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Mega Baking Soda to Vinegar Ratio Experiment

Science Kindergartners Experiment 41 Comments

Set up a mega science experiment to figure out what baking soda and vinegar ratio works best for you and your preschooler!

We love a good baking soda and vinegar experiment, don’t you!??

I don’t know how many times the kids and I have done experiments with baking soda and vinegar .

But I’ve always questioned how much to use of each…

I’ve always just guessed and it turned out however it turned out.

Sometimes it was a great fizzy explosion, other times it just plain fizzled out.

However, the boys have always had a good time with our experiments.

But I thought it was time to figure out the ratio to make the best fizzy “explosion” using just baking soda and vinegar.

And letting the kids decide what worked the best.

What ratio of baking soda to vinegar gives off the best explosion? Which is better? Adding baking soda to vinegar or vice versa? Find out!

First of all, why do baking soda and vinegar react the way they do?

I’m not all science-y and understand chemical reactions, so I had to look up a good answer for you from Steve Spangler Science.

The bubbles and foam you see are filled with carbon dioxide gas (CO 2 ) that’s being released by an acid/base reaction. Vinegar is acetic acid dissolved in water and baking soda is a base called sodium bicarbonate. Initially, the reaction makes carbonic acid which is unstable. It quickly breaks down into CO 2  and water. The gas then rapidly leaves the water creating foam and bubbles along the way.

You can read more about how the science behind this experiment as well as learn how to make and amazing rocket propelled by baking soda and vinegar over on Steve Spangler Science.

What ratio of baking soda to vinegar is best?

I set up an experiment for Henry and I to discover how to get the best baking soda and vinegar results.

We kept it a simple mixture, with just these 2 ingredients:

  • baking soda

No added food coloring to worry about stains or anything like that. Keeping it very simple.

It might be handy to set this up on a tray, or outside and keep a sponge or towel handy to clean up the fizzy overflow.

I set up 3 glasses (clear).

Then, I had Henry write the numbers 1-2-3 each on a piece of paper to label the glasses so he could write down the results of his experiment.

The More Vinegar Experiment

First, I started by pouring vinegar in each glass.

I corresponded the number of tablespoons of vinegar to the number on Henry’s papers.

  • 1 tablespoon 2 tablespoons
  • 3 tablespoons

What a fun way to learn about the reaction between vinegar and baking soda

For this initial experiment, we used one tablespoon of baking soda as our constant for this round of experimenting.

Henry measured one tablespoon of baking soda and dumped it into the first glass with one tablespoon of vinegar and observed what happened.

We kept doing this (always with one tablespoon of baking soda) through all three glasses and found that the fizzing got bigger and better with each additional tablespoon of vinegar.

Another round of testing would be done to see the reaction with even more vinegar!

Does Even More Vinegar Get a Better Fizz?

Another setup was done with more vinegar, to see if the explosions would keep getting biger.

This time we tried more vinegar in each glass:

  • 4 tablespoons
  • 5 tablespoons
  • 6 tablespoons

Each still with one tablespoon of baking soda poured in to test.

We found once again that the fizzing was quite a bit bigger and better with 6 tablespoons as a result.

Does Even More Vinegar Get a Better Fizz?

Yes! More vinegar equals more fizz!

Yet another round of testing needed to be done. This time I skipped numbers and didn’t do consecutive counting so we could really see the difference.

I set up the cups each with different amounts of vinegar:

  • 12 tablespoons

Whoa! 12 tablespoons of vinegar to 1 tablespoon of baking soda overflowed our glasses!

(Told you the sponge may come in handy for cleanup! However, baking soda and vinegar make excellent detergents, so maybe you could do this in the bathtub and scrub the soap scum off in the process! Ha!)

Yes! More vinegar equals more fizz!

I can’t help but wonder if we were to try it with even more vinegar what the result would be.

But our glass was overflowing the way it was, so that was the end of our experimenting to find out the best ratio.

The next question I had…

Is it better to add baking soda to vinegar? Or vinegar to baking soda?

Would twelve tablespoons of vinegar have the same reaction if the roles were reversed and we added it to one tablespoon of baking soda, or does it not matter?

Would the chemical reactions be the same?

We HAD to find out!

Is it better to add baking soda to vinegar? Or vinegar to baking soda?

So we tested that as well with the best ratio of baking soda to vinegar above.

The amount of fizzing was the same for both.

However… there is a difference in the time of reaction between the two.

When you add baking soda to vinegar like we did the first experiment above, the reaction it creates is sort of delayed, building up to a big fizz. But it’s slow building.

On the flip side, when you flip flop the roles and add the vinegar to the baking soda , the reaction is immediate and almost explosive.

Depending on the experiment you’re doing, you may want to do it one way over the other.

Our Mega Baking Soda and Vinegar Experiment Results:

Adding vinegar to baking soda gives you an immediate reaction. Adding baking soda to vinegar, the reaction is delayed, but then fizzes the same amount.

More vinegar is better. A 12 to 1 ratio of vinegar to baking soda caused a fizzing explosion!

We could have kept going with this all afternoon! Henry was getting a kick out of the experiment and loved watching it overflow the cup.

Do you add baking soda to vinegar or vinegar to baking soda when you do these experiments?

When we do our blow up a balloon experiment , it is adding the baking soda to the vinegar that is already in the bottle. Which is a delayed fizz. I wonder what would happen if we did the opposite and reversed the roles? Would the balloon blow up more rapidly? Would the balloon explode?

That sounds like an experiment we need to try, or you need to try and report back and tell me how it turns out!

What experiments have you done with vinegar and baking soda?

What ratio of baking soda to vinegar gives off the best explosion? Which is better? Adding baking soda to vinegar or vice versa? Find out!

About Jamie Reimer

Jamie learned to be a hands on mom by creating activities, crafts and art projects for her three boys to do. Jamie needed the creative outlet that activities provided to get through the early years of parenting with a smile! Follow Jamie on Pinterest and Instagram !

