Need something to keep the kids entertained? This art project is easy to set up and fun to play with. Kids of all ages will enjoy watching the vinegar and baking soda fizz as they use pipettes to create beautiful designs. Using pipettes can even help younger children develop their fine motor skills!
Not only do the essential oils provide aromatherapy benefits, but they also help mask the smell of vinegar that can be off-putting to children. If you have older children, this could be a great time to teach them about why baking soda and vinegar react in this way.
Scented Colorful Fizz
Time: 5 minutes active | Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
- Shot Glasses (Other small containers that can withstand dye or be thrown away will also work.)
- White vinegar
- Food coloring
- Essential oil(s)
- Baking soda
- Glass casserole dish
- Disposable 3 ml Plastic Pipettes
Instructions:
- Pour white vinegar into the shot glasses. We used about 2 1/2 Tbsp. for each shot glass.
- Add food coloring and a drop of essential oil to each shot glass. Be sure to choose essential oils that are safe for children. It’s fun to choose oil scents that go along with each color, and this also makes for a fun sensory experience. For example, mix a drop of lemon essential oil in with the yellow vinegar, a drop of peppermint essential oil in with the green vinegar, a drop of orange essential oil in with the orange vinegar, a drop of lavender essential oil in with the purple vinegar, etc.
- Spread baking soda in a thin layer across the bottom of a casserole dish. You want it to be thick enough that it is solid white all the way across the dish. This will act as the “canvas.”
- To create your art, suck up the colored vinegar with a pipette, and “paint” the baking soda “canvas.” It is fun to create colorful designs, see the baking soda fizz, and smell the essential oils!