fizzy balloon experiment

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Sizzle Up Your Science With the Fizzy Balloon Experiment

Try this fun and easy science experiment to learn more about chemical reactions..

Whether things change color, change texture, or send bubbles shooting into the air, chemical reactions are a fun way to introduce your children to science.

And Halloween is a perfect time of year to put chemical reactions to the test by transforming your kitchen table into a mad science lab. (Though this experiment can be done at any time of year.) Your little chemists will love mixing baking soda and vinegar together inside a bottle to inflate ghosts, monsters or any silly faces they’ve drawn on balloons. 

Vinegar can sting unprotected eyes, so sunglasses or safety goggles are a good addition to this project.

You’ll Need

• permanent markers
• an empty 16 oz plastic bottle
• baking soda

How to Do the Activity

Step 1: Let your child use permanent markers to draw ghost, monster or any sort of face on the balloons they want to inflate.

Step 2: Add 1/3 cup vinegar to the soda bottle. 

Step 5: Ask your child what they think will happen when you mix the baking soda and vinegar together.

Step 7: When the balloon is fully inflated, ask your child to feel the bottom of the bottle. Is it hot or cold?

Watch a video of this experiment in action!

The Science Behind the Fun

When you mix chemicals together to make something new, it’s called a chemical reaction. Baking soda is a chemical called sodium bicarbonate. Vinegar is called acetic acid. When you mix baking soda and vinegar, one of the new chemicals created is carbon dioxide gas.

Carbon dioxide gas is invisible, but your kids can watch it inflate the balloon on the bottle. They'll also know a chemical reaction is happening because they can see bubbles forming and feel a temperature change in the bottle.

You can find more experiments like this one at kitchenpantryscientist.com , and in my books Kitchen Science Lab for Kids (Quarry Books) and Outdoor Science Lab for Kids (Quarry Books).

© Quarry Books, 2016/Outdoor Science Lab for Kids Featured Photos Credit: © Quarry Books

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Baking Soda and Vinegar Balloon Experiment

Combine a fizzing baking soda and vinegar reaction with balloon play with this easy-to-set-up balloon science experiment for kids . Find out how to blow up a balloon with baking soda and vinegar. Grab a few simple ingredients from the kitchen, and you have fantastic chemistry for kids.

BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR BALLOON EXPERIMENT

Don’t have vinegar for this experiment? Try a citric acid like lemon juice, and check out our citric acid and baking soda experiment here.

• Baking Soda
• Empty Water Bottles
• Measuring Spoons
• Funnel {optional but helpful)

BLOW-UP BALLOON EXPERIMENT SETUP:

 Step 1. Blow up the balloon a bit to stretch it out some, and use the funnel and teaspoon to add baking soda to the balloon. We started with two teaspoons and added a teaspoon for each balloon.

 Step 2. Fill the container with vinegar halfway.

 Step 3. When your balloons are all made up, attach them to the containers making sure you have a good seal!

 Step 4. Next, lift up the balloon to dump the baking soda into the container of vinegar. Watch your balloon blow up!

 To get the most gas out of it, we swirled around the container to get it all going!

Optional Art: Go ahead and use a sharpie to draw emojis, shapes, or fun pictures on your balloons before filling them with baking soda.

BALLOON EXPERIMENT TIPS

My son suggested we try different amounts of baking soda in our experiment to see what would happen. Also, will the balloon size grow bigger if more vinegar is in the bottle?

Always encourage your kids to ask questions and wonder what will happen if…

This is also a great way to encourage inquiry, observation, and critical thinking skills. You can read more about teaching the scientific method to kids here.

Make predictions! Ask questions! Share observations!

Be cautious with the amount of baking soda you add, as the reaction will get bigger each time. Safety goggles are always great for young scientists!

You could see the difference in the baking soda we put in the balloons! The red balloon with the least baking soda inflated the least. The blue balloon with the most inflated the most.

What else can you do with baking soda? Check out these unique baking soda experiments!

HOW DOES THE BALLOON EXPERIMENT WORK?

The science behind this baking soda and vinegar balloon science experiment is a chemical reaction between an acid and base . The base is the baking soda and the acid is vinegar. When the two ingredients mix, the balloon baking soda experiment gets its lift!

That lift is gas, carbon dioxide, or CO2. As the gas tries to leave the plastic container, it goes up into the balloon because of the tight seal you have created. Check out states of matter experiments !

The gas has nowhere to go and is pushing against the balloon it blows it up. Similar to how we exhale carbon dioxide when we blow up balloons ourselves.

