11 Proven Baking Soda Experiments for Kids in 2026

Ever wonder how to make science truly exciting for your kids with items already in your pantry? You’re not alone; finding baking soda experiments for kids that are both fun and educational can be a challenge. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut of the same old rainy-day activities.

Baking soda experiments are simple, safe science activities that demonstrate basic chemical reactions. Most involve mixing baking soda (a base) with an acid like vinegar or lemon juice. This combination creates carbon dioxide gas, resulting in exciting fizzing, bubbles, and foam that visually engage kids and make learning science fun.

Drawing from proven methodologies and tested frameworks, this guide delivers more than just ideas. You’ll discover 11 complete, step-by-step experiments that are guaranteed to wow your kids. Let’s turn your kitchen into a fun, fizzy science lab.

What Are the Best Baking Soda Experiments for Kids?

The best baking soda experiments are those that are simple to set up, visually impressive, and packed with learning opportunities. At their core, these activities are all about the amazing acid-base reaction that happens when you combine baking soda and vinegar. This reaction is a cornerstone of kitchen science experiments because it safely and dramatically produces carbon dioxide gas—the source of all the fizzing, bubbling, and erupting fun. These experiments are perfect for solving the problem of bored kids activities and transforming any afternoon into an engaging session of hands-on science. From the classic erupting volcano to a self-inflating balloon, each project teaches fundamental simple science concepts in a way that kids can see, touch, and understand, all while using common and inexpensive household ingredients.

11 Proven Baking Soda Experiments for Kids That Wow

Get ready to spark curiosity and have some fizzy science fun! We’ve compiled 11 of the most engaging and easy baking soda experiments for kids, complete with simple instructions, the science behind the magic, and pro-tips to guarantee success. Each of these fun DIY experiments has been structured to be easy to follow, making them perfect for parents and educators looking for reliable STEM activities. From classic projects to creative new ideas, there’s something here to excite every young scientist.

1. Create a Classic Baking Soda Volcano

Pin this classic science fair project to your ‘Kids Activities’ board!

This is the ultimate classic for a reason! The volcano experiment is one of the most famous and visually satisfying easy science experiments you can do. It’s the perfect introduction to the power of chemical reactions.

Supplies Needed

• A small, empty plastic bottle (16-20 oz)
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 2 tablespoons baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
• 1 tablespoon dish soap (for extra foam)
• Red food coloring (liquid, not gel, for better mixing)
• Warm water
• A large tray or baking sheet to contain the “lava”
• Optional: Play-doh, clay, or papier-mâché to build a volcano cone around the bottle

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Build Your Volcano: If building a cone, place the plastic bottle on the center of your tray. Mold play-doh or clay around it to form a volcano shape, leaving the top opening clear.
2. Prepare the Mixture: Pour the warm water into the bottle until it’s about half full. Add the baking soda, dish soap, and a few drops of red food coloring. Swirl gently to mix.
3. Activate the Eruption: Get ready for the fizzy science fun! Quickly pour the vinegar into the bottle.
4. Observe: Step back and watch your volcano erupt with red, foamy lava!

The Science Explained: When you mix baking soda (a base) with vinegar (an acid), they have a chemical reaction. This reaction creates a gas called carbon dioxide. The gas needs space, so it expands rapidly, pushing the soapy, colored water out of the bottle in a fizzy eruption!

2. Make a Self-Inflating Balloon

Amaze your kids with this magic trick! Pin it for later.

This experiment feels like pure magic but is a perfect way to visualize an invisible gas. It’s a fantastic demonstration of how the baking soda reaction can be harnessed to do work.

Supplies Needed

• A small, empty plastic bottle (a 16 oz soda or water bottle works best)
• 1/3 cup vinegar
• 1 balloon
• 1 funnel
• 2 tablespoons baking soda

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prepare the Bottle: Pour the vinegar into the empty plastic bottle.
2. Fill the Balloon: Place the funnel into the opening of the balloon. Carefully pour the baking soda into the funnel so it fills the balloon. Gently shake the balloon to get the powder to the bottom.
3. Attach the Balloon: Carefully stretch the opening of the balloon over the mouth of the plastic bottle. Be careful not to spill any baking soda into the bottle yet!
4. Activate the Reaction: When you’re ready, lift the balloon up so that all the baking soda inside it falls down into the vinegar.
5. Observe: Watch as the mixture fizzes and the balloon magically starts to inflate all by itself!

