Magic Dancing Rice

clear jar of yellow liquid with rice floating around

Baking soda and vinegar reactions are a mainstay of many cool science experiments, but did you know they can even make rice dance? Dust off your favorite moves and get dancing with this fun DIY science experiment.

What you’ll need:

  • White vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Rice
  • Clear jar
  • Water
  • Food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

  • Fill the jar 3/4 full with water.
  • Add food coloring if desired.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda and stir. Mix completely.
  • Add 1/4 cup of uncooked rice.
  • Add 1-2 tablespoons of white vinegar.
  • Watch the rice dance!

What’s going on here?

This is a great first chemistry experiment for you and your child! Chemistry experiments explore the way different materials are react together, and how they act under different conditions.

Baking soda is a basic compound also known as sodium bicarbonate.  Vinegar is a diluted solution that contains acetic acid. When vinegar and baking soda are first mixed together, hydrogen ions in the vinegar react with the sodium and bicarbonate ions in the baking soda and create the bubbles and movement you see when you add the vinegar.

This project was inspired by an activity here.

Find more Math & Science activities from Camp Little Victors

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