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The exploding lunch bag.

science experiment exploding bags

You will need

  • One small (sandwich size) zip-lock bag – freezer bags work best.
  • Baking soda
  • Measuring cup

What to do:

  • Go outside – or at least do this in the kitchen sink.
  • Put 1/4 cup of pretty warm water into the bag.
  • Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the water in the bag.
  • Put 3 teaspoons of baking soda into the middle of the tissue
  • Wrap the the baking soda up in the tissue by folding the tissue around it.
  • You will have to work fast now – partially zip the bag closed but leave enough space to add the baking soda packet. Put the tissue with the baking soda into the bag and quickly zip the bag completely closed.
  • Put the bag in the sink or down on the ground (outside) and step back. The bag will start to expand, and expand, and if all goes well…POP!

How’s it work?

Cool huh? Nothing like a little chemistry to to add fun to a boring afternoon. What happens inside the bag is actually pretty interesting – the baking soda and the vinegar eventually mix (the tissue buys you some time to zip the bag shut) When they do mix, you create an ACID-BASE reaction and the two chemicals work together to create a gas, (carbon dioxide – the stuff we breathe out) well it turns out gasses need a lot of room and the carbon dioxide starts to fill the bag, and keeps filling the bag until the bag can no longer hold it any more and, POP! Be sure to clean up well and recycle those plastic bags…have fun!

MAKE IT AN EXPERIMENT

The project above is a DEMONSTRATION. To make it a true experiment, you can try to answer these questions:

  • Will different temperature water affect how fast the bag inflates?
  • What amount of baking soda creates the best reaction?
  • Which size bag creates the fastest pop?

P.S. If you like this experiment, try the Film Canister Rocket .

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Exploding Bags

Exploding bags for science, yep kids love this easy experiment! Our exploding bag experiment is a MUST try and a classic! Find out how a baking soda and vinegar chemical reaction can explode lunch bags. Kids love things that fizz, pop, bang, explode, and erupt. These bursting bags or popping bags do just that! We have tons of simple science experiments you will love to try!

science experiment exploding bags

How Do You Make A Baking Soda Explosion?

Even the youngest scientist can learn something about the science behind our exploding bags. The chemical reaction between the baking soda and the vinegar creates a gas called carbon dioxide. You can see this in fizzy drinks like our fizzy lemonade.

The carbon dioxide gas then fills up the bag. If there is more gas than the room available in the bag, the bag will burst, pop, or explode. Similar to our baking soda volcano activity. There’s no place for the gas and liquid to go but up and/or out.

The key to really cool exploding bags is getting the right ratio of baking soda to vinegar . This also makes it such a fun science experiment for kids of multiple ages. Older kids can record data, make careful measurements, and re-test. Younger kids will enjoy the playful aspect of it all. 

science experiment exploding bags

Exploding Bag Experiment

💡While you’ve got a bunch of bags out and you’re outside, try the leakproof bag for a different type of chemistry experiment!

  • Baking Soda
  • Small sandwich bags or Gallon Size Bags 
  • Toilet paper
  • Tablespoon Measure and 2/3 Cup Measure
  • Safety Goggle or Sun Glasses (always be safe)!

Bursting bags Science Set Up Vinegar Baking Soda Chemical Reaction Activity

Experiment Set Up:

TIP: To get started with your exploding bags science project, you want to create a toilet paper pouch for the baking soda. This slows down the chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda. It’s all about the anticipation!

STEP 1. Place a heaped tablespoon of baking soda in the middle of one square of toilet paper.

TIP: You can also set up a control bag ( control variable ) with just the baking soda so that kids can draw conclusions by observing and comparing the two bags.

Bursting Bags Science Baking Soda Pouches made with toilet paper

STEP 2. Bring the corners of the toilet paper together and wind up the top to create a simple pouch.

STEP 3. Add 2/3 cup of vinegar to your plastic bag.

STEP 4. Seal the bag so there is just enough room to slip in the pouch.

STEP 5. Give the bag a little shake and toss on the ground.

Watch and see what happens with your exploding bag. Will it pop, burp, explode?

Our Results

We attempted to follow the instructions from Steve Spangler, but we were not having any luck. We decided to experiment with our exploding lunch bags on our own. What did we need to change?

Experimenting is what science activities are all about!

I am glad we did not have immediate success. The problems our exploding bags had gave my son opportunities to think of solutions. He needed to use his critical thinking skills to brainstorm new ideas.

