Mischief Makers Day 16: Sizzling Snowmen

Nim and Lil, what a thrill
won the prize again!
Pixie, Figgy gave their all
but scored only 9 of 10!
Hey!

Figgy and Pixie laughed good naturedly. They were too happy that everyone was getting along and Nim and Lil were friends once again to be too sore at coming in second in the SugarRush competition.

“To be fair,” said Glitter. “It was a tie until the boys’ mom voted.”

Lil and Nim smiled.

“What are we doing tonight?” asked Figgy.

“A science experiment,” said Lil.

“Oh no,” said Nim. “We aren’t going to try and make slime again are we?”

“Slime?” asked Figgy.

“That sounds interesting. And fun,” said Pixie.

“No way. I think we would definitely be suspended if we did that again.”

The last time Lil and Nim attempted to make slime, they made a fantastic mess of the kitchen counters, floor, cabinets and stove.

“This time we’ll try something less messy,” said Lil.

“Or, at least easier to clean up,” said Pixie.

“Yep, we are going to set up an experiment for the boys to make their very own snowman…indoors.”

“No,” said Glitter firmly. “Absolutely not. When they melt, and they will, the floors will be ruined, the parents will be angry and we will all be in big trouble.”

“But–”.

“I said NO.” Glitter stomped her hoof.

“They won’t be made of snow, Glitter,” said Lil.

“Then what—”.

“Baking soda.”

“Oh.” Glitter relaxed. “Well then, I suppose that’s–”.

“And vinegar. I call them ‘Sizzling Snowmen’.”

Glitter sighed, snorted and stomped away.

Recipe for Sizzling Snowmen

• Small plastic cups
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Water
• Black beads
• Orange foam paper
• Basters, eye droppers, or spoons

Optional but super fun

• Glitter and sequins
• Food coloring

Slowly add water to a cup or so of baking soda until you get a crumbly but pack-able dough.

Place two beads and an orange triangle nose in the bottom of the cup.

Add some of the mixture. Then place some sequins and glitter on top and cover with more mixture and glitter.

Place in the freezer overnight.

Run hot water around the outside of the cups. This will loosen the snowmen and they will slide out more easily.

Set out your snowman baking soda science activity with a baster and a bowl of vinegar.  Make sure to put them on a tray or dish that will hold the liquid.

For more fun, add a drop or two of blue food coloring to the vinegar. Drip drop the vinagar onto your snowmen and watch them sizzle!

What’s the science?

The chemical reaction that occurs between the baking soda (base) and the vinegar (acid) produces carbon dioxide.

(Experiment from Little Bins for Little Hands – http://www.littlebinsforlittlehands.com)