This is a super simple and fun way to explore states of matter, chemical reactions, and more for Thanksgiving! This Thanksgiving science experiment uses a few simple ingredients for lots of fizzing action. Give your science activities a fun twist for Thanksgiving this year!

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How Does It Work?

Our fizzy cranberry science activity is an awesome example of a chemical reaction, and kids will love this amazing chemistry just as much as adults!

Chemistry is all about states of matter including liquids, solids, and gases. A chemical reaction occurs between two or more substances that change and form a new substance, here a gas called carbon dioxide.

In this experiment, you have an acid (cranberry and lemon juice) and a base (baking soda) and when combined make a gas called carbon dioxide which produces the eruption you can see. Learn more about acids and bases here.

The carbon dioxide escapes the mixture in the form of bubbles. You can even hear them if you listen closely. The bubbles are heavier than air, so the carbon dioxide collects at the surface of the cup or overflows the cup because of the small size of the vessel we have used.

Read more about the science behind baking soda and vinegar experiments.

What Is The Scientific Method For Kids?

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.

Sounds heavy… What in the world does that mean?!? It means you don’t need to try and solve the world’s biggest science questions! The scientific method is all about studying and learning things right around you.

As children develop practices that involve creating, gathering data evaluating, analyzing, and communicating, they can apply these critical thinking skills to any situation.

Note: The use of the best Science and Engineering Practices is also relevant to the topic of using the scientific method. Read more here and see if it fits your science planning needs.

Learn more here…

Helpful Science Resources To Get You Started

Here are a few resources that will help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

Get your FREE printable Thanksgiving science activities!

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Fizzing Cranberry Experiment

Supplies:

  • Clear cups
  • Cranberry juice
  • Lemon juice
  • Water
  • Baking soda

Instructions:

STEP 1: Fill two cups about half way with cranberry juice. Fill the third half way with water.

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STEP 2: Squeeze the juice of one lemon and pour it into one of the cranberry juice cups.

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STEP 3: Now add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to each cup and watch what happens! Which solution produces the biggest fizz?

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More Fun Thanksgiving Science Experiments to Try

Cranberries make an interesting theme for Thanksgiving science. Try one of these science experiments too.

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Cranberry Oobleck
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Dancing Cranberries
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Invisible Ink

Printable Thanksgiving STEMS-Giving Pack

What’s Included:

  • STEMS-Giving! A feast of science and STEM with simple experiments and projects for home or classroom!
  • Even More Thanksgiving theme STEM activities with printable sheets, instructions, and useful information, all using easy-to-source materials and perfect for limited-time needs. Includes a Thanksgiving theme engineering pack with fun, problem-based challenges for kids to solve!
  • Got STEAM? Try a turkey-in-disguise challenge with writing prompts and more! Also color by code turkeys in disguise!
  • Try your hand at building shapes with cranberry structure challenge cards.
  • Discover Thanksgiving brick-building challenges for early finishers, quiet time, hands-on math, or family time.
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