Fizzy Color Eruption Cups Experiment
Line up cups of colored vinegar and drop baking soda bombs in for a chain of fizzy, colorful eruptions — a visual and tactile science spectacular.
What You'll Need
- 16-8 small clear cups
- 2White vinegar
- 3Food coloring (full rainbow set)
- 4Baking soda
- 5Tissue paper
- 6Large baking tray
What You'll Need
6-8 small clear cups
White vinegar
Food coloring — a full rainbow set
Baking soda
Tissue paper (for wrapping baking soda bombs)
A large baking tray
How to Play
Line up cups on a baking tray and fill each halfway with vinegar.
Add a different food coloring to each cup — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple.
Wrap tablespoons of baking soda in tissue paper squares to make little bombs.
Line the bombs up next to the cups.
Starting at one end, drop a bomb into each cup in quick succession.
Watch the eruptions cascade down the line — fizzing, overflowing, mixing colors on the tray.
The mixed colors pooling on the tray create a beautiful secondary-color surprise.
Tips
The tissue paper delays the reaction by a few seconds while the vinegar dissolves it — this creates a delayed eruption chain effect.
Use clear cups so you can see the colors fizzing from every angle.
The tray catches the overflow, and the mixed colors on the tray are half the show.
Try different amounts of baking soda and predict: "Which cup will erupt biggest?"
This is perfect for a backyard science party activity. Set up stations and let every kid have their own row.
Age Adaptation Tips
School-age kids can take more ownership. Let them lead the activity, experiment with variations, and explain what they learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 15 min, with 10 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: 6-8 small clear cups, white vinegar, food coloring (full rainbow set), baking soda, tissue paper, and 1 more item.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 5-8 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors or outdoors?
This activity works great both indoors and outdoors, giving you flexibility based on the weather or your space.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
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