Thank you so much for being here! I get so excited when I find a kids’ activity that’s equal parts educational, creative, and just plain fun — and this one? Oh, it’s fizz-tastic. ✨
These Fizzing Ice Cubes take the classic vinegar and baking soda reaction and give it a cool twist — literally. Add a splash of vibrant food coloring, and suddenly your kitchen becomes a mini science lab where color, chemistry, and creativity collide!
Whether you’re teaching a science lesson, entertaining kids on a hot afternoon, or just looking to sneak some learning into playtime, this activity is a total win.
💌 Want more colorful experiments and creative crafts in your inbox? Subscribe below — I promise your inbox will never be boring again!
What Is This Experiment?
Fizzing Ice Cubes are made by freezing a paste of baking soda and water that’s been tinted with food coloring. When vinegar is added, it reacts with the baking soda to produce bubbly fizz — all while slowly melting the colorful cubes.
It’s hands-on science that’s easy, engaging, and perfect for curious minds.
Why You’ll Love This Activity
- 🧪 Easy to make with household ingredients
- 🌈 Visually stunning – perfect for sensory play
- 👶 Safe and fun for all ages
- 🔬 Teaches basic chemistry through interactive learning
- ❄️ Perfect for summer play or rainy-day discovery indoors
What Does It Look and Feel Like?
The cubes start out looking like frozen jewels — bright red, blue, yellow, green — tucked into a tray like a painter’s palette. Then, when vinegar hits the surface? Fizz, bubbles, and swirling colors take over.
Kids light up watching the cubes hiss, pop, and slowly dissolve in a fizzy rainbow bath. It’s got the magic of a potion with the surprise of a science experiment.
Educational Benefits
- Teaches chemical reactions (acid + base = fizz!)
- Builds fine motor skills through scooping, squeezing, and pouring
- Sparks color recognition and mixing exploration
- Encourages hypothesis-making (“What happens if I add more vinegar?”)
- Supports STEM learning in a playful, approachable way
Ingredients & Materials
For the Ice Cubes:
- 🧂 1 cup baking soda
- 💧 1/2 cup water
- 🎨 Food coloring (assorted colors)
- 🧊 Ice cube tray or silicone mold
For the Reaction:
- 🍶 Vinegar
- 🥄 Droppers, pipettes, or spoons
- 🥣 Small bowls or cups (to hold the vinegar)
Optional Tools & Add-Ons
- 🌟 Small toys or objects to freeze inside for discovery play
- 🖌 Glitter for extra sparkle
- 🎶 Background music or thunderstorm sounds for dramatic flair
- 🎥 A phone/camera to film your fizz — because it’s that cool
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Mixture
In a large bowl, mix:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup water
Stir until a thick, slushy paste forms — like scoopable frosting!
2. Divide & Color
Split the paste into smaller bowls (1 per color).
Add several drops of food coloring to each and stir well.
💡 Tip: Primary colors = mixing fun! Try red + blue, yellow + green, etc.
3. Fill the Molds
Spoon the colorful paste into your ice cube tray or silicone mold.
Fill each section about ¾ full — they’ll expand just a bit when freezing.
4. Freeze
Pop the tray into the freezer for at least 2 hours or until fully solid.
5. Prep the Reaction Station
Once frozen, gently remove the cubes and place them in a shallow dish or tray with sides.
Pour vinegar into small bowls or cups, and set out droppers, pipettes, or spoons.
6. Fizz Time!
Let the kids slowly drip or spoon vinegar over the cubes.
Watch in amazement as the colorful fizz erupts from each one!
🌈 Try one cube at a time, or mix colors to see what happens!
What to Pair With This Activity
- A science journal: Let kids draw or write about their fizzing findings
- Themed books, like Ada Twist, Scientist or Whose Tools Are These?
- A color mixing chart so kids can predict color outcomes
- A follow-up activity: make baking soda volcanoes using leftover supplies
Tips & Variations
- 🧊 Use silicone molds for easier cube removal
- 🌡 Let cubes sit out a few minutes before fizzing for a faster reaction
- 🖌 Add glitter or shimmer powder for magical fizz
- ❄️ For more fizz, make a double batch and freeze extra
- 👶 For toddlers, use spoons instead of droppers for easier handling
Storage & Cleanup
- Unfizzed cubes can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 week
- Dispose of fizzed leftovers in the trash or sink with warm water
- Clean tools with soap and water — vinegar and baking soda are easy cleanup heroes!
FAQs About Fizzing Ice Cubes
Can I use baking powder instead of baking soda?
Not recommended! Baking soda is much more reactive and gives the dramatic fizz you want.
Is this safe for young kids?
Yes — all ingredients are non-toxic, but adult supervision is always recommended.
Can I reuse the cubes after one use?
Nope — once they’ve fizzed, they’re done! But making more is half the fun.
Will the food coloring stain?
If using small amounts, no. But play on a surface that’s easy to clean, just in case!
Final Thoughts: Big Science Fun in a Tiny Cube
This Fizzing Ice Cubes activity is the kind of project that proves learning can be joyful, colorful, and absolutely unforgettable. With just a few kitchen staples, you’ve got a bubbling rainbow of discovery waiting to happen.
It’s the kind of moment where science meets art — and play meets purpose.
More Science Crafts to Try Next
- 🧪 DIY Rainbow Volcanoes
- 🎇 4th of July Fireworks in a Jar
- 🧂 Salt Painting with Watercolors
- 🌀 Magic Milk Color Explosion
Show Us Your Science Spark!
📸 Snap a photo of your fizzing fun and share it on Pinterest — I’d love to see what colors you made and what your little scientists discovered!
👇 Drop a comment: What was your favorite part? Did you mix colors? Hide treasure inside?
“Nutritional” Info (for Fun!)
- Calories: 0
- Joy factor: 10/10
- Mess level: Mild
- STEM value: Super high
- Reusability: 100% — make them again anytime!
Let’s fizz, bubble, and play the science way! 🌈🧪
