I found this idea on themeasuredmom.com and thought Joe would get a kick out of it. We have done several “experiments” with baking soda and vinegar and each time I have told Joe that the bubbles are the result of a chemical reaction between the baking soda and the vinegar producing carbon dioxide…but he just looks at me and says, “bubbles?”
Here’s the supply list:
- container of dirt
- a pint mason jar, no lid
- warm water (1/2 cup)
- dish soap (6 drops)
- food coloring (optional, but Joe loves to squeeze those little bottles)
- baking soda (2 TB, heaping)
- vinegar (cup or two)
- eager child
- willingness to get messy
After gathering together all ingredients, put the mason jar in the dirt container and build up the dirt around it so it resembles a small volcano. The site I pulled this from used playdough and, while it looked cool, I didn’t think Joe would care either way. He is much more concerned with pouring and stirring than with shaping and molding.
Next, add about 6 drops of dish soap, the food coloring and the water. Once combined, add a couple tablespoons of baking soda and then slowly add the vinegar.
You might think that this is a lot of work for a 5 second result…well, it is. But Joe had fun stirring, adding more baking soda and vinegar and playing in the mess. He laughed and I snapped a bunch of pictures to share on here and with family. It was a gorgeous day and it was time for a break from gardening…this was the perfect experiment.
a pinch of homestead 