dry ice and balloon experiment

• Dry ice - About the amount of one sugar cube is needed for this experiment. Either block or pellets.
• 1 hammer (or something else to break the ice)
• Safety equipment: 1 glove or 1 pair of tongs
• The freezing point of carbon dioxide is -78.5 °C (-109.3 °F), but carbon dioxide ice can be much colder than that. There is a risk of frostbite on contact with the skin. However, touching smoke or bubbles formed with the help of carbon dioxide is safe.
• Carbon dioxide sublimates (changes from solid form to gaseous form) in everyday temperatures, which results in a large amount of carbon dioxide gas that can push the air away. There is a risk of drowsiness, headache or, in the worst case scenario, unconsciousness or suffocation. However, if you only use one block of carbon dioxide and have normal ventilation, you don't need to worry.
• Never put dry ice in a closed container. There is a risk of explosion when the ice sublimates.
• Do not touch dry ice with bare hands.
• Make sure to have very good ventilation.
• Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Rest. Get medical attention if necessary.
• Skin contact: In case of frostbite, flush with water for at least 15 minutes. Use sterile bandage. Get medical attention.
• Eye contact: In case of frostbite, flush with water for at least 15 minutes. Use sterile bandage. Get medical attention.
• Ingestion: Get medical attention.

Step 1 (if you've bought a block)

Short explanation

Long explanation.

• Melting: solid → liquid
• Sublimation: solid → gas
• Vaporization: liquid → gas
• Condensation: gas → liquid
• Deposition: gas → solid
• Freezing: liquid → solid
• What if you use a smaller or larger bowl?
• What if you use colder or warmer water?
• What if you use more or less dry ice?
• What if you don't use a bowl of water, but instead just place the balloon on the table?
• What if you don't tie the balloon?

Dry ice smoking soap bubble snake

Carbon dioxide extuingisher

Screaming dry ice

Dry ice in a balloon

Special: Dry ice color change

Dry ice giant crystal ball bubble

Dry ice in water

Rainbow milk

Gummy bear osmosis

Floating ping pong ball

Rotating Earth

Special: Colored fire

Special: Fire bubbles

Water cycle in a jar

Egg drop challenge

Taking the pulse

Orange candle

Glass bottle xylophone

Warped spacetime

Homemade rainbow

Water implosion

Warm and cold plates

Plastic bag kite

Tamed lightning

Yeast and a balloon

Forever boiling bottle

Moon on a pen

Moon in a box

Inexhaustible bottle

Crystal egg geode

Magic ice cut

Leaf pigments chromatography

Heavy smoke

Popsicle stick bridge

Micrometeorites

Special: Fire tornado

Special: Whoosh bottle

Dancing water marbles

Brownian motion

Flying static ring

Water thermometer

String telephone

Special: Dust explosion

Disappearing styrofoam

Special: Burning money

Special: Burning towel

Salt water purifier

Fish dissection

Hovering soap bubble

Homemade sailboat

Water mass meeting

Plastic bag and pencils

Water sucking bottle

Water sucking glass

Mentos and coke

Aristotle's illusion

Spinning spiral snake

Imploding soda can

Plastic bag parachute

Dental impression

Impact craters

Rolling static soda can

Static paper ghost

Color changing flower

Upside down glass

Shrinking chip bag

Solar system model

Strawberry DNA

Electric motor

Flashy electric motor

Bouncing soap bubbles

Toilet paper roll maraca

Cloud in a bottle 1

Cloud in a bottle 2

Balloon rocket

Water whistle

Homemade yogurt

Special: Screaming gummy bear

Homemade compass

Trash airplane

Wind-up spinner toy

Tea bag rocket

Balancing soda can

Lung volume test

Fireproof balloon

Baking powder popper

Expanding space

Straw propeller

Wooden cutlery

Levitating match

Human reflexes

Electromagnet

Soil layers

Straw potato

Straw rocket launcher

Traveling flame

Water bowls

Straw duck call

Solar eclipse

Silo of salt

Balloon skewer

Newspaper tower

Microwave light bulb

Heavy paper

Rubber chicken bone

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Content of website.

