Fizzy Earth Day Sensory Bin for Kids

Check out the magic of our science with the Fizzy Earth Day Sensory Bin, a fun, Earth Day activity that brings the wonders of the Earth’s surface to your fingertips. Perfect for little environmentalists in training, this activity combines science, and a dash of eco-friendly fun, making learning about our planet an adventure that’s as entertaining as it is educational.

The Science Behind Fizzy Earth Day Sensory Bin:

At the heart of this fizzy sensory bin is a simple chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar. When these two ingredients mix, they create carbon dioxide gas, which is what causes the fizzing action. This reaction is not only fun to watch but also serves as a great introduction to basic chemistry for kids. The different colors represent the Earth’s water, land, and mountainous regions, giving a visual and tactile way to explore geography and environmental science.

Material List:

• Sensory Bin or Sensory Table
• Medium mixing bowl
• Spoon
• Baking soda
• Corn starch
• Vinegar
• Green, blue, and brown food coloring
• Eye Droppers
• Land and water animal toys,
• Rocks

How to Make the Baking Soda Paste

1. Grab a mixing bowl
2. Add 2 cups of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of corn starch, 2 tablespoons of water.
3. Mix separate the mixture into three different bowls. Add several drops of blue, green and brown food colouring. Mix until the you create a paste.

If it’s too stiff, add a small amount of water. If it is too watery add more baking soda and mix. Make sure your paste is not too watery as it will be harder to create the earth. When the paste is placed in the sensory bin it will start to spread out. If it is too watery your earth will change its shape before your little one can make it fizzy.

How to Make the Fizzy Earth Day Sensory Bin

1. Prepare the Sensory Bin Base: Begin by placing your sensory bin on a flat, easily cleanable surface to manage any potential mess. Use rocks to construct a circle in the center of the bin. This will serve as the boundary for your simulated Earth and help contain the different elements of the landscape you’re about to create.

1. Make the Water: Take your spoon and scoop a generous amount of the blue paste, which represents water within the confines of your rock circle.
2. Form the Landmasses: Now, place the green paste and the brown paste on either side of the blue water paste.

1. Add Life Forms: Place land animal toys such as lions, bears, or elephants on the green sections to represent wildlife living in those habitats. Similarly, add water animals like fish, turtles, or crocodiles to the blue sections.

1. Start the Fizz: Pour some vinegar into a bowl and hand your little one an eye dropper and invite them to squeeze the vinegar onto the earth. It will create a really cool fizzing sound and action as the vinegar reacts with baking soda.

Playing with the Fizzy Earth Day Sensory Bin:

My kids, both aged 5, were enthralled by creating their mini Earth, carefully placing the animals in their habitats and eagerly making the scene fizzy with vinegar. Watching the land and water “erupt” in bubbles sparked endless giggles and curiosity about how our planet works.

Tips for Success:

• Work on a Surface That’s Easy to Clean: This activity can get messy, so prepare your space accordingly.
• Encourage Exploration: Let your kids experiment with placing the animals and adding the vinegar. There’s no wrong way to explore!
• Talk About the Reaction: Use this opportunity to discuss the science behind the fizz and the importance of caring for our planet.

Skills Learned:

• Scientific Curiosity: Understanding the basic chemical reaction introduces kids to the principles of chemistry.
• Fine Motor Skills: Using eye droppers and arranging the small toys help develop coordination and dexterity.
• Environmental Awareness: This craft is a fun way to talk about Earth’s geography, ecosystems, and the importance of conservation.

What to Talk About:

Use this craft as a conversation starter about different habitats, the animals that live in each, and how land and water are vital parts of our planet. Discuss how everything is connected and why it’s important to protect our environment, making every day Earth Day.