Looking for a fun Christmas science activity that young kids will absolutely love? These Christmas baking soda ornaments use a classic baking soda and vinegar reaction to create colorful, fizzy eruptions. This hands-on Christmas science experiment is quick to set up, perfect for preschool through early elementary, and a huge hit year after year.
Christmas Baking Soda Science Ornaments for Kids
🔎 This is just one of our fun, DIY science ornaments for kids to explore this holiday season.
Field: Chemistry—Chemical Reactions
Grades: PreK–2
Concepts Explored: Acid–base reactions; observable changes when materials interact; gases formed during reactions; cause and effect; scientific observation and prediction.
Supplies
- Clear plastic globe ornaments with removable tops
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Food coloring (optional)
- Glitter or sequins (optional but festive!)
- Container or tray to catch overflow
- Turkey baster or eye dropper
- Funnel (optional but helpful)
- Plastic drop cloth or newspaper for easy clean-up
How To Make Christmas Baking Soda Ornaments
🎥 Watch the Christmas Science Video!
STEP 1: Prep Your Tray
Set out a 5-compartment party tray or an egg carton to hold the ornaments. Add about a tablespoon of baking soda to each section and sprinkle glitter on top.
STEP 2: Fill the Ornaments
Remove the tops and fill each plastic ornament with 2 tablespoons of baking soda, more glitter, and sequins. A funnel makes this step easy and mess-free.
STEP 3: Mix the Vinegar
Add vinegar and food coloring to a large container and place a turkey baster or eye droppers inside. We used about 6 cups in total! Place newspaper or a drop cloth underneath to catch the fizz.
STEP 4: Make Them Erupt
Use the turkey baster to squeeze colored vinegar into the ornaments. As soon as the vinegar hits the baking soda, the reaction begins—fizzing, bubbling, and sometimes erupting over the edges!
💡 Refill the ornaments and repeat until your tray is full of colorful, sparkly, bubbly foam.
How Does a Baking Soda and Vinegar Reaction Work?
This classic reaction is an acid-base reaction.
- Baking soda is a base (sodium bicarbonate).
- Vinegar is an acid (acetic acid).
When mixed together, they create carbon dioxide gas. The gas expands quickly, producing the fizzing and bubbling eruptions that make this activity so exciting.
More Christmas Science Activities for Kids
🔎 Find 25+ Fantastic Christmas Science Activities here or check out these favorites below.
- Santa’s Magic Milk
- Christmas Skittles
- Crystal Candy Cane
- Dissolving Candy Canes
- Grinch Slime
- Hot Cocoa States of Matter
Printable Christmas Project Packs
Visit our SHOP for easy-to-print art, holiday, STEM, and science lesson plans for the whole year. Or join us in the Little Bins Club.
This is the coolest! I can’t wait to try it with my boys!