Dry Ice Experiments Your Students Will LOVE!

Have your students ever explored the phenomenon of sublimation !

If you’re ready to take your classroom to a new level of excitement, keep reading!

Every year I look forward to the Sublimation Stations lab with dry ice !

There are so many ways to integrate it into the curriculum! It’s a fun way to extend a matter unit . This station inquiry is also a great way for students to practice writing a hypothesis and making observations !

The end of October is always fun for this lab! It is a great way to “celebrate” Halloween in middle school without candy, costumes or a party. This lab IS THE PARTY!

Dry Ice Demonstration

Sublimation is the process of changing from the state of a solid to a gas. An awesome way to introduce sublimation is with the candle demo .

Pour several pieces of dry ice into a beaker. Show the students a lit candle. Ask the students to make a hypothesis about what will happen when you “pour” the dry ice onto the candle.

As your students watch the demo, they will observe that the flame will go out. They will also observe that the vapor coming off of the cup goes down, unlike hot steam, which rises.  This is due to the temperature difference and the density of the CO 2 gas which is heavier than air.  Also, it does not provide oxygen for combustion.

After discussing this dry ice experiment with your class, I like to let them loose with the sublimation stations.

Dry Ice Inquiry Based Stations for Kids

I have created a set of six inquiry based dry ice stations for students to explore . Each station uses commonly found household objects (such as a popsicle stick, balloon, and penny) to investigate dry ice.

These dry ice experiments are a great way for your students to practice following simple instructions, making a hypothesis, and writing observations.

I also encourage my students to write an explanation for “why” they the dry ice is behaving that way to encourage them to think about the “science” behind the fun!

Early finishers love to design their own dry ice experiment – teacher approved of course!

Dry Ice Safety Precautions

• Use tongs to handle dry ice.
• Do NOT hold the dry ice in your hand for a long period of time.  It will not hurt you to touch it for a second of two, but if you try to hold it, it can freeze your skin and feel like a burn. 
• Never put dry ice into a closed glass container. 
• Do NOT put dry ice into your mouth. 
• Use appropriate eyewear.

Tips for purchasing and storing dry ice:

• It’s all in the planning! Since dry ice “melts” over time, it’s best to get it as close as you can to when you will be using it. Store the dry ice in an insulated cooler. Be sure to keep the lid on top until you need to remove pieces for the activity. If there is space in the cooler, you may want to pack it with newspapers to insulate it and help it last longer.
• Slab vs Pellets – Pellets can be easier to handle for activities, but tend to “disappear” faster if you don’t use it quickly enough.
• Often you can find dry ice at your local Kroger. Walmart and Costco often have dry ice as well – it’s best to call ahead of time and pick it up the morning you are using it.
• Often fundraisers (such as cookie dough) are shipped in dry ice. Our science department fights over every shipment – it’s free fun!

Sublimation Stations Inquiry Lab

In this product you will find:

• Dry Ice Background Information
• Materials list (household items)
• Dry Ice Demo Directions
• Explanation of each phenomena for teachers
• 6 directed stations
• 1 design your own experiment station
• Student handout
• Black and white version for ease of printing

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The Wonders of Dry Ice: Home Science Experiments

Using dry ice in home science experiments can be educational and a lot of fun!

Dry ice, the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO₂), is a mesmerizing material that captures the imagination with its foggy, vapor-producing properties. Unlike regular ice, dry ice sublimates directly from a solid to a gas at -78.5°C (-109.3°F), bypassing the liquid phase. This unique characteristic makes it a fantastic tool for a variety of captivating and educational home science experiments. If you do decide to do home science experiments with dry ice, please remember to follow proper safety practices, especially if you’re doing these with young children.

The Classic Dry Ice Fog Effect

One of the simplest yet most dramatic experiments with dry ice is creating fog. This occurs when dry ice sublimates and the cold CO₂ gas cools the surrounding water vapor, forming a dense fog. To perform this experiment:

Materials Needed: Dry ice, warm water, a large bowl or container.