More Hands on Kids Activities to Try

Using colored vinegar to see eruptions in baking soda (and mixing colors!)

Reader Interactions

41 comments.

May 24, 2024 at 4:50 pm

Has anyone ever tried adding more baking soda to the ratio? Like what if once you got to 12 tablespoons of vinegar you added more baking soda?

Tabitha Lightfoot says

May 27, 2024 at 6:52 am

Great idea! We didn’t try that! If you try it, let us know how it goes!

Student says

May 24, 2024 at 4:44 pm

What if you add more baking soda?

ritchy says

November 5, 2021 at 11:24 am

good job keep it up

Jahseh says

November 3, 2021 at 10:24 am

Try sulfuric acid more reaction

lisa m fournier says

February 10, 2021 at 9:15 am

I would have loved to know the differentials between different types of vinegars being added to the baking soda.

February 15, 2021 at 5:40 am

Hi Lisa! It was always just normal vinegar – the part that was different was the amount that was added to each cup.

October 8, 2019 at 1:34 pm

Another thought … has anyone determined the volumes of ingredients that work best in various bottle sizes? For instance, my Library class will be using 20oz bottles. Some use 16. Some use liter. If the bottle is filled too full, insufficient amounts of CO2 will form, reducing the height of the rocket. Not enough mixture volume and no lift off.

October 8, 2019 at 1:30 pm

I love the trial and error nature of this. Plus you don’t have to actually launch to see the results of this portion of the experiment. I think I’ll try and go beyond the 12:1 ratio and see what I can determine. Might be difficult to measure. Thoughts?

October 14, 2019 at 6:17 am

Hi Peter – we haven’t tried anything beyond 12:1 to see what happens but if you did it in a larger glass, you could definitely try it out! And, experimenting with different size bottles is a great idea! Let us know how it goes if you try it out!

chantol says

September 24, 2019 at 9:28 pm

how do you measure the eruption?

September 30, 2019 at 6:16 am

Hi Chantol! Great question – for this one, they just watched the reactions to see how high the fizz went in the glass.

Timmer says

August 2, 2019 at 6:20 am

Thanks so much for posting your experiment! – Not only did this answer a question I had, but it’s a wonderful example of exploring along with your kids! They learn a lot from watching how YOU go about asking and answering questions.

Amy Hopkins says

March 12, 2019 at 9:57 pm

Hi there! I’m a TK/K teacher and will be inviting the first-/second-grade class to join us for my very first vinegar/baking soda experiment in the classroom. Your informational website was very helpful! Thank you for sharing your experiment test results! The students are going to be so excited!!!

Sincerely, Amy Hopkins

Steve Hoover says

February 21, 2019 at 6:06 pm

I arrived at a different ratio for actually making CO2. I used a 12 oz jar and measured how much CO2 was in the jar by lowering a lit match in it and watching the level it went out at. I extracted gas from the jar with an animal feeding syringe I got from Tractor Supply and counted how many extractions it took to empty the jar based on match tests. I started with 3 to 1 which filled the jar and took 10 extractions to empty it. I don’t know if it overflowed the jar. Then I tried the 12 to 1 which only half filled the jar and at 5 extractions it was empty. Then I tried 6 to 1 and again was able to get 10 extractions. So IMO 1/2 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon, 6 to 1 is the ideal for making CO2.

October 16, 2018 at 11:12 am

I am doing that for my science project in my secondary school. : )

July 20, 2018 at 8:39 am

Bake Soda & Vinegar. I just found my intro experiment to review Scientific Method for my HS Honors Chem class. Thanks! LOL.

Fay Rowland says

January 14, 2018 at 6:55 am

brillo, thanks, I’ve always wondered what the best ratio is, many thanks xx

November 4, 2016 at 8:35 am

Why vinegar and baking soda mixed will exploded?

October 23, 2016 at 8:18 am

I am studying in class 7. I had got a project of showing this experiment in class. Thanks for giving me tips about it.

August 7, 2017 at 4:26 pm

Because vinegar is a base while baking soda is an acid. When acid and base are mix together they will react. Thank you.

Chemist says

November 3, 2014 at 11:43 pm

Ideal ratio is 70g/L. A tablespoon is 15g and so will react with up to 215mL or around 14 tablespoons. :)

savannah bussey says

January 5, 2014 at 8:28 pm

Thanks for the great idea for the project. instead i used ballons over the top! But it was a amazing projext!! :)

April 22, 2013 at 3:00 pm

if you add a drop of dish detergent to your vinegar it will make the eruption last longer.

Jamie Reimer says

April 22, 2013 at 3:09 pm

No way!!!! I did NOT know that Andi! Thank you so much for the tip! I’ll be trying that next time for sure!

maryanne @ mama smiles says

April 22, 2013 at 2:35 pm

I love the way you turned this into a full-blown science experiment!

April 22, 2013 at 3:30 pm

Thanks Mary Anne! :) It was so much fun!

Daisy Broomfield says

April 22, 2013 at 9:15 am

What great science and what a useful thing to know! We often set off a volcano with baking soda and vinegar and have generally added more powder when it stopped fizzing- your test suggests we should use more vinegar. Thanks for the tip (I think my boys would like to do the research themselves too- just to check!!)

April 22, 2013 at 3:31 pm

Yeah I think vinegar would get more out of it…. but maybe not either if its the second time around… because the soda would be dissolved… I’m not sure! Another thing to test!

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bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

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Vinegar and Baking Soda Reaction Experiments

Vinegar and Baking Soda Experiments

*We’re an affiliate – we may earn a commission through qualifying purchases from the links on this page. As always, thanks!*

From creating bubbling volcanoes to exploring the properties of acids and bases, vinegar and baking soda offer fun opportunities for hands-on learning and experimentation. 

So grab a bottle of vinegar and a box of baking soda, and get ready to have some fun!  We’ll explore some of the many experiments and activities you can do with these two versatile ingredients. Get ready to be amazed by the science behind the fizz! 

