Baking Soda Rainbow Cloud in a Jar Recipe
Introduction
The Baking Soda Rainbow Cloud in a Jar is a fun and colorful science experiment that also serves as a decorative piece. This simple activity combines baking soda and vinegar with vibrant food coloring to create a mesmerizing fizzing rainbow effect that delights both kids and adults.

Ingredients
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- Food coloring (various colors)
- Optional: Glitter (for extra sparkle)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with a small amount of water until you form a thick paste.
- Step 2: Spoon layers of the baking soda paste into clear jars or glasses, packing it lightly to create distinct layers.
- Step 3: Pour 1/4 cup of vinegar into a separate container.
- Step 4: Add a few drops of your chosen food coloring to the vinegar and stir gently to combine.
- Step 5: If desired, sprinkle glitter on top of the baking soda layers for extra sparkle.
- Step 6: Using a dropper or squeeze bottle, carefully add the colored vinegar onto the baking soda layers.
- Step 7: Watch as the colorful fizz erupts, creating a vibrant rainbow cloud effect inside the jar.
- Step 8: Allow the mixture to settle for a few minutes before displaying or repeating the process for more fizz.
Tips & Variations
- Use your favorite colors or coordinate them to match a specific theme for a personalized touch.
- Create multiple jars with different color combinations to make a stunning rainbow display.
- Add a few drops of essential oils to the baking soda paste for a pleasant scented effect.
- Experiment with varying the amounts of baking soda and vinegar to adjust the intensity and duration of the fizz.
Storage
This project is best enjoyed immediately, as the fizz reaction fades quickly. If you want to save your layered jar for display, store it uncovered in a cool, dry place. Avoid sealing it while wet to prevent moisture buildup. Reactions will not occur again once the vinegar has fully reacted with the baking soda.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I reuse the jar for another rainbow cloud?
Yes, simply empty the jar, clean it thoroughly, and prepare fresh baking soda paste and colored vinegar for a new experiment.
Is it safe for kids to do this project?
Absolutely. All ingredients are safe household items, but adult supervision is recommended, especially when handling vinegar and using droppers.
Print
Baking Soda Rainbow Cloud in a Jar Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 jar 1x
Description
This Baking Soda Rainbow Cloud in a Jar is a fun and colorful science-inspired activity that creates vibrant fizzing layers using simple household ingredients. Perfect for kids and adults alike, it blends the excitement of a chemical reaction with a stunning visual display. Layer baking soda paste with colored vinegar for a rainbow cloud eruption inside clear jars, enhanced with optional glitter for extra sparkle.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- Water, as needed to form a paste
Coloring Elements
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- Food coloring (various colors of your choice)
Optional Additions
- Glitter for extra sparkle (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Gather all materials including baking soda, water, food coloring, vinegar, and clear jars. In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup baking soda with enough water to achieve a thick paste consistency, ensuring the mixture holds its shape but is spreadable.
- Layer Baking Soda Mixture: Spoon the baking soda paste into clear jars or glasses, lightly packing each layer to create distinct separations. This forms the base of your rainbow cloud layers.
- Color the Vinegar: In a separate container, pour 1/4 cup vinegar and add several drops of your chosen food coloring. Stir gently to combine and create vibrant colored vinegar solutions.
- Add Colorful Vinegar Layers: Using a dropper or squeeze bottle, carefully add the colored vinegar onto the baking soda layers in the jars. The vinegar reacts immediately with the baking soda to produce fizzing and bubbling, forming the characteristic rainbow cloud effect.
- Optional Sparkle: Before adding the vinegar, sprinkle glitter over the baking soda layers to enhance the visual appeal with sparkling effects during the fizzy reaction.
- Allow to Settle: Let the reaction settle for a few minutes so the layers and fizzing effect can be fully enjoyed. Display your colorful, fizzing rainbow clouds inside jars for an impressive, interactive decoration or educational demonstration.
Notes
- Use a dropper or squeeze bottle to control the amount of vinegar added and to localize the fizzing reaction in individual layers.
- Experiment with adding essential oils to the baking soda paste for scented fizzing layers.
- You can customize colors to match any theme or occasion by selecting different food coloring shades.
- Adjust baking soda and vinegar proportions to increase or decrease fizz intensity.
- Supervise children closely if using glitter to avoid ingestion or inhalation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Science Experiment / Decorative Activity
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Baking soda reaction, rainbow fizz, science experiment, kid-friendly activity, vinegar and baking soda, colorful fizz, jar decoration