• Fill the container with warm water.
• Using tongs or insulated gloves, carefully add a few chunks of dry ice to the water.
• Observe the billowing fog that forms almost immediately.

This experiment vividly demonstrates the sublimation process and the gas’s interaction with warm water, making it an excellent visual aid for teaching about states of matter and gas behavior.

Dry Ice Bubbles

Creating dry ice bubbles is a fun and visually appealing experiment that illustrates the concept of gas expansion and surface tension.

Materials Needed: Dry ice, warm water, a large bowl, liquid dish soap, and a piece of cloth or rag.

• Fill the bowl with warm water and add a few chunks of dry ice to generate fog.
• Dip the cloth or rag into a mixture of water and dish soap, then run it along the rim of the bowl to create a film.
• As the dry ice sublimates, the CO₂ gas will fill the bowl and push against the soap film, forming a bubble dome over the bowl.

This experiment highlights the properties of gases and surface tension in liquids, creating a fascinating, hands-on learning experience.

Dry Ice and Balloon Inflation

This experiment showcases the expansion of gas and the pressure it can exert on its surroundings.

Materials Needed: Dry ice, balloons, warm water, a bottle or container with a narrow neck.

• Place a few small pieces of dry ice into the bottle.
• Quickly stretch the balloon’s mouth over the bottle opening.
• As the dry ice sublimates, the CO₂ gas will inflate the balloon.

Watching the balloon inflate demonstrates the expansion of gases and provides an engaging way to discuss gas laws and the behavior of molecules at different temperatures.

The Screaming Metal Experiment

This experiment produces a high-pitched sound that helps explain the rapid sublimation and thermal conductivity of dry ice.

Materials Needed: Dry ice, metal spoon.

• Press the metal spoon against a chunk of dry ice.
• Listen to the “screaming” or high-pitched noise that results from the rapid sublimation of dry ice as it comes into contact with the warm metal.

This auditory experiment helps illustrate thermal conductivity and the intense cold of dry ice, providing a multi-sensory approach to learning.

Safety Overview

While dry ice is a fantastic tool for conducting home science experiments, it requires careful handling due to its extremely low temperature. Here are some essential safety tips :

• Use Protective Gear: Always handle dry ice with insulated gloves or tongs to prevent frostbite. Never touch dry ice with bare skin.
• Ensure Proper Ventilation: Perform experiments in a well-ventilated area. Dry ice sublimates into CO₂ gas, which can displace oxygen and pose a suffocation hazard in enclosed spaces.
• Store Safely: Store dry ice in an insulated container, not in airtight containers, as the buildup of CO₂ gas can cause the container to explode.
• Disposal: Allow dry ice to sublimate in a well-ventilated area. Do not dispose of dry ice in sinks, toilets, or other confined spaces where gas buildup could occur.

Dry Ice For All Your Needs

Dry Ice Corp is the largest regional supplier of dry ice and related products in the Northeastern United States. Our ice is fresh and delivered right to your doorstep. We are happy to help you determine the best way to ship your goods, whether you have a huge amount of cookies or a single pie, and help you select the perfect amount of dry ice for the job. Give us a call at (201) 767-3200 or contact us online for a quote. To connect with us online, be sure to follow us on Facebook , Pinterest , and Twitter .

FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHEN TRANSPORTING, USING OR STORING DRY ICE! DRY ICE IS HARMFUL IF EATEN OR SWALLOWED! IF INGESTED, SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY! NEVER PUT DRY ICE INTO ANY FOOD, DRINKS OR LIQUIDS THAT MIGHT BE INGESTED BY HUMANS OR ANIMALS!

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The Homeschool Resource Room

creative ideas, practical advice, genuine support

10 Incredible Dry Ice Experiments for Kids!

This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy for details.

Try these amazing dry ice STEM activities for kids ! Science experiments and projects that will make your kids say, “WOW!!!!”

