We have had so much fun with baking soda and vinegar experiments. I decided to try a new base in our next experiment which we have plenty of: chalk. We always have odds and ends of sidewalk chalk and it was fun to re-purpose a little of it for this experiment.
Bubbling Chalk: Science Experiment
You will need:
- Chalk (two colors if you want to include color mixing)
- Tenderizer or Hammer
- Ziploc Bag
- Clear plastic cup
- White vinegar
Place the chalk in a plastic bag and have the children take turns smashing it with a hammer or tenderizer on the flat side. Our kids found this task to be quite fun. It is not every day that I encourage them to smash things. Fill a plastic cup about 2/3 to 3/4 full of white vinegar. Have one of the children drop a handful or a tablespoon of the mixed color chalk into the vinegar. Watch what happens. At first, it will seem like nothing is going to happen. Then the magic begins and the chalk bubbles up little by little and then at a more rapid pace, mixing the colors as it floats to the surface. Discuss how vinegar is an acid and chalk is a base. The chemical reaction causes bubbles from carbon dioxide to form so that the chalk rises to the surface. We did this several times so that all four of our children could try it out. We tried one color at a time and the mixing of two colors. The color mixing was a little more dramatic.
Here is our video of the experiment:
Visit the links below for more great chalk ideas from the #playfulpreschool team!
Chalk Letter Writing from Learning 2 Walk
Alphabet Activities: Chalk Road by Growing Book by Book
Chalk Painting Letters from Mom Inspired Life
Chalk Dust and Feather Writing: Learning Names in Preschool by The Preschool Toolbox
Setting-up for Summer Learning with Chalks from Rainy Day Mum
Chalk Paint from Tiny Tots Adventure
Chalk Shadow Drawings by Still Playing School
Growing Book by Book says
What a fun experiment. I know my kids will love to try this.
Devany LeDrew says
I never realized that chalk was a base…brilliant!
Shann Eva says
Oh my goodness. My 5-year-old will LOVE this. Thank you for sharing!
Theresa says
Hi Growing Book by Book.
I hope your kids enjoy it. I buy vinegar in bulk because we do so many experiments with it! Luckily, it is inexpensive fun.
: 0 ) Theresa
Theresa says
Thank you Devany!
: 0 ) Theresa
Theresa says
Thank you Shann Eva.
I hope your 5 year-old has fun with this.
: 0 ) Theresa
shelah moss says
Wow, that is very cool. I have never used chalk with vinegar. Can't wait to try it out!
T Austin says
So fun!! THe kids will love that! I should try that in my classroom!
Cerys Parker says
What a great way – I've never though to use actual chalk we've done this with chalk stone from the beach and the kids find it great fun.
WorkingMomMagic says
My son would LOVE this! (he also loves anything that involves smashing things.. so that is a great way to get him into it!)
Theresa says
Hi Shelah.
I hope you enjoy it.
: 0 ) Theresa
Theresa says
Hi T. Austin.
That is a great idea! Let me know how you it goes if you try it out. I imagine the class would love the smashing as well as the experiment.
: 0 ) Theresa
Theresa says
Hi Cerys.
Now we will have to try chalk stone! Thank you for giving us a new variation.
: 0 ) Theresa
Theresa says
Hi Working Mom Magic.
Yes, the smashing can get most kids pretty excited! Then, the experiment is frosting for that experience.
: 0 ) Theresa
Danielle Buckley says
Wow. I didn't know you could do this with chalk. So cool!
Megan Van Weelde says
Wow! What a super fun hands on activity!
Theresa says
Thank you Danielle.
It is not as dramatic as baking soda, but still fun.
: 0 ) Theresa
Theresa says
Thank you Megan!
: 0 ) Theresa
OneMommy says
How fun! Can't wait to try this one out. They both love baking soda and vinegar, so I know this will be a hit!
Meredith says
I love this! I'm always looking for science experiments for my daughter. And we have lots of bits of chalk all over our front yard… this is a great use for it!
Natasha Johnson says
I'm so looking forward to trying this out! My girls are going to love it.
Theresa says
Hi One Mommy.
This is not as dramatic as baking soda and vinegar as it takes longer for the reaction, but it is still really fun to watch. I hope your kids enjoy it.
: 0 ) Theresa
Theresa says
Hi Meredith.
I think this will be a fun use of your bits of chalk. I hope your daughter enjoys it.
: 0 ) Theresa
Theresa says
Hi Natasha.
I hope your girls have a great time with this.
: 0 ) Theresa
maryanne @ mama smiles says
I hadn't realized that chalk would do this. My kids are always playing around with our sidewalk chalk, so I am sure they would enjoy this experiment.
Theresa says
Hi Maryanne.
It is fun to watch. The reaction is much slower than baking soda but has a whimsical quality.
: 0 ) Theresa
Pschooltoolbox says
What a great idea for chalk play! We've never tried this experiment with chalk, but adding it to our summer "chalk" bucket list! SMASHING things is always a HIT!:)
Theresa says
Hi Pschooltoolbox.
I hope you had the chance to give this a try.
: 0 ) Theresa