Have you ever witnessed the fascinating spectacle of dancing raisins? Your kids are in for a treat with this cool and simple science experiment! This straightforward dancing raisins science experiment is not only incredibly simple but also a whole lot of fun! And with the complimentary printable science recording sheets, it becomes an even more enriching experience.
Incorporating STEM activities into educational curricula helps to foster scientific thinking from an early age. Gather a few common household supplies, and let’s dive into this fun science activity together!
You’ll only need a few supplies, and it’s guaranteed to work like magic! Your kids will be both amazed and enlightened.
As they watch the raisins dance, your kids will have plenty of questions, providing a great opportunity for you to explain some of the scientific concepts behind this experiment.
Dancing Raisins Science Experiment
Explore this delightful dancing raisins science activity with your kids; it’s perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary school ages!
Check out the video of the dancing raisins experiment
What Do Kids Learn with the Dancing Raisins Experiment?
Initially, when you drop the raisins into the soda, they sink to the bottom of the glass because they are denser than the soda.
However, the carbonated soda, vinegar, and baking soda release carbon dioxide bubbles. The bubbles love to cling to the rough surface of the raisins.
The carbon dioxide gas acts like tiny flotation devices that lift the raisin to the surface of the soda, resulting in increased buoyancy and reduced density of the raisins.
Once the carbon dioxide bubbles reach the surface of the cup of water, the bubbles pop, releasing gas into the air.
This causes the raisin to lose its buoyancy and fall back down to the bottom of the glass.
This fascinating cycle continues until all the carbon dioxide has escaped, and the baking soda and vinegar no longer react.
Supplies for the Dancing Raisin Experiment
Here is what you need to complete this experiment!
- Vinegar
- Club soda (Sprite will also work)
- Baking soda
- Raisins (medium to large)
- Clear glass or cup
- Teaspoon
Check out our favorite kindergarten and preschool supplies list here.
How to Do the Dancing Raisins Easy Science Experiment
Always provide adult supervision while conducting this dancing raisins science experiment.
Separate the raisins before using them in this experiment. If they stick together, the experiment won’t work.
Fill a glass with clear soda and add a tablespoon of vinegar.
Drop 6-7 raisins into the glass.
Observe what happens. Do they sink or float?
Add a teaspoon of baking soda to the liquid. The mixture should start to bubble, and the raisins will start to “dance” inside the cup.
Now, sit back and watch the magic unfold.
Note: It might take a minute or two for the raisins to start dancing.
The kids will absolutely love this! They’ll be delighted to see the raisins rise and fall in the soda as bubbles attach to them and lift them up.
It’s a preschool science experiment that’s not only super easy but also incredibly entertaining.
What is the chemical change in dancing raisins?
Baking soda and vinegar react when mixed, producing carbon dioxide gas. As this gas emerges, it adheres to the raisins inside the bottle.
When a raisin accumulates a sufficient amount of gas, it initiates its ascent toward the surface, with the carbon dioxide temporarily boosting the raisins’ buoyancy.
More Lessons in Kitchen Chemistry
Experiment with different types of soda or chemical reactions to see which reactions produce enough bubbles to make the raisins dance.
Try adding other foods to the carbonated water. Some popular options include macaroni, blueberries, rice, corn kernels, grapes, and lentils.
Where to get this printable
GET THE DANCING RAISINS SHEET HERE
More Fun Science Experiments
Here are some other vinegar experiments and other science experiments to try
- Watch your kids marvel at the colorful reactions in this lava lamp experiment.
- Explore surface tension with ease through this milk and soap science experiment.
- Discover the magic of growing a rainbow with just Skittles and water.
- Explore clouds and rain in a fun way with this rain cloud jar science experiment.
Leave a Comment