If your science routine has become a little hum drum, it might be time to liven things up. And nothing gets the Ooooooos and Ahhhhhhs quite like dry ice!

Dry ice is an amazing material to experiment with. You can create everything from magical fog to strange, frozen bubbles. Below I’ve collected ten of our favorite dry ice experiments for you to try with your kids, class, or co-op group!

Tips for Dry Ice Experiments

Before you begin, make sure to familiarize yourself with a few safety tips for working with dry ice . Experiments should be monitored from start to finish and whenever the dry ice is accessible.

If you’re buying a hunk of dry ice, it’s good to have a couple experiments lined up so you can use it before it disappears. So pick a few things and get those materials set up before you bring the ice home. You can usually find dry ice in the freezer section of your grocery store.

1. Dry Ice Soda Geyser by Science Kiddo

2. smoking bubbles dry ice experiment by raising dragons,  3. make frozen bubbles by though co., 4. watermelon dry ice explosion by thrifty fun, 5. coin in dry ice experiment by ifl science, 6.  mad scientist potion by our best bites, 7. harry potter crystal ball: dry ice experiment by teach beside me, 8. homemade root beer with dry ice by paintbrushes and popsicles, 9. make ice cream with dry ice by pop shop america, 10. inflate a balloon: cool dry ice experiments by science kiddo.

Ashley helps parents who want to homeschool find the resources they need to successfully teach their children. Ashley is a former teacher, current homeschooler, published author, and designer behind Circle Time with Miss Fox printables as well as the creator of this website, The Homeschool Resource Room.

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Using dry ice to blow up a balloon experiment – sublimation principles

Blow up a balloon with solid carbon dioxide experiment

Blow up a balloon with dry ice experiment, blow up a balloon with dry ice experiment supplies, in-article image credits, featured image credit.

Most substances have three states – solid, liquid, and gas. When they go from a solid to a gas, they usually turn into a liquid in between. Ice is a good example. It first melts into a liquid and then evaporates into a gas. Sublimation is when a chemical compound turns from a solid to a gas without turning into a liquid in between. Solid Carbon dioxide (or dry ice) and iodine are two compounds that sublime. When dry ice sublimes, it turns directly into carbon dioxide gas which expands in the process. Therefore, we can take dry ice, let it sublime into a gas, and use the gas to blow up a balloon. Follow these steps:

• Blow up a balloon and tie it off so no air leaks out.
• Take the lid off the plastic soft drink bottle.
• Drop a few pellets of dry ice into the plastic bottle.
• Fit the balloon over the top of the plastic bottle.
• Notice that the balloon begins to inflate as the dry ice sublimates. You can shake the bottle to make it expand a bit faster (air currents make the dry ice sublimate faster).
• Once the balloon is full, tie off then end so no carbon dioxide leaks out.
• Take the balloon filled with carbon dioxide and the balloon you blew up and drop both at the same time. Note how the balloon filled with carbon dioxide drops faster. That’s because carbon dioxide is heavier than air and denser.

Another interesting aspect of the heavier density of CO2 in the balloon is that it focuses sound and gives an amplification type effect. Speak through the balloon to demonstrate.

Note: You may have heard of “dry ice bombs.” Placing dry ice in a balloon and placing it on top of some water will cause the balloon to expand and freeze to the water it was placed on top of. Typically, it will pop, especially if someone tries to pick it up. In other demonstrations on the Internet, they may put the dry ice in a hard, sealed container such as a plastic bottle or glass bottle. This can be an extremely dangerous and dumb thing to do. The sound of the explosion can damage ear drums even if you are not close, and of course, pieces of debris (i.e., broken plastic or glass) can fly and hit you (or even go through you).

Supplies: Plastic bottle, Balloon, Dry ice

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Fun and Safe Dry Ice Experiments

By Anne Jolly

| Updated: March 21, 2023

Are you ready for some cool (literally) experiments with dry ice? Experience the world of science and prepare to be amazed!

