Kids will love watching the fizzy chemical reaction with this Earth Day baking soda and vinegar experiment. This hands-on Earth Day activity is perfect for preschool through to early elementary and is a great way to mix science (chemistry) with creativity.
Earth Day Baking Soda and Vinegar Experiment
- Field of Science: Chemistry
- Recommended Grade Level: Pre-K through 2nd Grade
- Concepts Explored: Acid-base reactions, states of matter, carbon dioxide production
When baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) mix, they undergo a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas. This causes bubbling and fizzing, which is exciting for kids to watch and explore. It’s a fantastic example of a gas released from a liquid and solid reaction.
🔎 Explore more hands-on Earth Day Activities for kids here.
Supplies Needed
- Baking soda (enough to fill a shallow pan)
- Distilled white vinegar
- Blue and green food coloring
- Small bowls or cups
- Pipettes or droppers
- Tray or cake pan
- Spoon or spatula (optional for spreading)
- Earth Day Coloring Pages and Earth Template (optional)
How-To Instructions
Watch the Video:
Prepare the Tray:
Spread an even layer of baking soda in a shallow tray or cake pan.
Mix the Colors:
In two separate cups, mix vinegar with green food coloring in one and blue in the other.
Time to Explore:
Using pipettes or droppers, let kids add drops of the colored vinegar to the baking soda. Watch the fizzy reaction bubble up!
Create Earth Patterns:
Use the green and blue colors to mimic continents and oceans, turning your science tray into a fizzy Earth!
Baking Soda and Vinegar Science Information
A chemical reaction happens when substances combine to form new materials. In this case, vinegar (acetic acid) reacts with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to form carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate.
The fizz you see is the release of gas, which demonstrates a change in matter and the formation of something new—a key concept in chemistry.
🔎 Learn more about chemical reactions here and find more examples to try!
This experiment also offers a chance to talk about Earth science and introduce basic geography while reinforcing the idea of caring for our planet.
More Science Facts for Kids
- Baking soda is a base, and vinegar is an acid—when they combine, they fizz!
- This same chemical reaction is used in classic volcano projects.
- The gas produced, carbon dioxide, is the same gas we exhale when we breathe.
- Earth Day is celebrated every April 22nd to remind us how important it is to protect our environment.
Related Science Activities
- DIY Baking Soda Volcano
- Earth Day Oobleck
- Rainbow Baking Soda Science
- Earth Day Coloring Pages
- Baking Soda and Vinegar Balloon Science
- Salt Dough Earth Day Project
Printable Earth Day Activities Printable Pack
40+ Earth Day science activities and STEM projects for kids that are easy to set up and fit into your available time, even if it’s limited! Printable Earth Day theme STEAM activities that are simple but engaging for home or classroom. Perfect for K-2 and beyond, but easily adaptable to many skill levels.
