This Halloween, get ready for a fun twist on a traditional science experiment! Young scientists will love this hands-on, pumpkin-themed experiment which incorporates creativity and chemistry. In this exciting kids' activity, we'll teach you how to use vinegar to turn regular baking soda into fun Fizzy Pumpkins. If you enjoy this activity, check out our Black Glue and Salt Pumpkin and our Coffee Filter Pumpkins.
*Please supervise children during this entire activity.
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🎃Why Making Fizzy Pumpkins Is Fun
- The bubbling reaction when the vinegar combines with the baking soda
- Kids will learn science concepts in a fun and hands on way
- It's a Halloween themed sensory play!
👻Supply Notes
- Vinegar - Distilled white.
- Baking soda - Make sure to use baking soda, not baking powder.
- Food coloring - Orange or red and yellow to make orange
- Pumpkin mold - I found mine at the dollar store, but I have included a link to Amazon as well.
- Tray - Great for containing any mess that occurs with this fizzy pumpkin science experiment.
📋How to Make Fizzy Pumpkins
STEP 1: In a small bowl, mix the following ingredients into a paste: ½ cup baking soda and 3 tablespoons of water.
STEP 2: Squeeze a few drops of food coloring into the paste mixture.
STEP 3: Stir well with a spoon to get the color spread evenly. The consistency of this paste will be more on the crumbly side.
STEP 4: Very important: only make one pumpkin at a time. Put enough of the mixture into one pumpkin crevice and push it down with your fingers, careful to get it into every nook and cranny, particularly the stem.
STEP 5: Carefully turn the mold over to remove the pumpkin, placing it in a plastic cup.
STEP 6: Fill a small cup with vinegar and pour that into the pumpkin cup and watch the reaction.
✂️Expert Tips
Tip 1: If you fill up all of the holes in the mold, they will all come out when you remove one. That is why it is best to make one at a time.
Tip 2: Removing the pumpkin from the mold (particulalry the stem) can be tricky, so adults should do this step.
Tip 3: Please have children wash their hands after the experiment.
🤷🏻♀️Activity FAQs
How does this simple science experiment work?
When the vinegar interacts with the baking soda it produces a chemical reaction. Baking soda is an acid and vinegar is a base. When they come into contact, they react to generate carbon dioxide gas, which causes the bubbles.
Can you make the pumpkins ahead of time and store them to use later?
You can, but since they are very delicate, they might not survive in tact.
🦇Related Posts
🔖 Halloween Bookmarks
These Printable Halloween bookmarks are perfect to keep your place while you are relaxing with a good book. Never lose your place and get into the Halloween spirit! These printable bookmarks are perfect for teachers and classroom use. Print as many as you want.
🌟If you try this craft, leave a star rating below or a review in the comment section. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get my latest crafts!
Fizzy Pumpkins
Materials
- Baking soda
- Water
- Orange food coloring
- White vinegar
- Pumpkin mold
- Spoon
- Small bowl
- Tray
- Plastic cups clear
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the following ingredients into a paste: ½ cup baking soda and 3 tablespoons of water.
- Squeeze a few drops of food coloring into the paste mixture.
- Stir well with a spoon to get the color spread evenly. The consistency of this paste will be more on the crumbly side.
- Put enough of the mixture into one pumpkin crevice and push it down with your fingers, careful to get it into every nook and cranny, particularly the stem.
- Carefully turn the mold over to remove the pumpkin, placing it in a plastic cup.
- Fill a small cup with vinegar and pour that into the pumpkin cup and watch the reaction.
Video
Notes
- Please supervise children during this entire activity.
- If you fill up all of the holes in the mold, they will all come out when you remove one. That is why it is best to make one at a time.
- Removing the pumpkin from the mold (particulalry the stem) can be tricky, so adults should do this step.
- Please have children wash their hands after the experiment.
Mommies Brain
Cool idea, this makes me want to get into the Halloween spirit!
Vicky
That is a genius idea and the kids would flip!
C. Gresham
I was trying to think of other ways to use the soda/vinegar mixture soon in my class. How about a regular ice cube shape as the building, the fireman comes along and sprays the water, vinegar, and the fire gets put out, Since October is fire safety month and we already have a visit from the firemen scheduled.