I love that he wanted to keep trying more of these almost bursting bags. He was excited to see if the next bag would work better or differently. 

With a little assistance from a pool noodle below, he was able to make one of the bags burst!

Bursting Bag Wouldn't burst

We did finally have success with our bags. The one below grew and grew until it popped the bottom seam! I wonder what would happen if we added food coloring to the activity.

CHECK OUT: Outdoor Science Experiments

Bursting bags Chemical Reaction Pressure Build Up Pops Bag CO2

Using The Scientific Method With 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?!? It means 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, including bursting bags!

Here are three hypotheses kids can use with this experiment to get started: Note that a classic hypothesis is often written as an if-then statement.

Hypothesis #1 : If we combine baking soda and vinegar in a sealed bag, then the bag will inflate with gas because the chemical reaction between the two ingredients produces carbon dioxide gas.

Hypothesis #2: If we vary the amount of baking soda used in each bag while keeping the amount of vinegar constant, then the bags with more baking soda will inflate more because more gas will be produced in the reaction.

Hypothesis #3: If we use different types of acids (e.g., lemon juice, orange juice) instead of vinegar with baking soda in separate bags, then the bags with stronger acids will inflate more because the reaction will release more gas.

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

READ MORE:   The Scientific Method For Kids With Examples

Note:  The use of the   best Science and Engineering Practices   is also relevant to the topic of using the scientific method. Read more and see if it fits your science planning needs.

More Helpful Science Resources

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

  • Best Science Practices (as it relates to the scientific method)
  • Variables In Science
  • Observation In Science
  • Science Vocabulary
  • 8 Science Books for Kids
  • All About Scientists
  • DIY Science Kits
  • Science Tools for Kids
  • Science Fair Projects for Kids

More Fun Science Experiments To Try

  • Erupting Mentos and Coke Reaction
  • Elephant Toothpaste
  • Egg In Vinegar
  • Skittles Experiment
  • Growing Borax Crystals
  • Saltwater Density Experiment

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.

science experiment exploding bags

One Comment

Thanks for your posts! Just fyi you say to put a heaping tablespoon of vinegar on the toilet paper 😉

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science experiment exploding bags

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science experiment exploding bags

Science Fun

Science Fun

Explode-A-Bag

explode a bag

Prepare for 6 Groups

  • Pans or Bowls
  • Baking Soda Pouches (1 rounded tbsp baking soda, in a piece of single ply toilet paper)
  • 1 quart vinegar (1/4 cup or 75mL per group)
  • 1/3 cup measuring cups or 25mL graduated cylinders
  • Ziploc sandwich bags

Instructions:

  • To make baking soda pouch (prep ahead or have one teammate do this – Teammate #5, depending on age group): Measure 1 rounded tablespoon of baking soda into a square of single ply toilet paper. Fold horizontally and secure with a small piece of tape, then fold vertically and wrap it all the way around with a large piece of tape, ensuring it will stay closed. Make 1 per group.
  • 1 sandwich bag
  • 1/3 cup measuring cup or 25mL graduated cylinder
  • 1 baking soda pouch
  • Teammate #1 is bag security guard. This person is in charge on holding the sandwich bag and opening and closing it when needed. (Demonstrate how to open bag only half way and close by sliding fingers across to ensure it is completely sealed)
  • Teammate #2 measures 1/3 cup or 75mL vinegar. #1 should open bag, #2 pour in vinegar, then #1 practice closing bag so it cannot spill
  • Open bag slightly, allow empty portion to hang over edge of pan and add baking soda pouch so that it does not touch vinegar
  • #1 zip bag shut without mixing chemical yet
  • Teammate #4 lift bag, allowing chemicals to mix. Shake 3 times, place in pan/bowl and observe what happens!

VIDEO COMING SOON BUT YOU CAN STILL ENJOY THESE AWESOME EXPERIMENTS!

How It Works:

When the baking soda and vinegar mix, it results in a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide (CO2) along with water (H2O) and sodium acetate. If the bag is properly sealed, the carbon dioxide is trapped and fills the bag until it cannot hold any more, at which point it pops!

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science experiment exploding bags

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The Exploding Sandwich Bag Experiment

Don't Click Here!

Next time you're getting ready to make your lunch, you can dive into a super-fun science experiment! 

This one involves an explosion (only a little one!) and is a great way to learn about chemical reactions too!

