Colorful Baking Soda Balloon Experiment
A fun and engaging science experiment that teaches chemical reactions using baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring to inflate colorful balloons.
Ingredients
Materials
- 1 balloon 1 balloon (any color)
- 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- 1/2 cup 1/2 cup of vinegar
- various colors Food coloring (various colors) Use multiple colors for a vibrant effect.
- 1 funnel Funnel (optional, but useful) Makes it easier to add baking soda to the balloon.
- 1 cup A cup or small container
- 1 towel A towel or tray to catch spills
Instructions
Preparation
- Carefully stretch the balloon to make it easier to inflate.
- Use a funnel to add 2 tablespoons of baking soda into the balloon. Tap gently to help the baking soda settle.
Coloring Vinegar
- In a cup or small container, pour 1/2 cup of vinegar.
- Add several drops of food coloring to the vinegar. The more colors you add, the more vibrant your final result will be!
Combining Ingredients
- Slowly lift the balloon, allowing the baking soda to drop into the vinegar.
- Watch the magic happen: The reaction will create bubbles and inflate the balloon with gas. Keep an eye on it as it expands!
Observation
- Once the balloon is fully inflated, observe the size and shape.
- Feel the balloon: It should feel firm with the gas inside.
- Discuss or note the reaction and what you visually see.
Notes
Swap colors, inflate variably, and experiment with shapes. Let children suggest additional ingredients for different reactions.