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If you’re looking for some science experiments with explosions then you’ll want to try this exploding bag experiment. This exploding bag experiment is so cool and so much fun. Your kids are going to love learning about chemical reactions using these explosive science experiments. While this exploding bag science experiment is great for kids of all ages, it’s best for preschoolers and elementary aged kids regardless if they’re at home or in the classroom!

Exploding Baggies science experiment- red foam, yellow foam, green foam, white foam, blue foam, purple foam- kids activities blog — How cool is this exploding experiment?

Exploding Science Experiments For Kids

This Exploding Baggies Science Experiment for Kids takes full advantage of the baking soda and vinegar reactions. Kids will have a blast — literally — watching the bags fill with gas and pop right before their eyes.

Related: Scientific Method Worksheets (Broken Into Steps) for Kids

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Supplies Needed To Try This Exploding Baggies Science Experiment for Kids

Here’s what you need to create the Exploding Baggies Science Experiment for Kids:

Plastic Bags (You can use assorted sandwich and freezer bag)
Clothespins
Food Coloring
1/3 cup of Vinegar (for each bag)
2 Tablespoon Baking Soda (for each bag)

How To Do This Exploding Science Experiment For Kids

Step 1

Pour the vinegar into a baggie and add food coloring to it.

Step 2

Twist the baggie just above the liquid and secure with a clothespin, leaving a space at the top.

Step 3

Add the baking soda to the empty space and seal the bag.

Step 4

When you’re ready for the fun, remove the clothespin and allow the baking soda to fall into the vinegar.

Exploding Baggies with yellow foam, white foam, red foam, and purple foam with a kid sticking their foot in it- sensory activity- kids activities blog — Your kids can play and explore the exploding foam. This science experiment doubles as a sensory activity!

Step 5

Watch as the bags fill with gas and explode in a fizzing mess!

Exploding Baggies- Bag laying on concrete oozing green foam- kids activities blog — Look at all the exploding foam!

Isn’t it fun?!

What Is THe SCience Behind This exploding bag experiment?

Well, you’re mixing chemicals and seeing the chemical reaction between the baking soda pouch and vinegar. The drops of food coloring just makes it more exciting. But why are the bags exploding?

Well, during the chemical reaction you are mixing a base (baking soda) and vinegar (an acid). And when you mix these ingredients the baking soda is transformed into water and carbon dioxide. And since the bags are closed, the carbon dioxide gas builds up causing it to explode. Once it explodes the gasses and foam is then released. So you want a space with a lot of room, because it’s gonna get messy!

exploding bag experiment Safety Gear

This isn’t a particularly dangerous experiment, but it’s good to instill safety when doing science experiments. Some safety gear for kids (or little scientist in this case) would be:

Goggles
Gloves
Apron

We are all about a fun science experiment, but we are also all about being safe. A cup of vinegar is safe enough that it probably won’t hurt you if you touch it, but accidents happen. We don’t want it in eyes or anything.

Exploding Baggies Science Experiment for Kids

Your kids will love this exploding science experiments. Learn about chemical reactions with this fun science experiment. Plus, this experiment can also double as a sensory activity as well! It's educational and so much fun.

Materials

Plastic Bags
Clothespins
Food Coloring
1/3 cup Vinegar (for each bag)
2 Tbsp Baking Soda (for each bag)

Instructions

Pour the vinegar into a baggie and add food coloring to it.
Twist the baggie just above the liquid and secure with a clothespin, leaving a space at the top.
Add the baking soda to the empty space and seal the bag.
When you’re ready for the fun, remove the clothespin and allow the baking soda to fall into the vinegar.
Watch as the bags fill with gas and explode in a fizzing mess!

Did you know? We wrote a science book!

Our book, The 101 Coolest Simple Science Experiments, features tons of awesome activities just like this one that will keep your kids engaged while they learn. How awesome is that?!