The Science and Chemistry of Vinegar and Baking Soda

The reaction between vinegar and baking soda is often used in science experiments to demonstrate chemical reactions or to create a gas that can be used to inflate a balloon or make a homemade volcano. It’s a simple and fun way to explore chemistry and learn about the properties of acids and bases., and we’ve done experiments with this chemical reaction a bunch of times.

Okay, that’s great and all – we know it ‘s a safe experiment that make a fizzy reaction. What’s actually happening? What’s the science behind simply combining these two ingredients?

The reaction between vinegar and baking soda is a classic chemistry demonstration that produces carbon dioxide gas. When vinegar and baking soda are mixed together, the acidity of the vinegar reacts with the basic nature of the baking soda to produce a chemical reaction. The reaction produces carbon dioxide gas, which causes the mixture to bubble and foam. In this case, the acid is the vinegar (acetic acid) and the base is the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). The salt produced in the reaction is sodium acetate, and the water is produced as a byproduct of the reaction. Here are the compounds involved:

  • CH3COOH: acetic acid (vinegar)
  • NaHCO3: sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
  • CH3COONa: sodium acetate
  • CO2: carbon dioxide gas

The chemical equation for combining vinegar (acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is:

CH3COOH + NaHCO3 → CH3COONa + H2O + CO2

This reaction produces water, carbon dioxide gas, and sodium acetate (CH3COONa). This produces carbon dioxide bubbles, as the production of carbon dioxide gas is what gives the mixture its characteristic fizzing and bubbling. The overall reaction can be written as an acid-base reaction, with the acetic acid (vinegar) acting as the acid and the baking soda acting as the base.

Activities with Vinegar and Baking Soda

The kids always enjoy seeing the foam fizz up.  We usually need to do it multiple times so they each get a turn pouring in the vinegar.  

Remember to have some paper towels or rags on hand!  You can do what you can to try and contain the fizz and the mess, but always expect to be wiping up and prepare before you start mixing.

Make a Volcano

This is the classic experiment everyone thinks of with vinegar and baking soda.  It’s the go to experiment for good reasons:

  • It’s quick and easy to do
  • It doesn’t involve harsh chemicals
  • It uses common kitchen ingredients
  • It’s very visual

Place a small amount of baking soda and a paper cup or small glass (many science experiment or STEM kits include a plastic volcano specifically for this experiment.) In a separate cup or glass, add a few drops of red food coloring and some vinegar. Slowly pour vinegar over the baking soda. Watch as the mixture fizzes and bubbles, creating a “volcano” effect.

The exact amount isn’t vital, though you can use a 1:1 ratio (equal parts of each) for a starting point.  So, mixing 2 tablespoons of vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda will give you a good reaction.  The more of both you uses, the bigger the reaction will be!

Apple Volcano

Apple Volcano Science Experiment

During our experiments with apples , we cored out an apple to use as a variation of the classic volcano.  We placed the baking soda in the apple and poured the vinegar over it.

Create a fizzy reaction

You don’t always have to make a volcano. Just mixing equal parts vinegar and baking soda in a small container will still provide the same demonstration. Observe the fizzing and bubbling that occurs as the two substances react.

Try adding a few drops of food coloring for different effects or occasions! Green bubbling cauldrons are great for Halloween!

Inflate a Balloon

Most people fixate on the fizz and foam created when doing this experiment. The byproduct of the vinegar solution is carbon dioxide gas, which is invisible.  By sealing the reaction in a closed space, we can “see” the results as the balloon gets inflated.  Check it out in our experiments with plastic bottles .

Pro tip: make sure your balloon doesn’t have a hole in it! 

Vinegar and Baking Soda Rocket Fuel

If you tried the experiment to inflate a balloon, you saw how the byproduct gas expands and inflates the balloon.  What if there was no where for the gas to expand?  It’d create increased pressure in a confined space until it stopped expanding – or it’d build up enough pressure to expand further.  

We can use that pressure (and release) as rocket fuel!

DIY Bottle Rocket - Plastic Bottle STEM Projects

Materials needed:

  • Recycled plastic bottle
  • Baking soda
  • Fins or a stand for the bottle

Important – you’ll definitely want to do this experiment outside with enough space for your rocket to shoot skyward and come back down.

  • Grab an empty plastic bottle
  • fashion some fins from sturdy cardboard, or build some legs for the rocket.  We simply used 3 chopsticks held in place by a rubberband to support the rocket for launch.
  • Add 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda into the plastic bottle.
  • Pour vinegar into the bottle until it’s about 1/3 full.
  • Quickly insert a cork into the opening of the bottle.
  • Flip the bottle upside down so the cork is on the bottom and the rocket is resting on the fins or support.
  • Place the bottle on a flat surface, step back, and watch it launch!

The reaction between baking soda and vinegar produces carbon dioxide gas, which creates pressure inside the corked bottle. This pressure builds up until it’s strong enough to push the cork out of the opening, propelling the bottle upwards. The fins at the bottom of the bottle provide stability and keep the rocket flying straight.

Check this out and more in our post on experiments with plastic bottles.

Explore the properties of acids and bases

Mix different amounts of vinegar and baking soda to see how the strength of the acid or base affects the reaction. You can also try using different types of vinegar (such as apple cider vinegar or white vinegar) to see how they compare.

As you make small tweaks, note the effects of each.  Remember to use the scientific method and make a hypothesis before testing it!

Invisible Ink with Vinegar and Baking Soda

You can use the leftover mixture form one of the above experiments as invisible in!  

  • White paper
  • Vinegar & Baking Soda Mixture
  • Paint brush or Q-tip
  • Candle or light bulb

Follow these steps: 

  • In a bowl, mix equal parts of baking soda and water until the baking soda is fully dissolved. (Or use the leftover solution from one of the experiments above.)
  • Dip a paint brush or Q-tip into the baking soda mixture and use it to write a secret message or draw a picture on the paper.
  • Allow the paper to dry; the baking soda mixture will dry clear and the message will be invisible.
  • To reveal the message, hold the paper close to a candle or light bulb. 

