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Blow up a balloon using science

February 24, 2015 by Kate 10 Comments

Science is lots of fun and conducting experiments with kids really taps into their curiosity and wonder. Did you know you can blow up a balloon using science and it won’t leave you short of breath? It’s true. This is a fantastic and safe experiment you can do with children. 
Activity for kids to blow up a balloon using science
Possum (aged 3 years) is always full of questions and loves to know the detailed answer of why things are the way they are. It’s absolutely fantastic and I can’t get enough of it. 

This is a fun experiment you can do with your children at home or in the classroom. You don’t need a lot of fancy materials or ingredients to do it and it will certainly provide that ‘wow’ factor and get your kids wanting more science. 

Recommended age:
3 years + (observing only),
6 years + (conducting and observing experiment)

Active supervision is required on all my activities

You will need You will need – 

  • Bottle (plastic or glass is fine)
  • Baking powder or baking soda
  • Vinegar
  • Balloon
    Baking soda or baking powder

Begin by using the funnel and tipping baking powder into the balloon. You want to fill roughly half the balloon with the baking powder. Set it aside until you have the rest of the experiment prepared. 

Exciting science for kids

Fill roughly half your bottle with vinegar. If your child doesn’t know what to expect from this experiment, it might be a good opportunity to talk to them about what they predict might happen. 

Balloon used in science experiment
Stretch the opening of the balloon over the mouth of the open bottle. Of course you want to try your best not to tip any of the baking powder into the vinegar just yet! 

Adding the baking powder for science experiment
When you’re ready to start the experiment, tip the contents of the balloon (baking powder) into the bottle with the vinegar. You’ll notice a chemical reaction start as soon as they make contact! 

Science of blowing up a balloon

Ta da! Suddenly the balloon will begin to inflate. It’s great fun to watch and certainly creates an impressive ‘wow’ factor. 

So why does it happen? 

The acidity of the vinegar and the bicarbonate of the baking powder creates a chemical reaction when they are mixed together. They respond by creating bubbles of gas, which is carbon dioxide, and it is this that inflates the balloon. 

So I hope you can find some time to give this science activity a go with your children. Like I said, it is simple to set up and doesn’t require anything that you’re unlikely to have in the kitchen cupboard. 

Do your children enjoy science? 

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Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, Science

Comments

  1. Kelly says

    February 24, 2015 at 8:37 am

    Oh that is fun! We like bicarb and vinegar experiments – my son will love this 🙂

    Reply
  2. Kate says

    February 24, 2015 at 8:57 am

    I want to do this, never mind the kids (although they will love this). Thanks for sharing Kate!

    Reply
  3. Sara @ Happiness is here says

    February 25, 2015 at 2:55 pm

    Oh this is cool, we’ll have to try it!

    Reply
  4. Suzie's Home Education Ideas says

    February 26, 2015 at 10:05 am

    We have done this experiment and it is really fun!! I love your little one’s facial expression!

    Reply
  5. katepickle says

    February 26, 2015 at 10:22 am

    so cool!!! Like magic!

    Reply
  6. Em (loves this Shopping list template!) says

    June 1, 2015 at 8:25 pm

    These experiments are so cool! My 8 year old son is so into “science” at the moment and loves this sort of stuff. We are looking for an experiment that involves “heat” if you know of any – it’s for his homework … (PS I also love the shaving cream and blue dye experiment!)

    Reply
    • Kate says

      June 1, 2015 at 9:29 pm

      Oh I love a good challenge Em. Leave me to have a think about an experiment that involves heat for your son. Thank you so kindly for your beautiful feedback. I’m thrilled you’ve enjoyed the science experiments I’ve shared so far. 🙂

      Reply
    • Kate says

      June 1, 2015 at 9:36 pm

      What about this heat related experiment Em – http://eisforexplore.blogspot.ca/2012/05/popsicle-preservation.html
      Simple set up and involves lots of great predicting and recording of results?

      Reply
  7. mereula says

    July 25, 2017 at 5:21 pm

    i love reading all this…esp this blowing balloon and making clouds with shaving cream….so interested…thanks for sharing

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. School Holidays during COVID. {or what to do with kids when socially distancing} - Meetoo says:
    March 19, 2020 at 7:54 am

    […] my 11-year-old would be very keen given it might involve eating a box of icy poles! Or how about blowing up a balloon without using your […]

    Reply

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Welcome
Hello and welcome!
My name is Kate and I am a mum to two little girls, Possum and Boo. We have lots of fun together learning with play at home and are pleased to share some of what we do with you.
Read my about page to find out more.

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