Have you ever made a homemade volcano project where you built the volcano from scratch? If not, we’ll show you how! Find out how to make a volcano model that erupts at home or in the classroom! A homemade volcano is a great science fair project! Getting started with science is easy; getting kids to stop once they’re hooked is not so easy!

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WHAT IS A VOLCANO?

The easiest definition of a volcano is a hole in the earth, but we recognize it as a landform (usually a mountain) where molten rock or magma erupts through the earth’s surface.

There are two main shapes of volcanoes called composites and shields. Composite volcanoes have steep sides and look like cones, whereas a shield volcano has more gently sloping sides and is wider.

TRY: Learn about volcanos with this edible plate tectonics activity and layers of the earth model. Plus, check out more fun volcano facts for kids!

Volcanoes are classified as dormant, active, and extinct. One of the most active volcanoes today is in Mauna Loa, Hawaii.

Is it magma or lava?

Well, it’s actually both! Magma is the liquid rock inside the volcano, and once it spills out of it, it is called lava. Lava will burn everything in its path.

You May Also Like: Geology Activities For Kids

HOW DOES A VOLCANO ERUPT?

Well, it’s not because of baking soda and vinegar! But it is due to escaping gasses and pressure. But in our homemade volcano below, we use a baking soda and vinegar chemical reaction to mimic the gas produced in a volcano. Baking soda and vinegar are the best ingredients for a homemade volcano!

The chemical reaction produces a gas (read more about how it works further on) which pushes the liquid up and out of the container. This is similar to an actual volcano where gas builds up underneath the earth’s surface and forces the magma up through the hole in the volcano, causing an eruption.

Some volcanoes erupt with an explosive spray of lava and ash, whereas some, like the active volcano in Hawaii, the lava flows out the opening. It all depends on the shape and the opening! The more confined space, the more explosive the eruption.

Our sandbox volcano is an excellent example of an explosive volcano. Another similar example is our mentos and coke experiment.

Read more about the science behind baking soda and vinegar experiments.

VOLCANO PROJECT FOR KIDS

Working on a science fair project? Then check out these helpful resources below and make sure to grab our free printable science fair project pack below and look for a volcano activity pack at the very bottom of this page!

Grab this FREE Science Project Pack to get started today!

SALT DOUGH VOLCANO

Now that you know a little more about volcanoes, how about we make a simple volcano model. This baking soda volcano is made with our simple salt dough recipe. The extra time and effort it takes to make this volcano will be well worth it and is an excellent project for kids of all ages.

If you want a mess free volcano project, check out our paper volcano diorama!

Supplies:

  • A batch of salt dough
  • Small plastic water bottle
  • Paint
  • Baking Soda
  • Vinegar
  • Food Coloring
  • Dish soap (optional)

HOW TO A MAKE A VOLCANO

STEP 1: First, you will want to whip up a batch of our salt dough.

  • 2 cups all-purpose bleached flour
  • 1 cup of salt
  • 1 cup of warm water

Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl, and form a well in the center. Add the warm water to the dry ingredients and mix until it forms a dough.

TIP: If the salt dough looks a little runny, you might be tempted to add more flour. Before you do this, allow the mixture to rest for a few moments! That will give the salt a chance to absorb the extra moisture.

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STEP 2: You want to form the salt dough around a small empty water bottle. Create a composite or shield volcano shape that you learned about above.

Depending on the shape you want, the time to let it dry, and the bottle you have, you might want to make two batches of salt dough! Set your volcano aside to dry for at least 24 hours.

We made a composite-shaped volcano! 

TIP: If you have leftover salt dough, you can make these earth-inspired ornaments!

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STEP 3: Once your volcano is dry, it’s time to paint it and add your creative touches to resemble the actual land form.

Why not conduct a safe internet search or look through books to get an idea of colors and textures for your volcano. Make it as authentic as possible. Of course, you can add dinos for a theme or not!

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STEP 4: Once your volcano is ready to erupt, you need to prepare for the eruption. Add a tablespoon or two of baking soda, food coloring, and a squirt of dish soap to the opening.

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STEP 5: Time for the volcano to erupt! Make sure your volcano is on a tray to catch the lava flow. Pour the vinegar into the opening and watch. The kiddos are going to want to do this one over and over again!

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HOW DOES A BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR REACTION WORK?

Chemistry is all about states of matter, including liquids, solids, and gases. A chemical reaction occurs between two or more substances that change and form a new substance.

In this case, you have an acid (liquid: vinegar) and a base (solid: baking soda), reacting to make a gas called carbon dioxide. Learn more about acids and bases. The gas is what produces the eruption, you can see.

The carbon dioxide escapes the mixture in the form of bubbles. You can even hear them if you listen closely. The bubbles are heavier than air, so the carbon dioxide collects at the surface of the salt dough volcano or overflows depending on how much baking soda and vinegar you add.

For our erupting volcano, dish soap is added to collect the gas and form bubbles that give it a more robust volcano lava-like flow down the side! That equals more fun! You don’t have to add dish soap, but it’s worth it.

MORE FUN BAKING SODA VOLCANOES

There are so many fun ways to experiment with a baking soda and vinegar chemical reaction, Why not try one of these cool variations…

VOLCANO INFORMATION PACK

Grab this instant download for a short time! Click here for your volcano activity pack.

WANT TO EXPLORE SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS?

Is it science fair season where you are? Or do you need a quick science fair project? We’ve got you covered with a quick list of solid science fair projects to try as well as a free 10-page science fair pack download to help get you started. Click on the image below or the link for more easy science projects for kids.

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