How to Inflate Balloons with Baking Soda
Last updated September 7, 2023
Turn your kitchen table into a science lab by learning how to inflate balloons with baking soda. By combining basic household ingredients like vinegar and baking soda, you set off a chemical reaction that results in carbon dioxide (the very same gas you exhale to blow up a balloon the old-fashioned way), allowing the balloon to inflate on its own. Our guide will walk you through this at-home science project that's perfect for kids.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Duration:
Under 2 hours
Table of Contents
Gather Materials
Prep the Bottle & Pour in Vinegar
Fill Balloon with Baking Soda
Secure Balloon onto Bottle
Watch the Balloons Inflate
Gather Materials
Blowing up balloons without using a single breath to do so? That's right! The secret is baking soda. Here's what else you'll need to conduct this fun experiment:
- Balloons
- Baking soda
- Funnels
- White vinegar
- Empty plastic bottle
Prep the Bottle & Pour in Vinegar
- Make sure the bottle is cleaned and rinsed out before use.
- Place your funnel in the mouth of the plastic bottle and pour in the vinegar until the bottle is, at most, one-third of the way full.
Fill Balloon with Baking Soda
Now, using a separate, dry funnel, pour the baking soda into the balloon until it’s about half full. It might help to stretch out the body of the balloon a little before adding the baking soda.
Secure Balloon onto Bottle
- Secure the balloon onto the plastic bottle.
- Once the balloon is securely fastened to the bottle, hold the balloon upright, directly over the mouth of the bottle, and allow the baking soda to fall into the vinegar.
- Feel free to shake the bottle a little to ensure the substances mix.
Watch the Balloons Inflate
Watch what happens after the baking soda and vinegar meet. The balloon should inflate and you should be able to hear a slight fizzing sound.
Keep in mind, you’ll have to redo the recipe each time to get the chemical reaction that inflates the balloons, but you can empty the bottle and reuse it to try the experiment again.
Learning how to inflate balloons with baking soda is a great way to teach kids about science outside of the typical classroom. Looking for a product to complete your project? We have options to deliver online orders when and where you need them.