We love exploring simple chemistry you can do at home or in the classroom. Science that isn’t too crazy but is still lots of fun for kids! You can check out more cool chemistry experiments .

Read more about the science behind baking soda and vinegar experiments .

WHAT IS THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD FOR KIDS?

The scientific method is a process or method of research. A problem is identified, information about the problem is gathered, a hypothesis or question is formulated from the information, and the hypothesis is tested with an experiment to prove or disprove its validity. Sounds heavy…

What in the world does that mean?!? The scientific method should be used as a guide to help lead the process. It’s not set in stone.

You don’t need to try and solve the world’s biggest science questions! The scientific method is all about studying and learning things right around you.

As kids develop practices that involve creating, gathering data evaluating, analyzing, and communicating, they can apply these critical thinking skills to any situation.

Learn more about the scientific method and how to use it.

Even though the scientific method feels like it is just for big kids…

This method can be used with kids of all ages! Have a casual conversation with younger kiddos or do a more formal notebook entry with older kiddos!

Click here to get your FREE Science Challenge Calendar

MORE SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS WITH BALLOONS

Have leftover balloons? Why not try one of these fun and easy balloon science experiments below!

• Explore physics with a balloon rocket
• Try this screaming balloon experiment
• Make a balloon-powered car
• Try a pop rocks and soda balloon experiment
• Learn about static electricity with a balloon and cornstarch experiment
• Bend water with a balloon.

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
• 8 Science Books for Kids
• All About Scientists
• Free Science Worksheets
• Science Supplies List
• Science Tools for Kids
• Scientific Method for Kids
• Easy Science Fair Projects
• 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

42 Comments

Need more info on experiments. Thanks, Miranda

What information would you like?

thanks a lot very funny experiment

Your welcome!

(I was thinking that the pint bottle was going to blow up I got really scared first time I saw a science magic) but I can make smoke come out of my mouth it is very simple

I’m doing a Science Fair Project on this, but I don’t know and how to do the table and graphs, like the data and stuff. Can you help me?

And it’s due May 18, 2016 🙁

this is cool thanks you verry much

Your welcome! Try drawing on the balloons too!

Does the size of the container or size of balloon have any affect on how the balloon will blow up?

Yes, it will because of the space the gas has to fill once the baking soda and vinegar are combined. Great experiment to try different sizes using the same amounts of both vinegar and baking soda.

my team did the balloon inflating thing and it was fun

Is it safe for kids to do this experiment in school

I would think it would be as it is just baking soda and vinegar. You would need to use your best judgement of course. We have never had a balloon explode.

hi this is STEM project . can anyone explain how to connect – T technology E Engineering M mathematics through this experiment . thanks in advance

I will look into my information. Remember a STEM project does not need to contain each of the 4 pillars of STEM but at least two. I can tell you we used math {measuring} and science {chemical reaction}.

Definitely is cool

i love yo stuff

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If we wanted to use this for a science fair project what would the Question asking be?

How much baking soda/vinegar is needed to inflate balloon completely. Or, which acid is better vinegar or lemon juice? Do different shape balloons fill better?

We just did this experiment, but we only used one balloon. My kids are 2.5, 4 and 7 so we have a range of ability levels, but I wanted to add my kids’ favorite part! We took the balloon off the bottle and tied it shut, careful not to lose the gas. And then I blew a balloon up the same size, I asked them which one they thought would hit the ground first as I held them even in the air. Try it out!!

That’s awesome! We will def have to try that. What a great idea!

Where did you find your containers to hold the baking soda and vinegar?

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Fizz, Pop, Inflate: The magical balloon experiment with a chemical reaction

Chemical reactions happen all around us, sometimes without even knowing it. From baking a loaf of bread in the kitchen to rust forming on a metal surface outside, chemical reactions are happening everywhere. This experiment is a stepping stone to open your child’s eyes to chemical reactions!

This hands-on activity helps children grasp the concept that mixing different substances can create entirely new ones with unique properties. As they see the balloon inflate, they learn about the interaction between an acid (vinegar) and a base (baking soda), resulting in the production of carbon dioxide gas.

So take a deep breath of oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide (a chemical reaction!), because it’s time to start the experiment!

How to make the Fizz, Pop, Inflate Balloon science experiment

Supplies you will need.

For this experiment, you will need the following:

• Soda bottle

Before you start

Since we’re dealing with a chemical reaction, please watch your child when doing this experiment. You could even use safety goggles if you have them on hand.

