How To Make Fizzy Ice Cubes
Get ready for fizzy fun with these colorful, taste-safe fizzy ice cubes! A twist on the classic baking soda and vinegar science experiment.
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Looking for a super fun way to keep the kids entertained and sneak in a little sensory play and science? Fizzy ice cubes are the answer!
This experiment is a twist on the classic baking soda and vinegar reaction, but with a kid-friendly upgrade: frozen cubes that fizz for longer and make for a hands-on sensory experience.
Even better? They’re taste-safe, so it’s perfect for younger kids who might be tempted to give things a taste test!
What Are Fizzy Ice Cubes?
Think of them as little magic science blocks! They’re simple to make with baking soda, water, gelatin (optional) and food coloring—just freeze them in an ice cube tray and let the science begin.
When you add vinegar, the frozen baking soda starts fizzing, creating an eruption of bubbles and color. The longer-lasting effect of frozen baking soda and gelatin keeps the fun going far beyond the quick pop of a regular baking soda volcano.
Why Kids Love It
There’s something mesmerizing about watching these colorful cubes bubble and fizz! You can bring out droppers, measuring spoons, cups, or any tiny tools for kids to experiment with. Kids get to test, try different tools, and observe the rainbow of fizzing fun up close!
My little ones loved seeing the colors and bubbles, while my older kiddo enjoyed seeing how smashing the cubes affected the fizzy reaction. It’s play-based learning at its finest!
How To Make Fizzy Ice Cubes
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon clear gelatin powder (optional but recommended)
- Food coloring (optional, but the colors make it more fun)
- Vinegar
- Ice cube tray
- Droppers, measuring spoons, or any tiny tools for fine motor fun!
- Sensory Bin or baking dish
Instructions
1. Mix Your Ingredients
Start by combining the 1 cup baking soda and 1 teaspoon gelatin powder in a bowl. The gelatin adds a slight texture to the cubes, making them a little firmer and longer-lasting once frozen.
2. Add Some Color
In a separate small bowl, add a few drops of food coloring to the 1/4 cup water. Don’t be shy with the food coloring. The more you add, the more vibrant the reation will be.
3. Combine and Pour
Slowly pour the colored water into the baking soda and gelatin mix. Stir it up until everything’s evenly combined and there are no clumps. The mixture will have a very thick consistency.
4. Freeze
Use a spoon to add the mixture into an ice cube tray, filling each section. Pop the tray into the freezer and let it freeze overnight.
5. Fizzy Fun Time
Once the cubes are frozen solid, pop them out and set them up on a sensory bin or baking dish. Hand the kids a dropper, measuring spoons, or small cups with vinegar, and watch the magic happen as they pour vinegar over the cubes!
Tips for Extra Fizzy Ice Cubes Fun
Give your kids different tools—try droppers, measuring spoons, cups or even turkey basters for them to play with the reaction. This helps practice fine motor skills, and they’ll have a blast finding out which tools create the biggest fizz!
Add quite a bit of food coloring. The more you add, the more vibrant the reation will be. I added 4-6 drops per batch (1/4 cup). Next time I will double the amount and see if the rainbow is more colorful.
Why Fizzy Ice Cubes Make Amazing Sensory Play
Fizzy ice cubes aren’t just a science experiment—they’re a full-on sensory experience! Sensory play is all about engaging kids’ senses, and these fizzy cubes deliver in a big way.
As they watch the vibrant colors, feel the coldness of the ice, and hear the fizzing bubbles, all their senses are activated. Plus, using droppers, measuring spoons, or small cups to pour vinegar onto the cubes helps kids practice their fine motor skills.
The Science Behind the Fizz
So, why does it fizz? It’s all thanks to a chemical reaction between the baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid), which produces carbon dioxide gas (hello, bubbles!).
Plus, as the cubes melt, you can talk about changes of state—from solid to liquid—making this a perfect introduction to science concepts like reactions, gases, and the physical changes that occur when things freeze or melt.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s a rainy day, a quick activity before dinner, or you just need something to keep them occupied, fizzy ice cubes are a lifesaver. It’s easy, mess-free (just keep it contained in a sensory bin!), and science-based, making it a winner for parents and kids alike.
Give it a try and let the fizzing begin!
