grade 2 balloon experiments

Top 20 Fun Balloon Science Experiments

Get ready to embark on a thrilling journey as we explore the fascinating science behind balloons.

Our round-up of the top 20 balloon-based science experiments is designed to elevate the curiosity of kids of all ages! These hands-on, educational activities will not only enhance your grasp of science basics but also ignite a passion for exploration and discovery.

1. Pop a Balloon Using an Orange Peel

By carefully peeling an orange and using the peel to pop a balloon, students will explore the intriguing world of chemical reactions and pressure.

2. The Magnifying Glass Balloon Pop Experiment

By using a magnifying glass to focus the sun’s rays onto a black balloon contained within another balloon, students can witness the remarkable phenomenon of the balloon popping due to the concentrated heat.

3. Balloon Powered Sponge Boat

Prepare to set sail on a fascinating nautical adventure with the “Balloon Powered Sponge Boat” experiment! This engaging hands-on activity offers students a unique opportunity to explore the principles of buoyancy, propulsion, and energy conversion.

Learn more: Balloon-Powered Sponge Boat

3. Balloon Skewer

The “Balloon Skewer” experiment is a fantastic way to spark curiosity, challenge conventional wisdom, and foster a deeper understanding of the science behind everyday materials.

4. Balloon Powered Car

This exciting hands-on activity allows students to explore the principles of motion, force, and energy conversion in a fun and interactive way.

5. Learn about Swim Bladders

In this captivating hands-on activity, students will explore how fish control their position in the water column by creating their own swim bladders using balloons.

Learn more: Science Buddies

6. Boyle’s Law Experiment

By inflating a balloon and adjusting its size using a syringe, students can observe firsthand how changes in volume affect the pressure inside the balloon.

Through this experiment, students will gain a deeper understanding of Boyle’s Law and the fundamental concepts of gas behavior.

7. Balloon Rocket Science

Engaging in the “Balloon Rocket Science” experiment not only sparks curiosity and excitement but also provides a practical application of scientific principles.

Learn more: Balloon Rocket Science for Kids

8. How many Pins to Pop a Balloon?

This captivating experiment offers students a thrilling opportunity to explore the concept of structural integrity and the delicate balance between pressure and resistance.

9. DIY Lung Model

This experiment not only provides a fun and interactive way to learn about the anatomy and function of the respiratory system but also encourages students to explore the concepts of inhalation, exhalation, and gas exchange.

10. Water Fountain Balloon

Get ready to witness a mesmerizing water and air pressure display with the “Water Fountain Balloon” experiment! In this captivating hands-on activity, students will create their miniature water fountain using a balloon and a water bottle.

11. DIY Water Balloon Parachute

Get ready to launch into the world of aerodynamics and gravity with the “DIY Water Balloon Parachute” experiment! This thrilling hands-on activity allows students to design and create their own parachutes using water balloons and various materials.

12. Hot and Cold Balloon Experiment

Through this experiment, students will gain a deeper understanding of how temperature affects the volume and pressure of gases.

Learn more: Hot and Cold Balloon Experiment

13. Deflated Balloon Experiment

Engaging in the “Deflated Balloon” experiment not only fosters a sense of curiosity and wonder but also provides a practical demonstration of scientific principles.

14. Create a Heart Pump Model

This hands-on activity offers students a captivating opportunity to create a model of a working heart pump using balloons.

Learn more: DIY Heart Pump

15. DIY Hovercraft

Get ready to defy gravity and glide on a cushion of air with the “DIY Hovercraft” experiment! This exciting hands-on activity offers students an opportunity to create their very own hovercraft using simple materials.

Learn more: DIY Hovercraft

16. Inflate a Balloon

By combining vinegar and baking soda inside a balloon, students will witness a remarkable reaction that results in the inflation of the balloon.

Learn more: Happy Brown House

17. Sink or Float

By placing these filled balloons into a bucket of water, students can observe and analyze the different behaviors of the balloons—whether they sink or float.

Learn more: 123Homeschool4me

18. Magic Light Bulb

Prepare to witness a truly magical and illuminating experience with the “Magic Light Bulb Balloon Science Experiment”! In this enchanting hands-on activity, students will discover the mesmerizing properties of static electricity and light as they create their very own “magic” light bulb using a balloon.

19. Make a Vortex Cannon

By repurposing a plastic container, such as a large bottle or a trash can, and creating a small opening, students can generate a powerful ring of air known as a vortex.

20. Fireproof Balloon

Experience the astonishing magic of fire resistance with the “Fireproof Balloon” experiment! In this captivating hands-on activity, students will witness the incredible properties of a specially treated balloon that can withstand the heat of an open flame without bursting into flames.

Similar Posts:

• 68 Best Chemistry Experiments: Learn About Chemical Reactions
• Top 100 Fine Motor Skills Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
• 37 Water Science Experiments: Fun & Easy

Balloon Blow-up Science Experiment

Can you blow up a balloon without using your mouth? In this simple science experiment, we’re going to show you how to do it with only a few everyday items you probably already have in your home. It makes a great experiment for young children because the set-up is simple and it only takes a few minutes to get to the exciting finale.

In addition to a video demonstration and detailed printable instructions, we also have the scientific explanation of how this simple chemical reaction works making it perfect for older scientists too.

JUMP TO SECTION: Instructions | Video Tutorial | How it Works

Supplies Needed

• Small Soda Bottle
• Baking Soda

Balloon Blow-up Science Lab Kit – Only $5

Use our easy Balloon Blow-up Science Lab Kit to grab your students’ attention without the stress of planning!

It’s everything you need to  make science easy for teachers and fun for students  — using inexpensive materials you probably already have in your storage closet!

Balloon Blow Up Science Experiment Instructions

Step 1 – Start with some questions: How do you blow up a balloon? What if I told you that you couldn’t blow air into it, do you think you could still inflate (blow-up) the balloon? Then observe the supplies for the experiments. Do you think they can be use to blow up the balloon? If so how? Write down your hypothesis (prediction).

Step 2 – Using a funnel, pour about a third of a cup of vinegar into the bottle. We used Apple Cider Vinegar, but any type of vinegar will work.

Step 3 – Then insert another funnel into the mouth of the balloon. We recommend using two different funnels. One funnel for filling the bottle with vinegar and one for the balloon. However, you can do the experiment with only one funnel. Just make sure you completely wash and dry the funnel after you add the vinegar and before you put it into the balloon. This is very important.

Step 4 – Place two teaspoons of baking soda into the funnel so it falls into the balloon. When the balloon is filled with the baking soda, carefully remove it from the funnel. 

Step 5 – Next, secure the mouth of the balloon over the mouth of the bottle. Take your time doing this and don’t let any of the baking soda fall out of the balloon and into the bottom of the bottle. Take a moment to make some observations. What will happen if we lift up the balloon? Write down your hypothesis (prediction) and then test to see if you were right!