Instructions

Here is how to do this experiment with your child:

Step 1: Pour baking soda into balloon

Take your balloon and, if needed, use a funnel to pour about one or two tablespoons of baking soda into it.

Step 2: Add vinegar to soda bottle

Next, pour about half a cup of vinegar into the plastic bottle. I used a funnel again (made sure to clean out the baking soda first!) and poured it into the soda bottle.

Step 3: Stretch balloon neck over the soda bottle

Stretch the opening of the balloon over the neck of the plastic bottle, making sure it’s secure.

As long as the balloon stays off to the side of the bottle (like in my picture below), the reaction shouldn’t begin yet.

Step 4: Watch the balloon inflate!

Here comes the exciting part! Lift the balloon so that the baking soda falls from the balloon into the vinegar in the bottle. It happens quickly, so be prepared!

As soon as the baking soda mixes with the vinegar, you’ll see a bubbling reaction occur. This is because the vinegar (an acid) and baking soda (a base) react together to produce carbon dioxide gas. The gas fills up the balloon, causing it to inflate.

The science behind the Fizz, Pop, Inflate Balloon experiment

This experiment teaches:

Chemical reactions

Measurement skills, critical thinking, how it works.

In the Fizz, Pop, Inflate experiment, we are mixing a base (baking soda) and an acid (vinegar) to create a chemical reaction.

The balloon is holding the baking soda and the plastic bottle holds the vinegar. When we place the balloon on the neck of the bottle and allow the baking soda to fall into the bottle, the chemical reaction between the acid and base begins.

When baking soda and vinegar mix, it creates carbon dioxide, which is what causes our balloon to inflate.

This experiment demonstrates a basic chemical reaction between an acid (vinegar) and a base (baking soda) to produce carbon dioxide gas. It helps kids understand that mixing different substances can lead to entirely new substances with different properties.

By measuring and pouring specific amounts of baking soda and vinegar, kids can practice basic measurement skills, such as using tablespoons and cups.

Here’s another measuring activity that dives into the very basics of measuring.

As we watch the balloon inflate, we can think critically about why it’s happening.

Prompt your child with questions like, “What do you think is causing the balloon to get bigger?” and “Why does this happen when baking soda and vinegar mix?”.

More chemical reaction experiments to try out with your child

• Fizzing Lemons: What happens when you mix baking soda and lemons?
• Race a Chemical Reaction Car!
• Make a Homemade Lava Lamp to Explore Chemistry

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Fizzy Balloons

This was definitely one of the boys’ favorite experiments from our Fascinating Science for Kids eBook (that is currently FREE). We used up almost a whole bag of balloons and a whole bottle of vinegar doing this over and over and over again. I’m not complaining…I was equally as fascinated by this phenomenon!

Here’s what you’ll need:  a 16 oz. bottle, vinegar, baking soda, a funnel and a balloon (actually several…your kids will want to do it repeatedly). :) 

1. Use the funnel to pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the bottle. Rinse and dry the funnel.

 2. Use the (clean and dry) funnel to put 1 tablespoons of baking soda into the bottom of the balloon. Shake gently to make sure all of the baking soda falls to the bottom.

 3. Stretch the open end of the balloon over the neck of the bottle and make sure it is secured tightly. Let the rest of the balloon hang over the side (while you hold the bottle upright) so that no baking soda falls into the bottle just yet.

 4. Hold onto the neck of the bottle (where the end of the balloon is) and carefully lift the heavier end of the balloon until you are holding it completely upright. All of the baking soda should fall into the bottle. The reaction will be immediate!

 The boys loved it so much, we had to try all the colors! :)

The Science Behind It:

When the baking soda and vinegar mix, it creates a chemical reaction. We know this because we see bubbles. This chemical reaction gives off a gas which inflates the balloon.

Download your free Science eBook with this idea and many others by clicking below and entering your e-mail address. You’ll immediately receive an e-mail that will have the link to the eBook! If you would rather not be an e-mail subscriber,  “like” us on Facebook  and then send us a private message to claim your FREE eBook.

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32 Comments

When you repeated your experiments did you have to clean it out first or were you able to reuse the vinegar solution?

Yes, you’ll need to dump the old solution out and rinse the bottle before repeating. :)

That looks like so much fun and is so easy. I’ll try with my grandsons when they visit this summer! Thanks, Renee

Thanks for the wonderful idea. looks like so much fun, I can’t wait to try it with my kids!

