How Can I Make a Homemade Volcano Out of Common Household Products?

Make a model volcano at home to awe and surprise your young children

Making a volcano at home is a popular science and holiday camp project. Moreover, it is a great way to entertain your children on a boring Sunday. This chemical reaction project is not only entertaining and fun, but educational, too. The inexpensive science project is sure to awe young children and teach science in a fun manner. The volcano model can be made using basic materials that can be easily found at home

Things You'll Need

• 6 cups flour
• 2 cups salt
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cups water
• Bowl
• Brown food coloring
• 4-oz. plastic cup
• Plywood
• 2 tbsp baking soda
• 6 drops washing detergent
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• Red food coloring

Instructions

1. Knead the flour, salt, oil and water in the bowl and make dough. This dough will be the exterior of the volcano.

2. Add 3 to 4 drops of brown food coloring to create a more realistic volcano.

3. Mold the dough around the plastic cup to create the volcano. Use the plywood as a base for the volcano. Allow the volcano exterior to dry overnight.

4. Fill the crater cup with water. Add the baking powder, washing detergent and a little red food coloring to the cup when you are ready to make the volcano erupt. The red food coloring will recreate the look of hot lava.

5. Slowly pour the vinegar in the crater cup and make the volcano erupt. See the expression on your young child’s face.

Tips & Warnings

• The project may get messy, so it is a good idea to do it in the backyard or outdoors.

• The plywood sheet that is used for the base must be at least 6 to 8 inches wider and longer than the volcano model to prevent lava from staining surfaces.

• Little children should stand back and enjoy it from a distance. Do not allow children to conduct the project all by themselves. Ensure there is someone to supervise them.

References

• Let’s Make a Volcano: Volcano Projects
• Coolest Kid Birthday Parties: Learn How to Make a Volcano
• Science Bob: Make Your Own Volcano

Resources

• Kids Discovery: Volcano Explorer
• How to Make a Volcano
• Volcano Live: How to Make a Volcano Model
• A to Z Home’s Cool Homeschooling: Volcanoes