Step 6 – While holding the bottle, lift the end of the balloon and allow the baking soda to drop into the bottle. 

Step 7 – What happens to the balloon? Was your hypothesis correct? Wondering what caused the balloon to inflate? Find out the answer in the how does this experiment work section below.

Video Tutorial

How Does the Science Experiment Work?

When baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) are mixed together they create a chemical reaction that results in the formation of carbon dioxide gas. Gases do not have a specific shape or volume, rather they expand rapidly filling their container. Gases expand rapidly because their particles move at high speeds in all directions. As the carbon dioxide gas fills the bottle, it has nowhere else to go so it begins to fill the balloon. As the carbon dioxide gas fills the balloon, the balloon inflates. The more gas that is created, the larger the balloon will inflate.

The baking soda and vinegar chemical reaction will continue to inflate the balloon as long as there is still baking soda and vinegar to react. Once the reaction between baking soda and vinegar has stopped, the balloon will slowly begin to deflate.

An acid is a substance that tastes bitter, reacts with metals and carbonates, and turns blue litmus paper red. A base is a substance that tastes bitter, feels slippery, and turns red litmus paper blue.

Other Ideas to Try

Does changing the amount of baking soda and vinegar change the size of the balloon when it inflates? What would happen if you used another acid like lemon juice instead of the vinegar? Would it react the same with the baking soda?

I hope you enjoyed the experiment. Here are some printable instructions:

Instructions

• Using a funnel, pour about a third of a cup of vinegar into the bottle. Tip: I used Apple Cider Vinegar, but any kind of vinegar will work.
• Then insert another funnel into the mouth of the balloon. Tip: It is best to have two funnels, one for filling the bottle with vinegar and one for the balloon. If you only have one funnel, it is important that you completely wash and dry the funnel after you add the vinegar and before you put it into the balloon.
• Place two teaspoons of baking soda into the funnel so it falls into the balloon. Then remove the balloon from the funnel.
• Next, secure the the mouth of the balloon over the top of the bottle. Tip: Don’t let any of the baking soda drop into the bottle…yet!
• While holding the bottle, lift the end of the balloon allowing the baking soda to drop into the bottle.
• Watch in amazement as the balloon magically inflates!

Reader Interactions

November 2, 2017 at 11:00 am

Yeah but don’t just eyeball the measurements of things because if you use to much baking soda it will make the baloon spring a leak and all sorts of stuff will fly out and make a big mess.

I speak form experience

Seriously, don’t do this

April 21, 2018 at 10:26 am

I did this experiment and it is perfect!

You need to hold properly the bottle when you mix the baking soda into vinegar.

May 22, 2019 at 8:57 am

We’re doing science experiments at school and this one is brilliant! I loved it a lot.

June 22, 2020 at 11:15 am

I love this experiment! My balloon grew 6 inches!

June 19, 2023 at 11:17 pm

I tried and it worked well – Exited to do such experiment

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Hands on kids activities for hands on moms. Focusing on kids activities perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

Balloon Rocket Race a Super Simple Science Experiment

Move & Learn Science Toddlers Grade School Kindergartners Preschoolers Balloons Experiment Outdoor Straws 9 Comments

Have a blast with your little astronauts and embark on an exciting balloon rocket adventure!

It’s an exhilarating combination of fun, science, and a little friendly competition. With just a few simple materials, you can launch your way into a world of learning and excitement.

This is a super simple science experiment with vertical balloon straw rockets for kids.

Teach kids about Newton’s third law of motion or simply have some fun!

My kids just love balloons .

Recently we started showing my son how balloons fly crazy when you don’t tie them off and just let them go.

I was watching TVO Kids with them the other day. I love watching Bitz and Bob because they always have some kind of science experiment to do with your kids at the end.

On this particular episode they did balloons on a string.

This instantly reminded me of a balloon rocket science experiment from when I was a kid!

I grabbed the supplies and took my kids outside to give it a try a few days later since it was raining that day.

At first we just made our balloon rockets with string, straws, yarn and packing tape. Since that’s what I had on hand.

Later we turned them into real rockets by adding fins with little pieces of paper.

I also realized that thinner tape strips work much better. So we switched to using thin painters tape!

Also recommend packing tape as it adheres strong enough to stay on but not strong enough to pop the balloon.

For This Balloon Straw Rocket Science Experiment You Will Need:

• long piece of string or yarn
• painters tape
• two clothespins (optional)
• paper (optional)

Setting up Your Balloon Rockets Science Experiment

Find a location for your balloon rocket course.

First thing you need to do is decide where you are setting up the experiment course.

We did our balloon rocket race between two trees.

But this can be done indoors also between a chair and a doorknob or between two chairs.

Turn Straws Into Rockets (Optional)

Next, cut a piece of string or yarn long enough to go from one end of the course to the other and back again.

Or two pieces long enough to go from one end to the other and be tied at each end. (But don’t tie them yet!)

Next you need to get the straws prepared.

If you are choosing to decorate your balloon rockets then here is what we did. Older kids can do this part on their own!

Cut 3 triangles to use as the fins on the back of the balloon rocket. You want to have one of the corners a 90 degree angle (approximately).

Tip: we made this easy by taking a square and cutting the corners off diagonally.

Next you want to tape 3 of these onto one end of a each straw to make it look like a rocket.

I taped on both sides of each triangle to make sure they would stick out and not just fall flat onto the surface of the straws.

If your kids love science and balloons as much as mine then they will love this Blowing Up a Balloon Experiment !

Setting up Your Balloon Rockets Course

Now it’s time to tie up the balloon rocket course.

Attach the string(s) to your finish line or ending point.

Thread the straws onto the other two ends of the string(s) that are not tied on yet.

Tip: If you made them look like rockets then make sure to have them both point towards the tied end.

Once the straws are on you are free to tie the other ends to your starting points.

Tips: Make sure there is enough room between the starting points for the balloon rockets to not be touching once they are blown up and taped on. Also make sure the string(s) is tight enough that they are straight and not droopy.

Note: If you have more than two children planning to participate you can always make more course lines by adding another string to the ending point and tying the other end to a 3rd or 4th starting point with more straws and balloons!

Now Tape Your Balloons to the Rocket Course

Your final step in preparations will be attaching the balloons to each straw!

First thing to do is blow up your balloons. They need to be attached to the straw when fully blown up.

This is where I found the clothespins to be helpful!

TIP: After I blew each one up I would give the end a tiny twist and pop a clothespin one at the twist to stop it from deflating. (Optional as we did it many times before I thought of it.)

Once the balloons are blown up tape to the straws with the openings facing the back of the rockets.

I actually did them backwards the first time. Oops!

Tip: If you do them backwards don’t attempt to take the tape off! It’s better to let them deflate and hope that the tape will come off on its own… my balloons popped and I had to grab some more.

This Hidden Colors Experiment is another one of my sons absolute faves!

