Pop Rocks and Soda Science Experiment for Kids

Looking for a really fun and memorable science experiment for kids? You will love these EPIC pop rocks experiment. Try this pop rocks science experiment with preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade students to try a simple chemical reaction. This Whether you try this pop rocks science experiments for homeschool science, at a science birthday party, or as part of a summer science project learning about the states of matter – this is a MUST try,  really cool science experimentkids will LOVE. Simply grab pdf file with states of matter experiments worksheet and get started!

Pop Rocks Experiment

Kids love doing simple science experiments that wow and amaze. This pop rocks experiment will get kids excited to learn about science. This pop rocks science experiment is fun for preschoolers, kindergartners, and elementary age students in grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, and grade 4 studentsto learn about solid liquid gas experiment.  All you need for this pop rocks and soda experiment are 1 liter bottles of soda (we like to try various different ypes of pop such as mountain dew, coca cola, pepsi, sprite, root beer, dr pepper, etc.), balloons, and pop rocks. This balloon science experiment only takes 5 minutes and is virtually mess free!

States of matter experiments

Start by scrolling to the bottom of the post, under the terms of use, and click on the text link that says >> _____ <<. The solid liquid gas printables pdf file will open in a new window for you to save the freebie and print the template.

Pop rocks science experiment

My kids recenty discovered pop rock candy. They were amazed by the fizzing popping that happened in their mouth. I remember liking pop rocks growing up too. But being the homeschool mom, I am alwasys looking for ways to expand activities to sneak in some fun learning too! This experiments with pop rocks is sure to get kids excited about science by helping them see how everyday objects do unusual things when they interact with one another in this EASY chemistry experiment for kids.

Pop rocks science experiments

Ready to try this science experiments with pop rocks? All you need to try this pop rock experiment are a few simple materials:

Supplies Needed:

• Pop Rocks (1 envelope per bottle of soda + 1 for placebo + one for the kids to taste) Note: We found it easier just to buy them from Amazon as many stores don’t have pop rocks in stock any more.
• Balloons (1 balloon for each bottle of soda)
• Soda (1 liter bottle – you may want to try several different ones and have kids hypothesize which one will work best)
• Cool Science Gear for Kids (optional, but totally cool)
• Kid Science Kit (again optional, but so much fun!)

Pop rocks science experiment

To try this summer experiments, first you need to pour an entire envelope of pop rocks into each balloon being used. (We used 4 bottles, so 4 balloons).  We did this easily by having me spread the balloon open and my 9 year old pouring them in. For younger children you can use a funnel.

Pop Rock Experiment

Then I let my curious kids try pop rocks. My 3 year old was particularly curious, confused and then delighted by this most unusual candy!

Pop rocks science

Next we tried the basic experiment without the balloons. What would happen if we poured pop rocks into water. What happens if we pour pop rocks into soda. The kids were amazed at the poping noise and the fizz from the soda, but that was it. Now for the fun part . . . .

Pop rocks and soda experiment

We carefully removed the lids from our four soda bottles and put the balloon over the opening being careful not to pour the pop rocks in until all the bottles were ready. We then had the kids hypothesize which soda they thought would inflate the balloon the biggest, fastest, etc. The kids were super excited about this experiment.

Pop rocks experiments

What Makes a Pop Rock POP and Inflate a Balloon?

So besides being a really cool science experiment and a great way to show kids about the scientific method, what did they learn?

Apparently, Pop Rocks have small carbon dioxide bubbles inside. That is what makes the candy “pop”. Carbonated Beverages also have carbon dioxide in them (that is what makes them carbonated). When the pop rocks are dropped into the soda the carbon dioxide is able to separate from the high fructose corn syrup (which sweetens the soda). Because the carbon dioxide has no where to go it rises up, filling up the balloon.

Experiments with pop rocks

We explained to the kids that if this were a real scientific experiment you would need to repeat the experiment to validate your findings.

Personally , I wanted to try it with “diet” soda to see if the carbon dioxide in the soda could release the same way if there was not high fructose corn syrup. If you try it before I do, I’d love to know what you find!

Pop rocks and soda

Minnie (my 6 year old) hypothesized correctly and “won” our balloon race.  All 4 balloons did inflate, but not equally. In our experiment we found the regular Coke did the best with regular A&W Root Bear coming in a close 2nd. Sprite did fine and surprisingly (at least to me) Mountain Dew barely inflated the balloon.

Pop experiment

TRY THIS! —-> Have your child taste the soda after the experiment – all the sodas will be flat.  Why? Remember what makes soda carbonated is the trapped carbon dioxide, but you released that in the experiment to fill the balloon so the carbonation is gone.

 

Solid liquid Gas examples for kids

Explore states of matter further with these fun projects:

• Cookie Jar Solid Liquid Gas Worksheet – States of Matter Activity
• Pop Rock States of Matter Experiment (liquid to gas)
• Making Homemade Butter – a states of matter experiment (liquid to solid)
• How to Make Ice Cream in a Bag State of Matter Experiment (liquid to solid)
• 2 Fun, Hands-on Water Cycle Activities – State of Matter Experiment for Kids (liquid to gas)
• Explore density further with this Rainbow in a Jar Density Experiment
• Solid Liquid Gas for Kids with Hands-on Density Experiment
• Water Balloon Density Experiment for Kids
• Bowl of Ice Cream left out (solid to liquid)

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Pop rocks and soda experiment worksheet

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