Vinegar Baking Soda Preschool Science ~ Fizzing Paint

We had a bunch of left over Easter Egg Dye, and decided to turn put a little twist on classic science experiment! Since the kiddos especially enjoy baking soda fizzy eruptions, we decided to make some exploding paint. Have you seen our Exploding Rocket Art? It is seriously cool! This is a milder version, but still lots of fun for preschool kiddos.

Fizzing Paint Recipe:

Left over Egg Dye ~ or you could use water and food coloring
Baking Soda
Vinegar

You will also need:

Small containers for the paint ~ I used small mason jars
Squeeze bottle
Angled Spatula ~ it has no sharp edges and works great for spreading.
Spoons
Thick cardboard
Tray to catch the fizz

Mix baking soda into the egg dye until you form a thick paste. Pour vinegar into the squeeze bottle. The paint tends to settle, so you may need to give is a quick stir every now and then. Now you are all set to try any or all of these 4 simple baking soda and vinegar experiments.

Spreading Fizzing Paint:

For our first experiment the kids used an angled spatula (normally used for icing cakes) to spread the thick paint onto a cardboard. The kids loved mixing the colors and smearing the paint on the board.

Once they were satisfied with it, they squeezed the vinegar over their master piece. The kids loved this step. Anything that fizzes and bubbles is always a hit. Have you seen our Volcano Easter Eggs? The kids think this is the coolest way to dye eggs, and I have to say I totally agree!

Spoonfuls of Fizzing Paint:

For the second experiment, the kids dropped spoonfuls of the baking soda paint onto a thick piece of cardboard. They then squeezed vinegar on top of the mounds of paint.

Since the colored baking soda was in large lumps, there was more fizzing and bubbling than our first experiment. They loved watching their paint globs come to life. The kids thought it was just “like magic”.

Hot Vinegar Experiment:

The third experiment was just as intriguing to me as it was for the kids. We decided to heat up the vinegar to see what would happen. I microwaved a bowl of vinegar and encouraged the kids to drop spoonfuls of the fizzy paint into it.

The reaction was basically the same as room temp vinegar, although the reaction was quicker. Another added bonus to heating vinegar is the steam. The kids LOVED their steamy fizzy concoction. We ended up heating lots of vinegar;)

Just be careful that no little fingers touch the hot vinegar.

Classic Vinegar and Baking Soda Experiment:

Finally, like the classic science baking soda and vinegar experiment, the kids squeezed vinegar straight into the last of fizzing paint. They loved watching it fizz, bubble and foam. Perfect way to play, learn and experiment with leftover Easter Egg Dye!

Make sure to engage the kids with they are playing and experimenting. Ask questions! Some of our best conversations happen when we talk with each other about what’s happening.

Want to know more about why baking soda and vinegar react with each other? Check out this informative post from UCSB Science Line.