Could you send me the link for the free ebook?? I tried clicking on it and submitting my email but it said I was already a subscriber. Love your stuff and can’t wait to try some of these activities this summer.

I would love to have the free ebook!

Please send me the free ebook

Please send me the ebook. Thank you

Just e-mailed you, Vicki! :)

Please Send me the E-book please!

Please send me the ebook version. Thank you

Please send me the Ebook if you can. Thank you! :)

omg i love it i hope your boys had fun

Thanks! They did! It was definitely one of our favorite science experiments! :)

Please send me an ebook. Thank you!

This experiment is awesome!

Pls do send me the book – Thanks

Please send me the free e-book.

Pleqse can we have the ebook. Thanks

Please send me you’re book. Thank you!

is the experiment actually called fizzy ballon?

May I have the ebook? Thanks!

fantastic ideas!

Sou brasileira. Muito interessante as experiências, parabéns pelo site. Desde já lhe agradeço.

Great ideas. I have used them with my special ed students

Cant wait to try wirh my daughter😀

I’m a Toddler’s Teacher and I love your ideas.

Please send me your e-book so i can have ideas for my science week.

Thank you so much for sharing

Please send me e-book!

Is there a way to print it out?

Ur experiment are simple but fun…plz send me the e book

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Balloon Blow-up Science Experiment

Can you blow up a balloon without using your mouth? In this simple science experiment, we’re going to show you how to do it with only a few everyday items you probably already have in your home. It makes a great experiment for young children because the set-up is simple and it only takes a few minutes to get to the exciting finale.

In addition to a video demonstration and detailed printable instructions, we also have the scientific explanation of how this simple chemical reaction works making it perfect for older scientists too.

JUMP TO SECTION: Instructions | Video Tutorial | How it Works

Supplies Needed

• Small Soda Bottle
• Baking Soda

Balloon Blow-up Science Lab Kit – Only $5

Use our easy Balloon Blow-up Science Lab Kit to grab your students’ attention without the stress of planning!

It’s everything you need to  make science easy for teachers and fun for students  — using inexpensive materials you probably already have in your storage closet!

Balloon Blow Up Science Experiment Instructions

Step 1 – Start with some questions: How do you blow up a balloon? What if I told you that you couldn’t blow air into it, do you think you could still inflate (blow-up) the balloon? Then observe the supplies for the experiments. Do you think they can be use to blow up the balloon? If so how? Write down your hypothesis (prediction).

Step 2 – Using a funnel, pour about a third of a cup of vinegar into the bottle. We used Apple Cider Vinegar, but any type of vinegar will work.

Step 3 – Then insert another funnel into the mouth of the balloon. We recommend using two different funnels. One funnel for filling the bottle with vinegar and one for the balloon. However, you can do the experiment with only one funnel. Just make sure you completely wash and dry the funnel after you add the vinegar and before you put it into the balloon. This is very important.

Step 4 – Place two teaspoons of baking soda into the funnel so it falls into the balloon. When the balloon is filled with the baking soda, carefully remove it from the funnel. 

Step 5 – Next, secure the mouth of the balloon over the mouth of the bottle. Take your time doing this and don’t let any of the baking soda fall out of the balloon and into the bottom of the bottle. Take a moment to make some observations. What will happen if we lift up the balloon? Write down your hypothesis (prediction) and then test to see if you were right!

Step 6 – While holding the bottle, lift the end of the balloon and allow the baking soda to drop into the bottle. 

Step 7 – What happens to the balloon? Was your hypothesis correct? Wondering what caused the balloon to inflate? Find out the answer in the how does this experiment work section below.

Video Tutorial

How Does the Science Experiment Work?

When baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) are mixed together they create a chemical reaction that results in the formation of carbon dioxide gas. Gases do not have a specific shape or volume, rather they expand rapidly filling their container. Gases expand rapidly because their particles move at high speeds in all directions. As the carbon dioxide gas fills the bottle, it has nowhere else to go so it begins to fill the balloon. As the carbon dioxide gas fills the balloon, the balloon inflates. The more gas that is created, the larger the balloon will inflate.

The baking soda and vinegar chemical reaction will continue to inflate the balloon as long as there is still baking soda and vinegar to react. Once the reaction between baking soda and vinegar has stopped, the balloon will slowly begin to deflate.

An acid is a substance that tastes bitter, reacts with metals and carbonates, and turns blue litmus paper red. A base is a substance that tastes bitter, feels slippery, and turns red litmus paper blue.