Pro-Tip: In my experience, using a chilled bottle of vinegar can slow the reaction down just a little, giving kids more time to observe the bubbles and the balloon’s gradual inflation. This helps with data observation and recording.

3. Mix Up Some Colorful Fizzy Painting

Combine art and science! Pin this creative baking soda project for a fun afternoon.

This is where art meets science! Fizzy painting is a wonderful sensory experience that combines the creativity of painting with the excitement of a chemical reaction. It’s one of the best creative projects for younger kids.

Supplies Needed

• Heavy paper (cardstock or watercolor paper works best)
• Baking soda
• Water
• Food coloring
• Vinegar
• A muffin tin or small bowls
• Droppers or a small paintbrush

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Create the “Paint”: In a muffin tin, mix a paste of 2 parts baking soda to 1 part water. It should be thick but spreadable.
2. Paint Your Picture: Use a paintbrush to paint designs on your heavy paper using the baking soda paste. Let it dry for a few minutes.
3. Prepare the Activator: In separate small bowls, mix vinegar with a few drops of different food coloring.
4. Make it Fizz: Use a dropper to drip the colored vinegar onto your dried baking soda painting.
5. Observe: Watch as the colors burst and fizz where they touch the baking soda paint, creating a unique, bubbly piece of art!

The Science Explained: This is another acid-base reaction! Your painting is the base (baking soda), and the colored drops are the acid (vinegar). When they touch, they create carbon dioxide gas, making the paint fizz and bubble right on the page.

4. Launch a Baking Soda Rocket

3… 2… 1… Blast off! Pin this baking soda rocket experiment for some serious outdoor fun.

This experiment takes the fizz to new heights! A baking soda rocket is a thrilling way to demonstrate gas pressure principles and Newton’s Third Law of Motion. This is one of the most exciting STEM activities for older kids.

Supplies Needed

• An empty plastic bottle with a cork or a plastic film canister with a snap-on lid
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• A small piece of paper towel
• 3 pencils or craft sticks and tape (for a stand)
• Safety glasses (highly recommended)

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Build the Stand: Tape the 3 pencils or craft sticks to the side of the bottle, pointing down, to create a stable tripod for the rocket to stand on upside down.
2. Prepare the “Fuel Packet”: Place about 1 tablespoon of baking soda in the center of the small paper towel square. Fold it up into a little packet. This will delay the reaction.
3. Fuel the Rocket: Fill the bottle about one-third full with vinegar.
4. MOVE TO A SAFE OUTDOOR LAUNCH AREA. This step is very important!
5. Launch Sequence: Quickly drop the baking soda packet into the bottle, firmly press the cork or snap the lid on, place the rocket upside down on its stand, and STEP BACK several feet.
6. Observe: After a few seconds, the pressure will build up and launch your rocket into the air!

Pro-Tip: Make sure the cork or lid is snug but not impossible to remove. The goal is for the pressure to pop it off. A screw-top bottle will not work and is dangerous. This is a crucial element for safe kids experiments.

5. Uncover a Secret Hidden Message

Become a secret agent! Pin this invisible ink experiment for a top-secret mission.

This experiment lets kids play secret agent while learning about pH indicators for kids. It’s a quiet but fascinating activity that introduces a more advanced scientific concept in a very simple way.

Supplies Needed

• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• A cotton swab or small paintbrush
• White paper
• A “developer” liquid: concentrated grape juice or red cabbage juice (see Pro-Tip)
• A larger paintbrush or sponge

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Create the Invisible Ink: Mix the baking soda into the warm water until it is completely dissolved. This is your secret ink!
2. Write Your Message: Dip the cotton swab into the baking soda solution and write a secret message or draw a picture on the white paper.
3. Let it Dry: Set the paper aside and let the “ink” dry completely. It will become invisible.
4. Prepare the Reveal: Pour some of your developer liquid (grape juice) into a shallow dish.
5. Reveal the Secret: Use the larger paintbrush or sponge to gently “paint” a layer of the developer liquid over the entire paper. Watch as your secret message magically appears in a different color!

