Self-Inflating Balloons 🎈

Make a balloon blow itself up with science!

🍶 Vinegar 🥄 Bicarbonate of soda ⚗️ Chemical reaction 💨 Carbon dioxide 🎈 Inflate 🔻 Funnel

Tap to start!

🧪 What you need

Small bottle
Vinegar
Food colouring
Bicarbonate of soda
Funnel
Balloon
Spoon

⭐ Top Tip

Stretch the balloon a few times first so it’s easier to fit over the bottle neck — little hands may need a grown-up’s help with this bit.

🔬 The Science

Vinegar is an acid and bicarbonate of soda is a base. When they meet, they react and make carbon dioxide gas — the gas has nowhere to go, so it inflates the balloon!

💡 What's in it for children?

Children run their own chemistry experiment and watch an invisible gas do something magical — brilliant for sparking why and how questions.

🎯 Learning goals

✋ Fine Motor Skills 🧘 Self-Regulation 🌍 The Natural World 👂 Listening & Understanding 💬 Speaking 🌟 Managing Self

Solid = main focus · Outline = also touched on

🎬 Watch the activity

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Video coming soon

📄 Instruction sheet

⬇️ Download instruction sheet