Build Your Own Volcano
Teach your kids about volcanoes by doing this fun hands on activity! Before starting the activity, talk to your kids about volcanoes.
DID YOU KNOW?
The name "volcano" has its origin from the name of Vulcan, a god of fire in Roman mythology.
How many volcanoes are there in the world? There are around 1,510 active volcanoes in the world. A volcano is an opening in Earth’s crust. When a volcano erupts, hot gases and melted rock from deep within Earth find their way up to the surface.
Watch these short cartoons to learn more about volcanoes:
Find more information about Volcanoes here and here.
Now, let's make our own eruption!
Materials:
Brown playdough (You can make your own playdough!)
Red food coloring
White vinegar
Baking soda
Thin cookie sheet
Spoon
Water
Measuring cup
Dish soap
Liquid measuring cup
Directions:
Make your mountain out of the playdough. Use your thumb to press down at the top, making the opening.
Mix 1/2 cup of water with 2 spoonfuls of baking soda in the liquid measuring cup and mix
Add 1/2 spoonful of liquid measuring cup and mix
Add 3 drops of red food coloring and mix
Make sure you have your cookie sheet under the volcano in order to contain the mess!
Pour the solution into the volcano until it is 3/4 of the way full
Now for the eruption! Add a very tiny amount of vinegar (about an ounce) and watch your volcano come to life!
You can repeat for more explosions!
Visit this link for more information on this activity.
Take it a step further by experimenting and consider these questions:
1. Does vinegar temperature affect how fast the volcano erupts?
2. Does the shape of the volcano affect the direction the eruption travels?
3. What can be added to the “lava” to slow it down and make it more like real lava?
4. What combination of vinegar and baking soda creates the biggest eruption?
Shoutout to Science Bob for the idea!
