Art Activity: Fizzy Painting
Let's combine chemistry and art to create a beautiful reaction!
Activity best for children age 2 and up
This activity uses chemistry and art at the same time! When we combine two chemicals, like baking soda and vinegar, we get a fizzy chemical reaction that turns into carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a gas, which is why it becomes bubbly in this experiment. By adding beautiful colors, we have two things – a chemistry experiment and a painting.
Materials You’ll Need:
Baking soda
Vinegar
Watercolor paper
Food coloring
Dropper
Guiding Questions:
What happens to the baking soda when the “paint” is dropped onto it?
Why do you think it gets fizzy?
Directions
STEP 1
For each color, mix 1 tbsp. of vinegar with a couple of drops of food coloring.
STEP 2
Smooth a layer of baking soda on top of the watercolor paper. Make sure to place the paper on top of something you don’t mind getting messy.
STEP 3
Start painting. What do you notice?
STEP 4
Keep painting until you create your masterpiece!
STEP 5
Let your painting dry. Once dried, rub off all of the extra baking soda.
Grown Ups-Are you looking for more ways to extend your child’s learning? Check out these extension activities to build upon today’s STREAM activity!
Reading Connections:
Basher Science: Chemistry, Getting a Big Reaction by Dan Green
Real-World Connections:
Matter is the stuff all around us! Chemistry helps kids understand the changes that happen to matter all the time.
Science Connections:
Talk about other chemicals that might create a fizzy reaction. What would happen if you added something else to the baking soda and vinegar solution?
Share your fizzy paintings with us on Instagram by tagging @sdcdm320!
Questions about this activity? Email education@sdcdm.org