Make a Ball

Combine a small amount of vinegar and a larger amount of baking soda in a bowl. Slowly add cornstarch until the mixture forms a dough-like consistency. Roll the dough into a ball and watch as it bounces.  (Don’t expect it to be super ball level bouncy; it’s more of an experiment than a toy.)

  • Measuring spoons
  • Spoon for mixing
  • Surface for rolling the dough
  • Measure out 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 4 tablespoons of baking soda.
  • Add the vinegar to a bowl.
  • Slowly add the baking soda to the bowl while stirring continuously. This will create a foaming reaction.
  • Continue stirring until the mixture stops foaming and becomes a paste.
  • Slowly add cornstarch to the mixture while stirring until it forms a dough-like consistency.
  • Remove the dough from the bowl and knead it with your hands until it becomes smooth.
  • Roll the dough into a ball.

Science involved: When vinegar (acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) are mixed together, they undergo a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas. This gas gets trapped in the dough-like mixture formed by adding cornstarch, causing the mixture to expand and become bouncy. 

The carbon dioxide gas produced creates bubbles in the dough-like mixture, making it bouncy. The more baking soda you add, the more carbon dioxide gas is produced, resulting in a bigger and bouncier ball. The cornstarch helps to bind the ingredients together and create a dough-like consistency.

Note: if you’ve done a volcano kind of experiment, you can make further use of that mixture  by slowly adding the corn starch to it until it’s doughy enough to shape into a ball.

Wrap Up – Vinegar Experiment with Baking Soda

This reaction is at the core of many classic science experiments, and it’s one of our favorites.  The key ingredients are easily found in most kitchens as the setup is easy.  With a few variations, you can use this for fun seasonal experiments and demonstrate several different science and chemistry concepts.

Don’t just dump the mixture when you’re done.  A cup of vinegar and baking soda can be an effective cleaning agent!  (Just don’t clean anything that food coloring may stain.)

Check out our STEM challenges with household products for more quick and easy experiments for kids, and check out our kitchen science experiments!

Vinegar and Baking Soda

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bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

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7 Fizzy Baking Soda and Vinegar Science Experiments

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There is something about baking soda and vinegar science experiments that just never gets old. Kids of all ages enjoy these activities, but in my experience, little ones love them the most. They get so excited when they watch the baking soda and vinegar reaction!

When my kids were little I got into the habit of buying large containers of baking soda and white vinegar. These supplies are pretty inexpensive, especially when purchased in bulk. You might not want to use them in food prep after a while, but they are always good for science experiments.

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (water and acetic acid) form carbon dioxide gas when they are mixed together.

These easy science experiments are sure to be a hit! Creating an acid-base reaction is a fun way to learn about chemical reactions.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Science Experiments

baking soda and vinegar science experiments written over colorful vinegar being dropped onto a dish of baking soda

Tip – I recommend doing all of the vinegar and baking soda science experiments on a baking sheet or outside. The fizzy reactions can get messy quickly!

Classic Volcano

Making a volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. This activity can fit in with a science lesson about chemical reactions, but it can also be a great volcano demonstration in a lesson about volcanos.

You will need:

  • Container to hold the baking soda
  • Baking soda
  • Playdough or clay (if you want to form a classic volcano shape)

First, gather all of your materials. You can use pretty much any container to make the volcano. I used a beaker from my science cabinet, but you could use a drinking glass, a mason jar, a clean can, etc. I have even seen people make a big baking soda and vinegar volcanos using sand buckets! (Definitely do that outside for easy cleanup.)

I recommend putting the volcano in a glass casserole dish to contain the mess.

If you want to form the classic volcano shape, use playdough or clay to add a slope to your container. You can also paint it if you want. Let this harden and dry before adding baking soda or vinegar.

When your volcano is ready, sprinkle baking soda into your container. Different volcanos will need different amounts of baking soda. If you have a small container you will just need a little. If you use a large container you will need a lot.

When everyone is ready, pour the vinegar onto the baking soda. The fizzy chemical reaction happens pretty much instantly.

easy science volcano written above a baking soda and vinegar volcano fizzing out of a beaker

Fizzy Dinosaur Eggs

This fizzy dinosaur eggs activity from Kim at TheBestIdeasForKids.com is going to be a hit with any young children who love dinosaurs. Kids can help prepare the baking soda eggs and then use the vinegar to make them ‘hatch’ or an adult can prepare the eggs ahead of time.

  • Food coloring
  • Small plastic dinosaurs (or whatever you want inside of the eggs)
  • Squirt bottle or dropper

Get the full fizzy dinosaur egg directions .

Drop Painting

I loved setting my kids up with this activity when they were toddlers – early elementary. It was my go-to activity when I needed them to be engaged at the kitchen table so I could supervise them while cooking. They had a great time and I was able to cook without little hands helping.

  • Baking tray or dish
  • Cups – one for each color
  • Different colors of food coloring
  • Dropper or pipette – one for each color

To set up this activity, add a layer of baking soda to a baking dish. Then add vinegar to small cups. I used an assortment of recycled glass jars. Add a few drops of food coloring to each cup. Kids can help mix primary colors to create secondary colors. Put a pipette or dropper in each cup.

Now kids can use the pipettes to drop colored vinegar onto the baking soda. Everywhere that a drop of vinegar hits the baking soda kids will see bubbles in the color of the vinegar.

Some kids like to make a picture using the baking soda as a temporary canvas. Other kids just enjoy the process. Either way, they are having fun experimenting with baking soda and vinegar. This sort of activity when kids are young lays a foundation for understanding chemical reactions when they are older.

baking soda and vinegar drop painting written above a tray of baking soda and a pippette of colored vinegar

Hot ice seems like an oxymoron, but it is actually a really cool science experiment using baking soda and vinegar. This activity has a few more steps than some of the other ideas, but kids will be delighted with the result.

  • Baking Soda
  • Glass measuring cup
  • Glass pie plate
  • Refrigerator

Get the full directions for hot ice from PlaydoughtoPlato.com .