Other Ideas to Try

Does changing the amount of baking soda and vinegar change the size of the balloon when it inflates? What would happen if you used another acid like lemon juice instead of the vinegar? Would it react the same with the baking soda?

I hope you enjoyed the experiment. Here are some printable instructions:

Instructions

• Using a funnel, pour about a third of a cup of vinegar into the bottle. Tip: I used Apple Cider Vinegar, but any kind of vinegar will work.
• Then insert another funnel into the mouth of the balloon. Tip: It is best to have two funnels, one for filling the bottle with vinegar and one for the balloon. If you only have one funnel, it is important that you completely wash and dry the funnel after you add the vinegar and before you put it into the balloon.
• Place two teaspoons of baking soda into the funnel so it falls into the balloon. Then remove the balloon from the funnel.
• Next, secure the the mouth of the balloon over the top of the bottle. Tip: Don’t let any of the baking soda drop into the bottle…yet!
• While holding the bottle, lift the end of the balloon allowing the baking soda to drop into the bottle.
• Watch in amazement as the balloon magically inflates!

Reader Interactions

November 2, 2017 at 11:00 am

Yeah but don’t just eyeball the measurements of things because if you use to much baking soda it will make the baloon spring a leak and all sorts of stuff will fly out and make a big mess.

I speak form experience

Seriously, don’t do this

April 21, 2018 at 10:26 am

I did this experiment and it is perfect!

You need to hold properly the bottle when you mix the baking soda into vinegar.

May 22, 2019 at 8:57 am

We’re doing science experiments at school and this one is brilliant! I loved it a lot.

June 22, 2020 at 11:15 am

I love this experiment! My balloon grew 6 inches!

June 19, 2023 at 11:17 pm

I tried and it worked well – Exited to do such experiment

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Science project, how to inflate a balloon using baking soda and vinegar.

What is the project about?

Students learn about gas and chemical reactions by discovering how to inflate a balloon using baking soda and vinegar.

What are the goals?

The goal of the project is to demonstrate the power of gas procuded when of baking soda and vinegar are mixed.  The goal is for the balloon to be blown up by the gas created.

Materials and Equipment / Ingredients

What materials are required.

• Balloon (1 per student)
• Small bottle (cleaned glass beverage bottle will work well) (1 per student)
• Small funnel (1 per student)
• Baking soda (2 tablespoons per student)
• Vinegar (4 ounces per student)

Where can the materials be found?

Introduction, research questions.

• What do you think will happen when baking soda and vinegar come in contact (what will be produced)?
• What do you think will happen to the balloon attached?
• Why does the balloon stop blowing up (why does the reaction stop)?

Terms, Concepts and Questions to Start Background Research

For the parent/student, what terms and concepts are required to better understand the project.

The terms carbon dioxide, chemical reaction, reactants, and endothermic should be reviewed.

Experimental Procedure

• Using the funnel, add the baking soda to each balloon (two people may be needed for this; one person to hold the balloon open and the other person to put the baking soda inside of the balloon).
• Pour the vinegar into the bottle.
• Carefully fit the balloon over the bottle opening (be careful not to drop the baking soda into the vinegar yet).
• Once the balloon is fitted snugly on the nozzle, hold up the balloon and allow the baking soda to fall into the vinegar.
• Observe the chemical reaction and effect on the balloon.
• Record observations.

Bibliography / References to related books / Links to related sites on the web

Related learning resources, add to collection, create new collection, new collection, new collection>, sign up to start collecting.

Bookmark this to easily find it later. Then send your curated collection to your children, or put together your own custom lesson plan.

Magic Balloons

Get ready for plenty of “oohs” and “aahs” from this surprisingly simple balloon science experiment! Kids will LOVE watching balloons magically inflate four different ways.

Follow the simple step-by-step below and then grab 30 more easy-to-follow science experiments kids will beg to repeat (plus a no-prep science journal to keep track of their results!) in our shop!

I grabbed my supplies for this balloon science experiment:

• 2 clean bottles
• a teaspoon of sugar
• baking soda
• a packet of Pop Rocks candy
• a roll of mint Mentos
• a couple bottles of soda
• and balloons {You’ll want the big, regular-sized balloons rather than water balloons.}

Magic Balloon #1: Warm Water and Yeast

In our first bottle, we poured in about an inch of warm water and then dumped in the entire packet of yeast.  We swirled the yeast around a bit and then added the teaspoon of sugar and gave it another good swirl.  We put the balloon over the mouth of the bottle and then let it sit in the sun.

