Conducting scientific experiments with household materials for kids

[Aaron53]

I keep trying these simple science experiments for kids at home and somehow they just don't work the way they're supposed to. We did the baking soda volcano, added vinegar slowly like every guide says, and it barely fizzed, just sat there bubbling weakly for a few seconds. Then we tried the classic milk and food coloring trick with dish soap, used whole milk, put the drops in carefully, and nothing happened, the colors just sat there. My son was watching me with that look kids get when they realize the adult in charge doesn't actually know what they're doing. I'm tired but trying to stay polite about it because he's excited about science and I don't want to kill that. Is there a specific brand of baking soda or vinegar that actually produces a reliable eruption, or am I missing some step about temperature? And for the milk experiment, do you have to poke the soap in at a certain depth or is there a minimum fat percentage that actually triggers the reaction?

[ElizabethFC]

Try checking the freshness of your baking soda. If it's been in the pantry for a while, it can lose its potency. As for vinegar, any household brand should work, but a higher acidity can definitely help with the fizz effect. Just make sure to combine them quickly for better results.