Want to have some science fun and spread some holiday cheer as well? Try this fizzy Christmas tree science experiment. Combine the messy reaction of baking soda and vinegar with the festive season and you’ll have the best time.

>> Related: fizzy science experiments

There are so many variations of this activity because it’s always so much fun to do and get messy with your kids.

It’s perfect for a December activity when you want to do something different for science. Plus it’s lots of sensory fun for your little one’s hands.

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Recommended Christmas Books

Are you learning about Christmas trees or want a fun Christmas tree story? Try one of these memorable books to add to your book list to read every year.

The Christmas Tree Ship The Lonely Little Christmas Tree: A children’s book about feeling lonely on Christmas. (Christmas book for kids)A Wish to Be A Christmas Tree The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story (Picture Puffin Books)Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree Christmas Farm

You can’t go wrong with this science project; it’s messy and fun, and you already have everything in your kitchen.

Get your kids to help you collect everything you need, and then watch them have tons of fun.

I only had food coloring gel on hand, not the liquid, so I mixed it in with the water first to dissolve it, so it made it super easy to mix it in with the baking soda.

When I finished mixing, it looked fine, but I left it with my daughter to mix, and then it started to look slushy and wet.

When I tried to shape it, it wouldn’t stay in shape and kept flattening out, so I had to add more baking soda. Luckily, I had an extra box on hand, but I really only needed a little bit more.

Recommended Christmas Tree Toys

Do your kids love Christmas trees? I love these Advent calendar Christmas trees, or perhaps something they can enjoy to themselves would be fun, too.

GUARDMAN Christmas Pop-It Fidget Toy Tree Poppit Stocking Stuffer Xmas Present Kids Adults Children Popper Fun Push Game Stress Relief Santa Elves Ornament Popit Gift Poppet Sensory 14-inch Tabletop Mini Wooden Christmas Tree with 28 Mini Ornaments for Christmas Decorations 3D Felt Christmas Tree, Outgeek 2.3Ft DIY Xmas Tree with 28PCS Detachable Ornaments and Light String Xmas Gifts for Kids Toddler Christmas Decoration (3D Christmas Tree)Melissa & Doug Holiday Christmas Tree Wooden Chunky Puzzle (13 pcs)Starhig Magic Growing Crystal Christmas Tree,Presents Novelty Kit for Kids Funny Educational and DIY Party Toys (2 Pieces)Melissa & Doug Countdown to Christmas Wooden Advent Calendar – Magnetic Tree, 25 Magnets

My daughter enjoyed adding sprinkles to decorate her trees as if she were decorating a real Christmas tree.

Then she went to town. I only had a small pipette to add to the vinegar. She eventually found this too slow so started dumping in the whole cup of vinegar, this was a lot more fun.

Why yes this did turn into a giant mess, luckily it was contained in the baking pan.

She had a ton of fun sticking her hands in, feeling the paste, and playing with her pipette while adding more vinegar.

She kept grabbing clumps of it and squeezing it in her hands. She had a blast. And listening to the fizzy reaction was soothing. She was upset that it didn’t sizzle as much at the end.

I’m telling you, you already have everything you need right now in your pantry. All you need is time to put it together. My kids are huge fans of mixing and pouring chemicals together, or, in other words, baking, so this feels the same.

What happens when baking soda and vinegar are mixed?

Two reactions are happening. The first is an acid-base reaction where the acid (vinegar) and base (sodium bicarbonate) are mixed to form two new chemicals: carbonic acid and sodium acetate.

Then, the carbonic acid begins to break down into water and carbon dioxide gas, forming all of the lovely bubbles you see in this reaction.

See the chemical formulas here: equation for the reaction of baking soda and vinegar.

This reaction never gets old. You can adapt it to any seasonal theme you’d like.

Fun Christmas Activities To Try

You need to add these Christmas-themed activities to your list of to-dos this holiday season.

More Science Experiments

Christmas Tree Fizzy Science Experiment

Explore the reaction of baking soda and vinegar in a fun Christmas theme for the holidays.

Prep Time10

Active Time10

Total Time20

Author: Monique

Equipment

Watkins Assorted Food Coloring
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, 16 oz (3 Pack)

Materials

1 box of Baking soda
Green food coloring
1/2 cup of Water
Sprinkles
Sequins
1 cup of Vinegar

Instructions

Add the green food coloring to 1 cup of water.
In a large bowl, slowly add the water to the baking soda so that you form a paste that is consistent with a grainy toothpaste. I did not use my entire 1 cup of water.
Add the sprinkles and sequins to the paste.
Have your child use their hands to form the paste into a Christmas tree form on a baking sheet.
Use an eyedropper, small cup or spray bottle to add vinegar to the Christmas tree baking soda mixture.

Video

Notes

If you find your mixture is too runny and not holding up its shape, then add more baking sode.

If you find that your mixture cannot be formed into a shape because it is too dry, add more water a little bit at a time.

If you are into STEM activities, you can try these Christmas STEM activities that will surely keep your little one learning while having fun!

Fizzy Christmas Tree Science Experiment