Ingredients
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 sheet of 9 by 12 inch watercolor paper, at least 140-pound weight
- 4 small drops of liquid food coloring, in one or more colors
- 4 small mixing cups, 2 to 3 fluid ounces each
- 4 small craft sticks or plastic spoons
- 1 medium round paintbrush, about 1/4 inch wide
- 1 small detail paintbrush, about 1/8 inch wide
- 1 medicine dropper or plastic pipette (optional)
- 1 shallow tray or rimmed baking sheet, at least 10 by 13 inches
- 1 plastic tablecloth or reusable drop cloth
- 2 paper towels
- 1 pair of reusable household gloves (optional)
- 1 small bowl of clean water, about 1 cup
Instructions
- Cover the table before you open the vinegar or food coloring.
- Place the tray on the covered surface and keep the paper flat inside it.
- Set the watercolor paper inside the tray. If the paper curls, support it with two clean books beside the edges.
- Divide the 1/2 cup baking soda among the 4 mixing cups, using about 2 tablespoons in each cup.
- Add the 3 tablespoons water gradually, stirring as you go, until the mixture looks like thick cream.
- Add one small drop of food coloring to each cup, or leave one cup white, and stir slowly to avoid a cloud of baking soda dust.
- Make a few test marks on the edge of the paper with the brush to check the consistency.
- Paint your main design with the medium brush, leaving space between shapes if you want each to fizz separately.
- Use the detail brush for thin lines and small shapes, rinsing the brush often.
- Pour the 2 tablespoons white vinegar into a small cup.
- Use the dropper to place one drop of vinegar onto the painted marks, starting with one color.
- Watch the bubbles rise and fade as the baking soda reacts with the vinegar.
- Continue applying vinegar across the painting in small sections.
- Leave the painting flat in the tray for 2 to 4 hours to dry, or overnight for thicker areas.
- Rinse the brushes in clean water and clean other supplies before the colored paste hardens.
Notes
This activity is suitable for children around age 4 and older with close adult supervision. Keep materials away from mouths, and ensure a protected workspace.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