Vertical Balloon Rockets Science Experiment 3-2-1-Blastoff!

You are now ready to start the balloon straw rocket race!

Have your kids each hold one balloon and have it as far back on the starting line of the string as possible.

Or if only one child is participating they can hold one in each hand or you can hold one.

Start your countdown!

3-2-1-BLASTOFF!

Finally, let go of the ends of the balloon rockets at Blastoff and watch them zoom to the other end of the string to the finish line!

This is a great time to talk about Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion : Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

The air blows out of the balloon (action).

The balloon rocket moves forward (reaction).

Also take the time to discuss what the balloons did. Did it go straight? Spin around the string? Get stuck half way?

Tip: Having the balloons different colors helps to keep track of your results if you choose to document this like a real science experiment.

We did this balloon straw rocket experiment tons of times over!

Have your kids bring the straws back to the starting point and blow up the balloons to go again!

If the balloons fall off, no worries, just tape them back on.

And if they don’t fall off then have fun blowing them up still attached to the string. Lol.

Extend the Science Experiment

Try different set-ups to see what happens.

• What happens if one is blown up smaller than the other?
• What if you tape the balloon on sideways or on an angle? Does it spin?
• What if you don’t actually let go completely and just let the air out? Does it make your hair or clothes move?
• Try different sizes and shaped balloons.
• What if the triangle fins are on an angle?
• Try less fins or no fins?
• What if the fins are really big or smaller?
• Cut the string and stick the front of the straw into the end of the balloon and use a small elastic to secure it. Blow it up using the straw and then watch it fly freely. See where it goes like Mombrite did.

Keep going on the topic of actions having an equal and opposite reaction.

Or if you are ready for a different experiment now, check out one of our personal favorites: Magical Color Changing Milk Experiment

About Beck Poulsen

Beck is a stay at home mom with 2 young kids. A big brother and little sister. Having grown up working in kindergarten classes and helping to run Children's Ministry in various towns and cities across Ontario, Canada she constantly looking for ways to make learning fun and exciting. Beck has a lot of fun raising her own youngsters and wants to make sure they have the best childhood she can offer them. Follow Beck on her Facebook .

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Baking Soda and Vinegar Balloon Experiment (Plus Free Worksheet)

It’s like magic!

Kids and balloons go hand-in-hand so why not try a fun science experiment that incorporates a balloon or two? This experiment requires little more than what you already have in your kitchen cabinet. Grab a dash of baking soda, a splash of vinegar, and learn all about acids, bases, states of matter, and chemical reactions! Everyone will be amazed watching a balloon inflate without a single breath being blown.

Fill out the form on this page to grab your free printable recording sheet , and try the baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment with your little scientists!

How does the baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment work?

The baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction between an acid and a base. The baking soda acts as the base and the vinegar as the acid. When the two combine, carbon dioxide (CO2) escapes the container and causes the balloon to blow up.

What does this experiment teach?

This experiment teaches how different states of matter transform when combined. In this case, a solid (baking soda) and a liquid (vinegar) mix to produce a gas (CO2). Since carbon dioxide is the same gas that is released when humans breathe out, students will make the connection between human breath blowing up a balloon and the reaction of this experiment doing the same.

Is there a baking soda and vinegar balloon video?

This video shows how to do the baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment, using just a few ingredients.

Materials Needed

To do the baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment, you will need:

• Approximately 1/2 cup of vinegar
• Empty water bottle or similar container
• Baking soda
• Measuring spoon
• Deflated balloon

Our free recording sheet is also helpful— fill out the form on this page to get it.

Baking soda and balloon experiment steps:

1. blow up a balloon just enough to stretch it out a bit. then, use the funnel and measuring spoon to add about a teaspoon of baking soda inside the balloon..

2. Fill the water bottle or other container about halfway with vinegar.

3. Attach your filled balloon to the container with the vinegar. Make sure the seal is tight!

4. Once you’re all set up, hold the balloon up so the baking soda gets released into the vinegar.

5. Finally, watch the balloon blow up!

Grab our baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment worksheet!

Click the button below to get your worksheet. The worksheet asks kids to guess the correct order of the steps in the experiment. Next, kids must make a prediction about what they think will happen. They can use the provided spaces to draw what happens before and after they add the baking soda to the vinegar. Did their predictions come true?

Additional Reflection Questions

• What happened when the baking soda was added to the vinegar?
• Why do you think the balloon inflated?
• Why do you think the balloon eventually stops blowing up?
• What do you think would happen if we used more or less baking soda?

Can this experiment be done for a science fair?

Yes! If you want to do the baking soda and vinegar balloon experiment for a science fair, we recommend switching up some of the variables. For example: Does the amount of vinegar matter? What if you run two experiments side by side with different amounts of baking soda? Which balloon filled up faster? Form a hypothesis about how changing the variables will impact the experiment. Good luck!

Looking for more experiment ideas? Check out our  big list of science experiments.

Plus, be sure to  subscribe to our newsletters  for more articles like this., you might also like.

How To Make a Baking Soda Volcano With Free Observation Sheet

This experiment will have kids erupting with applause! Continue Reading

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Home » Articles » STEM » STEM Science » 5 amazing Balloon experiments

5 amazing Balloon experiments

Everyone loves balloons and today we will show you how to make them even more fun. how with the science of course. we will show you 5 amazing balloon experiments for demonstrating various scientific principles. fun is guaranteed, article contents.

The brief history of the balloons

First balloons, as archeological findings show, were made from animal intestines , especially from pig bladders . Archeological findings also show that first balloon sculptures were used by Aztecs. They were made from cat intestines and were presented as a sacrifice to the gods.

The first rubber balloon was made in the year 1824 by Professor Michael Faraday. He was using them for experiments he was conducting with the hydrogen. He described the balloons as caoutchouc bags that are highly elastic and that they can expand by forcing the air into them until caoutchouc becomes transparent. He also explains how they, when expanded by hydrogen, become so light that they possess considerable ascending power. Faraday made his first balloons by making two sheets of rubber and connecting the edges of those two sheets to each other. Since the rubber was tacky, he had to put flour in the middle so the rubber does not connect. On edges, the rubber would connect automatically due to its stickiness.

Latex rubber balloons were invented and pioneered in the year 1825 by rubber manufacturer Thomas Hancock. Vulcanized balloons were introduced in the year 1847 by J.G. Ingram and they were the first balloons that were not affected by changes in temperature. Vulcanized balloons are regarded as the prototype of the modern-day balloons.

Modern-day balloons are made from different materials but mostly rubber , latex , polychloroprene, and nylon fabric. Also, we can find today’s balloons in many different shapes, sizes, and colors.

Physics principles of the balloons

We all know that balloons fly. Ok, fall slowly. But did you know there is science behind why is that so? Let’s dive into some physics and explore the principles of why balloons “fly”.

