Earth Day Science: Fizzy Globe Experiment
Are you looking for a fun and educational way to celebrate Earth Day with your kids?
Our simple Earth Day science experiment will spark their curiosity and teach them about chemical reactions in a hands-on way.
With baking soda and vinegar, your little scientists can create a stunning representation of Earth that bubbles and fizzes!
It’s easy and cheap, and all the materials are earth-friendly. So, gather your kids and prepare to make some eco-friendly magic happen in your home this Earth Day!
Do you know what’s really awesome about this experiment? It’s so easy! Kids love baking soda and vinegar science because the explosion of bubbles never fails to impress!
This science activity is truly hands-on because it engages all your senses! Kids will see and hear the bubbles fizzing.
They can feel the liquid vinegar and the gritty baking soda. They can also touch the fizzing globe.
And hey, if they’re feeling extra adventurous, they can even taste it (although, fair warning – it tastes pretty gross)! Let the Earth Day fun begin!
Materials For The Earth Day Science Activity
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Green food coloring
- Blue food coloring
- Small bowls
- Droppers
- Round pan
- Spatula
- Safety glasses *
*There is nothing dangerous about this experiment. However, I firmly believe in modeling safety practices with children even when the risk is low.
Let’s Get Started With Our Fizzy Earth Day Science!
Step 1: Set Up Your Colors
Pour some vinegar into your bowls. Now, it’s time to add some color magic! Squirt 5 drops of green food coloring into one bowl and 5 drops of blue food coloring into the other. Give them a good stir until they look super colorful and ready to go!
Step 2: Prep Your Pan
Take your round pan and pour in some baking soda. Use your spatula to spread it out evenly over the bottom.
Step 3: Let the Color Show Begin!
Now comes the fun part! Grab your dropper and fill it up with green vinegar. Carefully drop the green vinegar onto the baking soda in the pan. Watch the baking soda closely as it fizzles and bubbles, just like little pops of magic ‘land’ appearing!
Step 4: Time for Some Blue!
Switch gears and fill a second dropper with the blue-colored vinegar. Drop it onto the baking soda next to the green spots. See how it fizzes up and creates our ‘water’ areas? It’s like painting with science!
Step 5: Keep Going until Earth Shines!
Repeat the dropper magic until all the baking soda in the pan is colored either green or blue. Keep adding drops and watching the fizzy reactions until your Earth looks as colorful and vibrant as our real planet!
This post is part of my growing collection of science and STEM posts. Need more inspiration to keep kids busy? Head over to our Kids Activities page where you’ll find hundreds of fun ideas all in one place.
What Happens When You Mix Baking Soda and Water?
When vinegar and baking soda mix, a magical reaction happens. It will amaze and delight your kids; some may want to know what happens! Essentially, the vinegar’s acid reacts with the baking soda (a base). This reaction produces carbon dioxide gas, which causes the bubbling and fizzing sensation that looks like a mini volcano erupting! This video might be a good one to watch with your kids
A Scientific Explanation For Older Kids
When you mix baking soda and vinegar, something really cool happens! The solid baking soda and the liquid vinegar start to change. The hydrogen atoms in the vinegar move over to join with the atoms in the baking soda. This creates a salt called sodium acetate. But that’s not the end of it! The remaining atoms in the vinegar form an acid that quickly breaks down into water and carbon dioxide gas. That’s why you see bubbles and fizz! It’s a tiny science party happening right in front of your eyes.
If You Want To Go Further
Use this experiment as a springboard for discussion. The power of a simple vinegar and baking soda reaction can show your children how small actions can have a big impact.
What small things can we take that could have a big impact on our planet?
Need some ideas? Check out our post 20 Family Friendly Ways to Care For The Earth
And there you have it, friends! A super cool and colorful Earth Day science experiment that’s perfect for celebrating our amazing planet. Have fun exploring and discovering the wonders of science together!
Looking for fun Earth Day activities for kids? Our baking soda vinegar fizzy planet Earth activities for kids will be a big hit. It is easy, cheap, and a great way for kids to learn about chemical reactions. It is the perfect Earth Day stem activity. Earth Day activities for kids | Planet Earth activities for kids | Earth Day stem activities | Baking soda vinegar experiment