How to Make a Volcano at Home

Make your own model volcano

Making your own volcano at home can be fun and educational for your whole family. Children will enjoy seeing your volcano erupt again and again. Even smaller children can take part if you properly supervise them. And this activity can be used as a science fair project. The reaction between baking soda and vinegar is what will make your volcano erupt. Make your own salt dough to create the volcano base for this economical project.

Things You'll Need

• Large aluminum pan or other dish
• 8 oz. plastic bottle
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup water
• Food coloring
• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cup
• Spoon
• Paint brush
• Tempura or acrylic paints
• 2 tbsp. baking soda
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• Warm water
• Dish soap

Instructions

Mixing the Dough

1. 

   Measure the ingredients.

   Measure and mix the flour and salt. Add water 1/2 cup at a time, as you stir the dough with a spoon.

2. Use your hands to kneading the dough for 10 to 15 minutes. If the dough is too dry and crumbling, add more water. If it's too wet and sticky to manage, add more flour. Divide the dough up between children to let them help you knead it on plastic placemats.

3. Add a few drops of food coloring to the dough to give it color.

Building the Volcano

1. Mold and sculpt the dough around the plastic bottle to make the shape of a volcano. Do not drop dough in the bottle.

2. 

   Shape ridges like a real volcano.

   Shape ridges down the side of the volcano, so the "lava" can flow down them. Let the dough dry one to two days, until it is hard and dry on the outside.

3. Paint the dough with acrylic or tempura paint for added effect. Let it dry completely.

Creating the Eruption

1. Pour warm water down the mouth of the bottle until it is almost full. Add a few drops of red food color to make the "lava" red. Add a few drops of dish soap and 2 tbsp. of baking soda.

2. 

   Safety goggles

   Put on safety goggles, so none of the baking soda and vinegar gets in your eyes.

3. Have everyone stand back. Step back a little and extend your arms to pour 1/4 cup vinegar slowly down the mouth of the volcano.

Tips & Warnings

• Make two batches for a larger volcano. Or use store-bought play dough, clay or sand to sculpt your volcano.

• Put the dough in a plastic bag if you want to make it ahead of time.

• Keep children a safe distance away as your volcano is "erupting."

• If you are a child, always do science experiments like this with an adult.

References

• Reeko's Mad Scientist Lab: Look Out She's Gonna Blow
• Recipe for Homemade Air Dry Salt Dough