How to Inflate a Balloon Using Baking Soda and Vinegar

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Author: Brooke Greco

Physical Science


4th - 8th grade

Difficulty of Project



$5 per student

Safety Issues

Safety goggles should be worn in case the balloon pops.

Material Availability

Easy; materials can be easily obtained

Approximate Time Required to Complete the Project (Including analysis and write-up)

1 1/2 hours


What is the project about?

The gas project is designed to teach students about gas through the chemical reaction of baking soda and vinegar.

What are the goals?

The goal of the project is to demonstrate the power of gas procuded when of baking soda and vinegar are mixed.  The goal is for the balloon to be blown up by the gas created.

Materials and Equipment / Ingredients

What materials are required?
  • Balloon (1 per student)
  • Small bottle (cleaned glass beverage bottle will work well) (1 per student)
  • Small funnel (1 per student)
  • Baking soda (2 tablespoons per student)
  • Vinegar (4 ounces per student)
Where can the materials be found?
Most materials can be found at an all-purpose store (such as CVS).



Research Questions

  • What do you think will happen when baking soda and vinegar come in contact (what will be produced)?
  • What do you think will happen to the balloon attached?
  • Why does the balloon stop blowing up (why does the reaction stop)?

Terms, Concepts and Questions to Start Background Research

For the parent/student, what terms and concepts are required to better understand the project?

The terms carbon dioxide, chemical reaction, reactants, and endothermic should be reviewed.

Experimental Procedure

  1. Using the funnel, add the baking soda to each balloon (two people may be needed for this; one person to hold the balloon open and the other person to put the baking soda inside of the balloon).
  2. Pour the vinegar into the bottle.
  3. Carefully fit the balloon over the bottle opening (be careful not to drop the baking soda into the vinegar yet).
  4. Once the balloon is fitted snugly on the nozzle, hold up the balloon and allow the baking soda to fall into the vinegar.
  5. Observe the chemical reaction and effect on the balloon.
  6. Record observations.

Bibliography / References to related books / Links to related sites on the web

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