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Home / Early Learning / Science / Simple and Fun Fizzy Stars Science Experiment

Simple and Fun Fizzy Stars Science Experiment

Shared by Mary Catherine 4 Comments

These fizzy stars make a super fun science experiment for kids of all ages. They’re perfect for a preschool space theme or even just because.

Are you following my Preschool Science Pinterest board?

Collage of simple baking soda science activity with text that reads fizzy stars experiment for kids

Related: Glowing Galaxy Water Bin Space Activity

Science has always been well-loved around here, both at home and in the classroom.

This simple and fun science experiment was no different. The kitchen was filled with “oooooh!” and “aaaaah!” aplenty as the kiddos explored fizzy stars.

Read below for tips on how you can set it up for your kids too!

Table of Contents

  • Fizzy Stars
    • Star Experiment Materials
    • Fizzy Stars Directions
  • More Star Science Experiments
  • Done-For-You Preschool Resources

Fizzy Stars

This star activity is incredibly simple, but the kids get a LOT out of it. If you truly want it to be a science experiment, be sure to weave in the scientific method.

This involves making observations, asking questions, coming up with a hypothesis, experimenting, recording the results, and sharing or discussing what’s been discovered.

While that sounds like a lot typed out like that, it really isn’t. You can definitely make it appropriate for young children, especially since their natural curiosity will only enhance the process.

Child squeezing vinegar onto baking soda in moon and star cookie cutters.

Related: Starry Night Glitter Art for Kids

Star Experiment Materials

You likely have the bones of this fizzy stars activity in your kitchen or classroom right now.

If you don’t have some of our little additions, that’s okay! Just start with the basics and add on what you can. I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

  • Baking soda
  • Vinegar
  • Glitter
  • Star cookie cutters
  • Eyedropper
  • Gold liquid watercolors (optional)

We used gold and silver glitter, but you can choose whatever color you’d prefer. Or leave it out all together if you’re not a big fan of glitter.

Sequins or tiny star-shaped glitter would also be fun to add to the stars, in my opinion!

You’re also going to want a pan or bin to contain all the starry science fun.

Fizzy Stars Directions

Grab all of your materials and set up the star science. The children can definitely help with that!

Start off by placing the star cookie cutters in a dish or a bin. We added in a moon cookie cutter, too, since we were going for a starry night sky.

We used a small glass dish because there were just a few kids. You’ll want to use something larger with more kids.

Then spoon baking soda into the cookie cutters. Try to keep most of it inside the stars if possible.

Star cookie cutters with baking soda and glitter in a glass dish.

Related: Coffee Filter Planets Space Craft

If you’re using glitter, add some to the baking soda, and then the fizzy stars are ready for your little scientists.

Place out a large bowl of vinegar, along with some kid-friendly eye droppers. You can also put the vinegar in squeeze bottles if that’s easier for your students.

The children can use the droppers or bottles to add vinegar to the baking soda stars. Mine had such fun watching the fizzing and bubbly reaction that ensued!

Dropper twisting vinegar on baking soda to make fizzy stars.

Related: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Printable Sequencing Cards

The bubbles ended up making the glitter look like it was shimmering and sparkling, just like stars in the night sky.

After a bit, we decided to add some beautiful gold liquid watercolor to the vinegar. The kids were interested to see if it would color the reaction and look more star-like.

Fizzy stars bubbling over in a pan.

Related: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Sensory Bottle

It didn’t end up working out like that, but we did discover something interesting. With the addition of the watercolors, the reaction was even foamier than before! This led to more oooohing and aaahing over the fizzy stars!

Would your children/students enjoy this fizzy stars experiment?

More Star Science Experiments

If your students enjoyed the fizzy stars, they’ll probably get a kick out of these star science activities:

  • Melting Ice Stars from Science Sparks
  • How to Make Crystal Stars from One Little Project
  • Magic Toothpick Stars from The STEM Laboratory

Done-For-You Preschool Resources

Let Preschool Teacher 101 make your teaching life easier with fully fleshed out lesson plans, math activities, literacy plans, and even more.

Click on the images below for more information about each resource. Be sure to check out the membership options while you’re there.

Preschool space lesson plans cover
Preschool Space Lesson Plans
Preschool space dramatic play cover
Space Dramatic Play

Originally published August 2015.

Fizzing baking soda activity with star cookie cutter and text that reads fizzy stars science experiment

Filed Under: Science Tagged With: Space

Previous article:
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Comments

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  1. Annette Marie Thompson says

    February 23, 2021 at 1:09 pm

    How much baking soda is needed?

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      February 23, 2021 at 1:31 pm

      Hi Annette! We didn’t measure the baking soda – we just added however much we felt like pouring into the cookie cutters. Maybe a tablespoon per cookie cutter. And we had extra on-hand to add to the mixtures once the original fizzing died down.

      Reply
  2. Chris says

    December 1, 2022 at 3:45 pm

    Appreciate the themed take on a classic activity. I was running out of star activities with my two year old.
    I know it’s a little bit of an old post, but thought I’d throw out another option in lieu of vinegar – koolaid packets contain citric acid which will cause the same fizzy reaction and has the added bonus of being colorful and scented. Just mix the packet with about a tablespoon of water and use it instead. We love using those, so I always have a stash in the science and sensory bin!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      December 1, 2022 at 5:45 pm

      YES, we love doing that with our fizzing activities, too! Jell-O and Kool-Aid powders add even more sensory input. And you’re spot-on about the citric acid in the Kool-Aid packets! Thanks for the suggestion, Chris! 🙂

      Reply
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My name is Mary Catherine, and I love to share meaningful {and fun} learning activities for kiddos! Feel free to browse and stay awhile!

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