Baymax’s Low-Battery Baking Soda and Vinegar Experiment

Two of my favorite materials to have on hand are baking soda and vinegar. We’ve had fun using them in fizzy painting with the mixture and even made a backyard volcano (wow that was fun!) This time Curt from Make a Kidnection is going to show us a new twist on this great combo. Welcome Curt!

Baymax, the loveable nurse-robot from Big Hero 6, needs your kid’s help. 

His batteries are running low, leaving him deflated. Your kids can re-charge and re-inflate him using a chemical reaction.

Baymax’s Low-Battery Baking Soda and Vinegar Experiment

What you’ll need:

1) A plastic bottle. It can be a small one, like the one pictured above, or a liter bottle.

2) Fill the bottle with 1/2 cup white vinegar. Then put 1 tablespoon of baking soda into the balloon. A funnel makes this easier – see the example in the video below.

3) Blow up the balloon, draw Baymax’s eyes, and then allow it to deflate and stretch it over the neck of the bottle. (This video shows each of these steps – just follow along as you watch it.)

4) Finally, let your child lift the balloon up, dumping the baking soda into the vinegar and starting the chemical reaction.

The Added Fun

We love doing the vinegar and baking soda experiment with Baymax so much that Bob the Dragon and I shot a short video to set the stage. Watch the beginning portion of this video with your kids, and then keep watching for the experiment explanation for parents:

Then, to reward them for helping their robot-friend, Baymax, show your kids this bonus video, where Bob shares his favorite robot-themed jokes. (This subtly reinforces the idea that science is fun.)

Thanks for trying this experiment with us!  Let us know what your kids thought of inflating Baymax in the comments below!

About the Author

Curt Nelson is a former science teacher and school assembly presenter. Now he (and Bob the Dragon) make learning science fun at MakeAKidnection.com. Follow along with them there and on YouTube.