Dragons Den Approved!

What Do I Need?

  • White vinegar
  • Bicarbonate of soda or baking soda
  • Tissue paper
  • A sandwich bag

The Exploding Sandwich Bag - What Do I Need?

How Do I Do It?

STEP1   - Wrap a couple of teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda up inside a tissue, as shown. (This is just to make it easier to get your sandwich bag closed before your chemical reaction gets started!)

WARNING:   Make sure to do this experiment outside! (or somewhere that you don't mind making a mess!)

STEP2   - Pour some white vinegar into your sandwich bag till there's around a 3cm layer in the bottom of the bag.

STEP3   - Pop your bicarbonate of soda package inside your bag and hold it above the vinegar while you seal it up!

STEP4   - Drop you bicarb down into the vinegar and stand back! Your sandwich bag is getting set to explode! You'll see your bag slowly start to swell up as the pressure builds and then finally...pop!

The Exploding Sandwich Bag - How Do I Do It?

What’s Going On?

This is all to do with the pressure being caused by the chemical reaction! 

As the bicarbonate of soda and the vinegar mix together they react and carbon dioxide is given off. 

The bag fills with more and more carbon dioxide and soon the pressure will be too much for the bag to take and BOOM! 

You'll get a beautiful little explosion, perfect!

The Exploding Sandwich Bag - What’s Going On?

More Fun Please! - Experiment Like A Real Scientist!

  • How can you make the bag explode more quickly?
  • What happens if you add more vinegar or more bicarbonate of soda?
  • What combination produces the biggest explosion?!

The Exploding Sandwich Bag - Experiment Like A Real Scientist!

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It's packed full of awesome experiments you can do at home with "stuff" you've already got. 

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Burping Bags (an Exploding Science Experiment!)

science experiment exploding bags

  • 1/3 cup vinegar
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • quart sized sandwich baggies
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda
  • 1-ply paper towels
  • food coloring
  • glitter, cake sprinkles, etc.

science experiment exploding bags

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Written by Brenda • Mar 30, 2022 • Leave a Comment

Exploding Ziploc Bag Science Experiment for Kids

fun science experiment for kids

Need a fun science experiment for kids that is perfect for summer and outdoor science? Then check out this exploding Ziploc bag experiment for kids! They’re going to be amazed at how simple and fun science can really be!

We love to do this simple experiment because it’s just a really fun learning process to see. The kids love this fun science experiment because they actually get to create something that explodes!

(Make certain to always be safe with this fun science experiment for kids. Parent supervision is needed and talk to your children about staying back to watch it as well.)

exploding bag - fun science experiment for kids

Exploding Ziploc Bag Experiment – Fun Science Experiment for Kids

This exploding Ziploc baggie science experiment is an experiment in chemical reactions, and will have your kids begging to do the experiment over and over again!

The good news? It’s so simple and easy to do that you’ll have no problem saying yes. Plus, they’re learning as well which is awesome.

Rainbow Colors

Science experiments are a favorite in our house, hence why Fun With Mama has a YouTube channel filled with science experiment ideas for kids.

Check out the Fun With Mama’s Kids YouTube Channel here .

The science of the exploding Ziploc bag experiment:

If you’re wondering how this fun science experiment for kids works, follow along below to see the steps. We also really enjoyed this  Air Pressure Balloon Science Experiment  as well. And if you’re looking for more summer ideas for the kids, make certain to check out these 50 Summer Activities for Kids , too!

How to do this fun science experiment for kids:

Baking soda is a base and vinegar is an acid. When these two materials mix, they create a chemical reaction that gives off CO2 gas. This gas builds up inside the sealed bag, eventually becoming too great for the plastic baggie seal, which explodes open into the sky, releasing the gas.

supplies needed for this fun science experiment

What you will need for this fun science experiment for kids:

  • Plastic baggies (we found that the store brand bags work best because they don’t hold their seal quite as tightly!)
  • Baking soda
  • Food coloring (optional- if you do this, make sure the kids stay away from the bag while it is expanding or they might get stained clothing that won’t wash out- if you want to avoid any mess, just skip this step)
  • Coffee filter

How to do the exploding Ziploc baggie science experiment:

fun science experiment for kids

Pour ½ of a cup of vinegar into your plastic bag (we used quart size, if you use a larger bag, you may need more vinegar before the bag will explode). Add a few drops of food coloring if desired. As mentioned above, if you don’t want to risk stained fingers or clothes, just leave the vinegar clear.

