This toddler science experiment teaches how baking soda and vinegar react, while making a colorful art project. Your toddler won’t believe their eyes!
LEARNING SCIENCE IN THE KITCHEN
Science and the kitchen have always been linked in my mind, especially when it comes to baking. Science experiments for toddlers are so important because science compliments their natural curiosity, and teaches them important life skills like problem-solving, perseverance, and trial and error.
I like to choose an easy science experiment for a busy day, that compliments a cooking or baking project we will do later in the week.
With plans to test an eggless chocolate cake this week, I decided to let Corban experiment with the reaction of baking soda and vinegar, which is what causes the cake-like texture without having to use eggs.
I saw this fun experiment on Instagram, and knew it would be perfect.
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TODDLER SCIENCE EXPERIMENT WITH BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR
I explained to Corban that different ingredients can cause certain reactions with each other, and that learning about these reactions is called chemistry. Then we jumped into our toddler science experiment. Here’s how easy it is.
Fill a wide pan with a layer of baking soda, about 1/4 inch deep. I used a cheap metal casserole dish.
Then pour some white distilled vinegar into a couple bowls and add a drop of food dye to each bowl. We went with yellow and blue. The Hawaiian honu (turtle) is optional.
Now your little one can use medicine droppers, turkey basters, squeeze bottles, whatever you have on hand, and start making their masterpiece.
It’s so fun to watch their amazement as the bright colors bubble and fizz.
You can encourage them to make patterns and try combining colors, or just let them go to town.
Once Corban got every bit of baking soda covered, he enjoyed using his hands to mix the colors together.
No recipe today, as the ratios really don’t matter. Just have fun!
Do you have any toddler science experiments you’ve done with your little ones?
TODDLER SCIENCE EXPERIMENT SUPPLIES
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MORE SENSORY ACTIVITIES FOR TODDLERS:
- Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin
- Shaving Cream Paint Bath
- Sensory Slime
- Shaving Cream Art
- Borax Slime Recipe
- Toddler Goop
- Homemade Bag Ice Cream
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Be sure to check out each of their Mini Chef posts as well!
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Such a fun idea. I’m going to try this with my 3 year old!
I love this idea, I can’t wait to try it out with my preschoolers.
I must try this with my mini chef! She actually loves to help me clean with baking soda and vinegar, but that’s just plain and no color 🙂
My son was just playing with a medicine dropped today, he would love this!
I shared this with my 2-4 year olds in my Outdoor/Studio Classroom! A collaborative science experiment that went on forever! Two large plastic trays from IKEA, pipetts, vinegar, liquid watercolor (2 primary colors) & baking soda. For the 2-3’s , it became a totally sensory experiment! For the 3-4’s , an amazing discovery of creating new colors & a priceless sound imitations of the baking soda & vinegar chemical reaction!
I love this SO much!!!