The boys (and some special friends) conducted a cool science experiment today.  Francesco makes me so proud when he suddenly remembers something interesting that he learned months ago in Kindergarten.  His teacher was amazing so it’s no surprise that he remembered something fun he was taught! 

Also handy for this imprompto activity are the main ingredients already reside in most households (vinegar and baking soda) and you end up with a cleaning agent after the experiment is over.  The ages that helped with the experiment ranged from 2 - 6 years old. Really, what child won’t enjoy watching a balloon blow up and mixing ingredients that fizzle?  Sound interesting?  Read on…

Blow Up Balloon Activity

What do the kid’s learn?
When baking soda and vinegar are combined, they produce a gas called carbon dioxide.  The gas created blows up the balloon when it runs out of room in the bottle.

What do you need?
~ A balloon
~ A funnel & spoon
~ Baking soda (although we used baking powder and it still worked)
~ Vinegar
~ A small plastic bottle

Here we go!
↔ Stretch out the balloon to prepare it to blow up.
↔ Insert the funnel into the mouth of the balloon and scoop in 2 large tablespoons of baking soda.
↔ Fill up your bottle half way with vinegar.
↔ Pinch the upper neck of the balloon so that the baking soda doesn’t fall into the vinegar and stretch the bottom neck of the balloon over top of the bottle
↔ Now slowly hold up the balloon and let the baking soda drop into the vinegar/bottle.  Wait until the balloon starts to fill with air, let go, and watch the gas fill up the balloon.

Children can walk away from this experiment learning 4 new science terms.

A solid - which is the baking soda
A liquid - which is the vinegar
A gas - the carbon dioxide that is produced when the two are combined

I love activities that are this much fun and the kids learn at the same time.  A great afternoon.