How to Make a Lava Lamp

Have your kids make a lava lamp out of materials around the house to introduce them to this groovy relic from the past. Unlike real lava lamps, these homemade lava lamps are non-toxic and unheated.

Things You'll Need

• Vegetable oil
• Food coloring
• Glitter
• Clear bottle

Instructions

1. Pour oil into a jar or bottle. Fill it up about one-third of the way.

2. Add eye-catching decorations. Beads, sequins, glitter, sprinkles or anything else small and pretty can be dumped into the mixture.

3. Add food coloring. Just a drop or so of food dye will give the lava lamp a colorful tint.

4. Fill the rest of the jar up with water. Top off the jar or bottle with regular tap water.

5. Seal the jar or bottle. Screw a lid on tightly and securely.

6. Shake. Get the liquids moving to create the lava lamp effect.

Tips & Warnings

• To illuminate the lamp, place it on top of a floodlight or place it in front of a strong flashlight.

• You can add Alka-Seltzer or Airborne to create bubbles.

• Do not heat a plastic bottle. Even the heat from the light could melt the plastic, so don't leave it sitting for too long.

• Although the mixture is non-toxic, keep it away from small children as the floating objects could be a choking hazard.