The Science Explained: Baking soda is a base. Your developer, grape juice, is a pH indicator, which means it changes color when it touches an acid or a base. When you paint the juice over the paper, it changes color only where you wrote with the basic baking soda solution, revealing your hidden message!

6. Conduct the Dancing Raisins Experiment

Make raisins dance! Pin this mesmerizing fizzy science experiment.

This mesmerizing experiment is a great lesson in buoyancy and density. It’s less explosive than a volcano but equally captivating as kids watch the raisins rise and fall on their own.

Supplies Needed

• A tall, clear glass or jar
• Water
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup vinegar (or use clear soda like seltzer water)
• A handful of raisins

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prepare the Liquid: Fill the tall glass about three-quarters full with water.
2. Add the Base: Stir in the baking soda until it’s mostly dissolved.
3. Add the Dancers: Drop a handful of raisins into the glass. Note how they sink to the bottom.
4. Start the Music: Pour the vinegar into the glass and get ready to observe.
5. Watch Them Dance: The liquid will start to fizz. After a minute, you’ll see raisins start to float to the top, then sink back down, as if they are dancing!

Pro-Tip: This experiment also works with clear, carbonated soda instead of the baking soda and vinegar mixture. Using both methods can be a great way to teach the scientific method application by comparing results.

7. Make Erupting Fizzy Lemon “Volcanoes”

A fresh twist on a classic! Pin this lemon and baking soda experiment.

This is a fantastic sensory twist on the classic volcano. The lemon and baking soda experiment shows kids that acids exist in nature, not just in a bottle of vinegar, and it smells amazing!

Supplies Needed

• 1 lemon
• Baking soda
• Food coloring
• A craft stick or fork
• A plate or tray

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Prep the Lemon: Cut the lemon in half. Place one half on the plate, cut-side up.
2. Release the Juice: Use the craft stick or fork to poke and mash the inside of the lemon to make it extra juicy.
3. Add Some Color: Drip a few drops of different food coloring onto the surface of the lemon.
4. Start the Fizz: Sprinkle a generous spoonful of baking soda onto the juicy, colored lemon.
5. Observe and Reactivate: Watch the colors fizz and erupt! You can add more baking soda or press on the lemon with the stick to release more juice and keep the reaction going.

The Science Explained: This works just like the vinegar volcano, but your acid source is natural! Lemons are full of citric acid. When the citric acid combines with the baking soda (base), it creates the same carbon dioxide gas, causing a wonderfully fragrant, colorful eruption.

8. Build a Baking Soda-Powered Boat

Set sail with science! Pin this baking soda powered boat project for bathtub fun.

Combine chemistry and engineering with this awesome DIY project. Kids will love building their own boat and then watching a simple chemical reaction become the engine that powers it across the water.

Supplies Needed

• A small plastic bottle with a cap
• A plastic straw
• Modeling clay or waterproof tape
• Baking soda and vinegar
• A bathtub, sink, or kiddie pool

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Build the Boat: An adult should carefully poke a hole in the side of the plastic bottle, near the bottom. The hole should be just large enough to fit the straw.
2. Create the Nozzle: Insert the straw into the hole. Use modeling clay or waterproof tape to seal the area around the straw so no water can get in. This is your engine nozzle.
3. Fuel the Boat: Pour about an inch of vinegar into the bottle. Then, quickly add a teaspoon of baking soda, and immediately screw the cap on tightly.
4. Launch: Quickly place the boat into the water.
5. Observe: As the gas is created, it will shoot out of the straw, pushing your boat forward across the water!

Pro-Tip: Experiment with the angle of your straw. Does the boat move faster if the straw is pointed straight back or at a slight angle? This is a great example of hypothesis testing in science.

9. Freeze & Fizz “Dinosaur Eggs”

A perfect activity for dino lovers! Pin this fizzy dinosaur egg excavation.

This is a perfect activity for young paleontologists! It combines a fun theme with a rewarding excavation process, making it one of the best sensory bin ideas and an excellent way to practice fine motor development.