Hidden Colors

This hidden colors activity is similar to the vinegar drop painting activity. It uses the same basic supplies, but the order is different.

  • Mini-muffin tin
  • Vinegar in a cup
  • Dropper or pipette

Put a few drops of food coloring in each mini-muffin tin well. Cover it with a thin layer of baking soda. You want enough baking soda to cover the food coloring, but not enough to fill up the muffin tin. When it is ready, kids shouldn’t be able to tell what color is in which spot.

Pour vinegar into a cup and give your child a dropper or pipette.

Kids can slowly add drops of vinegar to each well of baking soda until they can see the color mix in with the carbon dioxide bubbles.

colored vinegar and baking soda reacting in a muffin tin

Exploding Bag

I think most kids go through a phase where they like to watch things explode. In my house that happened in the late elementary and early middle school years.

This baking soda and vinegar activity will make kids who love explosions happy.

I think it is a good idea to do this activity outside because it can get messy! The aftermath of a baking soda and vinegar explosion can feel gritty so it is helpful if it is done on a driveway so it can be hosed off.

  • Plastic bag with a zip seal
  • Permanent markers (optional)

Get the full directions for making an exploding bag at MomBrite.com .

Inflate a Balloon

Watching fizzy bubbles and explosions can be fun, but this baking soda and vinegar experiment helps kids understand that chemical reactions can be useful. They will attempt to inflate a balloon using baking soda and vinegar. Now, this certainly isn’t the most efficient way to blow up a balloon, but it gets kids thinking about science as useful.

  • Plastic bottle

Get the full directions at HappyBrownHouse.com .

I hope your kids enjoyed these simple science experiments! Once they have tried a few of these simple baking soda and vinegar activities, let them try making changes to see if the results change. Maybe they can try using lemon juice instead of vinegar and see what happens!

Check out these other science activities for kids!

  • How to Grow a Germ Farm
  • Rock Cycle Activities for Middle School
  • Helpful Science Vocabulary Activities

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Baking Soda and Vinegar Science Experiments

Kids love easy science experiments you can do with baking soda and vinegar. When baking soda and vinegar combine, you get an incredible chemical reaction everyone will want to try. Check out our top baking soda and vinegar science experiments for preschool through middle school.

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Take a look at how we give this classic science experiment a twist with the activities below. These are our favorite ways to explore a fizzing reaction. Use this safe experiment as an easy way to introduce a chemical reaction to younger kids.

See our list of preschool science experiments and elementary science experiments .

All you need are a few simple ingredients you may already have in your kitchen! Baking soda, vinegar, and a little food coloring will keep your kids busy for quite a while. We have also included a few other ingredients that react with baking soda to make it fizz. Find unique ways to enjoy this fun experiment any day of the year!

💡 You can easily try this experiment at home or in a classroom, making it easy to do!

Free Printable Fizzy Reactions Guide

If you love mixing baking soda and vinegar, look through the experiments below and grab the free printable baking soda and vinegar fizzy reactions guide !

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Apple Volcano

Grab an apple that’s ready to be composted and try this fall theme baking soda and vinegar activity!

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Baking Soda and Cranberry Juice

What happens when you add cranberry juice to baking soda? Fizzing cranberries ! What about lemon juice or lime juice like this Lemon Volcano ? Find out with these citric acid experiments.

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Baking Soda Fizzy Paint

Try fizzy painting! Make your own cool fizzy art with baking soda and vinegar paint for a fun and easy art meets science activity. Try this fizzy heart !

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Baking Soda Moon Rocks

Here we made our own DIY moon rocks for a cool space theme activity for kids.

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Balloon Experiment

Can you blow up a balloon using only baking soda and vinegar?

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Baking Soda Bottle Rocket

Combine physics and chemistry with this unique baking soda and vinegar science experiment! Kids will love blasting off a bottle rocket .

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Bubbling Slime

This is by far one of the  coolest slime recipes we have to date because it combines two things we love: slime making and baking soda and vinegar reactions.

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Classic Baking Soda Volcano

Vinegar volcanoes are always a hit, and you can make them in several ways. We are using the classic baking soda volcano to test our science skills! Learn how to make a batch of salt dough and craft a volcano fit for this science experiment.

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Cookie Cutter Baking Soda Experiments

Grab your cookie cutters for a fun and easy baking soda project. Try different themes with your holiday cookie cutters. Try these fizzing snowflakes!

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Dancing Corn

Dancing corn is usually a favorite baking soda and vinegar experiment around Thanksgiving for us! The alternative to this type of science project is done with a carbonated liquid, such as this dancing raisins science experiment.

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Dinosaur Volcano

What’s more fun than combining dinosaur play and a baking soda and vinegar reaction! This dinosaur volcano activity provides an opportunity for younger kids to learn about dinosaurs, volcanoes, and the natural world in a hands-on way.

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Fizzing Dinosaur Eggs

The coolest dinosaur activity EVER!! A fun variation on a baking soda and vinegar reaction where kids can hatch out their own dinosaurs.

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Fizzing Sidewalk Paint

This is an awesome way to take science outside and turn it into STEAM! Get outdoors, paint pictures, and enjoy a kid-favorite fizzing chemical reaction.

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

LEGO Volcano

Build your own volcano with basic LEGO bricks and watch it erupt over and over again.

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Popping Bags

Another unique way to try a baking soda experiment outside! How to make an exploding plastic bag.

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Sandbox Eruption

Take your baking soda project outdoors and build a baking soda and vinegar bottle rocket in your sandbox.

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Snow Volcano

This makes for a great winter science experiment! Take the baking soda and vinegar fun outdoors and create your very own erupting snow-cano!

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Watermelon-Cano

We love to make anything erupt… Also check out our apple volcano , pumpkin volcano and even a puking pumpkin .

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Baking Soda and Vinegar Science Fair Project

Set this up as a Baking Soda and Vinegar Science Fair Project! Learn more about Science Fair Projects here and grab the free pack.

