Dancing Corn Experiment

Can you make corn dance? I bet you can with this magical science activity the kids will love this fall. We love doing science activities for different holidays. This dancing corn experiment can be done any time of the year, but it’s particularly fun during the Fall season.  A simple science experiment everyone will love!

 DANCING CORN EXPERIMENT FOR A POPCORN SCIENCE PROJECT!

DANCING CORN 

Fall is the perfect time to experiment with pumpkins. apples and even corn! Our dancing corn experiment is an awesome example of a chemical reaction, and kids love these amazing reactions just as much as adults!

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This bubbling corn experiment appears almost magical but it really just uses baking soda and vinegar for a classic chemical reaction. You could also try carbonated water or a clear soda like we used here for dancing hearts.

We have a whole season of fun Thanksgiving science activities to try! Holidays and seasons present numerous occasions for you to re-invent some of the classic science activities.

EASY CHEMICAL REACTIONS

What might you experiment within chemistry? Classically we think of a mad scientist and lots of bubbling beakers, and yes there are plenty of reactions between bases and acids to enjoy! Also, chemistry involves states of matter, changes, solutions, mixtures, and the list goes on and on.

We will be exploring simple chemistry you can do at home or in the classroom that isn’t too crazy, but is still lots of fun for kids! All of our experiments are easy to set up and inexpensive for home or classroom use and groups!

You can check out some more chemistry activities here.

KITCHEN SCIENCE WITH DANCING CORN

Look no further than your kitchen pantry when you need an easy to set up, quick, and budget-friendly science activity to do with the kids! Gather around the counter and try out simple science with a variety of ingredients you can add to your shopping list or that you already have!

The perfect kitchen science experiment when you are already in the kitchen! Baking a pie, cooking that turkey? Bring out the science too. Check your pantry, I bet you have everything thing you need to put together this simple dancing corn experiment.

DANCING CORN EXPERIMENT

I love science that uses simple supplies, is playful, and isn’t a pain to set up with a bunch of complicated directions. This experiment is so easy to do at home but you can also bring it into the classroom!

CHECK IT OUT: Try Our Pumpkin Volcano While You are at it!

This dancing corn experiment can get a bit messy in a fun way! Make sure to have a surface or area you can easily clean up. You can even start by placing your glass or jar in a pie dish or on a cookie sheet to catch the overflow.

For another interesting experiment and opportunity to extend this dancing corn science activity with older kids, try our other “dancing” method. Use club soda or clear soda and compare the results.

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YOU WILL NEED:

• 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

NOTE: Want to try it with clear soda instead? Click here for dancing cranberries!

DANCING CORN EXPERIMENT SET UP

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.

Remember you can also try this with a clear soda or (no baking soda and vinegar)!

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 4. Add a drop of food coloring (optional)

CAN YOU MAKE CORN DANCE?

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.

ALSO CHECK OUT: Scientific Method for Kids

STEP 6.  Now here comes the fun part of our dancing corn science activity. 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!

THE SCIENCE OF DANCING CORN

Chemistry is all about states of matter including liquids, solids, and gasses. 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 combined 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!

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.

We did explore adding a spoonful of baking soda to the mix and had another little eruption and of course more dancing corn! I have seen people comment saying that it isn’t magic it’s science.

Of course, they are correct, but  I believe simple science activities for kids can be a bit magical too! Not only are they having an awesome time, but you are also encouraging a further love of learning and interest in the sciences!

PLAY WITH A DANCING CORN EXPERIMENT!

Make sure to check out more cool science experiments below!