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Pop Rock Science Experiment for Kids

March 2, 2021
6 Comments
by Beth Gorden

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!

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 - this is a MUST try,  really cool science experimentkids will LOVE.

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 >> Download <<. 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 experiment

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 experiments

Pop rocks and soda 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 rocks and soda experiment
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 Rock ExperimentPop 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 science

Pop rocks science project

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.

Balloon science experiment

Balloon science experiment

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.

Pop rocks science project

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!

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 - this is a MUST try,  really cool science experimentkids will LOVE.

Summer experiments

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.

Summer experiments science-experiments-for-kids

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.

Helping children gras the concept of solid liquid gas for kids is tricky - students learn best by seeing and touching and you can't do either with gas. This states of matter for kids project allows you to EASILY introduce  the 3 states of matter for kids using balloons! This solid liquid gas kindergarten, pre-k, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, and up is perfect for summer learning, science lesson, and more. WE've also included a wy to turn this into a density experiment for kids as well!Plus don't miss the printable states of matter worksheet pdf to explore the concept further! two simple water cycle activities to help you teach about water cycle for kids. These science projects help you teach your littles all about the water cycle on the earth. Start with the water cycle experiment which provides a great way to see how water turns to gas and back into a liquid again. Then try our water cycle craft to help kids to reinforce the water life cycle. These are both fun ways to learn about the water cycle for kindergarten, pre-k, first grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade science.   Have you ever tried making a Rainbow in a Jar project? If you haven't tried this classic density experiment, I'm going to show you how easy it is to make with a few common household items! This rainbow science experiment is so pretty and will amaze your preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students. Try this rainbow experiment as part of a weather theme, St Patricks Day activity, a rainbow theme or a spring activity for kids.  There are quite a few activities that can help teach children about density, but nothing as simple as this printable density activity. This fun Cookie Jar solid liquid gas worksheet will help children understand the difference between that states of matter Solid, Liquid and Gas in just one afternoon. This states of matter worksheet is perfect for elementary age students in grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, and grade 4.

Solid liquid Gas examples for kids

Explore states of matter further with these fun projects:

This balloon painting has got to be the highlight of our summer! This summer craft for kids is the perfect blend of an art project and a summer activity for kids. It is quick and easy to get ready and loads of fun to try this water balloon painting! Plus when you finish this water balloon activity, you will have a fun keepsake of your summer fun. This balloon paint art is perfect for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th graders too. Nothing says summer like water balloon games!  They are cheap, quick, FUN, and a great way to cool off on a warm summer day! Bug if your kids are tired of playing balloon toss, let us help you take your water balloon activities to a new level of summer activities for kids with these fun games to play with water balloons. These fun water balloon games are perfect for toddler, preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, and elementary age students! paint and roll summer balloon painting activity for kids Are you ready to make something really cool with your kids? Your children will go nuts over this fun, easy to make Lego Balloon Car. This such a fun physical science experiment to try with preschool, pre k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students. Ready to build your balloon car?

Balloon Craft Ideas

Looking for more fun ways to play with balloons this summer?

Learn how to make these beautiful chromatography flowers using coffee filters and markers. This is both a fun art project AND a simple science experiments for kids that explores colors while making pretty craft flowers for spring and summer.  This STEAM project is the perfect spring activity for toddler, preschoolers, pre k, kindergarteners, first grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd graders. Easy Ping Pong Ball Bernoulli's experiment water-balloon-science-experiments Seriously the BEST sidewalk chalk paint recipe! Only 2-ingredients for DIY chalk paint to make incredibly BOLD colors. Fun summer activity!

Science for Kids

Looking for lots more fun, science experiments for kids? You’ve GOT to try some of these outrageously fun science experiments for kids! We have so many fun, creative and easy science experiments for elementary age children:

This amazing color changing slime is going to blow your mind! This heat sensitive slime will actually change color as your kids touch it because it is heat sensitive! This is a super cool project for kids you MUST TRY! Must try summer activity for kids to add to their summer bucket list  Help kids learn about what is under their skin with this fun, interactive, and hands on human body project for kids from toddler, preschool, pre k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students. This can be a simple life size human body project or use our free printable templates to add bones of the body, organ templates, and more. This engaging science project is EASY and LOW PREP too.  Looking for that really cool science experiment for kids that grabs kids attention, teaches, and makes them say WOW! This squishy circuits project is fun and easy to do with a kid-approve Lego theme to keep preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students engaged. All you need are a few simple materials to try this Electricity Science Experiments and you are ready to play and learn! There are so many fun variations for this electricity experiments for kids Nothing says summer like a big juicy watermelon! We whipped up a bath of this gorgeous watermelon playdough for our upcoming watermelon theme! This homemade playdoh recipe is super easy-to-make, soft, and such a fun watermelon activity! Use this summer activities for preschoolers, toddlers, kindergartners, grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 students.

pop rock experiment worksheet states of matter experiment worksheet

Solid Liquid Gas Worksheets

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>> Pop Rock Experiment Worksheets <<

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About the author

Beth Gorden

Beth Gorden is the creative multi-tasking creator of 123 Homeschool 4 Me. As a busy homeschooling mother of six, she strives to create hands-on learning activities and worksheets that kids will love to make learning FUN! She has created over 1 million pages of printables to help teach kids ABCs, science, English grammar, history, math, and so much more! Beth is also the creator of 2 additional sites with even more educational activities and FREE printables - www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com and www.preschoolplayandlearn.com

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6 Comments

  • Dear Beth,
    I just wanted to say that your Princess Pack of worksheets was an amazing gift for one of my clients stuck in lock-down. We both really appreciate your generosity and all the hard work you put into these resources. They have made a huge difference to her and I am very grateful. Thank you!!

    Reply

  • Hi Beth,

    I can’t wait to do this experiment with my kids! You can also find Pop Rocks at the Dollar Tree, and I believe you get 3-4 packets for a $1. Just wanted to say that I think you are awesome! You have so many excellent ideas! Thank you for all of your wisdom and time going into all of these projects I know it takes a lot of work and time away from your family.

    Reply

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