Place a tablespoon of baking soda into the coffee filter. Wrap up the baking soda into a little package so the baking soda powder can’t escape from any corners.

Take the bag and baking soda packet outside.

creating this science project for kids

Hold the baking soda packet in one hand and place it inside the bag. Don’t let the baking soda packet touch the liquid.

Seal the bag.

Drop the bag onto the ground and get back about 20 feet.

summer fun science experiment for kids

Watch as the bag inflates. In some cases, it can take some time to build up pressure enough to explode. Other bags explode within seconds.

If your bag hasn’t exploded after 2 minutes, you may not have put in enough baking soda and vinegar. Try again, adding more baking soda and vinegar.

exploding ziplock bag science experiment

The bag will explode with a loud pop once the pressure is high enough.

fun and simple science project for kids

The baking soda mixture will shoot into the sky and back down again (which is why you want to stand back!). This fun science experiment for kids will have the kids laughing, loving science, and ready for more!

fun science activity for kids

I hope you enjoyed the exploding Ziploc baggie experiment for kids. It’s also a good time to talk to them about recycling and picking up trash or debris from the experiment, too.

This fun science experiment for kids is great for a learning lesson during the summer months that don’t actually feel like one. Homeschoolers can also use this as a great science outdoor activity, too! Don’t let summer slide happen if you can stop it and doing fun science experiments as this one can help.

If you like this fun science experiment for kids, here are some other great ideas and activities as well:

  • Earth Day Bingo
  • Rain Cloud In A Jar Science Experiment
  • Fruit DNA Extraction Lab Science Experiment
  • Exploring Ocean Layers Science Activity for Kids
  • Mega Bingo Bundle

science experiment exploding bags

Brenda MacArthur is a STEM curriculum writer, STEM author, and STEM accessibility advocate. She founded the site STEAMsational.com in 2012 which offers hands-on STEM activities for kids and STEM lesson plans for teachers.

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Posted on Last updated: June 13, 2022 By: Author Kim

Categories STEM Activities

Exploding Bag Experiment for Kids

Exploding bag experiment for kids.

Ages: Preschool , PreK , Kindergarten Difficulty: Easy Learning: Cause and Effect, Chemical Reactions, STEM

Let’s just cut to the chase. Explosions (safe, no one getting hurt, and nothing getting destroyed) are cool. Even cooler is seeing two items that, on their own, are very safe (and edible!) come together to create an explosion.

So yes, we are going to make an explosion with kids. Don’t worry, it is safer than it sounds. But it is so much fun.

Grab a baggie, we’re doing the exploding bag experiment.

Text: Exploding Bag Experiment Science Activity for Kids Picture: sealable baggie puffed up ready to explode from science experiment

What's In This Post?

Supplies for the Exploding Bag Science Experiment

The science of the exploding bag experiment, the baking soda and vinegar reaction, limiting reagents, additional experiments and activities.

  • Exploding Baggie Science Experiments

This is another one of those experiments that are so easy to do, but really draws kids in. And, despite being an explosion of sorts, is safe and is made from materials you already have in your home.

(And if you like this experiment, make sure you check out the Leak-Proof Bag Experiment . Same type of baggie, just add pencils!)

Head to your kitchen, you should find almost everything you need for this science challenge. Here is what to grab.

  • Plastic Re-sealable Baggies (like a sandwich baggie)
  • Baking Soda
  • Tissue or Toilet Paper

How To Make an Exploding Bag

This experiment is pretty simple, and it actually doesn’t make too much of a mess.

Step 1: Take 1/2 cup of vinegar and put it in your re-sealable baggie. Seal up the bag.

Step 2: Take a square of toilet paper or a tissue. If it is more than one-ply, carefully separate the layers and use only one. You will need to work with it carefully, but the thinner the better. Put 3 teaspoons of baking soda in the middle of the tissue, then wrap it up like a little bundle.

Step 3: Unseal one side of the bag. Quickly drop in your bundle and seal the bag. Then place it down. It will start to puff up and eventually pop open!

This is a great experiment to do outside. It is unlikely that your explosion will cause a big mess, but the liquid can leak out once it explodes.

If you don’t want to do this outside, you can use a large bowl or plastic container. You can also do this in your sink or bathtub as another option.