It only took about five minutes for the yeast to start bubbling and our balloon to start inflating!  “Ew, what is it?” C asked, looking at the foam that was starting to bubble.   “Yeast is a type of bacteria, so it’s actually a living thing,” I explained. “It’s eating the sugar that we added and when it eats the sugar, it creates a gas called carbon dioxide that makes all those bubbles. That carbon dioxide is filling up the balloon.”

Magic Balloon #2: Vinegar and Baking Soda

In our second bottle for this balloon science experiment, we poured a couple inches of vinegar.  We prepped the balloon by using the funnel to fill half of it with baking soda.  I put the balloon over the mouth of the bottle and then C dumped in the baking soda.   The effect was instantaneous and the balloon quickly inflated as the bicarbonate baking soda reacted with the acetic acid in the vinegar making carbon dioxide.

Magic Balloon #3: Diet Coke and Pop Rocks

Our third bottle was half filled with Diet Coke.  I liked the Diet Coke because it didn’t leave a sticky mess, but any soda would work.  We found that we got a better reaction if we opened a fresh bottle and poured out the soda we didn’t want rather than pouring soda into an empty bottle — I think it stayed better carbonated.

To prep this balloon experiment, we dumped a pack of Pop Rocks into it.  I stretched the balloon over the mouth of the bottle and C dumped them into the Diet Coke.

This one was definitely the noisiest! You could hear all the popping going on in the bottle as the Pop Rocks released their pressurized carbon dioxide.

Magic Balloon #4: Diet Coke and Mentos

For the last bottle, we filled half of it with Diet Coke again.  We put two Mentos in the balloon, stretched it over the mouth of the bottle, and then dumped them into the Coke.

We actually ended up doing this experiment twice because the first time we didn’t have enough soda in the bottle so it produced a pretty weak reaction.  Half a bottle seemed to work just fine and the Mentos were a great catalyst, causing the Diet Coke release its carbon dioxide.

We lined up our bottles to check out the results.

“This one!” he exclaimed, pointing to the yellow balloon of the vinegar and baking soda bottle.  I explained to C that all of these combinations created carbon dioxide.  The carbon dioxide fills the bottle and then moves into the balloon, blowing it up.  Each reaction produces a different amount of carbon dioxide. Which one did he think made the most?

“The one with the yellow balloon,” he said.  “It’s the biggest.”   We tried the experiment a couple times more to see if our results were the same.  We used the same color balloon for each reaction to make it easier to compare past and current results.  The bottle with vinegar and baking soda was the clear winner again.

30 More Inspiring Science Experiments!

Grab 30 easy-to-follow science experiments kids will beg to repeat (plus a no-prep science journal to keep track of their results!) in our shop!

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22 comments.

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Good morning, I love this experiment! I have tried it with the baking soda and vinegar, but I never tried using the other materials. Thanks so much for posting these awesome ideas on your website. I love to have the children experience STEM activities and learn new concepts about Science.

Thank you so much, Mary! We hope your kids love it too! Warmly, Ashley // Happiness Ambassador

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Just found a small misconception that I wanted to note. Yeast, is not a bacteria, it is a eukaryotic microorganism in the kingdom Fungi, so they are related to mushrooms. Bacteria are in a whole separate kingdom and are prokaryotes.

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Baking Soda and Vinegar Balloon Experiment (Plus Free Worksheet)

It’s like magic!

Kids and balloons go hand-in-hand so why not try a fun science experiment that incorporates a balloon or two? This experiment requires little more than what you already have in your kitchen cabinet. Grab a dash of baking soda, a splash of vinegar, and learn all about acids, bases, states of matter, and chemical reactions! Everyone will be amazed watching a balloon inflate without a single breath being blown.

Fill out the form on this page to grab your free printable recording sheet , and try the baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment with your little scientists!

How does the baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment work?

The baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction between an acid and a base. The baking soda acts as the base and the vinegar as the acid. When the two combine, carbon dioxide (CO2) escapes the container and causes the balloon to blow up.

What does this experiment teach?

This experiment teaches how different states of matter transform when combined. In this case, a solid (baking soda) and a liquid (vinegar) mix to produce a gas (CO2). Since carbon dioxide is the same gas that is released when humans breathe out, students will make the connection between human breath blowing up a balloon and the reaction of this experiment doing the same.

Is there a baking soda and vinegar balloon video?

