Halloween Balloon Experiment

My kids had so much fun with this simple and fun Fall science experiment!
Give it a try and I bet that you will, too!

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"MAGIC JACK" Expanding Balloon Experiment

Materials

• An empty, plastic bottle
• Neon balloons
• Baking soda 
• Vinegar
• A funnel
• A blacklight- you can use UV flashlights like these or a blacklight fixture.  My kids love using the flashlights!

Method

• Begin by drawing a jack-o-lantern face onto a neon orange balloon with black marker.

• Then, use a funnel to carefully fill the balloon with 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda.

• Add 2-4 ounces of vinegar to the plastic bottle, and then carefully secure the balloon to the top.
• Use caution to ensure that you do not mix the baking soda into the bottle while attaching the balloon.

• When ready, have kids lift the balloon and quickly dump the contents into the bottle.  
• As the baking soda and vinegar combine in the bottle they will react, causing the balloon to magically expand! 

So cool!  
My girls loved this experiment and asked to make "Jack" come to life again and again! 

The Science Behind the Experiment

• Why do the baking soda and vinegar react?  
• What actually causes the balloon to expand?  

To answer these questions and more visit this post which explains balloon-gas chemical reactions in detail.

Extend the Fun

• Make pumpkin slime.
• Make erupting pumpkins.
• Make your own neon pumpkin seeds.
• Make pumpkin play dough.

Want more ideas?  

Check out this collection of pumpkin activities for kids.

MORE BAKING SODA SCIENCE

• Pop Rocks Volcano
• Glowing Volcano
• Exploding Baggies
• Baking Soda Slime
• Apple Volcanoes
• Foaming Snow
• MAGIC Snow

MORE

FOR 
KIDS:

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