Supplies Needed

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup water
• Food coloring (optional)
• Small plastic dinosaur toys
• A muffin tin or plastic Easter eggs for molds
• A tray or bin for excavation
• Vinegar and a squirt bottle or dropper

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Make the Dough: In a bowl, mix the baking soda with water until you have a thick, packable paste. Add food coloring if desired.
2. Form the Eggs: Place a small dinosaur toy in your hand and pack the baking soda paste firmly around it to form an egg shape. Place the finished eggs in a muffin tin or on a tray.
3. Freeze: Place the eggs in the freezer for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until they are frozen solid.
4. Excavate: When ready, place the frozen eggs in a large tray. Give your child a squirt bottle or dropper filled with vinegar.
5. Observe: Let your child squirt vinegar onto the eggs and watch them fizz and bubble as they “hatch” the dinosaurs inside!

The Science Explained: The frozen egg is a solid base (baking soda). When the liquid acid (vinegar) touches it, the chemical reaction starts, creating carbon dioxide gas and fizzing away the egg to reveal the toy. It also demonstrates a change in the states of matter (solid to liquid).

10. Test for Acids and Bases with a DIY Indicator

Become a real chemist! Pin this guide to making your own science indicator.

This experiment takes your child’s learning to the next level by explaining the “why” behind the fizz. Creating a DIY pH indicator from red cabbage is a true chemistry lesson that visually demonstrates the difference between acids and bases.

Supplies Needed

• A few leaves of red cabbage
• Hot water
• A blender
• A strainer
• Several clear jars or glasses
• Test substances: baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, soapy water, etc.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Make the Indicator (Adult supervision needed): Tear the red cabbage leaves into small pieces. Place them in a blender with about 2 cups of hot water. Blend until smooth, then let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
2. Strain the Juice: Carefully strain the purple liquid into a large jar. This is your pH indicator!
3. Prepare Test Stations: In separate clear glasses, prepare your test substances. Mix a spoonful of baking soda with water in one. Pour some vinegar in another. Add lemon juice to a third, and so on.
4. Test and Observe: Add a few tablespoons of your purple indicator juice to each test glass.
5. Record the Changes: Watch what happens! The vinegar and lemon juice (acids) should turn pinkish-red. The baking soda and soapy water (bases) should turn bluish-green. Water should remain purple (neutral).

Pro-Tip: Create a chart to record your findings! This introduces kids to data observation and recording, a key part of the scientific method for children.

11. Create a “Witch’s Brew” Fizzy Potion

Double, double, toil and trouble! Pin this witchy potions experiment for Halloween fun.

Perfect for Halloween or any time your child wants to indulge in some magical, imaginative play! These witchy potions are all about sensory exploration, allowing kids to mix and create their own bubbling, fizzy concoctions.

Supplies Needed

• A large bowl or plastic cauldron
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Green or purple food coloring
• A squirt bottle or ladle
• Optional “ingredients”: glitter, small plastic toys (spiders, eyeballs), flower petals, dish soap

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Set Up Your Lab: Place the cauldron on a large tray to catch any spills.
2. Add the Magic Powder: Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda into the bottom of the cauldron.
3. Mix in Secrets: Let your little witch or wizard add their secret ingredients like glitter or plastic spiders on top of the baking soda.
4. Prepare the Potion Liquid: In a separate container, mix vinegar with food coloring. For extra bubbles, add a squirt of dish soap!
5. Cast the Spell: Let your child use the ladle or squirt bottle to add the colored vinegar to the cauldron.
6. Observe the Magic: Watch as the potion begins to bubble and fizz, creating a spooky, magical witch’s brew! Continue adding vinegar to keep the reaction going.

Pro-Tip: For the best visual effect, use a black bowl or cauldron to make the colorful fizz really pop! This is one of the most engaging science experiments for imaginative kids.

Key Takeaways

• The Core Science is Simple: Almost all baking soda experiments for kids work because of a basic acid-base reaction. Baking soda (a base) mixes with an acid (like vinegar or lemon juice) to create harmless carbon dioxide gas, which causes all the fizzing and fun.
• Safety First: These experiments are very safe, but adult supervision is always recommended. Always use a tray to contain messes and consider safety glasses for experiments involving pressure, like the rocket.
• Use Common Household Items: You don’t need a fancy lab. Most of these fun DIY experiments can be done with simple ingredients you already have, making science accessible and budget-friendly.
• It’s More Than Just Fizz: These activities are powerful STEM activities that teach simple science concepts like chemical reactions, gas pressure, density, and pH levels in a memorable, hands-on science way.
• Creativity is Key: Don’t be afraid to add your own twist! Using food coloring, glitter, or themed toys (like dinosaurs and spiders) turns a simple science project into an immersive, creative play session.

