This simple kids’ science activity is perfect for little scientists who like seeing creatures come alive before their eyes. Â Like our fizzing popsicle paint and magic balloons, this kids’ science experiment uses baking soda and vinegar to make gummy worms dance.
Follow the simple step-by-step below and then grab 30 more easy-to-follow science experiments kids will beg to repeat (plus a no prep science journal to keep track of their results!) in our shop!
Getting Ready
First, I grabbed a bag of gummy worms and a few common household items:
- Gummy worms
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- 2 clear cups
Then, I cut the gummy worms in quarters. (I found it easier to do with a wet knife or one dusted with baking soda to prevent the worm from sticking to the knife.)
Next, I had my 4 year-old, A, measure out 3 tablespoons of baking soda and stir them into a glass filled with 1 cup of warm water. Â I handed her the pile of cut worms (we cut 3 worms in 12 pieces) and had her mix them into the baking soda and water concoction.
Now came the hard part. A had to wait a whole 15 minutes for the worms to soak in the baking soda mixture.
While we waited, we filled the second clear glass with vinegar.
As soon as the timer buzzed, A ran to the worms and very carefully fished them out with a fork.
We started by placing just a couple worms in the vinegar and they instantly started forming bubbles.
After a few seconds, the worms were covered in enough bubbles that they started rising from the bottom, writhing their way to the surface.
After several minutes, A wanted to add more – even though the first worms were still dancing about.
It turns out the extra worms just sat on the bottom, too weighted down by the other worms to rise.
So, in this kids’ science experiment, less is actually more, with about 4 worms being the best.
A, delighted she could make gummy worms come to life, couldn’t wait to show her little brother. Â He really thought they were alive and stared at them trying to figure out how we did it, then refusing to eat any of the remaining worms from the bag. Â 
Quick and simple with lots of “oohs” and “aahs”, this kids’ science experiment is sweet in more ways than one!
The Science Behind It
When you add the worms soaked in baking soda, the acetic acid in the vinegar reacts with the bicarbonate in the baking soda.
And when an acid and base react, carbon dioxide gas bubbles form.
These gas bubbles form on the gummy worm and as the gas bubbles rise to the surface, they pull the gummy worm up with them, making them wriggle and dance.
As the gas bubbles burst, the worm falls back down until enough bubbles form to pull it back up.
The bubbles will continue to form until all the baking soda on the worm is used up and the worm will stop wiggling.
More Simple Science Kids Will Love
Inspire kids to LOVE science with 30 more jaw dropping experiments they’ll beg to repeat!
Grab 30 easy-to-follow science experiments kids will beg to repeat (plus a no prep science journal to keep track of their results!) in our shop!
thank you so much!! I am going to do it with my students 🙂 regards!!
Yay Miss Flavia!! I’m excited that you’re going to give the Frankenworms a try. Have fun!!
I love this idea. Is it ok to add to my Halloween round up?
Hi Malia, Love your pages. Great ideas. I tried one of yours but it was a bit of a fizzier. What do you think happened?
http://julieinthemaking.wordpress.com/2014/11/01/wiggly-worms-not-nailed-it-wednesday/
Thanks Julie
Hi Julie,
I’m sorry to hear the experiment didn’t turn out like expected. It definitely is fun to watch the worms dance around so it might be worth another try. I suspect cutting the worms in thirds and not fourths was probably where things went wrong. They really do have to be light for the air bubbles to give them lift. The worms are a pain to cut but I used a recently sharpened knife and that seemed to help a little. It’s a test in patience for sure! Good luck!! – Noirin
This science project didn’t work for me, i tried around 5 times following the instructions exactly. The biggest result i got was a tiny waving of the tip of the gummy worm. This was my science fair project, i was very let down by the turn out.
Sorry to hear that you had difficulty with the experiment, Beth.
We also tried this experiment and failed at first. We bought our gummy worms at target and they were fat! So, I cut them in four pieces. So we had four long skinny worms. Then in half, now we had eight worms about 1 1/2 inches long. Then I dredged them in baking soda before putting them in the baking soda water. we used less water in our baking soda mixture too. And IT WORKED! I really think we did not need the Step with less water. An hour later the worms are still dancing, just slower!! I hope this helps anyone who is trouble shooting this.
I am definitely interested in science ideas for the classroom. I am an elementary school coach, mom of three, and I love science naturally.
Thank you so much!
Love it 🙂
Do you have to immediately move the worms to the vinegar or can you pre-soak them? I want to do this with my preschoolers but we would have to do it in three groups and at different times, and each group would not have time to wait 15 minutes for the worms to soak.
Hi Riley,
I would think you could pre-soak the gummy worms in the baking soda and enough baking soda would coat the worms to make it work but you’d probably have to use them within an hour. I would suggest having all the worms pre-sliced then have 3 cups of the baking soda mixture on hand. Place the 1st batch of worms in 15 min before the first group will be doing this activity. Then add the second batch of worms to the second cup of baking soda just before you start the first group. That way by the time you get through the first group, the second group’s worms have soaked for 15 min. Then repeat this process when the second group starts with the worms for the third group. You could even have the kiddos mix up the baking soda and water then add the worms. Just use that mixture for the next group and have one that has been soaking on hand so they can see them dance without waiting. I do recommend trying it at home first so you get the hang of it before you have a group of kiddos watching you! I hope this helps!
I love this idea for a fun activity for kids. I also think it would be a great classroom project or even fun thing to do at a birthday party. I have seen it with raisins but worms are so much better!