The kids have been begging to do more “volcano” type activities since making our Lemon-Cano earlier this week. I decided that today we would get a little artsy with them while incorporating our science fun.
This is a really versatile activity that you can do multiple ways. We did it two different ways, Finn got to use vinegar paint and Everett got to use baking soda paint.
We chose vinegar paint for Finn because it was easier for him to just make a cute watercolor abstract style painting. For Everett we used the baking soda paint and paint brush. I wanted him to work on drawing letters, numbers, and shapes.
Ingredients & Directions
Vinegar Painting
If you’re going to do vinegar paint, you can make it two ways. Your first step will be to take your paper and put it onto a cookie sheet. Cover paper in baking soda. Then:
- Add food coloring to the vinegar or
- Drip a few drops of food coloring on it.
After that, add the vinegar to the baking soda using a spoon/pipette/baster. The baking soda will fizz up and make beautiful colors and cool watercolor designs.
Baking Soda Painting
For baking soda painting follow these steps:
- Get several cups (as many as you want colors of).
- Add 1 cup baking soda to each cup
- Drip a few drops of food coloring in each cup
- Add warm water to the cups and stir well. You want the baking soda to get somewhat dissolved into the water.
- Place your paper on a cookie sheet and grab your paintbrush.
- Paint your picture. (Tip have your child mix up the “paint” each time they put their paintbrush in. The baking soda will slowly accumulate on the bottom of the cup, so having them stir it is important!)
- Take your pipette/spray bottle and cover your painting in vinegar.
- Watch the gorgeous watercolor results.
Science
The science behind this fizzy paint moon craft is the chemical reaction that occurs between the baking soda and the vinegar!
Baking soda is a base, and vinegar is an acid. When the two combine, they make a gas called carbon dioxide. You can hear the fizz, see the bubbles, and even feel the fizz if you hold your hand close to the surface of the paper.
Combine the simple science of this chemical reaction with a cool art project for STEAM. Science + Art = STEAM!
For a more in depth scientific explanation click here.
Which method did you choose? Tell us below!