When we inflate the balloon with regular, atmospheric air, the air pressure will become greater than the atmospheric pressure outside of the balloon.

Air pressure actually represents how many particles collide with the surface at any given time. Since there is less space in the balloon, they collide and bounce off the inside surface a lot more than particles from outside do. This happens because of the density . The more particles are in the same space (like in the balloon), the more frequent will they collide with the wall or surface.

To understand why balloons “fly”, it is important to understand how air pressures function. Air pressures outside of the balloon and inside try to even out. The force from the inside of the balloon makes the balloon to expand while the forces from the outside of the balloon make it contract . With this knowledge, we could assume that the balloon with high air pressure would expand until the air pressures are equal inside and outside.

But there is a twist! Balloons posses certain elasticity that plays an important role. Now the air inside needs to have a lot more pressure since it must counteract the elastic membrane of the balloon that tries to return in the original state and the air pressure from the inside. That makes the balloon light and with some gasses like helium even lighter than atmospheric air.

An excellent example of this is the helium balloons. They will raise in the air and as they get higher, the atmospheric pressure gets smaller and smaller. The inside of the balloon exerts more pressure because of that and the balloon will pop from tension. If they don’t pop, helium will leak from pores of the balloon eventually making the balloon to fall down.

Check the video for making all of the activities at the start of the article or continue reading instructions below for each activity if you prefer text description.

1. How to use Science to Blow Up a Balloon

Materials needed for the experiment.

• Vinegar (2 dl)
• Baking Soda (2 spoons)
• Empty Bottle

Experiment Instructions

• Pour 2 dl of vinegar into the empty bottle. 
• Put Balloon on the funnel and pour 2 spoons of baking soda into it. If you put more, the reaction will be stronger but there is danger of liquid shooting out of the bottle
• Now put Balloon on the bottle, lift it up, so soda drops into the vinegar. After a few seconds Balloon will be blown.
• Use yarn to tie down Balloon and you are done!

The science behind the experiment

When we mix vinegar and baking soda we produce an acid-base reaction . The baking soda (base) takes one hydrogen proton from the vinegar (acid). That turns vinegar into a different substance called sodium acetate and baking soda into the carbonic acid. Carbonic acid is unstable and quickly separates into carbon dioxide gas and water. The gas rises up and since it needs more space it expands into the balloon.

2. Burning a Balloon without popping it

Materials needed for burning the balloon, instructions for burning the balloon experiment.

• Put the balloon onto the faucet and let it fill with water ( around 2 dL). Blow up the balloon and tie it down. You can also first blow up the balloon then put it on the bottle with water and just fill it.
• Light the candle and bring Balloon over it. The balloon won’t pop! If you try it with an empty balloon it will pop instantly.

The science behind the Burning the Balloon experiment

One of the amazing properties of the water is the ability to soak up the heat . The flame causes water to heat up. That heated water goes up and pushes cooler layer down so it’s heated again. That process happens rapidly and it prevents heat from popping up the balloon. That lasts as long as we don’t heat up all the water, so after some time Balloon will pop. One good real-life example of this is sweating ! When our body is heated, we start to sweat. That is a defensive reaction of our organism, putting a layer of water on us and preventing overheating.

3. Pinning a Balloon

Materials needed for the experiment, instructions for the experiment.

• Blow up the balloon and tie it down.
• If you try putting it on one pin it will pop. Put many pins on the surface (sharp part up) and then try to put Balloon on top of it. It won’t pop!

This is a great experiment to demonstrate one of the findings of Classical Mechanics – distributed pressure . When we put the balloon on one pin, the pressure is concentrated on one spot and it’s easy to break a thin layer of the balloon. However, if we distribute that pressure over the many points on the balloon, the force of any of them is too small to burst the balloon.

4. Balloon on the Stick

Materials needed for the balloon on the stick.

• Wooden Skewer
• Dishwashing liquid

Instructions for the balloon on the stick experiment

• Blow up the Balloon (not fully)  and tie it down.
• Look at the Balloon and identify areas where it’s darker (rubber is thicker). One spot is right where you tie down the Balloon and the other is on the opposite side.
• Coat the wooden skewer with dishwashing liquid ( you can also use vaseline) so it feels smooth.
• Pierce the Balloon on one of the spots we previously identified and push it in. Let it come out on the other spot, on the opposite end. You now have Balloon on the stick!

The science behind the balloon on the stick experiment

A balloon is made of rubber, and that rubber consists of a long chain of polymers . Blowing up the balloon stretches these polymer chains. However, there are areas on the balloon where they are stretched more (under greater surface tension ) and where they are stretched less (under less surface tension). We identified these points of less tension, so we can pierce the Balloon on those points. Making small holes on those spots don’t produce enough surface tension for the balloon to burst.

5. Demonstrating Centripetal force

Materials needed for demonstration, instructions for demonstrating centripetal force.

• Insert the coin inside the Balloon. Try to push it as far as you can, but it doesn’t have to go all the way in.
• Shake the Balloon in a circular motion. You will see the coin spinning.
• Stop the motion and the coin will continue its movement for some time.

Warning: this activity is addictive! 😄

The science behind the centripetal force experiment

To move anything, including our coin, we need to input some energy. In this case, our original circular shaking of the balloon supplied needed kinetic energy . The round shape of the balloon forces our coin to move in a circular way, otherwise, it would continue moving forward . There is not that much friction between the coin and the surface of the balloon, so the coin moves for a long time after we stop the motion. But, in time, friction and gravity force out the coin to halt.

Important force here is Centripetal force . This is a center-seeking force that acts on our coin and constantly changes its velocity so it remains in the circular motion. The natural state of all objects is to continue forward motion, but if we apply enough force we can change that. Examples of this ere moons and satellites orbiting planets.

Here gravity acts as a centripetal force. In our coin example, it works because of the friction between our coin and the surface of the balloon. That makes our coin move in a circular path and not just randomly jumping inside of a balloon.

We hope you enjoyed these fun balloon activities. And if you’re searching for more fun STEM experiments that kids will love, you can demonstrate osmosis using gummy bears . Or if you want to see how to raise the water using a candle, check out the candle in the vacuum experiment . And some other similar experiments we would like to recommend are demonstrating light bending and making a dancing grain experiment . And if you still have some balloons that you would like to use, be sure to check how to demonstrate air pressure with balloon activity and how to make an anti-stress ball using the balloon and flour . Happy learning!

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Baking Soda and Vinegar Balloon Experiment

Combine a fizzing baking soda and vinegar reaction with balloon play with this easy-to-set-up balloon science experiment for kids . Find out how to blow up a balloon with baking soda and vinegar. Grab a few simple ingredients from the kitchen, and you have fantastic chemistry for kids.

BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR BALLOON EXPERIMENT

Don’t have vinegar for this experiment? Try a citric acid like lemon juice, and check out our citric acid and baking soda experiment here.

