This fun Vinegar and Baking Soda Balloon Experiment will have the kids squealing with excitement. Trust me, they'll want to do this easy science experiment for kids over and over again!
Much like our Sugar and Yeast Balloon Science Experiment, kids will learn how to blow up a balloon with vinegar and baking soda and learn a little chemistry at the same time.
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Materials Needed for the Vinegar & Baking Soda Balloon Experiment
This easy science experiment for kids only take a few common household materials, so it's a very frugal activity to do with kids. Frugal and easy are the best kind of kids activities, right? If you don't have these items, head to the closest dollar store and grab these items for cheap. Or, use the links below to order them. You will need:
- Empty, recycled bottle from water or a soda (you'll want to make sure it has a small spout/lid, NOT something larger like a wide sports drink lid)
- Baking Soda
- Vinegar
- Funnel
- Balloon
How To Blow Up a Balloon with a Vinegar and Baking Soda Reaction
For the baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment, fill your empty water bottle about ⅓ of the way full with vinegar.
Stretch the balloon over the funnel.
Use the funnel to fill the balloon with baking soda. It doesn't need to be all the way full--we didn't measure, but I'd say it was about 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda.
Carefully place the balloon over the bottle opening without dropping the baking soda in the bottle.
When you are ready, have your child lift the balloon to sprinkle the baking soda into the bottle.
Watch the balloon blow up from the chemical reaction. It will grow...
and grow...
and grow!
My kids wanted to do this over and over again and I bet yours will, too! Be sure to have a bunch of balloons handy.
While you have the baking soda and vinegar out, you should make a volcano, too!
Why does baking soda and vinegar inflate a balloon?
The baking soda and vinegar create an acid/base reaction. The baking soda is the base and the vinegar is the acid. When the two are mixed, they work together to create a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2). Gasses need a lot of room to spread out and the carbon dioxide starts to fill the bottle and then moves into the balloon to inflate it. Pretty cool, huh?
More Easy Science Experiments for Kids:
Simple Science: Testing for Air
Magic Light Bulb Balloon Science Experiment
Simple Science: Observing Snowflakes
Moon Crater Science Experiment
Easy Vinegar and Baking Soda Balloon Experiment for Kids
In this easy science experiment for kids, blow up a balloon with a vinegar and baking soda reaction.
Tools
Instructions
- Fill your empty bottle about ⅓ of the way full with vinegar. Set aside.
- Stretch the balloon over the funnel.
- Use the funnel to fill the balloon with baking soda. It doesn't need to be all the way full--we didn't measure, but I'd say it was about 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda.
- Carefully place the balloon over the bottle opening without dropping the baking soda in the bottle. (This may require a second person to help pinch the balloon shut for you.)
- When you are ready, have lift the balloon to sprinkle the baking soda into the bottle.
- Watch the balloon blow up from the chemical reaction. It will grow...and grow...and grow!
Notes
How does this baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment work?
The baking soda and vinegar create an acid/base reaction. The baking soda is the base and the vinegar is the acid. When the two are mixed they work together to create a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2). Gasses need a lot of room to spread out and the carbon dioxide starts to fill the bottle and then moves into the balloon to inflate it. Pretty cool, huh?
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janae passer
Friday 5th of February 2021
This is cool! I am going to attempt it online during distance learning! :)
100 Screen-free Summer Activities for Kids | Happy Brown House
Wednesday 17th of April 2019
[…] 27. Blow up a balloon with vinegar and baking soda […]