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Fizzing Christmas Lights Art

Nov 3, 201612,675 views
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by TurkeyMom in Art Projects

Ages4–8 yrs
Prep30 min
Activity30 min
Leveleasy
MessHigh
Works for1:1 · Small group · Class

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.

⚠️ Safety first

  • 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 the kids arrive

  • 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.from the author
  • Pipettes make a bigger reaction, but it often overflows and soaks the paper. Paint brushes give more controlled yet fun fizzes.from the author
  • 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.from the author
  • The citric acid and baking soda react and release carbon dioxide gas. That's the fizz!from the author
  • String them on twine and instantly make your living room look so festive.from the author

Make it your own

  • Hang the dried bulbs on curled metallic ribbon instead of twine, as in some of the photos.
  • Try the same technique with apple shapes (Apple Fizzing Art) or with Kool-Aid fizzy paints.

The story behind it

By TurkeyMom · November 2016
materials
I cut out the lights on thick art paper using a Christmas lights template. Do not use printer paper. Then set out containers of colored citric acid solution with brushes or pipettes.
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Fizzing Christmas Lights Art: the original post

Ever since we did out Kool-Aid fizzy art, the kids and I are on a arty science kick. { also see our pH strips red cabbage experiment} The kids aged 5 and 7 still enjoy all the baking soda and acid activities and we have done a plenty of them in the past. Materials

I recommend checking out Apple Fizzing Art or our very first Kool - Aid Fizzing Art Project.

How to create Christmas Lights Fizzing Art

Using this wonderful Christmas Lights templates 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}

materials

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.

fizzing-lights

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

fizzing-art-making-christmas-lights

Continue and experiment with all the colors.

erupting-art-christmas-lights

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.

fizzy-christmas-crafts

Let the Christmas lights dry.

christmas-lights-art

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

christmas art

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

[**fizzing-art-for-christmas-lights

More Christmas Crafts and other activities**](/category/holidays/christmas-holidays/)

artsy-science-making-christmas-lights-art

Gifts for Art and Crafters!!

amazon-craft-gifts

What readers say

💬 2 comments

Tried it?

Reviewed before it appears. No links, and please no children's names.

Read all 2 comments

  1. Anishsa · Mar 2021

    I love this art and it has cool coolers and i love love love it.

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