Dry ice, also known as solid carbon dioxide, is a unique substance with remarkable properties. Not only does it turn from a solid to a gas at room temperature, but it can also create some seriously awesome effects.

In this article, we’ll look at some fun and simple experiments you can do with kids with dry ice, as well as some essential safety precautions to keep in mind when handling it. So, grab your lab coat and get ready for some spooky dry ice experiments.

What Is Dry Ice

Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide, one of the gasses in the earth’s atmosphere. This means that it doesn’t melt into a liquid but instead turns directly into a gas. This process is called sublimation, and it’s what creates the foggy effect you often see when dry ice is used in special effects or at Halloween parties.

Important Safety Precautions

Before we get to the experiments, we need to talk about safety. Dry ice is extremely cold and burns skin on contact. So always wear insulated gloves and use tongs to handle it . And remember all of the experiments below require adult supervision .

In addition, carbon dioxide can build up to unsafe levels if you use dry ice in an enclosed area. So make sure you only use it in large, well-ventilated rooms.

As it turns into a gas, it can cause pressure to build up in closed containers. So don’t store it in an airtight container like a freezer or cooler. Pressure will build up, and your freezer door can pop open!

Where Can I Get Dry Ice

Google is your friend here because availability will vary depending on where you live. Some specialty grocery stores sell it, or you can find an ice company that sells it to larger retailers.

Many companies will sell you a small amount for a reasonable price, especially when you tell them you will be using it for educational purposes. Just make a few phone calls, and you should be able to find some. To transport dry ice, wrap it in towels and put it in a soft-sided cooler.

Dry Ice Experiments

Experiment #1: dry ice fog.

This first experiment is a classic and always a crowdpleaser; creating a foggy effect with dry ice. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Bowl or cup
• Food coloring (optional but fun)

Here’s how to do it:

• Review the safety precautions before starting.
• Fill your bowl with warm water.
• Use tongs to carefully add small pieces of dry ice to the water. As the dry ice sublimates and turns into a gas, a thick fog will rise out of the bowl.
• As you add more dry ice, the fog will get thicker and thicker. You can experiment with different amounts to see how much fog you can create.
• You can also add food coloring to the water and call it a “Potions Class.”
• Be sure to do this experiment in a well-ventilated area and keep your face away from the fog.

Use this to create a spooky atmosphere for Halloween. Make it even more effective by using a big black bowl to look like a bubbling cauldron.

Experiment #2: Singing Spoon

This simple experiment creates an unusual (and noisy) effect. Here’s what you’ll need

• Metal spoon
• Run your spoon under hot water for a few seconds to heat it up. Then dry it off.
• Press the warm spoon directly against dry ice.
• The dry ice will turn into gas, which causes pressure on the spoon. The combination of the pressure spoon exerts on the dry ice and the pressure back from the gas will generate a high-pitched singing sound.

Experiment #3: Dry Ice Balloon

This next experiment is a fun way to blow up a balloon. Here’s what you need:

• Small bottle
• Tongs or a plastic spoon

Here’s how you do it:

• Start by filling your bottle with small pieces of dry ice. Use tongs spoon to transfer the dry ice.
• Use a funnel to add a little bit of hot water to the balloon.
• Stretch the opening of the balloon over the top of the bottle. Once it is attached, hold the balloon up, so the water goes into the bottle.
• As the dry ice sublimates and turns into a gas, it will inflate the balloon.

This experiment provides an easy visual way to understand that dry ice turns into a gas.

Experiment #4: Dry Ice Bubbles

This experiment combines dry ice with soap bubbles for a fun and somewhat messy experiment. Here’s what you need:

• Add warm water and a small squirt of dish soap to the cup.
• Use tongs to add a few pieces of dry ice to the cup and watch the bubbles rise.
• Dry ice fog is trapped inside the bubbles, so if you squeeze them as they overflow from the cup, you will generate even more fog.
• For even more bubbles, try this one in a large bowl.