This video shows how to do the baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment, using just a few ingredients.

Materials Needed

To do the baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment, you will need:

• Approximately 1/2 cup of vinegar
• Empty water bottle or similar container
• Baking soda
• Measuring spoon
• Deflated balloon

Our free recording sheet is also helpful— fill out the form on this page to get it.

Baking soda and balloon experiment steps:

1. blow up a balloon just enough to stretch it out a bit. then, use the funnel and measuring spoon to add about a teaspoon of baking soda inside the balloon..

2. Fill the water bottle or other container about halfway with vinegar.

3. Attach your filled balloon to the container with the vinegar. Make sure the seal is tight!

4. Once you’re all set up, hold the balloon up so the baking soda gets released into the vinegar.

5. Finally, watch the balloon blow up!

Grab our baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment worksheet!

Click the button below to get your worksheet. The worksheet asks kids to guess the correct order of the steps in the experiment. Next, kids must make a prediction about what they think will happen. They can use the provided spaces to draw what happens before and after they add the baking soda to the vinegar. Did their predictions come true?

Additional Reflection Questions

• What happened when the baking soda was added to the vinegar?
• Why do you think the balloon inflated?
• Why do you think the balloon eventually stops blowing up?
• What do you think would happen if we used more or less baking soda?

Can this experiment be done for a science fair?

Yes! If you want to do the baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment for a science fair, we recommend switching up some of the variables. For example: Does the amount of vinegar matter? What if you run two experiments side by side with different amounts of baking soda? Which balloon filled up faster? Form a hypothesis about how changing the variables will impact the experiment. Good luck!

Looking for more experiment ideas? Check out our  big list of science experiments.

Plus, be sure to  subscribe to our newsletters  for more articles like this., you might also like.

How To Make a Baking Soda Volcano With Free Observation Sheet

This experiment will have kids erupting with applause! Continue Reading

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The Kitchen Pantry Scientist

Simple recipes for real science, fizzy balloons.

I was never an enthusiastic chemistry student.  That being said, I have to admit that chemical reactions can be lots of fun to watch as things turn colors, make bubbles, or smell different.  They can change from liquids to solids and they can even explode.

There are many fun, safe chemical reactions you can perform with your kids.  I’d recommend having them put on safety goggles or sunglasses, if you have them, for most experiments where you mix things together.  As you can see, my children aren’t wearing any eye protection for this project, but I did have them stand back to make sure the balloon wouldn’t explode the first time we did it.  Just use common sense.

You will need: a balloon, an empty soda bottle, white vinegar, and baking soda .  Put 1/4 to 1/2 cup vinegar into the soda bottle.  Then, hold the mouth of the balloon open and have your child pour about a teaspoon of baking soda into the balloon.  Shake the soda into the “bulb” or the main part of the balloon.  Then,  stretch the mouth of the balloon over the mouth of the bottle, trying to keep the main part of the balloon off to the side (so the soda isn’t dumped into the bottle right away.)  Ask them what they think will happen when you mix the two things together. Finally, let your child shake the soda into the bottle, all at once.

Stand back and watch what happens!

If the seal is tight, which it should be, the reaction between the soda and the vinegar will form a gas that inflates the balloon.  Our balloon was big enough that it didn’t explode, but if your balloon is over-inflating, simply take it off of the bottle.  Just pay attention and you’ll be fine.

What happened?

Baking soda is a chemical called sodium bicarbonate. Vinegar is called acetic acid. These two chemicals react to form some different chemicals.  One of these is carbon dioxide gas.  This is called a chemical reaction .  The gas is what inflates the balloon.  We know a reaction is happening because we can see bubbles forming.

What else do your kids notice about the reaction?  Have them record (or help them to record) what they see in their science notebooks .  Older kids can draw what they see and then try to describe it.  My kids loved it when I wrote down their descriptions for them before they could write. Have them touch the bottle.  Does it feel warmer or cooler than room temperature?  A temperature change is also a clue that a chemical reaction is occurring!  They could even time how long it takes for the balloon to inflate.

My kids did this experiment three times and would have kept doing it all day.  They thought it was pretty great.  Give it a try!  Put those budding brains to work!

Tags: baking soda , balloons , chemical reaction , experiment , kids , science In: Chemistry Experiments | 12 comments »

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Balloon fizz-inflator experiment

Inflate a balloon with simple vinegar and baking soda and amaze your friends and family with this fun and easy kids' science experiment. The balloon fizz-inflator is a great science project to teach kids about carbon dioxide. Watch our video to show you how to do it.

