colorful chemistry
Earth Day Science Experiment
STEM activity for kids
Looking for a fun and engaging Earth Day science experiment that combines hands-on learning with an exciting chemical reaction?
This simple baking soda and vinegar experiment is the perfect way to introduce kids to STEM concepts while celebrating our planet this Earth Day!
Using just a few household ingredients, children can create a fizzy, bubbling Earth-inspired reaction that mimics the look of our blue and green globe.
Not only does this experiment provide a fascinating acid-base reaction, but it also encourages creativity and problem-solving as kids try to mix the colors in a way that represents the Earth.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or homeschooler, this interactive science activity is a great way to spark curiosity and conversation about chemistry, colors, and our environment.
Ready to get started? Let’s dive into this Earth Day baking soda experiment and watch science come to life!
materials needed
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teaches
Chemical reaction (mixing base with and acid)
New vocabulary words
Scientific method
Cause and effect
directions
How to do this
Earth Day Science Experiment
Before you jump into the experiment, take a minute to talk with your kids about what makes up our planet.
Explain that about 71% of Earth is covered in ocean water, while only 29% is land. This is a great way to connect the science behind the activity to a real-world Earth Day conversation.
As they drop in the blue and green colors, they can try to recreate what Earth really looks like from space!
What colors do you see when you look at a picture of Earth from space?
Why do you think there is more water than land on our planet?
What do you think will happen when we mix the vinegar (or lemon juice) with the baking soda?
How can you use the blue and green colors to make your Earth design?
Set out two clear cups or jars
Fill each jar 3/4 full with lemon juice
Add blue food coloring to one jar
Add green food coloring to the other jar
Fill a round tray with baking soda
Begin by adding the green colored lemon juice to the baking soda
Watch the reaction
Continue adding green food coloring to the baking soda to represent land
Now add the blue food colored lemon juice to the baking soda to represent Ocean water
Watch the reaction
Continue adding lemon juice until the tray is fully covered
Discuss the science before you begin and again after you’re done (see the simple science explanation below)
Keep the Learning Going...
This Earth Day science experiment is such a fun way to explore STEM concepts but the learning doesn’t have to stop there!
To round out the experience, bring in a literacy-rich companion: my Earth Day Writing Craft Activity Bundle. While this experiment gets kids thinking like scientists, these hands-on writing activities encourage them to think like storytellers, and environmental advocates!
These Earth Day writing crafts are print-and-go, no-fuss, and differentiated—so you can squeeze in some extra Earth Day fun without the overwhelm. Less stress for you, more purposeful learning for them!
This isn’t just another activity-it’s a chance for your students/kids to express what Earth Day means to them.
- Earth Day Craft
- Earth Day Mini-booklet
- Earth Day Writing Craft Pages
These crafts will keep your kiddos focused and engaged-even when spring fever is in full swing. It’s hands-on learning that feels like play (but with way more impact).
What's the Science Behind this Earth Day Experiment?
This Earth Day science experiment isn’t just a fun way to celebrate our planet-it’s also a great way to explore chemical reactions, carbon dioxide gas, and Earth’s composition! But what’s really happening when you drop the colored vinegar or lemon juice onto the baking soda and watch it fizz?
The bubbling, foaming reaction happens because of a chemical reaction between baking soda (a base) and vinegar or lemon juice (an acid).
When these two mix, they create carbon dioxide gas, which is what makes the bubbles appear. This is the same gas that makes soda fizzy!
The reaction between the acid and base produces gas so quickly that it gets trapped in the liquid, forming bubbles. Since carbon dioxide is lighter than liquid, the bubbles rise to the surface, creating a fun, foamy eruption!
Did you know that Earth is 71% water and only 29% land? That means most of our planet is covered in oceans, lakes, and rivers!
As kids drop the blue and green vinegar or lemon juice onto the baking soda, they can experiment with creating a globe-like pattern, just like Earth’s water and land areas.
Chemistry
Chemical reaction
Base
Acid
Carbon dioxide
Gas
