Volcano Experiment Ingredients & Tutorial

Create your very own Volcano Experiment with these ingredients!

This is a very basic Volcano experiment activity. This experiment is super fun and has the additional benefit of science related learning.

Remember to always supervise young children when dealing with mixing of chemical products, even natural based solutions can sting if they get them in their eyes.

You will need a few things and some time to set aside for this activity. This is a classic activity that has been used in schools for science and would be particularly fantastic to put in your homeschool plan.

This non-sponsored activity was created using Mckenzie’s products which are available in most supermarkets in Australia.

For a list of Volcano Kits which are already “Done For You” visit HERE.

Materials

For The Volcano Shell

• Used Empty Drink Bottle (plastic or glass)
• Newspapers
• Glue + Water Mixed Together (PVA Glue works best)
• Water
• 4- 5 drops Dishwashing Liquid
• Red Food Colouring
• 2 tbsp McKenzie’s Bi-Carb Soda
• ¼ cup of Vinegar
• Masking Tape

MAKING THE VOLCANO SHELL

Step 1: To make the basic shape of a volcano cut the middle of a plastic bottle out and then overlap the two ends together securing it with masking tape.

Step 2: Now for the fun part: Apply paper mache to the volcano using small strips of newspaper dipped into a gluey water mixture. Allow to dry.

Step 3: When the paper mache is dry, get the kids to paint the volcano.

MAKING THE ERUPTION:

Step 1: Fill the bottle almost full with water. Put four to five drops of dishwashing liquid into the water followed by two drops of red food colouring.

Step 2: Add the Bi-Carb to the mix. Put the Volcano over the bottle so it is in place and ready to go.

Step 3: Pour the vinegar into the Volcano bottle and watch it erupt.

How does this work? 

Mixing the Volcano Experiment Ingredients cause a chemical reaction, creating a frothy carbon dioxide explosion oozing from your DIY Volcano. Carbon dioxide is a gas that forms when the vinegar (an acid) reacts with the baking soda (a base).