Maker Monday: Exploding Sandwich Bag

Maker Monday “pops” with simple chemistry in this Exploding Sandwich Bag experiment.

Baking soda and vinegar create carbon dioxide in a basic chemical reaction. When the main ingredients bubble together in a sealed sandwich bag, the gas expands to the point that the bag explodes open with a loud pop.

Keep extra supplies handy, as this outdoor experiment is likely to be repeated again and again to the excited laughter of kids.

Supplies:

Sealable sandwich bag

Paper towel cut into a 5-inch to 6 -inch square

1/2 cup white vinegar

1 1/2 tablespoon baking soda

1/4 cup warm water

Measure out the baking soda onto the center of the paper towel square.

Twist the paper towel into a sachet-like bundle with the baking soda wrapped within.

Pour the warm water and vinegar together in the sandwich bag.

For this part, you need to move quickly! Add the twist of paper towel and baking soda to the bag, seal the bag and set down in a cleared space. Watch as the bubbles foam and the bag balloons up.

Pop! The bag will explode open when the carbon dioxide gas tries to escape.

For more Maker Monday projects and other fun stuff for kids, visit the Kidsburgh Activities page.