  • Try using different baking soda and vinegar ratios to see how they affect the reaction.
  • Add food coloring to the vinegar to create a colorful eruption.
  • Test other household substances, such as lemon juice , orange juice, or cranberry juice , to compare their reaction with baking soda.
  • Add dish soap and compare the eruptions.
  • Try using containers with different size openings to observe the pressure the gas exerts, causing the eruption.

💡 Read more about the Scientific Method for Kids here!

What Makes Baking Soda Fizz?

Baking soda is made up of tiny particles called molecules. Each molecule has three different elements: sodium, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen.

Something exciting happens when baking soda comes into contact with an acid, like vinegar! The acid (vinegar) and the base (baking soda) react. The vinegar donates a hydrogen ion to the baking soda during this reaction.

The hydrogen ion combines with the bicarbonate ion in baking soda to form carbonic acid. This is unstable and quickly breaks into water and carbon dioxide gas.

The carbon dioxide gas is why baking soda starts to fizz and bubble. The gas tries to escape from the mixture, creating bubbles that rise to the surface. These bubbles make a fizzing sound and give the impression of a mini volcano eruption!

So, when you mix baking soda with an acid like vinegar, you get a fantastic fizzy reaction due to the production of carbon dioxide gas. It’s truly an exciting and visually appealing demonstration of a chemical reaction!

You might also like: Cool Chemistry Projects for Kids

Endothermic Reaction

The reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid) is endothermic because it absorbs heat from the surroundings, causing a slight drop in temperature.

This process of taking in energy is what makes the reaction endothermic. And as it takes energy, it produces carbon dioxide gas, which creates all the exciting fizz and bubbles you see! It’s like a bit of science magic happening right before our eyes!

You might also like: Elephant Toothpaste (Exothermic Reaction)

Helpful Science Resources To Get You Started

Here are a few resources that will help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

  • Best Science Practices (as it relates to the scientific method)
  • Science Vocabulary
  • All About Scientists
  • Free Science Worksheets
  • DIY Science Kits
  • Science Tools for Kids
  • Scientific Method for Kids
  • Citizen Science Guide
  • Join us in the Club

Printable Science Projects For Kids

If you’re looking to grab all of our printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets and bonuses like a STEAM Project pack, our Science Project Pack is what you need! Over 300+ Pages!

  • 90+ classic science activities  with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information.  NEW! Activity-specific observation pages!
  • Best science practices posters  and our original science method process folders for extra alternatives!
  • Be a Collector activities pack  introduces kids to the world of making collections through the eyes of a scientist. What will they collect first?
  • Know the Words Science vocabulary pack  includes flashcards, crosswords, and word searches that illuminate keywords in the experiments!
  • My science journal writing prompts  explore what it means to be a scientist!!
  • Bonus STEAM Project Pack:  Art meets science with doable projects!
  • Bonus Quick Grab Packs for Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

One Comment

I am a regular visitor of your website. Thanks for the great article. By following this article I created youtube video of my son showing step by step tutorial of Magic Balloon Science Experiment for Kids using Baking Soda and Vinegar – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl_OMitc150

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bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

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bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Jar-of-baking-soda-and-bottle-of-vinegar-on-a-table

Learn about Reactions with This Vinegar and Baking Soda Experiment

Take a peek in your pantry. Do you have baking soda and vinegar? If so, you and your kids have the basic supplies for a bubbly science experiment! 

These two products are staples in many households because they are essential cooking ingredients. , Baking soda helps baked goods rise, and a pinch or two will balance the acidity in dishes like tomato soup. Vinegar is a common ingredient in salad dressings and sauces, and a splash will elevate any dish in need of a bright, tangy flavor.

But can you mix vinegar and baking soda together? You sure can—and the result is a wonderful at-home science experiment. Vinegar and baking soda create a very effective cleaner for dishwashers, washing machines, clogged sinks, and even tile grout because of the chemical reaction that occurs when the two substances interact. You can harness this same reaction for an exciting chemistry activity!

The Science behind the Reaction

A baking soda and vinegar reaction is simple and safe for budding scientists of all ages. Older children may be curious about why the reaction occurs—here’s the rundown:

When combined, baking soda and vinegar undergo an acid-base reaction. Acids and bases are aqueous solutions (meaning they’re substances dissolved in water) that exist at opposite ends of the pH (potential of hydrogen) scale, which spans from 0 to 14. Acids measure between 0 and 7 and bases measure between 7 and 14, while a pH of 7 indicates a neutral substance. In simple terms, bases have the potential to gain hydrogen ions (an ion is a type of atom, one of the tiny building blocks that make up all matter), while acids have the potential to donate hydrogen ions to another substance.

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, has a pH level of 9, making it a base. Vinegar, which is acetic acid dissolved in water, has a pH level of 2–3, making it an acid. , Baking soda is made up of sodium, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms. Vinegar is made up of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms.

When you mix baking soda and vinegar together, two hydrogen atoms move from the vinegar to the baking soda to create a salt called sodium acetate. The remaining atoms create a new acid—but it breaks down quickly into water and carbon dioxide gas.

Two-children-and-adult-in-lab-coats-test-the-balloon-experiment

It’s Time for an Experiment

Your kids can witness an acid-base chemical reaction right in your kitchen. This baking soda experiment for kids combines vinegar and baking soda, then uses the resulting carbon dioxide gas to inflate a balloon. This same reaction is behind science projects like fizzy potions and DIY volcanoes .

Children of all ages can participate in every step of this experiment, but younger kids may need help from an adult. You know your kid scientists’ abilities best!

Vinegar and Baking Soda Experiment

  • ⅓ cup baking soda
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 empty plastic water or soda bottle
  • 1 uninflated balloon
  • 1 funnel 
  • Use the funnel to fill the uninflated balloon with baking soda. Kids can help pour the baking soda while an adult holds the funnel and balloon. 
  • Pour the vinegar into the empty plastic bottle. Fit the opening of the balloon over the mouth of the bottle, trying not to spill any baking soda out of the balloon.
  • Once the balloon is securely attached to the bottle with no gaps for air to escape, lift the balloon and let the baking soda fall into the vinegar below.
  • Watch as the baking soda and vinegar react—the mixture will bubble and fizz. As the reaction takes place, the balloon should begin to expand and fill with carbon dioxide gas!

