Fun Experiment To Do With The Kids: Inflating A Balloon With Bicarbonate Of Soda And White Vinegar

I don't know about you but I end up about bankrupt when the kids are off school. They want to be entertained every minute of the day and sometimes I am left scratching my head for things to do. Sometimes my Science loving side comes out and we do little experiments in the kitchen. Later today, behaviour permitting, I plan on showing my boys how to inflate a balloon using two ingredients out of our kitchen cupboards; White Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda.

You may have seen fake 'How to' posts on Facebook stating that this is an alternative to Helium, it's not and your balloons will not float into the air. They will inflate quickly with the gas produced (Carbon Dioxide). Not scary, burst in your face quickly, so don't worry.

Here's how to Inflate a Balloon using Bicarbonate of Soda and White Vinegar:

1. You will need a Plastic Bottle like and old Coke 500ml size, a Funnel, a Balloon (just a regular Latex one), a level teaspoon of Bicarbonate of Soda and some White Vinegar.
2. Pop some gloves on if you like, and use the funnel to pour the Bicarbonate of Soda into the balloon.
3. Pour some vinegar into the bottle, about a quarter to a third of a way up the bottle.
4. Flip your balloon over the bottle and stretch the balloon rim over it, thus spilling the Bicarb into the vinegar.
5. Providing you have a tight seal, which you will if you pulled the balloon right over the bottle top, the balloon will inflate.
6. Pinch the balloon off the bottle and tie.
7. Voila! You have inflated a balloon using Bicarbonate of Soda and Vinegar!

It's best for the children to be spectators and for an adult to carry out the experiment as it can be messy and also no one want vinegar in their eyes now do they?

Let us know how you get on!

Thanks to Jordan B!