Experiment #5: Floating Bubbles

This experiment takes a few more supplies, but it is worth a little effort. It is excellent for showing how carbon dioxide gas sinks. Here’s what you need:

• A large clear container, like an empty fish aquarium
• A container of bubbles with a bubble wand
• Use tongs to fill the bottom of the aquarium with dry ice. Add a little water, so it starts to turn to gas.
• Use a bubble wand to blow some bubbles into the aquarium. Don’t put your head down into the aquarium. Blow the bubbles over the top. It might take a few tries to get one to go inside.
• The bubbles stop and seem like they are floating in mid-air. They are floating on a layer of carbon dioxide that has sunk to the bottom of the aquarium.

These five experiments are a great starting point for exploring the world of dry ice with children. They are easy to set up and entertaining.

Use dry ice to introduce kids to the world of science and make learning fun. It will help inspire kids to explore the world around them, encourage them to think critically and creatively, and learn to enjoy science.

Anne Jolly is the creator of the food blog Upstate Ramblings . She loves to cook with gadgets like an air fryer, sous vide or pressure cooker. In her free time she enjoys hiking, reading, knitting and spending time with her three kids.

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Smoking Bubbles – Dry Ice Science

Bubbles, smoke, and fog all add-up to make a unique hands-on halloween experience.

Print this Experiment

We know that dry ice is incredibly fun to use in experiments – it’s because of the awesome fog you get when you combine the ultra-cold ice with warm water! Now if you could only figure out a way to actually grab and hold that elusive smoke in your hands. With the Dry Ice Smoking Bubbles experiment, you can! By creating smoke-filled bubbles that you can hold in your hands, you make dry ice a fun experience that everyone can really grasp.

Experiment Videos

Here's What You'll Need

Graduated cylinder (or similar container), dry ice (can be purchased at a local grocery store), heavy glove, safety glasses, food coloring or fizzers (optional), adult supervision, let's try it.

Fill your graduated cylinder half-full with warm water. If you don’t have a graduated cylinder laying around, you can use something similar, like a flower vase or another tall, narrow container.

NOTE: Before handling any dry ice, put on a pair of heavy gloves. Dry ice is so cold (-110ºF/-78ºC) that it will burn your skin!

Make sure that you have pieces of dry ice that are small enough to fit inside your graduated cylinder. If not, put on a pair of safety glasses and use a hammer to break the dry ice into smaller pieces.

Once you’ve created the small pieces, drop a few into the graduated cylinder. Once in the water, the dry ice will begin to bubble and produce a smoke within the cylinder. Eventually the smoke flows right over the top.

Put a squirt of dish soap into the cylinder and watch what happens! Before you know it, a column of bubbles begins to form at the mouth of your cylinder.

Grab those bubbles and give them a squeeze! These bubbles burst with an amazing explosion of fog.

How Does It Work

When you add dry ice to warm water, you immediately see the dry ice begin to bubble and create fog within the container. This “smoking” effect is directly caused by the rapid warming of the dry ice. Dry ice is frozen, compressed carbon dioxide gas and when you add it to warm water, it combines with the water to create the fog (carbon dioxide and water vapor) that you see bubbling out of your cylinder.

Adding soap to burping, bubbling, smoking water creates a whole new effect. Instead of the dry ice just bubbling in the water to make a cloud, the soap in the water traps the carbon dioxide and water vapor in a soapy bubble. Bursting the bubbles in your hands (or as they flow out of the cylinder) releases the gases in a brilliant cascade of fog.

Take It Further

Try adding some fun effects or adjusting ingredients to your smoking bubbles…

• Add a few drops of food coloring.
• Use a glow stick to create an eerie brew

Science Fair Connection

Creating a smoking bubble is pretty cool, but it isn’t a science fair project. You can create a science fair project by identifying a variable, or something that changes, in this experiment. Let’s take a look at some of the vari- able options that might work:

• Try using different brands of soap.  Which brands bubble the longest? Which brands create larger bubbles and trap the most fog?

That’s just one idea, but you aren’t limited to that! Try coming up with different ideas of variables and give them a try. Remember, you can only change one thing at a time.

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