# Fizzing Christmas Lights Art
> Paint card stock Christmas light cut-outs with baking soda paint, then drip or tap on colored citric acid and watch them fizz into bright, textured bulbs. Dry them and string them on twine for a festive garland.
- URL: https://www.funlittles.com/fizzing-christmas-lights-art-project-kids/
- Ages: 4–8 yrs · Difficulty: easy · Mess: high
- Time: prep 30 min, activity 30 min
- Works for: one-on-one, small group, whole class · one batch serves about 2 kids
- Skills: science, chemical-reactions, color-mixing, fine-motor
- Cautions: citrus, food-dye

## Materials (one batch)
- 1 sheet Card stock or watercolor paper
- 1 piece Christmas light bulb template (printable) (household)
- 1 piece Scissors (household)
- 2 tbsp Baking soda
- 10 tbsp Citric acid
- 35 tbsp Water (household)
- Food color
- Liquid watercolors (optional)
- 6 piece Small cups or containers (household)
- 5 piece Pipettes or paint brushes
- 1 piece Paper or tray to cover the table (optional) (household)
- Metallic paint (optional)
- Baker's twine

## Substitutions
- Instead of food color: Liquid watercolors (The author lists these as an option for coloring the citric acid solution.)
- Instead of pipettes brushes: Paint brushes only (More controlled, still fun fizzes, and less overflow than pipettes.)
- Instead of card stock: Watercolor paper (Also recommended by the author. Use any heavy paper, not printer paper.)

## Safety
- Citric acid stings eyes and cuts. Wash hands after and keep hands away from eyes.
- The paints are not for tasting. Supervise so kids don't put pipettes or brushes in their mouths.
- Food color and liquid watercolors can stain hands, clothes and tables.
- Pipettes make bigger fizzes that can overflow. Cover the table and keep paper towels handy.

## Before you start
- Print the Christmas light bulb template and cut the lights out of card stock or watercolor paper.

## Steps
1. Mix 2 tbsp baking soda with just enough water (about 5 tbsp) in a small cup to make a baking soda paint.
2. Set out 5 containers and put 2 tbsp citric acid in each.
3. Add liquid watercolor or food color to each container, then add 6 tbsp water and stir.
4. Set out a paint brush or pipette for each color.
5. Coat a cut-out light with the baking soda paint. Scoop up some of the baking soda that settled at the bottom of the cup.
6. Pick up some colored citric acid with a brush or pipette and drop or gently tap it onto the baking soda paint.
7. Watch it fizz, and keep experimenting with all the colors.
8. Let the Christmas lights dry.
9. Optional: paint the bulb bases with metallic paint.
10. String the lights on twine and hang them up.

## Tips
- Do not use printer paper. Card stock or watercolor paper holds up to all the fizzing.
- Pipettes make a bigger reaction, but it often overflows and soaks the paper. Paint brushes give more controlled yet fun fizzes.
- Make sure you scoop a bit of the baking soda that has settled in the cup onto the paper. That's what makes the fizz.
- The citric acid and baking soda react and release carbon dioxide gas. That's the fizz!
- String them on twine and instantly make your living room look so festive.

## The original post by TurkeyMom (2016)

Ever since we did out [**Kool-Aid fizzy art**](https://www.funlittles.com/art-activities-for-kids-scented-fizzy-paints/), the kids and I are on a arty science kick. { also see our [**pH strips red cabbage experiment**](https://www.funlittles.com/art-activities-for-kids-red-cabbage-art/)} The kids aged 5 and 7 still enjoy all the [**baking soda and acid activities**](https://www.funlittles.com/tag/baking-soda-experiments/) and we have done a plenty of them in the past. Materials

- **[Card Stock Paper](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006P1ER8O/?tag=blmemo-20)**
- **[Citric Acid](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014UCJ8Q/?tag=blmemo-20)**
- Baking Soda
- Our Favorite Food color {Amerigel}
- Our Favorite **[Sax Liquid Water Colors](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042SR5R2/?tag=blmemo-20) {optional}**
- Pippettes/Paint Brushes
- **[Baker's Twine](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007IT72YI/?tag=blmemo-20)**

I recommend checking out [**Apple Fizzing Art**](https://www.funlittles.com/fall-activities-kids-fizzing-apple-art/) or our very first [**Kool - Aid Fizzing Art Project.**](https://www.funlittles.com/art-activities-for-kids-scented-fizzy-paints/)

### How to create Christmas Lights Fizzing Art

Using this wonderful [**Christmas Lights templates**](http://www.printabletreats.com/printable-christmas-light-bulb-template/) I cut out the lights on thick art paper. ***Do not use printer paper.*** I recommend card stock paper or watercolor paper for this project. {product links above}

- In a small cup, add 2 TBSP of baking soda and and just enough water ( 5 TBSP } to make a baking soda solution/paint.
- Set out 5 containers and add 2 TBSP of Citric Acid
- Add liquid watercolors or food colors to the Citric Acid
- Add 6 TBSP of water and make a citric acid solution.
- Set out paint brushes or pipettes { these will make more fizzes but will potential overflow}



First have the child coat the lights you have cut out with the baking soda solution. Make sure you scoop a bit of the baking soda that has settled down in the solution on to the paper. Then either using the brushes or pipettes the child picks up the colored citric acid solution and drops/gently taps on the baking soda solution.



The citric acid and the baking soda react and create the fizzes { release of carbon- di - oxide gas}



Continue and experiment with all the colors.



While the pipettes generate a larger reaction, the reactions typically over flows and soaks the paper. So make sure you use heavy paper for this project. Alternatively you can simply use paint brushes for more controlled yet fun fizzes.



Let the Christmas lights dry.



Use some metallic paint on the bulbs for a goof finishing touch.



String them on a twine and instantly make your living room look so festive

[**

More Christmas Crafts and other activities**](https://www.funlittles.com/category/holidays/christmas-holidays/)



### **Gifts for Art and Crafters!!**