How to Make an Erupting Clay Volcano

Volcanoes have long been a staple of science fairs. They are a good project to help kids understand basic chemistry, and they are a lot of fun too. The kids will enjoy perfecting their model so much they may just forget that they are learning instead of playing.

Things You'll Need

• Disposable water bottle
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• Clay
• Cookie sheet
• Red food coloring
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• Poster paint

Instructions

1. Pour the baking soda into the water bottle. Place a quarter-sized piece of clay on the bottom of the bottle and affix the bottle to the cookie sheet. Do not place too near the edge of the cookie sheet, as the cookie sheet needs to contain the eruption.

2. Shape the clay around the water bottle into a volcano. Cover the entire water bottle except for the opening at the top. You can also use the clay to make a landscape around the volcano. Allow the clay to dry and paint it to look like a volcano.

3. Place 2 to 3 drops of red food coloring into the water bottle. Pour in the vinegar and watch the volcano erupt. The eruption is caused by a chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar. Vinegar is an ascetic acid and neutralizes sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). This process causes carbon dioxide to be released, which leads to the resulting fizzing and lava flow.

Tips & Warnings

• Use paper or toys to create a forest or town for the volcano to destroy.

• Food coloring stains so clean up any spills immediately.

Resources

• A resource of free science fair project ideas
• LiveScience uncovers how volcanoes work in easy to understand language