If you want to add some extra science fun, put a few drops of food coloring in with the vinegar step for a colorful exploding sandwich bag.

This, despite being called an explosion, is actually a reasonably safe activity. Avoid getting any of the materials in your eyes. And, despite being food-safe ingredients, I don’t recommend ingesting anything involved with this experiment.

It is a good idea to have your child stand back the first few times until you get a feel for how big your explosion will be. Safety glasses or other eye protection is recommended.

This is pretty simple to clean up. If your bag has burst open at the seal, you can rinse it out and use it again. If it breaks the integrity of the bag you can simply throw the whole thing away.

Any leftover supplies (baking soda or vinegar) can be rinsed down the drain.

You have got to try these fun activities too!

Text: Leak Proof Bag Science for Kids; Picture: resealable baggie of water with pencils pushed through the bag so the water doesn't leak

How Does the Bag Explode?

This is a fun activity, but what makes it a STEM activity is if we dive into the explanation of what is happening.

This experiment uses one of my favorite kitchen chemical reactions. It is tried and true and a total classic. Yep, it’s the vinegar and baking soda reaction.

Some might think this reaction is overdone, but I strongly disagree. It is amazing for the toddler, preschool, prek, and kindergarten ages too. Why? It’s simple, safe, and uses easily accessible materials. In addition to that, it works consistently and produces obvious results. These all make this worthwhile.

Text: Exploding Bag Experiment Simple STEM for Kids! Top Picture: baggie with tissue of baking soda and black measuring cup. Bottom Picture: ziplock baggie puffed up and exploding from simple chemical reaction

The short answer for why the bag explodes is that a chemical reaction takes place that creates a gas. This gas fills the bag until the bag explodes.

We can explain a bit more than that though.

We started our experiment with vinegar in our bag. Then we added the baking soda wrapped up in a tissue. The tissue is very thin, so it quickly gets soaked through with the vinegar, enabling the vinegar to come in contact with the baking soda.

When vinegar and baking soda mix there is a chemical reaction. The result of this is carbon dioxide, water, and other dissolved ions.

The carbon dioxide fills the bag until it can’t hold anymore and it pops open! A science explosion!

vinegar and baking soda chemical reaction

This experiment is a great way to introduce the concept of limiting reagents with your children.

What is a limiting reagent? Well, first we need to know that reagents are the chemicals we are mixing. In this case, our reagents are baking soda and vinegar.

These reagents react to make products (the carbon dioxide and water), but the reaction can’t continue forever. Eventually, we will run out of one of the reagents. The reagent you run out of first is the limiting reagent .

You can liken it to baking. When you are baking a cake you need a certain amount of sugar, flour, baking powder, etc. But you can’t bake an infinite amount of cakes. Once you run out of flour, you are done baking cakes. That is a limiting reagent.

What Is the Limiting Reagent?

So what is the limiting reagent in this reaction? Well, that is up to you!

Encourage your child to see what happens if they add more vinegar to the reaction. Then try with more baking soda. Does it impact the reaction time at all?

Here is a keyword to note from this experiment.

Limiting Reagent: The limiting reagent in a chemical reaction is the reactant that is totally consumed in the reaction.

This is a fun science activity to try over and over. And we can change it up to explore even more. Here are some additional experiments to try.

  • What happens if you add more vinegar and baking soda to the bag? Does it explode faster? Bigger?
  • What if you add more of just one ingredient? Try it then switch to more of the other ingredient and see if the results change at all.
  • Try using a double layer of tissue. Again, how do the results change from this adjustment?
  • What happens if you leave the bag open a little? Does it still explode like when it is closed?
  • Try pouring the baking soda directly into the bag. Does the rate of the reaction change at all?
  • What happens if you add warm water or cool water to the baggie too?

These are just a few suggestions. Let your child explore and be creative!

Text: Exploding Baggie! Science Experiment for Kids  Picture: sealable baggie blown up like a balloon from chemical reaction

Exploding Baggie Science Experiment s

This is a great experiment. It’s exciting, it’s fun, and you are exploding things. Yet it is pretty safe (a huge win for caregivers). There are so many factors you can change up and experiment with. This gives children the chance to really be scientists.

So when are you going to start?

-Kim

Let’s find your next fun activity!!

