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    Home » How to Blow Up a Pumpkin

    How to Blow Up a Pumpkin

    October 29, 2016 By Emma Vanstone 1 Comment

    Did you know you can blow up a balloon without touching it? I’ve added a little Halloween twist to this activity by turning the balloon into a pumpkin!

    Imagine a row of these in your window to greet trick or treaters!

    Blow up a pumpkin experiment instructions

    What you need to blow up a pumpkin balloon

    Small bottle

    Alka seltzer

    Water

    Orange Balloon

    Black Sharpie

    Method

    Blow up the balloon first and then let the air out, draw a pumpkin face on the balloon.

    Half fill your bottle with water.

    Drop an alka seltzer into the bottle and place the balloon on top.

    Watch as the balloon blows up and your pumpkin grows.

    Balloon decorated to look like a pumpkin blown up on a jar - great experiment for Halloween

    Why does this happen?

    Alka Seltzer contains contain  sodium bicarbonate ( baking soda ) and citric acid. When placed into water it forms sodium citrate, water and carbon dioxide which are the bubbles of gas you see. The gas fills the bottle and then the balloon forcing it to expand!

    The bicarbonate of soda reacts with the citric acid, this is an acid – base reaction just like we see when we add vinegar to baking soda.

    Acid–Base Reactions

     If you place an acid and a base together, they react to neutralise each other, producing a salt. The H(+) cation of the acid combines with the OH(-) anion of the base to form water.

    Extension Ideas

    Can you compare the alka seltzer with an effervescent vitamin tablet? Which blows up the biggest balloon? Think about how you can make this a fair test.

    You could also try popping candy or baking soda and vinegar.

    More Halloween Science Activities

    Try our spooky STEM Challenges for Halloween

    Are you having a Halloween Party? We’ve got some creepy ideas to start the party with a bang.

    Steam Powered Family have a brilliant pumpkin battery investigation too!

    Blow up a pumpkin balloon

    Last Updated on October 16, 2020 by Emma Vanstone

    « Halloween Squeezy Bottle Rocket Spiders
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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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