How to Inflate a Balloon With Vinegar & Baking Soda

Narrow-necked bottle

Children are inquisitive and enjoy learning new things. Science experiments for the young are as entrancing as magic. Blowing a balloon up with vinegar and baking soda is an easy experiment that can be done at home and in school. This project is also good for any last-minute science projects that children have forgotten to tell their parents about.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Funnel
• Round-shaped balloon
• Narrow-necked bottle

Instructions

1. Measure 1/2 cup of vinegar and place in the narrow-necked bottle.

2. Place the end of the balloon on the end of the funnel. Measure 5 tbsp. of baking soda and place in the funnel. Shake the baking soda into the balloon. Remove the balloon from the funnel.

3. Pinch the neck of the balloon closed so the baking soda will not spill. Stretch the end of the balloon open and carefully place it over the top of the bottle making sure not to spill any of the baking soda in the vinegar. Let the top of the balloon full of baking soda hang down the edge of the bottle.

4. Grab the top of the balloon and move it so it extends over the top of the bottle. This allows for the baking soda to begin spilling into the vinegar and mixing. Let go of the balloon. The baking soda and vinegar will begin to fizz and make bubbles. The balloon will expand from the chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar that is creating carbon dioxide gas.

Tips & Warnings

• Increase the amount of vinegar and baking soda to blow up larger balloons.

References

• Education.com: How to Inflate a Balloon Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
• Experimentopia.org: Baking Soda and Vinegar
• Light-Science.com: Make a Gas Balloon

Resources

• Wonderama.org: Experiments in a Minute