Two-children-testing-balloon-experiment-with-multiple-bottles-and-colored-vinegar

Using the Scientific Method

The balloon experiment is an excellent way to show your children the wonders of chemistry from the comfort of home. You can build on their learning by teaching them to follow the scientific method. This process is what scientists around the world use to construct and test their hypotheses (what they think will happen in an experiment).

Help your children navigate the following steps:

  • Identify a problem or question: Ask your kids, “What do you think will happen to the balloon when we combine vinegar and baking soda?” 
  • Form a hypothesis : Encourage your children to guess how the vinegar and baking soda will react—and how that reaction will affect the balloon. Help them frame their hypothesis using the “if _____, then _____” format. For example: If the baking soda and vinegar mix, then bubbles will form and the balloon will expand.
  • Conduct the experiment : Follow the steps in the experiment above to test their hypotheses. 
  • Collect and analyze the results: Help your kids monitor how the experiment plays out. Older children can make notes, while young ones may want to take photos or draw pictures of the experiment.
  • Provide a conclusion: Ask your kids if their hypotheses were correct. If they were, great! If not, ask them how the experiment differed from what they expected. Remember: Science is all about making wrong guesses and learning from them. Help your young chemists understand that an incorrect hypothesis is just as good as a correct one.

You and your kids can apply the scientific method to all kinds of at-home science experiments. There are plenty of family-friendly activities to grow your children’s interest in chemistry. For example, you could test whether a substance is acidic or basic using cabbage and water , or using carbon dioxide gas to create a miniature “snowstorm.”   

If your kids have a passion for experiments, sign them up for a science-based subscription box from Little Passports. The Science Junior box , designed for five-to-eight-year-olds, helps early elementary schoolers explore the wonders of science firsthand. Science Expeditions teaches children ages eight and up about more advanced scientific topics, such as aerodynamics and solar energy. Each month you’ll receive a box full of activities and discoveries to help your budding scientists flourish and grow.

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Finding Myself Young

Magic Colourful Fizzing Bicarb Soda & Vinegar Science Experiment

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

  • Shallow tray
  • Food colouring
  • Bicarb Soda { Baking Soda }

bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLOURFUL BICARB & VINEGAR REACTIONS

What's happening when baking soda and vinegar react.

baking soda and vinegar experiment reaction

OTHER FUN SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS FOR KIDS

  • Lava Lamp Sensory Bottle
  • Magic Milk Science Experiment
  • Colourful Witches Potions
  • Fizzing Pumpkins

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vinegar and baking soda experiment

The vinegar and baking soda experiment is a classic and exciting science activity that demonstrates a chemical reaction. Discover how to conduct this experiment step-by-step and understand the science behind it.

The vinegar and baking soda experiment is a classic and popular demonstration that showcases the fascinating chemical reaction that occurs when an acid and a base interact. By combining vinegar (acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), we can observe an exciting display of bubbling and fizzing. This experiment not only captivates the imagination but also serves as a valuable educational tool, allowing us to explore the properties of acids and bases in an interactive and engaging manner.

To conduct this experiment, you will need a few basic materials: baking soda, vinegar, a clear plastic bottle or glass jar, a funnel (optional), and a balloon (optional).

Let's walk through the steps of the experiment:

  • Begin by selecting a clear plastic bottle or glass jar to serve as the container for the reaction. It's helpful to use a clear vessel, as it allows for better observation of the reaction.
  • If desired, use a funnel to carefully pour a small amount of baking soda into the bottle, filling it to about one-quarter of its capacity. The funnel helps to prevent any spillage or mess.
  • Slowly pour vinegar into the bottle, being cautious not to fill it to the brim. Leave some space at the top to accommodate the reaction that will take place. As the vinegar comes into contact with the baking soda, the magic begins.
  • Observe the reaction as the vinegar and baking soda interact. Almost immediately, you will witness a flurry of bubbles and fizzing. This effervescent display is a result of the chemical reaction occurring between the acetic acid in the vinegar and the sodium bicarbonate in the baking soda.
  • For an added interactive element, you can stretch a balloon over the top of the bottle or jar before pouring in the vinegar. As the carbon dioxide gas is generated during the reaction, it will inflate the balloon, creating a visual representation of the gas production.

The chemical reaction that transpires between the vinegar and baking soda can be explained by the following equation:

CH3COOH (acetic acid) + NaHCO3 (sodium bicarbonate) → CO2 (carbon dioxide) + NaC2H3O2 (sodium acetate) + H2O (water)

The reaction between the acid (vinegar) and the base (baking soda) produces carbon dioxide gas, which manifests as bubbles. Simultaneously, sodium acetate and water are formed as byproducts of the chemical reaction.

This experiment serves as an excellent educational tool, particularly for teaching children about chemical reactions and the properties of acids and bases. It provides a hands-on experience that allows them to witness the exciting transformation and understand the principles at play.

By engaging in the vinegar and baking soda experiment, children can develop a deeper appreciation for the world of chemistry. They can learn about the concept of chemical reactions, how different substances interact, and the role of acids and bases in these processes. Furthermore, the visual effects of bubbling and the inflation of the balloon make the experiment even more captivating and memorable.

However, it is important to note that while this experiment is safe and enjoyable, caution should always be exercised. Adult supervision is advised, especially when working with young children. It's crucial to handle the materials responsibly, avoid ingestion or contact with eyes, and clean up any spills promptly.

