Have the kids and grandkids over during the Thanksgiving holiday break?Here’s a simple science demonstration you can do with them to have some fun:For the demonstration, you’ll need:1 balloon1 empty water bottle1 tablespoon of baking sodaHalf a cup of vinegarKitchen funnel Start off by asking your kids if it’s possible to inflate the balloon without using their breath. Then, have them use the kitchen funnel to put the tablespoon of baking soda inside the balloon. After that, use the kitchen funnel to pour half a cup of vinegar into the empty water bottle. Once the vinegar is in the empty water bottle, carefully put the balloon around the water bottle opening. It’s best if one person puts the balloon on the bottle and another person holds the base to stop it from tipping over. Once the balloon is secure, tip the balloon upright so the baking soda falls into the vinegar. A chemical reaction happens in the bottle, creating the gas that inflates the balloon. Once the balloon is filled, take the demonstration a step further and explain to your kids the similarities between the inflated balloon and how the wind influences our weather. The pressure differences in Earth’s atmosphere are a major driving force in how and where the wind blows. Because air is encouraged to move from areas of high pressure toward areas of low pressure, when the balloon is removed, the gust of wind it creates mimics this on a small, kid-friendly scale. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Follow Gulf Coast News online and on air for Southwest Florida’s Most Accurate weather forecast.Be prepared with the Gulf Coast News 2025 Hurricane GuideLive Interactive RadarCheck out the interactive Gulf Coast Live RadarWatch your Gulf Coast Weather forecasts on TV or onlineHere’s where to find our latest weather forecast videoYou can also watch newscasts live or on demand hereOr download the Gulf Coast News app to stream on your phone or tabletYour Gulf Coast Storm TeamChief Meteorologist Allyson RaeMeteorologist Caroline CastoraMeteorologist Jim DickeyMeteorologist Jason DunningMeteorologist Lauren HopeMeteorologist Raphael TavernierMeteorologist Rob DunsMeteorologist Sara BlueDOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest breaking news and weather alerts. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
Have the kids and grandkids over during the Thanksgiving holiday break?
Here’s a simple science demonstration you can do with them to have some fun:
For the demonstration, you’ll need:
- 1 balloon
- 1 empty water bottle
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- Half a cup of vinegar
- Kitchen funnel
Start off by asking your kids if it’s possible to inflate the balloon without using their breath.
Then, have them use the kitchen funnel to put the tablespoon of baking soda inside the balloon.
After that, use the kitchen funnel to pour half a cup of vinegar into the empty water bottle.
Once the vinegar is in the empty water bottle, carefully put the balloon around the water bottle opening. It’s best if one person puts the balloon on the bottle and another person holds the base to stop it from tipping over.
Once the balloon is secure, tip the balloon upright so the baking soda falls into the vinegar.
A chemical reaction happens in the bottle, creating the gas that inflates the balloon.
Once the balloon is filled, take the demonstration a step further and explain to your kids the similarities between the inflated balloon and how the wind influences our weather.
The pressure differences in Earth’s atmosphere are a major driving force in how and where the wind blows. Because air is encouraged to move from areas of high pressure toward areas of low pressure, when the balloon is removed, the gust of wind it creates mimics this on a small, kid-friendly scale.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Follow Gulf Coast News online and on air for Southwest Florida’s Most Accurate weather forecast.
Live Interactive Radar
Watch your Gulf Coast Weather forecasts on TV or online
Your Gulf Coast Storm Team
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest breaking news and weather alerts. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.