How to Make a Papier-Mache Volcano

When science fair time rolls around, one of the more popular projects for school children is making a papier-mache volcano. Through the construction process, kids can learn about volcanoes and how they work as well as experience basic chemistry by mixing common household substances to make the volcano erupt. With some parental supervision, instructions and a little patience, kids can create a model of a working volcano that should earn a good grade while having fun with arts and crafts.

Things You'll Need

• For the volcano:
• 1 plastic water bottle or beverage bottle
• Newspaper
• Paper mache mix or a glue and water mixture
• Cardboard box
• Tape
• Paint
• For the Lava:
• 1/3 cup baking soda
• Vinegar
• Red food coloring

Instructions

1. Cut off the top of a cardboard box. When you are done, the bottom of the box should be left and the sides should be about two inches high.

2. Trim the top of the water bottle, from the neck up. Place the bottle in the middle of the cardboard box and secure the bottle to the box with masking tape.

3. Crumple newspaper sheets into balls and place them around the base of the bottle. This will help give the volcano the sloped shape. Use the masking tape to secure the newspaper to the bottle and cardboard box bottom.

4. Tear the remaining newspaper into strips.

5. Dip the strips of newspaper into the papier-mache or glue-and-water mixture. Cover the strip of newspaper completely. Slick off the excess mixture by running the strip through your thumb and forefinger. Be sure to leave an opening at the top, over the bottle, for the lava.

6. Apply the newspaper strips vertically to the volcano, running from the opening to the base of the volcano. Repeat this step until the outsides of the volcano are covered completely.

7. Dry the papier-mache overnight.

8. Paint the volcano brown and green.

9. Place 1/3 cup baking soda inside the bottle at the center of the volcano.

10. Mix a few drops of red food coloring with a glass of vinegar. Exact measurements are not required. Simply mix to the depth of color you desire.

11. Pour the vinegar into the baking soda. The volcano will erupt.

References

• University of Victoria: How to Build your Own Volcano
• Storm the Castle: How to Make a Volcano
• Library Thinkquest: Create Your Own Volcano