In conclusion, the vinegar and baking soda experiment provides an exciting opportunity to explore the chemical reaction between an acid (vinegar) and a base (baking soda). Through the combination of these two substances, we witness a captivating display of bubbling and fizzing, accompanied by the production of carbon dioxide gas, sodium acetate, and water. This experiment serves as an interactive and educational tool, allowing children to gain insights into the world of chemistry, understand the properties of acids and

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bicarb soda and vinegar experiment method

Fizzy science experiment with bicarbonate soda and vinegar

03/02/2017 by Cathy James 4 Comments

This is a really fun, fizzy science experiment that you can try with your children: using bicarbonate of soda and vinegar to have fun with chemistry. Don’t forget the glitter!

Fab fizzy science experiment for kids - great sensory play, kitchen science experiment or science fair project

Fizzy science experiment with bicarbonate of soda and vinegar

My children love kitchen science experiments and this is one of their favourites. We’re using simple ingredients to create some fun chemistry reactions full of fizz!

For the experiment you will need:

:: bicarbonate of soda (sometimes called baking soda) which you’ll find in the baking section of the store

:: vingear – we’re using distilled white vinegar, also easily available in the grocery store

:: red and pink food colours – which is optional, but fun for a Valentine-themed activity

:: glitter – again optional, but it makes the fizzing even more fun

:: a pipette or a spoon

bicarb of soda science experiment

Take a small container and fill it with some bicarbonate of soda, and glitter if you’re using it.

We’re using heart-shaped pots as this is our Valentine-themed sensory science activity.

science for kids fizzing experiment

Set out your ‘invitation to fizz’ along with some vinegar.

We added some of the food colouring to the vinegar. It’s a good idea to place your soda-filled pots on a tray, plate, or bowl, to help contain the fizz once the chemistry starts to happen.

bicarb and vinegar experiment

Then it’s time to start playing. We use a pipette to drop vinegar on to our bicarbonate of soda.

bicarbonate of soda and vinegar experiment

Add a little, add a lot, and watch as the chemical reaction happens between the bicarbonate of soda and the vinegar to make a big fizz.

simple chemistry experiment for children

You can keep topping up the vinegar to make your fizzy hearts grow bigger and bigger. Listen to the great sounds it makes!

baking soda and vinegar experiment

What’s the science behind the experiment?

What’s happening to make the fizz? What you’re seeing is a chemical reaction taking place as the base (the bicarbonate of soda, NaHCO 3 ) reacts with the acid (the vinegar, HCH 3 COO). When they mix together they create carbonic acid, which is unstable. The carbonic acid splits up into water and carbon dioxide – and that’s why you can see and hear all the fizzing.

More lovely Valentine’s Day activities for your children

Did you see all my other  Valentine’s Day activities for children ? I’ve got more free printables, art, math, science, literacy and play ideas, all with a Valentine theme.  You can find them all here.

A complete resource of Valentine crafts and activities :: math, science, language, art, craft, play, sensory, recipes

16/02/2015 at 9:12 pm

Hello. We tried this today when a friend brought her children round to play with mine. They loved every second and had so much fun; the laughter and constant enthusiastic comments said it all! Thanks for such a fun idea.

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17/02/2015 at 9:21 am

Rachel – that’s made my day! So happy they had fun with it. Cathy

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19/11/2020 at 8:33 am

Hello. This experiment was so fun and enjoyable. I am still waiting to get more vinegar to try it again but add some sequins or something else. I am also trying to get my dads permission to do it over his head!!!

20/11/2020 at 1:22 pm

Ha ha, good luck with getting permission Tobii!

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COMMENTS

  1. 7 Baking Soda & Vinegar STEM Activities & Experiments | ARM ...

    While sodium bicarbonate may seem magical when it releases carbon dioxide to power a rocket or make popcorn kernels dance in water, you can explain that it’s not magic – it's science. Here are 7 fun and easy STEM experiments to try in the classroom or at home with baking soda.

  2. Baking Soda and Vinegar Experiment - The Best Ideas for Kids

    This classic science experiment is always a favorite activity for kids. And it's easy to put together too! You only need baking soda, food coloring, water and vinegar. Kids will loving making this fizzy rainbow.

  3. Mega Baking Soda to Vinegar Ratio Experiment - Hands On As We ...

    Vinegar is acetic acid dissolved in water and baking soda is a base called sodium bicarbonate. Initially, the reaction makes carbonic acid which is unstable. It quickly breaks down into CO 2 and water.

  4. Vinegar and Baking Soda Reaction Experiments - STEMtropolis

    Science involved: When vinegar (acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) are mixed together, they undergo a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas. This gas gets trapped in the dough-like mixture formed by adding cornstarch, causing the mixture to expand and become bouncy.

  5. 7 Fizzy Baking Soda and Vinegar Science Experiments

    Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (water and acetic acid) form carbon dioxide gas when they are mixed together. These easy science experiments are sure to be a hit! Creating an acid-base reaction is a fun way to learn about chemical reactions.

  6. Baking Soda and Vinegar Science Experiments

    The reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid) is endothermic because it absorbs heat from the surroundings, causing a slight drop in temperature. This process of taking in energy is what makes the reaction endothermic.

  7. Vinegar and Baking Soda Experiment Reaction Explained ...

    Your kids can witness an acid-base chemical reaction right in your kitchen. This baking soda experiment for kids combines vinegar and baking soda, then uses the resulting carbon dioxide gas to inflate a balloon. This same reaction is behind science projects like fizzy potions and DIY volcanoes.

  8. Magic Colourful Fizzing Bicarb Soda & Vinegar Science Experiment

    How to do a simple bicarb soda and vinegar fizzing science experiment with kids to make an exciting colourful explosion.

  9. vinegar and baking soda experiment

    The vinegar and baking soda experiment is a classic and popular demonstration that showcases the fascinating chemical reaction that occurs when an acid and a base interact. By combining vinegar (acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), we can observe an exciting display of bubbling and fizzing.

  10. Fizzy science experiment with bicarbonate soda and vinegar

    Take a small container and fill it with some bicarbonate of soda, and glitter if you’re using it. We’re using heart-shaped pots as this is our Valentine-themed sensory science activity. Set out your ‘invitation to fizz’ along with some vinegar. We added some of the food colouring to the vinegar.