• Baking Soda
• Empty Water Bottles
• Measuring Spoons
• Funnel {optional but helpful)

BLOW-UP BALLOON EXPERIMENT SETUP:

 Step 1. Blow up the balloon a bit to stretch it out some, and use the funnel and teaspoon to add baking soda to the balloon. We started with two teaspoons and added a teaspoon for each balloon.

 Step 2. Fill the container with vinegar halfway.

 Step 3. When your balloons are all made up, attach them to the containers making sure you have a good seal!

 Step 4. Next, lift up the balloon to dump the baking soda into the container of vinegar. Watch your balloon blow up!

 To get the most gas out of it, we swirled around the container to get it all going!

Optional Art: Go ahead and use a sharpie to draw emojis, shapes, or fun pictures on your balloons before filling them with baking soda.

BALLOON EXPERIMENT TIPS

My son suggested we try different amounts of baking soda in our experiment to see what would happen. Also, will the balloon size grow bigger if more vinegar is in the bottle?

Always encourage your kids to ask questions and wonder what will happen if…

This is also a great way to encourage inquiry, observation, and critical thinking skills. You can read more about teaching the scientific method to kids here.

Make predictions! Ask questions! Share observations!

Be cautious with the amount of baking soda you add, as the reaction will get bigger each time. Safety goggles are always great for young scientists!

You could see the difference in the baking soda we put in the balloons! The red balloon with the least baking soda inflated the least. The blue balloon with the most inflated the most.

What else can you do with baking soda? Check out these unique baking soda experiments!

HOW DOES THE BALLOON EXPERIMENT WORK?

The science behind this baking soda and vinegar balloon science experiment is a chemical reaction between an acid and base . The base is the baking soda and the acid is vinegar. When the two ingredients mix, the balloon baking soda experiment gets its lift!

That lift is gas, carbon dioxide, or CO2. As the gas tries to leave the plastic container, it goes up into the balloon because of the tight seal you have created. Check out states of matter experiments !

The gas has nowhere to go and is pushing against the balloon it blows it up. Similar to how we exhale carbon dioxide when we blow up balloons ourselves.

We love exploring simple chemistry you can do at home or in the classroom. Science that isn’t too crazy but is still lots of fun for kids! You can check out more cool chemistry experiments .

Read more about the science behind baking soda and vinegar experiments .

WHAT IS THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD FOR KIDS?

The scientific method is a process or method of research. A problem is identified, information about the problem is gathered, a hypothesis or question is formulated from the information, and the hypothesis is tested with an experiment to prove or disprove its validity. Sounds heavy…

What in the world does that mean?!? The scientific method should be used as a guide to help lead the process. It’s not set in stone.

You don’t need to try and solve the world’s biggest science questions! The scientific method is all about studying and learning things right around you.

As kids develop practices that involve creating, gathering data evaluating, analyzing, and communicating, they can apply these critical thinking skills to any situation.

Learn more about the scientific method and how to use it.

Even though the scientific method feels like it is just for big kids…

This method can be used with kids of all ages! Have a casual conversation with younger kiddos or do a more formal notebook entry with older kiddos!

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MORE SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS WITH BALLOONS

Have leftover balloons? Why not try one of these fun and easy balloon science experiments below!

• Explore physics with a balloon rocket
• Try this screaming balloon experiment
• Make a balloon-powered car
• Try a pop rocks and soda balloon experiment
• Learn about static electricity with a balloon and cornstarch experiment
• Bend water with a balloon.

Helpful Science Resources To Get You Started

Here are a few resources that will help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

• Best Science Practices (as it relates to the scientific method)
• Science Vocabulary
• 8 Science Books for Kids
• All About Scientists
• Free Science Worksheets
• Science Supplies List
• Science Tools for Kids
• Scientific Method for Kids
• Easy Science Fair Projects
• Citizen Science Guide
• Join us in the Club

Printable Science Projects For Kids

If you’re looking to grab all of our printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets and bonuses like a STEAM Project pack, our Science Project Pack is what you need! Over 300+ Pages!

• 90+ classic science activities  with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information.  NEW! Activity-specific observation pages!
• Best science practices posters  and our original science method process folders for extra alternatives!
• Be a Collector activities pack  introduces kids to the world of making collections through the eyes of a scientist. What will they collect first?
• Know the Words Science vocabulary pack  includes flashcards, crosswords, and word searches that illuminate keywords in the experiments!
• My science journal writing prompts  explore what it means to be a scientist!!
• Bonus STEAM Project Pack:  Art meets science with doable projects!
• Bonus Quick Grab Packs for Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Physics

42 Comments

Need more info on experiments. Thanks, Miranda

What information would you like?

thanks a lot very funny experiment

Your welcome!

(I was thinking that the pint bottle was going to blow up I got really scared first time I saw a science magic) but I can make smoke come out of my mouth it is very simple

I’m doing a Science Fair Project on this, but I don’t know and how to do the table and graphs, like the data and stuff. Can you help me?

And it’s due May 18, 2016 🙁

this is cool thanks you verry much

Your welcome! Try drawing on the balloons too!

Does the size of the container or size of balloon have any affect on how the balloon will blow up?

Yes, it will because of the space the gas has to fill once the baking soda and vinegar are combined. Great experiment to try different sizes using the same amounts of both vinegar and baking soda.

my team did the balloon inflating thing and it was fun

Is it safe for kids to do this experiment in school

I would think it would be as it is just baking soda and vinegar. You would need to use your best judgement of course. We have never had a balloon explode.

hi this is STEM project . can anyone explain how to connect – T technology E Engineering M mathematics through this experiment . thanks in advance

I will look into my information. Remember a STEM project does not need to contain each of the 4 pillars of STEM but at least two. I can tell you we used math {measuring} and science {chemical reaction}.

Definitely is cool

i love yo stuff

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If we wanted to use this for a science fair project what would the Question asking be?

How much baking soda/vinegar is needed to inflate balloon completely. Or, which acid is better vinegar or lemon juice? Do different shape balloons fill better?

We just did this experiment, but we only used one balloon. My kids are 2.5, 4 and 7 so we have a range of ability levels, but I wanted to add my kids’ favorite part! We took the balloon off the bottle and tied it shut, careful not to lose the gas. And then I blew a balloon up the same size, I asked them which one they thought would hit the ground first as I held them even in the air. Try it out!!

That’s awesome! We will def have to try that. What a great idea!

Where did you find your containers to hold the baking soda and vinegar?

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~ projects to try now ~.

Balloon Rocket Science for Kids

Easy science for kids! My kids always get excited when they know that we are doing a science experiment.  “It’s like magic, but better,” they tell me.

Children are naturally curious about the world around them. They want to learn and they often have a lot of questions about things they have seen.

Rocket science is often a topic that comes up when I teach. Many young children are fascinated by rockets and how they work.

