Simple science experiment for kids with #31DaysOfLearning

As we are in science week, we thought it would be amazing in our 31 Days of Learning to share with you a little bit of a simple science experiment that you can do with the kids. The wonderful Wendy from Daisies and Pie has the perfect idea for you all.

Introduction

Getting kids interested in science at an early age and making science fun and exciting is important – creating curious kids, kids who want to try things out and see what happens is a great thing.

Sparking that curiosity and providing simple science experiments at home helps them to become more engaged in learning and that can only be a good thing in the long run!

If there’s one thing kids love it’s a bit of drama and balloon… our simple science experiment shows how to blow up a balloon using just vinegar and baking soda. This little bit of kitchen science always impresses children and they’re always excited to have a go at it.

What you need for the balloon, vinegar & baking soda experiment

2 small bottles
small bowl of baking soda
white vinegar
2 balloons
a small teaspoon

How to inflate a balloon with vinegar and baking soda

Tip a small amount of baking soda into one balloon and larger amount of baking soda into the other balloon. This is quite tricky – adults may have to help hold the balloon open so kids can get the baking soda into the balloon.

Give the balloons a shake so all the baking soda falls to the bottom of the balloon away from the opening.

Pour the same amount of vinegar into each of the two small bottles – make sure it’s about 1/3 full.

Attach the balloons the the opening of the bottles – be really careful here not to tip the baking soda into the bottles whilst you attach them. Again – adults may need to help younger children with this step.

Let the child tip the balloon and then jiggle the baking soda from the end of the balloon so it falls into the bottle of vinegar – do the least filled baking soda balloon first.

Watch what happens – does the balloon inflate?

Next tip the baking soda from the most filled balloon into the vinegar – again watch what happens and look at the differences in size of the balloons.

Learning Opportunities

Creating learning opportunities with your child throughout this science experiment for kids is easy – look at things like…

Asking your child what they think will happen when the two substances – vinegar and baking soda mix together.
Which balloon do they think will grow the biggest – and why?
Talk about the reaction of the two substances and how when they mix together they cause carbon dioxide which fills the balloon.
You could measure the height of the balloons or use a piece of string to measure how wide they grow.

Using Vinegar and Baking Soda to create a volcano experiment

You can use the vinegar and baking soda reaction to create an impressive erupting volcano project – this project involves paper mache crafting to create the volcano – art to paint the volcano and then the fun science bit at the end.

You can find the erupting volcano experiment on the Daisies and Pie website too.

We hope you like this ideas – if you are looking for more science based activities and printables, do check out these from KiddyCharts too:

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Fancy building a robot? We have a printable to help!

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This is our most popular printable activity - take a look and have some fun with us today.

There are so many cool ideas on the site – sign up today and don’t miss them.

Cheers for coming,

Helen

Wendy Mallins

Wendy writes the lovely Daisies & Pie blog which is a busy little hub of family life - from easy recipes and meal planning, to how to keep on top of the housework with clever tips and cheats. With three children to keep occupied she has an absolute stack of fun activities from arts and crafts to science and creating a sense of happy family wellbeing.

DO visit her on social too: