This was definitely one of the boys’ favorite experiments from our Fascinating Science for Kids eBook (that is currently FREE).  We used up almost a whole bag of balloons and a whole bottle of vinegar doing this over and over and over again.  I’m not complaining…I was equally as fascinated by this phenomenon!

Here’s what you’ll need:  a 16 oz. bottle, vinegar, baking soda, a funnel and a balloon (actually several…your kids will want to do it repeatedly).   :) 

1.  Use the funnel to pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the bottle.  Rinse and dry the funnel.

 2.  Use the (clean and dry) funnel to put 1 tablespoons of baking soda into the bottom of the balloon.  Shake gently to make sure all of the baking soda falls to the bottom.

 3.   Stretch the open end of the balloon over the neck of the bottle and make sure it is secured tightly.  Let the rest of the balloon hang over the side (while you hold the bottle upright) so that no baking soda falls into the bottle just yet.

 4.   Hold onto the neck of the bottle (where the end of the balloon is) and carefully lift the heavier end of the balloon until you are holding it completely upright.  All of the baking soda should fall into the bottle.  The reaction will be immediate!

 SO COOL!

 The boys loved it so much, we had to try all the colors!  :)

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Continuing our journey through Fascinating Science for Kids (my eBook you can get for FREE here), today we’re exploring the reaction that takes place when yeast is mixed with hydrogen peroxide and a tiny bit of soap.  Preschool Powol Packets (where I first saw this idea) coined the title “Elephant Toothpaste” for this experiment.  I seem to think that name fits rather perfectly!

Here’s what you’ll need:  a 16 oz. bottle, hydrogen peroxide, instant dry yeast, dish soap, food coloring, a funnel, and a large pan.  

*Please note:  Preschool Powol Packets recommends using 6% hydrogen peroxide for a more dramatic effect, which can only be bought at beauty supply stores.  I chose to just take our chances with the hydrogen peroxide we had in our medicine cabinet (which was bought at Walgreens) and I was very satisfied with the results, even though it wasn’t quite as “fluffy”.

 1.  In a small bowl or dish, mix 2 tablespoons of warm water with 1 teaspoon of active dry yeast.  Gently stir together and let sit for a few minutes.

 2.  In your 16-ounce bottle, use a funnel to pour 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide.

3.  Add 4-5 drops of food coloring and a squirt of dish soap to the bottle as well.

 4.  Place the bottle on a large pan and carefully pour the yeast mixture into the bottle.  The reaction will be immediate!

 …Overflowing

The boys were DEFINITELY entertained!

 ”Can we do it again?”

Let your child touch the overflow foam as well…just make sure they wash them promptly afterwards and don’t put their hands in their mouths!

The Science Behind It:

Hydrogen peroxide naturally breaks down into water and oxygen.  The yeast (which is a catalase, an enzyme in all living things) speeds up this process.  The dish soap creates bubbles, which overflow out of the bottle!

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