Today we talked about how a rocket ship blasts off into space and then I had my kids guess how they thought the rocket was able to do this. 

This balloon rocket science experiment is a great activity for home or school and perfect for outdoor learning.

I have done this balloon rocket experiment with children as young as four and again when I taught grade two as we covered our science program. Even older children will love the experiment, and the learning that goes along with it.

I have done the experiment two different ways. You can use one balloon and have everyone watch together, like a presentation, or give small groups the materials and let them experiment together.

Personally, I always love when I can give children the materials, and the instructions, and they can learn and experiment with their own hands. In my opinion, this is when the best learning takes place.

All science experiments should always be done with an adult supervising and involved in the activity. Make sure to do the activity in a safe spot and make children participating are old enough to use the materials.

You don’t need any special or expensive materials to do this experiment. All of the materials are fairly simple and you may already have many at home.

The only suggestion that I would make as far as materials is that large, smoothie type straws work best.

Although you can’t replicate actual rocket science for kids, this experiment does give kids a basic idea of how rockets work.

Plus it is just a really fun, hands-on science for kids experiment that gets kids excited as they learn about the world around them, and science.

With this experiment, you will create your own model that works in a similar, but  very basic way compared to a rocket, but done in a way that is easy for kids to understand. 

Even young children will have fun with the experiment. Don’t worry if kids don’t understand the technical science behind it, that’s not the intention.

Experiments, like this, simply give children a basic understanding of rocket science – and hopefully a love of science.

I always enjoy preparing activities in science for kids because it is hands-on and kids love it!

Rocket Science Worksheets

When I do this experiment, I have children follow along and predict what they think is going to happen on worksheets.

This encourages their writing development and adds to their understanding by putting their thoughts into words.

The worksheets I created to align with this experiment are available. (Click “The Power of Air” image below).

Without the worksheets, you could simply have children keep track of their predictions and observations and results as they do the experiment.

Rocket Science for Kids Steps

First, I blew up a balloon and asked everyone what would happen if I let go of it.  I then let it go!  They loved watching it zip around he room and then fall to the ground. 

We used this idea of movement for our experiment. 

I then tied one end of a piece of string to secure it. Next I slipped the straw through the string and brought the straw to the end.

Then I tied the other end of the string to the other end of the hall. Make sure to tie the string so that the string is tight and straight.

If the string is not tight, the balloon will not go as far. 

Next, I blew up a balloon, but did not tie it, and taped it to the straw as I held the end closed. 

The balloon was now filled with gas (air).

Make sure to have the end that you are holding face towards the wall.

I had children guess what they thought was going to happen when I let go of the end of the balloon.  After a few guesses, I then let it fly! 

The balloon zoomed across the string! It should go several meters depending on how full you fill the balloon. 

When you let the end go, the escaping air causes a force on the balloon.  All of the air is forced through the small hole on the balloon which causes the balloon itself to react and zoom in the other direction. 

Much like a rocket in blast off!

Science for Kids Extension Activities

Generally after children have seen the balloon zoom across the field or room, they are excited and want to learn more.

This is a great opportunity to try out some of the questions they have and things they are curious about.

Also, if your balloon did not go far, it is a good chance to talk to children about why they think it didn’t go far.

Was there too much air in the balloon? Was the string not tight enough?

I suggest trying out the experiment a few times so that you, hopefully, get consistent results.

Let different children hold the string or let the balloon go. They will enjoy being part of the experiment.

Once you have done the experiment a few times, you can try blowing up the balloon more and seeing what happens.  What happens if you only blow it up a bit?

The problem is that if the balloon is bigger, it sometimes spins and does not go as far.  This leads to great discussion as to why and how we could fix this problem. 

When our huge balloon ended up spinning around and not going very far, I asked my students at schoolhow they thought that we could solve the problem.

Their solution was to attach a small weight (a penny) to the bottom to keep the balloon from spinning.  What a great idea!

This activity sparked many discussions and future experiments. Children were really curious what would happen if you attached 2 balloons and what about 3? 

What would happen if you used the huge balloon?  What would happen if you held the string up so that the balloon traveled down as it moved across? 

The things that kids wonder, end up being the best part of teaching science for kids.

Another idea that we tried out when we did this science experiment at home was giving each of my kids a balloon. They choose how full they wanted their balloons and they spent a long time racing them against each other.

My favorite part was the experimenting that happened between each race as they improved their balloon (with coins etc.) and tried different amounts of air in the balloon.

Each time they were simply trying to make their balloon go further and faster, but they were also being little scientists as they experimented, tested and improved on their their ideas.

Since I initially did this experiment at school, we worked though each step together and had follow up sheets.

Below is the “Scientific Method” rocket science booklet that I use with my students.

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More science experiments for kids.

Looking for more hands-on science experiments? Check out this collection of over 80 science experiments that you can try out today!

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For more fun, hands-on experiments to do at home, or school, check out the activities below.

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Playing With Rain

Explore the World Around You

Balloon Science Experiments

Share with your friends!

You can do some pretty cool and amazing things with balloons! Check out these simple and fun Balloon Science Experiments that you can do at home with your kids!

The best thing about these fascinating balloon tricks and experiments is how easy they are to do with supplies you probably already have at home.

PIN THESE EXPERIMENTS FOR LATER

Table of Contents

• Unpoppable Balloon Experiment – Watch in amazement as a skewer goes through a balloon without popping it!
• Baking Soda and Vinegar Balloon Experiment – A great way to visualize the classic baking soda and vinegar reaction as it fills up a balloon!
• Balloon and Candle Experiment – This balloon experiment uses a cool trick with water to make it flame-resistant!

• Balloon and Pin Experiment – It’s easy to pop a balloon with a sharp pin, but can you do it with 15 or 20 pins bunched together!?
• Light Bulb Balloon Experiment – Did you know that you can illuminate a light bulb with the static electricity from a balloon!?
• Balloon and Glass Experiment – Squeeze an inflated water balloon into a glass jar with the help of some fire!

• How to Pop a Balloon Without Touching It – Learn how to pop a balloon with an orange peel, without even touching the balloon!
• Hot and Cold Balloon Experiment – Inflate and deflate a balloon by simply heating up or cooling down the air inside the balloon!
• Balloon in a Bottle Experiment – Inflate a balloon inside of a bottle thanks to the wonderful physics of air pressure!

• Hovercraft Science Experiment – Create a super fun science activity for kids with a balloon and a CD to make a hovercraft!
• Yeast Balloon Experiment – This is a balloon-blowing way to learn about the common reaction of yeast, sugar, and water!
• Air Pressure Bottle Experiment – Use a balloon filled with air pressure to power a homemade drink dispenser!

• Balloon Static Electricity Experiment – A static electricity charged balloon can make kitchen ingredients float in the air!
• How to Make a Bottle Gun – Use the physics of air pressure to create an air gun out of a balloon and a plastic bottle!
• How to Fireproof a Balloon – Add water inside a balloon to make your balloon fireproof…for a little while anyway!

