How to Make Homemade Pop Rocks: Free Science Experiment (2024)

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Want to know how to make pop rocks? Learn how to create your own and have fun doing it with this pop rocks experiment!

You remember these old pop rock candies, right? They were all the rage when I was a kid. Sometimes you can still find them in grocery stores if you’re lucky. Or you might be able to find them at gas stations.

Did you know you can make homemade pop rocks candy? Pop rocks experiments are actually a super fun edible STEM activity that kids of all ages can enjoy and the science behind it is surprisingly simple! So read on for how to make pop rocks!

You can skip to the free printable instructions here.

Experimenting with Pop Rocks Creation

If you’re a homeschool parent or teacher on the lookout for engaging and educational activities, look no further!

Get ready to ignite their imaginations and witness their eyes sparkle with wonder as we unveil the secret to creating homemade pop rocks candy. Those iconic, effervescent candies that have dazzled taste buds and ignited giggles for generations can now be made right in the comfort of your own home.

Hold on tight, because this experiment is not only a spectacular sensory experience but also a gateway to understanding the magic of chemical reactions and the captivating world of molecular gastronomy. From tiny tots to eager teens, everyone will be bubbling with enthusiasm as they delve into the realms of science and culinary creativity.

The best part? This experiment isn’t just about making fizzy candies – it’s an opportunity for quality family time, bonding over shared discoveries, unleashing your inner mad scientist, and just making homeschooling fun. The kitchen will be filled with laughter and awe as you embark on this journey of exploration and fun.

So gather your little apprentices and put on those safety goggles (metaphorical ones, of course!), because our free homemade pop rocks experiment is about to blow your mind and taste buds in the most delightful way possible. Get ready to create memories that will fizz with excitement as your kids learn how to make pop rocks!

What Are Pop Rocks?

Before we get started, just in case you don’t know about these iconic candies… well then, what are Pop Rocks, anyway?!

Pop Rocks are a unique and iconic candy that’s known for its surprising and fizzy sensation. These tiny, colorful crystals create a popping and crackling sensation in your mouth, delivering a fun and novel experience for candy enthusiasts of all ages.

But have you ever wondered what exactly makes Pop Rocks pop? We’ll discuss that in the homemade Pop Rocks experiment!

Free Printable Homemade Pop Rocks Project Instructions for Kids

Do you want to enjoy this homemade pop rocks project anytime, anywhere? Download the free printable homemade pop rocks project instructions!

Click here to access the Pop Rocks Printable Instructions!

Or keep reading to get all the info on homemade pop rocks.

How to Make Pop Rocks

Follow this simple recipe and you’ll soon be on your way to making your very own DIY pop rocks. Make sure to keep reading to the bottom where you will find tips and tricks, the science behind the pop rocks, and more recommended STEM resources.

Keep in mind, real, homemade pop rocks are made to pop due to a high pressurized method of injecting CO2 into the candies. This is a highly dangerous and actually a patented process.

Your candies will not pop exactly like store-bought pop rocks. However, if done properly (i.e. dry properly, not too much humidity, etc) then yours should still experience a fizzing sensation.

DIY Pop Rocks Ingredients

Here are the Pop Rocks ingredients you need:

• 2 cups of sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ cup plus 1 teaspoon citric acid
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• ¼ cup water
• 1 teaspoon flavoring extract (flavor of your choice)
• 1-2 drops food coloring
• Pinch of corn starch

DIY Pop Rocks Instructions

1. Dust baking sheet with cornstarch.

2. In a sauce pan combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Cook the mixture until it reaches 300 degrees when measured with a candy thermometer or when it is rapidly bubbling for about 1 minute consistently.

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3. Remove from heat and add baking soda, ¼ cup citric acid, extract, and food coloring. Stir to combine.

4. Spread on a baking sheet, don’t let it run over the edges. Sprinkle with a spoonful of citric acid.

A note one this – if your mixture does not have the desired consistency, do not fear! The picture you are seeing is of a mixture that was stickier than was ideal – almost like taffy. If that happens to you just shove it in the freezer to cool.

You can use separated chunks in Ziploc baggies or just shove the whole pan in the freezer. After about 6 hours the kids can break it up into perfect little pop rocks as if nothing in the world went wrong.

5. Allow to cool. (This mixture took 6 hours in the freezer.)

6. Break the candy into pieces and put in a ziploc bag. Use a rolling pin or spoon to crush the candy to resemble rock candy.

Tips and Tricks

• Citric acid can be found near the canning supplies.

• For flavoring, you can use kool-aid flavors or liquid flavors. Kool-aid flavoring will be more sour tasting than sweet.

How Do Pop Rocks Work?

Wondering what causes the Pop Rock to fizz? The quick answer is – injected carbon dioxide.

When making your homemade pop rocks, the ingredients (sugar, corn syrup, flavors, etc.) are heated together and brought to a boil. While doing so, the mixture is mixed with carbon dioxide and as the candy cools the carbon dioxide gets stuck in the candy.

The carbon dioxide bubble is what makes the crackling sound and fizzy feeling when in your mouth. Your own private pockets of carbonation.

Keep in mind store bought pop rocks will give off a much more intense popping sensation than your homemade ones will. This is due to the fact that store bought pop rocks go through a patented and highly dangerous process.

To make your pop rocks just like the store-bought pop rocks, you would need a pressure cooker capable of injecting CO2 into molten candy at 600 psi which is extremely dangerous. Go learn more about store-bought pop rocks here.

The Science Behind the Pop Rocks

Do you know what makes pop rocks pop?

While your homemade pop rocks will not pop the same way as store bought pop rocks, if done properly, they should still allow for a fun, fizzing sensation. For optimal results, make sure you make these on a day that is not too humid and leave them to dry in an area that is not humid.

The pop rock fizzes and pops you feel are actually those little tiny bubbles of trapped carbon dioxide escaping. It’s a fun feeling, isn’t it? The combination of the heat along with the friction and movement caused by the stirring and the boiling cause those bubbles to get stuck in the first place.

While the same thing does not happen in nature exactly, you can discuss with your kids how ice, including glaciers, also have little pockets of air that get stuck. While these air pockets do not fizz and pop, they do cause the ice to be a cloudy instead of clear like the water that first got frozen was. Fun huh?

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