Links to: STEM activities for kids Text: STEM Picture: raincloud in a jar experiment

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text: Leak Proof Bag Experiment Science Activity for Kids Picture: plastic resealable bag filled with water with 3 pencils jabbed through it, no water leaking

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Coffee Cups and Crayons

Simple play ideas, learning activities, kids crafts and party ideas, plus acts of kindness for kids!

July 31, 2014

Exploding Baggie Science Experiment

It’s fun and easy to do science experiments at home!

This exploding baggie science experiment is a twist on the classic baking soda and vinegar reaction. Kids love it because it ends with an explosion and it simple enough to do again and again.

Exploding Baggie Kids Science Experiment for Kids

Exploding Baggie Experiment:

  • sandwich bag
  • 3 tablespoons baking soda
  • 1/4 cup of water
  • 1/2 cup of vinegar
  • liquid watercolors or food coloring (optional)

How to Do the Exploding Baggie Experiment

Go outside or set the baggie somewhere that can get a little messy. Open the corner of the bag and stick the tissue with the baking soda in it inside. Quickly re-seal the bag and stand back to watch!

Exploding Bag Science Experiment

As the tissue gets wet the baking soda begins to mix with the vinegar and the bag starts to inflate with carbon dioxide.

Exploding Bag Science Experiment for Kids

Until the pressure pops the bag and it “explodes”!

Such an easy and cool way to get kids excited about science experiments at home!

summer science camp blue 8 weeks

Join me and Erica from What Do We Do All Day? each Thursday this summer for a free Summer Science Camp .  We are sharing classic science experiments that your kids will love!

Head over to see what  they made this week !

Don’t let the fun and discovery stop there!

We have TONS of science experiments your kids will love on our  Super Cool Science Experiments for Kids  page! 

The most fun science experiments for kids ever!

Take me to the experiments –>   Super Cool Science Experiments for Kids

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About Megan Sheakoski

Megan is the creator of Coffee Cups and Crayons, a blog full of simple fun and learning. She believes that kids’ activities don’t have to be complicated to be fun and that learning is better with play.

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July 31, 2014 at 8:49 am

Adding food coloring to the bag is a nice touch! I’ve never been brave enough for this one 🙂

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September 15, 2014 at 8:39 am

This is only a suggestion, but it would be nice if you would tell what this experiment shows. Then the parents could actually teach there children. Not just show them.

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September 15, 2014 at 8:21 pm

Hi Debbie! I love the idea of teaching the kids. It’s a chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar. When the tissue gets soaked through the two elements react and carbon dioxide is released causing the “explosion”!

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June 7, 2015 at 11:26 am

Did this with my students last year at the end of the year and did it on the playground. I used different colors in the vinegar or water. talked about it being a chemical reaction. 44 of them went off. Kids loved it. Then we did a physical reaction with diet coke and mentos. I do this at the end of every 5th grade year. They really enjoy it and we do it for the 1st and 2nd graders, as they are the only 3 grades left in the school at that time.

June 7, 2015 at 9:19 pm

That sounds awesome!!!! I bet the kids love it!

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July 9, 2015 at 3:26 pm

Ours did NOT EXPLODE but only make a pinhole in the baggy ! We tried several times!

July 9, 2015 at 8:47 pm

Really??? I’m so intrigued by why. This one has always worked for us. What was the weather like? I wonder if that makes a difference?

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April 10, 2020 at 10:51 am

Ours expanded to big ziploc bags but they didn’t explode or burst 🙁

April 11, 2020 at 9:12 am

Hmmmm…did you use a “freezer” ziploc bag? Those may be too strongly sealed to explode. The other thing I would suggest trying a thinner tissue or even cheap toilet paper if you have some!

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November 2, 2020 at 9:11 am

Ours did not explode. The baggie was a push close and came undone. We will try it again with a zip lock bag. I also used toilet paper instead of a tissue and it was to thick to dissolve quickly. When I did get up the nerve to squish it, it did react but the back came open instead of exploding. We will definitely try this one again with different items.

November 3, 2020 at 1:34 pm

That is a bummer! If you don’t find thinner tissue (I can’t remember what I used this time) then maybe increasing the amount of baking soda and vinegar would work!

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September 18, 2019 at 1:30 am

i’m going to try at home

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April 2, 2020 at 3:02 pm

Ours didn’t work 🙁

April 2, 2020 at 4:16 pm

What happened? Maybe I can help you figure it out!

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August 27, 2020 at 3:58 pm

After our first go around with expansion but no pops, I found that if the “packs” of baking soda weren’t tightly folded, that it worked better. Also, we didn’t include the water the second time. Thanks for the fun!

