Exploding Paint Science Art Project for Kids

Get ready for an EPIC exploding paint art project that will thrill kids of all ages! In this paint explosion kids will create a very unique work of art with the fun process of painitng using alka seltzer for kids! This silly, zany, and outrageously FUN summer art project is sure to delight even your art resistent crowd that doens’t like making crafts. These film canister rocket activity is perfect for toddler, preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th graders too.

Exploding paint

Are you looking for a really engaging and memorable summer activity for kids? This exploding paint activity is a MUST TRY. Add this paint explosion to your summer bucket list. Toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners, grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, and 4th grade students will use alka seltzer to make film canister rockets that will make fun patterns, splatters, and dispercil of paint as you enjoy the excitement of exploding paint rockets!

Paint explosion

All you need are a few simple materials to try this outrageously FUN art project for kids:

film canisters (we bought them on Amazon, but you can find them at garage sales too)
washable paint
alka seltzer tablets
regular, cardstock or watercolor paper

Alka Seltzer for kids

The process to make this fun art project for kids is so simple! Pour some washable paint into each film canister. You don’t have to be exact, about a teaspoon is probably enough. Now add just a few drops of water. If you add too much water, it will dilute the paint and your artwork won’t be as vivid.

We like to do this project outside as it has the potential to make a mess. In our experience the explosions were pretty controlled so we knew how far they went… but still. What a great excuse to get outside and have some fun making a summer art project!

Summer Art Project

This part goes QUICKLY. Break an Alka Seltzer tablet in half and plop half in the film canister. Quickly close the top of the film canister, shake it vigorously a few times, and place it lid side down on the watercolor paper with the top down. Step back and wait for the explosion!

Film canister rocket

Remove the the film canister cap from the paint. Repeat with other paint colors to get a beautiful piece of artwok you made by exploding paint! Feel free to add details with markers to your project if you like.

Painting Ideas for Kids

Allow your project to dry completely. Now you can hang it on the fridge, give it to grandma, or add in details to complete your picture.

Science Experiment for Preschoolers

So what is the science behind the explosion for this Science Art Project. Well basically these Exploding work like the DIY lava lamp by creating a chemical reaction as you mix Alka Seltzer and paint water. Alka Seltzer tablets are made out of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). When the water and Alka Seltzer tablet mix you’ve actually combined an acid and base to form carbon dioxide bubbles. When their is no more room inside the film canister the pressure builds up to the canister POPS open to release the pressure, splattering the paint all over the paper.

HINT: If you accidentally didn’t close the lid of the film canister all the way, you would see bubbles escaping from the gap.

Film canisters for rockets

This is such a fun-to-make science experiment for preschoolers that combines art and science for a really cool science activity adn art activity all-in-one.