How to make a bottle bomb

These plastic bottle "bombs" use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to create a small explosion that is relatively harmless if handled responsibly. The pressure from the reaction between vinegar and baking soda causes the explosion, but for a safer (and quieter) alternative, you can create a smaller "blast" with a bottle of diet soda and a Mentos candy. As with any explosive, caution is necessary when making bottle bombs, and children should only follow these instructions under the supervision of an adult.

Make a hole through the Mentos candy. Take one Mentos candy and create a hole through the center. You can use a nail, pin, pencil, ballpoint pen, or a similar object to make the hole.

• If needed, use a hammer gently to push the object through the candy. Be careful to avoid injury.
• Alternatively, you can try tying a piece of string or dental floss around the candy instead of making a hole, but ensure it is tied securely.

Thread the string through the Mentos candy. Take a piece of string about 10 cm long (sewing thread or dental floss works best) and thread it through the hole in the middle of the Mentos candy. Hold both ends of the string so that the candy hangs in the middle.

Open the cap of the diet soda bottle. Drop the Mentos candy into the bottle – make sure it doesn't touch the soda – and place both ends of the string on the bottle’s opening.

Screw the cap back on the bottle. Keep both ends of the string outside the bottle, then screw the cap back on tightly to hold the string in place. Cut off any excess string from outside the bottle.

Wait for someone to open the soda bottle. When the bottle is opened, the Mentos candy will fall into the soda, causing it to fizz and explode out of the bottle. (Be prepared for a splash of soda!).

Wrap the baking soda in paper or plastic wrap. Tear a sheet of tissue paper in half or cut a square piece of plastic wrap, each side about 18 cm. Measure about one tablespoon of baking soda and place it in the center of the paper or wrap. Set it aside.

Pour the vinegar into the bottle. Pour about 2.5 – 4 cm of vinegar into the bottle. Be careful not to overfill it, or the bomb might go off before you're ready to trigger it.

Place the baking soda packet in the bottle. Gather the corners of the tissue paper or plastic wrap to enclose the baking soda inside. Carefully insert the packet into the bottle, ensuring the baking soda portion just fits through the opening, with the corners of the paper or wrap sticking out over the top of the bottle's mouth.

• Make sure the paper/plastic packet doesn't drop fully into the bottle.

Find a safe place for the explosion. Choose a spacious area, away from people, pets, and property. Remember, you'll be throwing the bottle, so the spot should be open enough for you to toss the bottle away from yourself.

Take the bottle and cap outside. Bring the bottle to the location where you plan to set off the bomb. Push the packet fully into the bottle, screw the cap on tightly, and shake vigorously. As soon as you feel the bottle start to stiffen due to internal pressure, toss the bottle high and far away from you. The bottle will explode when it hits the ground.

• Be cautious when shaking the bottle. It might explode in your hands, so handle with care.

Open the sandwich bag. Pour about 1 tablespoon of baking soda into the bag, then lift one corner of the bag to allow the baking soda to fall to the bottom corner. Trim the top of the bag and set it aside.

Pour vinegar into the bottle. Add approximately 2.5 – 4 cm of vinegar into the bottle. Be careful not to overfill it, as the bomb may explode before you're ready.

Place the baking soda bag into the bottle. Hold the bag with the baking soda gathered in one corner. Insert the bottom of the bag into the bottle, ensuring the baking soda just passes through the bottle’s opening, with the corners of the bag sticking out above the bottle’s mouth.

• Do not let the bag fall completely into the bottle.

Find a safe place to detonate the bomb. Choose a spacious area, away from people, animals, and property. Remember that you will be throwing the bottle, so the location should have enough space for a safe distance.

Take the bottle outside. Carry the bottle and its cap to the place where you plan to detonate the bomb. Push the baking soda bag fully into the bottle. Screw the cap on tightly and shake it vigorously. As soon as you feel the bottle start to stiffen from the pressure inside, toss it far away from you. The bottle will explode as soon as it hits the ground.

• Be very cautious when shaking the bottle, as it might explode in your hands. Handle with care.

• This can cause injury and should be done in a safe area under adult supervision.
• Always maintain a safe distance from the bomb once it’s activated.
• Be very careful when shaking the vinegar and baking soda bottle, as it may explode in your hands. It’s a good idea to wear gloves and safety goggles.

• Empty water bottle
• Tissue paper, plastic wrap, or a sandwich bag
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Full bottle of diet soda (optional)
• Mentos candy (optional)
• Nail, safety pin, pencil, or ballpoint pen (optional)
• String or dental floss (optional)