Preschool Chemistry--Build a Baking Soda Bomb

Preschoolers love being in the kitchen. If they are not on a quest for treats, they may be there offering to help make the treats. The kitchen has so many neat gadgets and gizmos and wonderful smells that it is a very enticing place to get into trouble. But, it is also an amazing place for teaching your preschooler about science and nature. 

 

There are a multitude of science experiments that can be done in the kitchen. A favorite experiment of many preschoolers is the baking soda bomb. It's a mild explosion but the reaction of baking soda and vinegar is fun to watch while it demonstrates beginning kitchen chemistry to your preschooler.

 

 

1/2 cup vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar work best)

1 cup of water

1 plastic Ziplock sandwich size bag (preferably a thin, cheap one)

1 tablespoon baking soda

 

 

Take the vinegar and 1 cup of water and put it in the Ziplock bag. Close the bag tightly and shake it gently. Note that your measurements don’t need to be exact, but close.

 

 

Take the bag and put it in your sink or take it outside. If you are doing this experiment inside on a counter, make sure you have towels ready to clean up.

 

 

Open the zip top just enough so that you can slide a measuring spoon in it. Take your baking soda and slip it in quickly. Immediately close the bag tightly.

 

 

Observe. If nothing happens right away, gently shake the bag. As the baking soda and vinegar mix, gasses are formed and your bag should blow up and pop.

 

The baking soda is bicarbonate of soda. Bicarbonate of soda is a base and vinegar is an acid—which means that they are opposites. Combining these creates a chemical reaction that forms a gas. The gas builds up in the bag and then pops it. Although your preschooler may not understand the acid and base concepts they will likely understand the underlying preschool lesson--that two opposite chemicals can cause a reaction which can produce gas.

 

This experiment can be done in a larger Ziplock bag. Just double the ingredients. The experiment can also be done in a plastic grocery bag as long as the bag does not contain any holes and can be tied off quickly. Also, note that your measurements do not have to be exact. If you only have a little baking soda, the reaction will just be a bit smaller.

If you like this, also see Seven Easy Chemical Reactions for your Preschooler.