Chemical Reactions for Preschoolers
What is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes that take place with that matter. Ok,
so what is matter? Matter is the name that scientists have given to everything that you
can touch, see, feel, or smell.
Why is Chemistry important?
Chemistry is all around you; it explains baking and why an apple turns brown when cut
open. Chemistry is the secret behind some magic tricks and colorful fireworks.
Chemistry is used to make medicine that helps us when we are sick and is even used to
make electronics like your tv, cell phone, and video games.
At the library we have lots of books that you can check out to learn more about science
and chemical reactions – I brought a few with me today to show you. (show science
books)
Today you are going to work together to create some chemical reactions here in the
classroom.
What is a Chemical Change?
A chemical change is when 2 substances are mixed together to form something new.
There are 4 main clues that a chemical change has occurred.
1. There is a formation of gas which can be seen by a fizzing or bubbling
2. The reaction will cause heat, light or odor to be emitted
3. A color change is produced
4. A solid is formed during the change
Does anyone have any questions? Let’s get started.
Reaction #1: Balloon Inflator
Ingredients:
 A plastic bottle
 A balloon
 Vinegar
 A funnel
 Baking soda
Instructions:
Place a small amount (a couple of tablespoons) of baking soda in the balloon using the
funnel. Next, pour vinegar into the bottle so it is half full. Very carefully stretch the
balloon around the top of the bottle, making sure you keep the balloon down so that the
baking soda doesn’t fall into the bottle yet. Ask the students what they think will happen
when the baking soda falls into the vinegar. Tip the balloon up to let the baking soda
drop into the bottle. Make sure they hold the top of the balloon on the bottle so that it
doesn’t come off. What happened? Why did the balloon blow up? (the combination of the
vinegar and baking soda formed a gas that blew up the balloon)
Reaction #2: Wizard’s Brew
Ingredients:

Baking Soda

Vinegar

Food coloring

Glass jar

Glitter

Small plastic containers

Dishsoap

Tray
Instructions:
Fill the jar halfway with vinegar, then add a few drops of one color of food coloring and
some glitter. Squeeze in some dish soap, stir, and place the jar on a tray. Now have the
children add in a heaping teaspoon of baking soda, stir again, and watch the foaming
begin! The soap makes it foam rather than fizz. To keep the reaction going continue
adding baking soda and vinegar when the foam starts to slow.
Tip: Stir It! The more you stir the mixture the faster and crazier the reaction! Follow
this link to see a video of the reaction: https://youtu.be/DfCBJzqieGw
Reaction #3: Elephant Toothpaste (whole group demonstration)
Ingredients:
 a clean 16oz soda bottle
 Liquid dish washing soap
 ½ cup 20-volume hydrogen peroxide
 Food coloring
liquid
 Small cup
 1 Tablespoon of dry yeast
 Tray
 3 Tablespoons of warm water
 Funnel
Instructions:
Pour the hydrogen peroxide into the soda bottle. Add 8 drops of food coloring into the
bottle. Add about 1 Tablespoon of liquid dish soap into the bottle and swish the bottle
around a bit to mix it. Combine the warm water and yeast together in the small cup and
mix for about 30 seconds. Pour the yeast water mixture into the bottle using a funnel
and watch the foaminess begin.