Grow-a-Galaxy Balloon in 5 Steps

Materials you'll need

• Black galaxy-print balloon
• Small zip-seal bag (or small cup)
• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Funnel

 

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1: Open your small zip-seal bag and fill it with vinegar. Then place into a balloon. 

Step 2: Use a funnel (or the top of a water bottle) to pour 1 tablespoon of baking soda into your balloon.

Step 3: Carefully create a knot at the opening of the balloon, making sure it's sealed tight.

Step 4: Tip the balloon up so the baking soda falls into the vinegar. Give it a little whack to make sure it all goes in.

Step 5: Hold the balloon upright and watch your galaxy grow!

Learn more

When baking soda and vinegar mix together, a chemical reaction happens — that means the two ingredients combine and transform into something brand new. One of the new things created is a gas called carbon dioxide, or CO2 (the same gas you breathe out!). The CO2 needs somewhere to go, so it rushes up into the balloon and inflates it. The bigger the balloon gets, the more CO2 the reaction is releasing.