Welcome, young scientists! (And your parents, too.)
It’s Calie, back again with another enchanting science experiment that promises not only to educate but to mesmerize your little ones.
Today, we’re blending the worlds of art and science in a bubbly exploration, where baking soda meets vinegar in a party of colors.
When we tried this at home, using purple and green food coloring, the reaction was a hit with my young kids.
It’s a simple experiment that checks all the boxes: simple, educational, and downright fun.
What You’ll Need
- A tray (a baking sheet works perfectly)
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Ice cube trays or small containers to hold the colored vinegar
- Pipettes or eye droppers
- Liquid watercolors or food coloring (we went with purple and green, but feel free to choose your favorites)
How to Create a Reaction
- Prepare Your Tray: Start by giving each child a tray. This will be their canvas for the colorful chemical reactions to come.
- Lay the Foundation: Cover the tray with a generous layer of baking soda. Think of this as your white canvas waiting to be brought to life.
- Fill Ice Cube Trays with Vinegar: You can also use small bowls.
- Color Your Vinegar: Now’s the fun part – add liquid watercolors or food coloring to the vinegar to create a variety of vibrant colors for your experiment.
- Let the Reaction Begin: Using a pipette or eye dropper, squeeze a few drops of the colored vinegar onto the baking soda tray. Watch as fizzing, bubbling colors emerge before your eyes!
- Mix and Match: Encourage your little scientists to experiment with different colors, creating patterns, and observing the beautiful reactions that unfold with each addition.
One of my readers shared that this activity kept her kids entertained for over an hour – talk about a win in any parent’s book!
Not only does this experiment provide a fantastic way for kids to learn about chemical reactions and color mixing, but it also allows them to create their very own colorful artwork.
What’s Happening
At its core, this experiment is a lesson in basic chemistry. The baking soda (a base) reacts with the vinegar (an acid) to produce carbon dioxide gas, creating those captivating bubbles and fizz.
When you add colors into the mix, you get a visually striking lesson in color theory, as well as a firsthand look at how different substances react together.
This simple yet effective experiment is perfect for kids of all ages, providing a hands-on learning experience that blends the boundaries between science and art. It’s an easy way to spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and instill a love of learning in your children.
Similar Experiments
Orange Fizz Science Experiment
100 Easy Science Experiments Your Kids Can Do At Home
For those moments when you’re looking for an activity that’s both educational and entertaining, remember that sometimes, all you need are a few household items and a dash of creativity.
So grab your baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring, and let the colorful chemistry commence!
Happy experimenting,
Calie
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
