tilanie

    Reply

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