More Resources:

• Science Experiments For Kids
• Plastic Bottle Experiments
• Static Electricity Experiments

MORE ABOUT PLAYING WITH RAIN

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All content on this blog was created for inspiration and entertainment purposes. Creating anything with the suggested tools, products or methods, is under your own risk!

Balloon and Jar Air Pressure Experiment

by Science Explorers | Mar 29, 2021 | Blog | 0 comments

Air pressure experiments for children are a fun way to introduce kids to a new scientific concept. Kids and adults alike have a blast with this balloon and jar air pressure experiment. The experiment shows children what happens when the air pressure inside a jar changes by using just a few materials. It’s the perfect lesson for elementary school-age children with adult supervision.

Learn more about our virtual and in-person science camps!

What You’ll Need

To perform the experiment, you’ll need:

• Water balloon.
• Piece of paper.

Safety Note

This experiment uses fire. Children must be supervised and should not perform the experiment on their own.

How to Conduct the Experiment

Follow these instructions to suck a water balloon into a jar using air pressure:

• Fill the balloon:   Fill the water balloon until it’s slightly wider than the neck of the jar and tie the balloon.
• Place the balloon on the jar:   Place the jar on a flat surface and rest the balloon on top of the open jar.
• Demonstrate with the water balloon:   Help the kids push down slightly on the balloon to show them it won’t fit inside the jar.
• Remove balloon:   After demonstrating, remove the balloon from the container.
• Get your matches:   Light a piece of paper with a match and drop it in the jar.
• Place the balloon again:   When the fire starts to grow, place the balloon back over the mouth of the jar.
• Watch the reactions:   Observe what happens to the balloon and the fire. The balloon will begin to shake, and the fire will be extinguished as the balloon is sucked into the jar. The balloon will be sucked about halfway into the container.
• Let the kids try:   Once the fire has died and the jar has cooled, have the children try to remove the balloon. It will be a little challenging!
• Safely remove the balloon:   To remove the water balloon from the jar, start by turning the jar sideways. Place your finger between the container and the balloon to release the suction. The balloon should come out easily after that.

Children will love doing this experiment over and over. To make this air pressure experiment even more fun for kids, let each child pick a balloon to decorate before you fill it with water. This allows children to observe any differences between how the balloons behave, such as which balloon was most difficult to remove and which one worked best.

The Science Behind the Experiment

This experiment is all about air pressure. When you first place the filled balloon atop the jar, air pressure prevents you from pushing it inside. The air trapped inside the jar has nowhere to go, since the balloon covers the opening. At this point, the air pressure within the jar is the same as the air pressure outside it, making it impossible to fit the balloon in.

But when you add the lit piece of paper to the jar, things change. The burning paper causes the air inside the jar to heat up and expand. As the fire grows, the air in the jar will start escaping around the sides of the balloon. When the balloon begins shaking that’s how you know the air is escaping.

The balloon acts as a one-way valve, allowing air within the jar to escape but preventing new air from entering. With less air in the jar, the air pressure drops. At this point, the air pressure within the jar is lower than outside it, which causes the balloon to get sucked in.

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A Dab of Glue Will Do

Little Learners, Big Ideas

PS PK K 1 2

Self-Inflating Balloon Science Experiment

I'd love it if you shared!

• Pinterest 1.1K

Science is all about testing, re-testing, searching, exploring, and playing. I’m almost convinced most scientists are kids who never quite grew up! Try this  Self-Inflating Balloon Science Experiment with your kids today!

Children have a natural instinct to experiment and test, which is why science activities are so much fun with little ones! In the self-inflating balloon science experiment, children can test which chemical reaction produces the reaction that is best at inflating a balloon. What is even better about this experiment is that the science experiment is inexpensive and classroom-friendly. Little ones will have a blast testing all sorts of reactions beyond the three we tested in our example.

Getting the Self-Inflating Balloon Science Experiment Ready

Setting this experiment up is super easy, and it takes very little advanced prep. You will need:

• Balloons (1 for each reaction)
• Plastic bottles (1 for each reaction)
• Plastic bottles

All you have to do in advance is collect the materials and write the type of reaction on each balloon with a permanent marker.

Doing the Self-Inflating Balloon Science Experiment

Heat some water on the stove or in a microwave . If you don’t have access to something to heat water in the classroom, you can always switch out the hot water for yeast and sugar.

Fill one bottle with 5 tablespoons of hot water . Add the “water” balloon to the top.

Fill another bottle with 5 tablespoons of hot water. Drop in an alka-seltzer tablet and cover with the “alka-seltzer” balloon.

Add 5 tablespoons of vinegar to the third bottle. Drop in two tablespoons of baking soda and quickly add the “baking soda” balloon.

Stand back and watch.

In our experiment, the water balloon didn’t inflate much at all. The hot air was not pressurized enough to inflate the balloon. The alka-seltzer tablet filled the balloon a little, but the baking soda and vinegar balloon had the best reaction. We thought the balloon was going to pop off the bottle!

The Science Behind the Self-Inflating Balloon Experiment

Alka-seltzer tablets and baking soda and vinegar both produce the same CO2 reaction. When an acid is mixed with a base, the two mixtures react through an endothermic reaction (a reaction that makes the mixture feel colder), creating CO2 gas which bubbles up through the liquid and out into the air, which inflates the balloon. The heat rising from the hot water was not strong enough to inflate our balloon. However, hotter water or perhaps more water in the bottle might have done the trick.

More Science Activities and Ideas

Walking Water Science for Kids

Science Notebook

Plants Unit

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April 24, 2022 at 2:24 pm

Real clean internet site, thanks for this post.

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How Do Lungs Work? Make A Model Lung

August 12, 2018 By Emma Vanstone 36 Comments

The lungs are an essential organ for all mammals. Lungs have several features which make them perfect for exchanging gases.

• a very large surface area, thanks to a network of small tubes and tiny air sacs called alveoli.
• they are moist
• and have a good blood supply

Today we’re going to find out how lungs work by making a lung model .

The lungs are part of our breathing system, which has two functions:

• ventilation  – the movement of air into and out of the lungs
• gas exchange  – gases are exchanged between tiny sacs called alveoli and the blood.

Under the lungs is the  diaphragm, a muscular sheet separating the lungs from the abdomen. The diaphragm moves up and down to increase the space in the chest like the balloon at the bottom of the model.

To make a model lung you’ll need

• A plastic bottle
• An elastic band
• Two balloons

The bottle acts like the chest cavity, the balloon at the bottom is like the diaphragm and the balloon in the centre is like a lung.

Instructions for making a model lung

• Carefully cut the bottle roughly in half. Ask an adult to help. Discard the bottom half.

