Scented Balloons

Last week, at science co-op, the pre-kindergarten through third grade class concluded a lengthy unit on the states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases).  For the final day of the unit, we focused on gases.  I wanted a fun activity that involved learning about gases that we haven't already done.  Searching through the remaining activities and lessons, I found the a great idea in Teaching Chemistry with Toys.  {This is the same book I used for the Christmas ornaments lesson.}

Entitled "Smelly Balloons," the lesson prompted us to fill five different balloons with various scents.  We used several extracts and a couple spices to scent our balloons.  A few drops or a small scoop in a balloon was more than enough scent.  The scent is able to permeate the balloon.

I began by explaining the activity and listing the five scents we used on a white board.  We used cocoa, cinnamon, peppermint, coconut, and lemon.

We then passed each balloon around allowing the children to guess the scent.  Using the table provided in the book, each child recorded their guess.  Once we completed the observations, we then revealed each scent.  Most of the children had gotten them all correct. 

It was an easy, fun learning experience.  Another mom in the class had a fabulous idea to scent the balloons for a birthday party.  Wouldn't that add a great twist to the birthday party decorations?  My daughter, who heard the mom's comment, has already requested lemon scented balloons.