Fizzy Galaxy Art and Chemistry Experiment

Explore the universe with this galaxy inspired STEAM project where students create chemical reactions, then use those reactions to make beautiful and unique art.

Our kids love space activities and today we are embracing that love as science meets art in this cool STEAM activity! This is a fascinating project that blends the science of chemical reactions with the creative process of making art. Ideal for young learners, this activity is a great way to get hands on with learning. It may be a little messy at times, but it will also have some wow moments and gives your kids a beautiful keepsake of their experiment. Let’s dive into how you can create stunning galaxy-inspired art using simple ingredients: baking soda, vinegar, food coloring, and paper.

Exploring the Galaxy with Science and Art

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Over the years there are a couple of consistent themes that are always popular with STEAM Powered Family readers. Today we are bringing two of those themes together, so I know you are going to love this idea!

We are combining one of our favorite simple chemical reactions – baking soda and vinegar – and using that reaction to create galaxy and space themed art.

Want more Baking Soda and Vinegar reactions? Check out our favorites!

Want more Space themed activities, projects and experiments? We have so many!

Supplies

This is a great budget friendly activity, that is perfect for preschool, kindergarten and early elementary. Although, I will say even older kids will enjoy this project and this is a wonderful, quick way to see this chemical reaction in action before diving into the chemistry lessons.

What You’ll Need:

Baking soda
White vinegar
Food coloring or you can use paints (blues, purples, pink or whatever works for you)
White Paper (thicker paper like cardstock is best)
White paint
Small paint brush
Shallow dish or tray
Spoons or droppers (one for each color)
Cups (one per color)
Gloves (optional, but helps in keeping hands clean)
Paint shirts
Table cloth or other table protection

Step-by-Step Directions

Start by covering your work area with newspapers or a tablecloth for easy cleanup. If little hands are involved, gloves are a good option to avoid stained fingers, plus consider using paint shirts or other covers to prevent any staining of clothes.

Pour a generous amount of baking soda into the shallow dish or tray. You want a thick layer to fully react with the vinegar. Aim for about 1 cm or about a 1/3 inch. You don’t need to be exact, just make sure there is enough coverage and deep enough to allow for good reactions.

In separate cups, mix vinegar with food coloring. You will want one cup per color. Create a variety of colors to mimic those spectacular colors we associate with space. Deep blues, vibrant purples, and hints of pink or orange. Ensure the colors are fairly saturated as they will dilute a bit in the vinegar and again when added to the baking soda. I found 3 to 5 drops of food coloring worked best. Stir well so the colors blend with the vinegar.

Science Time!

Using spoons or droppers, have the kids add the colored vinegar onto the baking soda and watch as the fizzing begins!

This part is especially exciting as the colors spread and fizz, creating patterns that resemble a swirling galaxy.

Work fairly quickly and efficiently. The reaction will not last very long.

You will want to create reactions, using different colors across the whole tray where the paper will go. For best results, oversaturate so there is some bubbling liquid pooling on top. Just like we did here:

Art Time!

Once you have added your colors and while the reaction is still bubbling, gently place a piece of paper over the top. Press lightly, and wait at least 30 seconds, then peel away to reveal your special space inspired print!

Each piece will be unique, capturing a moment of fizzing chaos in beautiful colors.

Set your print somewhere safe to dry completely. If it starts to curl, once it is dry, you can place it between two sheets of clean paper, and place some books on top to flatten it out.

Finishing Touches

To really make your one of a kind galaxy print come alive, wait for the paper to dry completely, then using a small paint brush and some white paint, add some stars. You can include your favorite constellations, shooting stars, even other planets.

Understanding the Science

This activity isn’t just fun; it’s a practical chemistry lesson for young minds. The reaction you see is an acid-base reaction, where the vinegar (acetic acid) reacts with the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), forming carbonic acid. This unstable compound quickly decomposes into carbon dioxide gas (the bubbles) and water. The fizzing and bubbling are the gas escaping into the air, and this is what creates the cool patterns on your paper.

If you want to learn more about the Baking Soda and Vinegar reaction, including the chemical formula (perfect for your older students), visit our special baking soda and vinegar educational resource.

Learning Outcomes

Scientific Inquiry and Exploration

Children see chemistry in action and learn about the properties of chemical reactions. They can experiment with different amounts of baking soda and vinegar to see how it changes the reaction.

Creativity and Artistic Expression

By choosing how to apply the colors and learning how different colors mix, children express themselves artistically.

Fine Motor Skills

Handling spoons and droppers enhances hand-eye coordination.

Sensory Experience

The fizzing sound, the feel of the materials, and the visual splendor of the reaction engage multiple senses.

Encourage your kids to describe what they see, what they think is happening, and how the colors mix. Ask questions like, “What happens if you use more vinegar or more baking soda?” or “What color combinations remind you of a real galaxy?” Maybe go to the library and find books about the galaxy and see if you can use some of those images to inspire your science created art. Layering in these different parts to the activity helps promote understanding and makes the experience richer for everyone involved.

Happy experimenting! May your educational journey be as boundless and inspiring as the galaxies you create on paper!

Want more Galaxy and Space themed activities for the classroom? We have a massive Space Activities resource full of innovative and exciting ideas for all ages.