What you need:

• Small plastic bottle
• Small funnel
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• Small balloon
• Bicarb or baking soda

Number of players : 2+

Watch the below video to see how to do the balloon fizz-inflator experiment.

Take the uninflated balloon and stretch it out a few times with your hands.

Place the funnel in the balloon opening and pour in enough baking soda to fill it halfway. Remove the funnel.

Pour the vinegar slowly into the bottle.

Carefully pull the opening of the balloon over the opening of the bottle. Try not to let any baking soda fall into the bottle.

Lift the balloon up so that the baking soda falls through the opening into the bottle and mixes with the vinegar.

The combination of the baking soda and the vinegar creates a gas called carbon dioxide. The gas expands, filling the bottle before moving into the balloon and inflating it.

Your balloon fizz-inflator is now operational.

• Thanks to our sister company Kidspot Australia for creating the instructional video

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Blow-up balloon

If a chemical reaction produces a gas, you might not notice it, unless the gas has a colour or a smell. This activity will show how you can capture the gas produced in a chemical reaction in a visually exciting way.

Printable downloads

Follow these steps….

Think and talk about…

• What can you see happening in the bottle?
• What is making the balloon inflate?
• Is it blowing up faster or slower than when you use your mouth??

Investigate…

• What happens if you use more baking soda? Or more vinegar?
• Time how long it takes to inflate and then repeat the experiment. Were the times similar?
• Try using a different size balloon and see what effect it has.
• What happens if you use a bigger or smaller bottle?

Did you know?

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Natural sources include volcanoes, decomposing vegetation and respiration from living organisms. Human sources include the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.

What’s the science?

Because the balloon forms a seal around the bottle, the gas produced cannot escape, so it fills up the balloon.

Science in your world

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Fizzy Candy Balloon

Harness the power of fizzy candy and soda to inflate a balloon without blowing! This experiment can be repeated many times with different sodas to see how each reacts differently and which creates the biggest balloon.

Ages: 9 - 16

<30 minutes

Super messy

Materials you'll need

• fizzy candy
• carbonated beverage
• funnel (or piece of paper)
• measuring tape - optional

Step-by-step tutorial

Use your funnel (or make one out of rolled paper and tape) to pour the fizzy candy into a balloon. We used Pop Rocks for our candy.

Open the soda bottle and quickly place the balloon over the bottle opening. Make sure the candy does not go into the soda yet! The balloon may inflate a little because of the escaping gases.

When you are ready to inflate the balloon, hold onto the balloon at the neck, empty the candy into the carbonated beverage, and watch as it begins to inflate. You should see the soda bubble as the candy reacts inside. If you listen carefully, you may hear small popping sounds! This is the sound of tiny bubbles popping and releasing carbon dioxide. Watch as your balloon starts to grow and expand!

What is going on? The fizzy candy that we used was made by mixing up warm, sugary syrup with carbon dioxide gas. As the syrup cooled and hardened into small balls of candy, it trapped little bubbles of carbon dioxide inside. Now, when the candy comes in contact with liquid (in this case the soda), the sugar in the candy dissolves away, and the bubbles of carbon dioxide gas escape and fill up the balloon. The soda also contains little bubbles of carbon dioxide gas, which are trapped inside the soda as long as the soda bottle cap is kept on. When you open up the soda bottle, some of the pressure inside the bottle is relieved, and the bubbles in the soda can now escape to the surface. Combining the gas from the fizzy candy and the gas from the opened soda bottle creates quite a lot of freed carbon dioxide, and that’s why the balloon inflates so quickly.

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Laughing Kids Learn

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Fizzy science experiment for kids

April 9, 2015 by Kate 7 Comments

Recommended age: 2 years +  (Active supervision is required on all my crafts and activities)

So what is the science behind this experiment?

Put simply, an acid-based reaction occurs when the vinegar and baking powder make contact. The vinegar is the acid and the bicarbonate in the baking soda is the base. I chose to explain it to Possum in the sense that the two ingredients really don’t like each other and so they react and create a gas, which is made and inside each of the bubbles. 

Would your child enjoy this fizzy science experiment?

If you liked this idea, be sure to click over to this – 

September 17, 2015 at 1:58 am

Love this. Great for my Grade R class.

September 20, 2015 at 8:47 pm

How wonderful Jane! I hope they all enjoyed it. I remember my class thinking I was the best teacher ever because of this. LOL

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