People Also Ask About Baking Soda Experiments for Kids

Why do baking soda and vinegar react and fizz?

The fizzing is a chemical reaction that creates a gas. Baking soda is a chemical base (sodium bicarbonate), and vinegar is a weak acid (acetic acid). When they mix, they react to form carbonic acid, which is unstable. It immediately breaks down into water and carbon dioxide gas, and those escaping gas bubbles create the fizz you see.

Are baking soda experiments safe for kids?

Yes, these experiments are considered very safe for kids with adult supervision. Baking soda and vinegar are non-toxic household items. The main risks are making a mess, so use a tray, and potentially getting vinegar in the eyes, which would sting but is not dangerous. For any experiment involving pressure, like a rocket, safety glasses are a smart precaution.

What is the science behind the baking soda volcano?

The volcano demonstrates an acid-base reaction and gas production. The baking soda (base) and vinegar (acid) inside the bottle react to create a large amount of carbon dioxide gas. This gas builds up pressure inside the confined space of the bottle, forcing the liquid mixture up and out, which looks like a volcanic eruption.

Can you substitute lemon juice for vinegar in these experiments?

Absolutely! Lemon juice is a great substitute for vinegar. Lemons contain citric acid, which will react with baking soda in the same way acetic acid in vinegar does. The reaction might be slightly less vigorous, but it’s a fantastic way to show that different acids can be used and adds a pleasant citrusy smell to the experiment.

How do you explain the baking soda reaction to a child?

Use a simple analogy, like a “soda pop” in a bottle. You can say, “When we mix our two magic ingredients, they create tiny invisible bubbles, just like in a can of soda. There are so many bubbles, they have to escape, and they push everything out with them, making a big fizz!”

What age are baking soda experiments for?

Baking soda experiments can be adapted for a wide range of ages, from toddlers to tweens. For toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2-5), focus on simple, sensory experiments like fizzy painting or dinosaur eggs. For elementary school kids (ages 6-12), you can introduce more complex ideas like the rocket, pH indicators, or the science behind the reactions.

What happens if my baking soda experiment doesn’t fizz?

The most common reason is that one of your ingredients is old or expired. Baking soda can lose its potency over time. First, try using a fresh, unopened box of baking soda. Also, ensure you are using a strong enough acid; some diluted vinegars may not be as effective. Using warm water can sometimes help speed up the reaction.

How do you clean up after a baking soda experiment?

Clean-up is easy because the ingredients are natural cleaners! You can simply wipe up the mixture with a sponge or paper towels and rinse the area with water. The vinegar and baking soda residue is harmless and can actually help deodorize your sink drain when you wash your supplies.

What can you learn from a baking soda and vinegar experiment?

Kids learn foundational science concepts in a hands-on way. They learn about cause and effect, basic chemical reactions (acids and bases), the properties of gases (carbon dioxide), and can even practice the scientific method by changing variables (like temperature or ingredient amounts) and observing the results.

How do you make the baking soda rocket experiment more powerful?

To increase the power, you need to increase the rate of the gas production. You can try slightly warming the vinegar (do not boil it), which can speed up the reaction. You can also experiment with the ratio of baking soda to vinegar to find the optimal mix that produces the most gas the fastest. Always do this with adult supervision and safety glasses.

Final Thoughts on Your Science Adventures

These baking soda experiments for kids are about more than just a fizzy mess; they’re a gateway to curiosity, discovery, and a lifelong love of learning. By using simple household ingredients, you’re proving that science isn’t some distant concept in a textbook—it’s happening all around us, right in our own kitchens. You are empowering your child to ask questions, make predictions, and observe the incredible results.

So, gather your supplies, pick your favorite experiment, and get ready to make some memories. You’re not just keeping your kids busy; you’re building the next generation of thinkers, creators, and scientists. Which fizzy adventure will you and your family try first?

Last update on 2026-02-14 at 17:38 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API