Pop Rocks and Soda Easy Science Experiments for Kids to do at Home

You’ve got to try this pop rocks experiment! This pop rocks science experiment is really fun, memorable, and easy to do at home? Try this pop rocks and soda experiment with preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade students to demonstrate a simple chemical reaction. Make it more educational by using our free printable pop rocks experiment worksheet.

Pop Rocks Experiment

Have you ever wanted to engage your kids in a fun and exciting way that also sparks their curiosity about science? You’ve got to try this pop rocks experiment! This pop rocks science experiment is not only fun and memorable but also super easy to do at home, making it perfect for students in preschool through 4th grade.

Here’s why you should give it a go: when you combine pop rocks candy with soda, something magical happens! The pop rocks contain carbon dioxide gas, which is released when they come into contact with the liquid. This reaction creates a popping sensation and lots of fizz, making it an exhilarating experience for kids. It’s an amazing way to introduce them to basic chemical reactions while having a blast!

Not only will they love the excitement of the experiment, but you can also turn it into a learning opportunity. Our free printable pop rocks experiment worksheet is designed to guide you through the process and help kids learn about cause and effect, gas release, and even sensory experiences. It’s a great tool to enhance their understanding and document their observations.

Whether you’re a teacher looking for an engaging classroom activity or a parent wanting to make science fun at home, this experiment is a fantastic choice. So gather your materials—pop rocks, soda, and your kids—and get ready for a fizzy adventure that they won’t forget!

We have lots more science experiments for kids to try! Don’t miss our lava lamp experiment, density rainbow in a jar experiment, dry erase marker experiment, and 100 science experiments for every month!

pop rocks experiment worksheet

Start by scrolling to the bottom of the post, under the terms of use, and click on the text link that says >> _____ <<. The solid liquid gas printables pdf file will open in a new window for you to save the freebie and print the template.

Pop Rocks Science Experiment

My kids recenty discovered pop rock candy. They were amazed by the fizzing popping that happened in their mouth. I remember liking pop rocks growing up too. But being the homeschool mom, I am alwasys looking for ways to expand activities to sneak in some fun learning too! This experiments with pop rocks is sure to get kids excited about science by helping them see how everyday objects do unusual things when they interact with one another in this EASY chemistry experiment for kids.

pop rocks and soda experiment

Ready to try this science experiments with pop rocks? All you need to try this pop rock experiment are a few simple materials:

Supplies Needed:

• Pop Rocks (1 envelope per bottle of soda + 1 for placebo + one for the kids to taste) Note: We found it easier just to buy them from Amazon as many stores don’t have pop rocks in stock any more.
• Balloons (1 balloon for each bottle of soda)
• Soda (1 liter bottle – you may want to try several different ones and have kids hypothesize which one will work best)

pop rock experiment

To try this summer experiments, first you need to pour an entire envelope of pop rocks into each balloon being used. (We used 4 bottles, so 4 balloons).  We did this easily by having me spread the balloon open and my 9 year old pouring them in. For younger children you can use a funnel.

pop rock science

Then I let my curious kids try pop rocks. My 3 year old was particularly curious, confused and then delighted by this most unusual candy!

pop rocks soda experiment

Next we tried the basic experiment without the balloons. What would happen if we poured pop rocks into water. What happens if we pour pop rocks into soda. The kids were amazed at the poping noise and the fizz from the soda, but that was it. Now for the fun part . . . .

pop rocks science fair project

We carefully removed the lids from our four soda bottles and put the balloon over the opening being careful not to pour the pop rocks in until all the bottles were ready. We then had the kids hypothesize which soda they thought would inflate the balloon the biggest, fastest, etc. The kids were super excited about this experiment.

pop rocks and soda

What Makes a Pop Rock POP and Inflate a Balloon?

So besides being a really cool science experiment and a great way to show kids about the scientific method, what did they learn?

Apparently, Pop Rocks have small carbon dioxide bubbles inside. That is what makes the candy “pop”. Carbonated Beverages also have carbon dioxide in them (that is what makes them carbonated). When the pop rocks are dropped into the soda the carbon dioxide is able to separate from the high fructose corn syrup (which sweetens the soda). Because the carbon dioxide has no where to go it rises up, filling up the balloon.

pop rocks science

We explained to the kids that if this were a real scientific experiment you would need to repeat the experiment to validate your findings.

Personally , I wanted to try it with “diet” soda to see if the carbon dioxide in the soda could release the same way if there was not high fructose corn syrup. If you try it before I do, I’d love to know what you find!

experiments with pop rocks

Minnie (my 6 year old) hypothesized correctly and “won” our balloon race.  All 4 balloons did inflate, but not equally. In our experiment we found the regular Coke did the best with regular A&W Root Bear coming in a close 2nd. Sprite did fine and surprisingly (at least to me) Mountain Dew barely inflated the balloon.

soda pop rocks

TRY THIS! —-> Have your child taste the soda after the experiment – all the sodas will be flat.  Why? Remember what makes soda carbonated is the trapped carbon dioxide, but you released that in the experiment to fill the balloon so the carbonation is gone.