This simple kids’ science activity is perfect for little scientists who like seeing creatures come alive before their eyes. 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. 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. 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. 
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!
thanks
I tried this and it failed 4 times. I tried making the worms minuscule in size. I tried presoaking them and applying baking soda after they were soaked. They danced for a second then sank. Tired just one small worm thinking the baking soda was too much for the vinegar. Didn’t work. There is a lot of trail and error with this experiment.
My tries also failed. My gummy worms were dissolving faster than absorbing the baking soda. Glad I tried it before presenting it to our scout group. Bummer.
This does not work. Don’t waste your time
This did not work for us. What a bummer!
Followed directions closely. Zero dancing occurred. 🙁
We got it to work!!! At first our experiment had also appeared to fail, so I let my son begin just pouring the baking soda/water mixture into the vinegar to make a volcano (so he could still have some excitement). Lo and behold that was the trick that did it! Not only did he get a “volcano”, the worms started “dancing” and rising to the surface with the help of the added baking soda. Two fun science experiments in one!
We couldn’t get this to work despite multiple attempts and the suggestion above. 🙁 We were able to get raisins to “dance”, though!
We couldn’t, either. We tried several times. I’m glad we tried it at home before trying it at the Brownie meeting. Bummer, this one gets tagged a lot on pinterest.
thanks for sharing! this is a perfect project to do with my son.
Experiment only works with ‘candy store” gummi worms. It does not work with dollar store candy. I tried several brands until i got it to work.
Awesome tip! Thanks for sharing, Ann!!