September 1, 2020 at 12:31 pm

Good to know! Thank you!

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January 21, 2021 at 8:32 pm

Do you have a printable version of these instructions I could access for my sons teacher? He is in charge of a science experiment next week in class that she helps with ☺️

January 25, 2021 at 1:34 pm

There is no printable with this activity. You can print the page if needed though!

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March 31, 2022 at 3:17 pm

We did this experiment as part of our homeschool lesson today. The kleenex tissue was either too thick, or wrapped to tightly (or both)…but we gave the baggie a little kick, and got a nice little explosion when they mixed. 🙂

April 1, 2022 at 7:16 am

HA! Sounds like that may have made it even more fun!

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VIDEO

  1. Science at home! Exploding bag experiment with @MagicalMegs

  2. Science Methods Project

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COMMENTS

  1. The Exploding Lunch Bag

    One small (sandwich size) zip-lock bag - freezer bags work best. Baking soda; Warm water; Vinegar; Measuring cup; A tissue; What to do: Go outside - or at least do this in the kitchen sink. Put 1/4 cup of pretty warm water into the bag. Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the water in the bag. Put 3 teaspoons of baking soda into the middle of the tissue

  2. Exploding Bags

    Exploding bags for science, yep kids love this easy experiment! Our exploding bag experiment is a MUST try and a classic! Find out how a baking soda and vinegar chemical reaction can explode lunch bags. Kids love things that fizz, pop, bang, explode, and erupt. These bursting bags or popping bags do just that! We have tons of simple science ...

  3. Exploding Lunch Bag Science Experiment

    The Science Behind the Exploding Lunch Bag. At the first glance, the exploding lunch bag experiment seems like another baking soda and vinegar experiment. However, this particular experiment is different than the volcano experiments we conducted earlier. Can you guess why? For the volcano experiments, we have the baking soda in the volcano, and ...

  4. Explode-A-Bag

    Materials: Prepare for 6 Groups Pans or Bowls Baking Soda Pouches (1 rounded tbsp baking soda, in a piece of single ply toilet paper) 1 quart vinegar (1/4 cup or 75mL per group) 1/3 cup measuring cups or 25mL graduated cylinders Ziploc sandwich bags Instructions: To make baking soda pouch (prep ahead or have one teammate do this - Teammate #5, depending on age group): Measure 1 rounded ...

  5. Exploding Baggies Science Experiment for Kids

    This exploding bag experiment is so cool and so much fun. Your kids are going to love learning about chemical reactions using these explosive science experiments. While this exploding bag science experiment is great for kids of all ages, it's best for preschoolers and elementary aged kids regardless if they're at home or in the classroom ...

  6. The Exploding Sandwich Bag Experiment

    The Exploding Sandwich Bag Experiment Next time you're getting ready to make your lunch, you can dive into a super-fun science experiment! This one involves an explosion (only a little one!) and is a great way to learn about chemical reactions too!

  7. Burping Bags (an Exploding Science Experiment!)

    Burping bags, or exploding bags, is another fun science experiment with vinegar and baking soda! You can use it as an excellent science activity by itself, an application in color mixing, a sensory experience, or as a writing prompt. This science project is great fun for toddlers, preschoolers, and older children too!

  8. Exploding Ziploc Bag Science Experiment for Kids

    Exploding Ziploc Bag Experiment - Fun Science Experiment for Kids. This exploding Ziploc baggie science experiment is an experiment in chemical reactions, and will have your kids begging to do the experiment over and over again! The good news? It's so simple and easy to do that you'll have no problem saying yes.

  9. Exploding Bag Experiment for Kids

    The Science of the Exploding Bag Experiment. This experiment uses one of my favorite kitchen chemical reactions. It is tried and true and a total classic. Yep, it's the vinegar and baking soda reaction. Some might think this reaction is overdone, but I strongly disagree. It is amazing for the toddler, preschool, prek, and kindergarten ages too.

  10. Exploding Baggie Science Experiment

    It's fun and easy to do science experiments at home! This exploding baggie science experiment is a twist on the classic baking soda and vinegar reaction. Kids love it because it ends with an explosion and it simple enough to do again and again. Exploding Baggie Experiment: sandwich bag; tissue; 3 tablespoons baking soda; 1/4 cup of water; 1/2 ...