Can you make popcorn dance? This dancing corn experiment can be done any time of the year, but it’s particularly fun during the Fall season. It is a simple science experiment that everyone will love!
Dancing Popcorn Experiment
💡 Explore more popcorn science with our fun popcorn in a bag activity! This is always popular to add to a fall science lesson plan.
Watch the Video
Supplies:
- Tall Jar or Glass {mason jars work well}
- 1/8-1/4 cup of popping corn
- 2 tbsp of baking soda
- 1 cup of vinegar (use as needed)
- 2 cups of water
💡Want to try it with clear soda instead of baking soda and vinegar? Click here for dancing cranberries!
Instructions:
STEP 1. Grab your ingredients and let’s get started! You can use just about any tall glass or jar. An adult might want to assist with the measuring and pouring if necessary, but it’s also great practice for junior scientists.
STEP 2. You can then have the kiddos fill the jar with 2 cups of water to start.
STEP 3. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and stir well to mix thoroughly. You can also talk about which solids dissolve in water!
STEP 5. Now add the popping corn kernels or popcorn. You don’t need to add too many for a fun dancing effect.
At this point, you have the perfect opportunity to talk about predictions and have your kids predict what they think will happen when the vinegar is added.
STEP 6. Now here comes the fun part of our dancing popcorn science project, adding the vinegar.
I would suggest adding the vinegar slowly. I filled a small party cup with vinegar. My son doesn’t do anything slowly, but he loves a good eruption!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Erupting Volcano Experiments
How Does The Dancing Popcorn Experiment Work?
A chemical reaction occurs between two or more substances that change and form a new substance. In this case, you have an acid (liquid vinegar) and a base (solid baking soda).
When the baking soda and vinegar are combined, they make a gas called carbon dioxide which produces the eruption you can see as well as the dancing action.
The secret to the magic dancing corn is the baking soda and vinegar chemical reaction. The carbon dioxide bubbles lift the corn, but as the bubbles pop, the corn falls back down! You can repeat this experiment over and over again. We watched the corn “dance” for 30 minutes!
Learn more about…
You can stir the mixture if you like or you can just observe it as is! Our dancing corn experiment lasted for a good half hour but slowed down along the way as the chemical reaction faded.
Using The Scientific Method
The scientific method is a process or method of research. A problem is identified, information about the problem is gathered, a hypothesis or question is formulated from the information, and the hypothesis is tested with an experiment to prove or disprove its validity.
READ MORE: The Scientific Method For Kids With Examples
To apply the scientific method to the dancing corn experiment, start by identifying a problem or question. For instance, you might ask, “What will happen if corn kernels are added to a mixture of baking soda and vinegar?”
Next, form a hypothesis, such as, “If corn kernels are added to a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, then the corn kernels will start to dance.” To test this hypothesis, gather materials including corn kernels, baking soda, vinegar, and a clear container.
Record and analyze your observations to determine if they support your hypothesis, and consider conducting additional trials or modifying the experiment to further explore the phenomenon.
Fun Variations
Don’t have popcorn on hand? Here are some other easy ideas for setting up a similar experiment using everyday items you will find in your kitchen.
- Cranberries and soda
- Raisins
- We made sprinkles dance too! Thanks to a bit of physics!
More Fun Science Experiments To Try
- Erupting Mentos and Coke Reaction
- Citric Acid and Baking Soda
- Elephant Toothpaste
- Egg In Vinegar
- Magic Milk
- Skittles Experiment
- Growing Borax Crystals
- Saltwater Density Experiment
Printable Science Projects For Kids
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Isn’t it all magic until you learn the science behind it??
I still like to believe in a little magic!
I do a lot of cranberry activities for thanksgiving…i make dough or slime with pureed cranberry. I also make a cranberry bog with fresh cranberries and water and tractor toys…and crush them with mortar, pestles and coffee filters to remove the natural red die
What a fun activity exploring a fun chemical reaction! I love how enthusiastic your son looks as well! Fantastic science fun for fall.
this is a awesome science experiment that i would like to try it.
FUN! My 12 year old and 2 year old are having a great time with this!
This was great fun for our preschoolers to watch. They loved guessing what would happen and watching the reaction. Thank you!
Awesome! SO glad to hear. Kids have great questions.
Thanks for sharing your cute ideas! I want to make something fun to celebrate fall with the kids! We are getting back into a good routine these days! Now I just need to schedule their pediatric dentist appointments haha!