Fizzy Snowball Surprises

Fizzy
Snowball Surprises!

These snowballs aren't for
throwing - they fizz!

This cool concoction is fun
for kids to make, and
even more fun to watch fizz
and reveal a hidden surprise!

Safety Warning: Adult supervision is required.





What You Will Need:

• Baking Soda
• Water
• Vinegar
• Small Toys or trinkets
• Mixing Bowl
• Mixing Spoon
• Cookie Sheet
• Clear Glass Bowl or Aquaria/Terraria Tank

What You Do:

• To make a paste, place baking soda in a large mixing bowl then slowly add water until a paste forms. You can test the consistency of the paste by pinching a portion to see if it will stick together. We have found that using about 1/2 cup of baking soda to 6 tablespoons of water works well to form a paste, and makes two snowballs.
• When the baking soda paste is the consistency that you want, use your hands to mold a patty shape.
• Place a small toy onto the patty, then continue molding the paste around the toy until it is entirely encased. Your "snowball surprise" is ready to dry!
• Continue making "snowballs" until you have the quantity you want.
• To dry the snowballs, place them on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake them in a 200 degree F oven for 2 to 3 hours, or until they are dry. The length of time needed to dry depends on how large you make the snowballs.
• When you are ready to use your fizzing snowballs, give each person a clear glass bowl filled with vinegar. Drop the snowball into the vinegar and watch it foam and fizz! After a little while, the surprise inside the snowball will be revealed!
• Make sure to dispose of leftover baking soda paste and vinegar/baking soda mix left after dissolving the snowballs in the garbage - do NOT rinse down the drain!
• Make Fizzy Snowball Surprises to use as a party activity! Especially fun for science-themed parties!

Variations:

• If you would like to create colored snowballs, add a few drops of food coloring to the paste mixture before hardening.
• After dissolving several snowballs in a bowl of vinegar, you will need to replace the dilluted vinegar in order to continue dissolving additional snowballs.
• Use this idea to make homemade gifts! Place several "snowballs" in a plastic container, along with a small bottle of vinegar. Tie a ribbon around the container, and write the instructions on the gift tag. To use this gift, the recipient just pours the vinegar into the plastic container, adds the snowballs, and instant fizz!

The Science:
Why do the baking soda snowballs fizz in vinegar? When baking soda (sodium bicarbonate - an alkali) dissolves into vinegar (acetic acid), they react and make carbon dioxide gas, which causes the fizzing.