2. Tie a knot in one end of one balloon and cut off the opposite end.

3. Stretch the balloon around the bottom of your plastic bottle.

4. Place a straw in the neck of the other balloon and secure it tightly with the elastic band but not so much that you crush the straw. The air must flow through, so test it with a little blow through the straw to see if the balloon inflates.

5. Put the straw and the balloon into the neck of the bottle and secure them with the play dough to make a seal around the bottle – make sure that again, you don’t crush the straw, but air can flow through.

Hold the bottle and pull the knot of the balloon at the bottom. What happens?

You should find that the balloon inside the bottle inflates, and as you let go the balloon deflates.

Why does this happen?

As the knotted balloon is pulled it creates more space inside the bottle. Air then comes down the straw and fills the balloon with air to fill the space! This is like breathing in.

When you let go of the knot the space no longer exists, so the air from the balloon is expelled making it deflate.

Inside the lungs is a network of tubes which allow air to pass through. Air is warmed, moistened and filtered as it travels through the mouth and nasal passages. It then passes through a network of tubes, eventually reaching tiny sacs called alveoli which is where gas exchange occurs.

How do lungs work?

This lung model demonstrates how the lungs work. Air is taken in through the mouth and nose, passes down the windpipe and into the lungs. The diaphragm at the bottom of our chest moves down to create more space. As we breathe out the diaphragm raises again. The knotted balloon represents the diaphragm and the balloon inside the container represents a lung. That’s how lungs work!!

More ideas for learning about the lungs

Create a labelled diagram of the gas exchange system.

Use balloons to make a very simple model of the lungs.

More human body science ideas

Create and build a DNA model from candy

Try this super simple heart rate investigation .

Make your own stethoscope with a cardboard tube, tape and a funnel.

If you liked this post, we’d love you to follow us on Facebook where we post fun science ideas daily!

If you enjoyed this activity do check out my other easy science investigations for kids of all ages.

Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

April 13, 2012 at 11:39 am

Very cool – even if it does make me feel a bit queasy!

December 09, 2013 at 5:41 pm

I know how you feel.They could have chose a less effective colour.

January 17, 2014 at 8:57 pm

April 15, 2012 at 1:26 am

I have made this with my oldest son! It’s really neat; I plan to do it with all my kids when we study anatomy!

April 15, 2012 at 1:39 pm

I’m so glad you liked it!

April 16, 2012 at 10:10 pm

Very cool. Now to remember this when Bunny is a little older! My “No Time for Flashcards” post is a look at our week of playschool– http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/

April 17, 2012 at 7:05 pm

What a great demonstration!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!! I hope you are having an amazing week!

April 18, 2012 at 9:59 am

That is seriously impressive. My get my husband to make one with our 8 yr old.

April 19, 2012 at 11:16 am

This is excellent, thank you. My son and I have just started exploring science at home and this site is wonderful. I’m so glad you link up to Sharing Saturday, thank you.

April 19, 2012 at 1:51 pm

Great way to teach science! Thanks for linking up to Kids Co-op.

April 20, 2012 at 1:28 pm

So Cool! This is the first time I’ve understood how a lung works. Thank you for giving me my weekly science lesson 🙂 Nominated you for a MAD award, btw. Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty! ~Alissa and Maggy

April 21, 2012 at 1:11 am

I am new to your site and really like it! I pinned the how to make a lung idea to my learning ideas board – what a great idea…can be used in so many ways! Thank you!

April 22, 2012 at 9:48 pm

Thank you for pinning. xx

April 21, 2012 at 2:13 am

I just wanted to stop by to tell you that this is so awesome it is being featured this week on the The Sunday Showcase Have a wonderful week-

Aimee & Bern

Thank you so much. xx

July 23, 2012 at 3:24 am

This is a great idea! And it would work well to show the effects of smoking too. Use a wide straw (like one from McDonald’s) to fill the lung, then feel the difference in how fast or easily the lung fills using a narrow straw (like a tiny one for stirring coffee). I will for sure be doing this demo with kids! Thanks!

July 23, 2012 at 6:48 am

Fab. I’m glad you liked it.

January 13, 2023 at 2:24 pm

Thanks for sharing this video. This really helped in my school science fair. Thank you so much.

January 28, 2013 at 11:58 pm

You have to use a very sturdy water bottle for this project. My son and I went through many balloons trying to make it fit over a standard water bottle…..we ended up using a Snapple drink bottle because the plastic is stronger.

October 21, 2013 at 2:30 am

This looks great! We’ll be trying it this year when we learn about the respiratory system in our homeschool! Thanks for sharing!

December 09, 2013 at 5:44 pm

I’m making this for a science project and I hope that I do it right!How clever!It must have taken a while to think of that.GREAT IDEA!

January 24, 2014 at 8:45 am

It is so nise but we have two lungs.but you have shown only one.

March 24, 2014 at 11:40 pm

Great demonstration, I just wanted to correct the following statement:

“This demonstrates how our lungs work. Air is taken in through the mouth and nose, passes down the windpipe and into our lungs. The diaphragm at the bottom of our chest moves down dot create more space.”

The diaphragm is the muscle that makes breathing happen. As it contracts and spreads flat in the abdomen, it creates a vacuum that draws air into the body. This model demonstrates how a vacuum works.

August 29, 2014 at 2:02 pm

This is so great. I teach flute and was looking for some kind of demo – this is perfect – if I can get mine to work as well as yours does 🙂

March 12, 2015 at 3:48 pm

Awesome experiment! Did it with my school and didn’t understand the science bit…l thank you!!

March 12, 2015 at 3:50 pm

Suggestions: Instead of using a balloon as the lung, you can cut off the fingers of a doctors glove and Sellotape it to a y tube. It’s much more accurate

April 26, 2015 at 12:15 pm

It can be difficult to find plastic bottles that hold up to having a balloon stretched across the bottom. They all seem too thin. Can anyone suggest brands?

April 29, 2015 at 10:28 am

I’ve redone this recently and used a diet coke bottle, but I did reinforce it with some masking tape.

July 19, 2019 at 9:20 pm

Use a strong plastic clear cup with a lip at the bottom. The balloon fits nicely over it.

June 07, 2015 at 2:09 am

it is very easy to understand how they have discribe their eperiment i thank science aparks for this

May 13, 2016 at 8:19 pm

November 23, 2016 at 5:36 pm

This s a great experiment, we did it with 10 year olds and really got them thinking – easy and clear – thanks for the clear instructions 🙂 Just in case you want to know – few spelilng errors noticed – of not off and ballon and bow not blow.. x

November 25, 2018 at 8:22 pm

This looks like an absolutely perfect model for some school activities. I’ll definitely use it with my kids.

November 28, 2018 at 6:09 pm

Must have a strong 2 liter bottle. Many are too bendable

January 28, 2019 at 1:24 pm

This project is so cool I’m doing one for my project

October 23, 2019 at 1:33 pm

Wow! Thank you for sharing such a great activity! I’ll share it on my facebook page.

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