Bouncy Egg Experiment: Did you know that you could make an egg bounce? Try the Bouncy Egg science experiment and see how it works!
This simple science experiment is a fun and not so messy way to explore eggs without their shells!
Items Needed for Bouncy Eggs:
- Raw Eggs
- White Vinegar
- Clear Jars
- Food Dye if Desired
- Bouncy Egg Science Printables
How to Make Bouncy Eggs:
This experiment takes 48-72 hours so it will require kids be at an age to manage that level of patience.
1. Place egg in a tall clear container with a wide mouth. The egg will expand with time so a wide mouth container is important. Cover the egg with vinegar.
2. Have kids observe the eggs. Take note of what they see. Are there bubbles? What does the shell look like? Is the egg getting bigger? Smaller? Sinking? Floating?
3. After 24 hours change the vinegar. Be very careful not to poke a hole in the shell while doing this. Cover the egg with fresh vinegar and let sit for another 2-3 days!
We accidently poked a hole in a shell of one of three eggs we had included in this science experiment.
While it did make that egg unable to bounce it was still pretty cool for observation.
So, it was a fail…but, it was a really cool way to see what the inside of an egg looks like!
4. In a couple of days, the shell should be completely gone! Gently rinse the eggs with warm water and explore their fun {yet delicate} membrane that covers the egg.
You’ve successfully made an egg without a shell. Now to see if it can BOUNCE!
How Bouncy Eggs Work:
The shell of an egg is made of calcium carbonate. When you place the egg into the vinegar, you see bubbles, which is the chemical reaction of the acid in the vinegar reacting with the calcium carbonate to produce carbon dioxide. You’ll also notice that the egg gets larger as it sits in the vinegar. That is because some of the vinegar is absorbed in the egg through its semi-permeable membrane!
Just be careful…even though it bounces and squishes, it can still break!
Super simple and FUN science!
Extend Learning with This Bouncy Egg Observation Packet
More Fun Science Experiments
To find more simple science activities you can do at home, as well as tips on how to encourage a love of science in your child, make sure to swing over and check out our Science Activities for Kids Page.