Erupting Volcano Christmas Ornaments

Christmas science activities and experiments are so much fun with young kids. Baking soda reactions are a big hit in this house, and our Christmas baking soda ornaments are awesome. Just a few simple supplies are all you need for an easy holiday activity for kids.

Explore Christmas Theme Science

This was the most awesome Christmas baking soda science experiment yet!  Our Christmas baking soda science cookie cutters activity was also great fun, but this is definitely a must-try activity!

Make a great science lesson with erupting volcano ornaments! We especially enjoy baking soda fizzy eruptions any time of the year.

We have tried many different baking soda variations over time and have a whole collection of baking soda experiments! Baking soda and vinegar science activities are perfect for young kids and provide an awesome hands on learning experience too. We love anything that fizzes, bangs, and pops!

Check out a few of our favorites..

All Kids Can Be Scientists!

So what exactly is a scientist? How can you encourage your kids to be scientists without a lot of effort, fancy equipment, or complex activities that create confusion rather than curiosity?

A scientist is a person who seeks to acquire knowledge about the natural world. Guess what? Kids do that naturally because they are learning and exploring the world around them. All that exploring brings up a lot of questions!

Make a free printable scientist lapbook!

A good scientist asks questions and makes observations as they explore the natural world, and we can further encourage this with simple science experiments. Knowledge is gained through all of these questions, explorations, and discoveries! Let’s help them by providing fun science activities that spark their inner curiosity.

This Christmas baking soda experiment is quick and gives kids that instant gratification they so crave! Being curious, trying different theories, investigating, and exploring are all critical in science. Not every science experiment needs to be deep and probing!

Making erupting volcano ornaments is a perfect kitchen science activity for Christmas! It is fun to explore and observe, and the setup is simple enough for busy families and classrooms to fit into the day.

Helpful Science Resources To Get You Started

Here are a few resources that will help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

• Best Science Practices (as it relates to the scientific method)
• Science Vocabulary
• 8 Science Books for Kids
• All About Scientists
• Science Supplies List
• Science Tools for Kids
• Join us in the Club

How Does A Baking Soda and Vinegar Reaction Work?

An acid-base reaction occurs when baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid) combine. The vinegar is an acid, and the baking soda is a base.

When they are mixed, the acid and base react, producing carbon dioxide gas. The release of carbon dioxide gas creates fizzing and bubbling, making this reaction visually exciting.

Get your FREE printable Christmas STEM activities guide!

Christmas Volcano Ornaments

Supplies:

• plastic globe ornaments with removable tops 
• baking soda
• vinegar
• food coloring {optional}
• glitter and sequins {optional but always better with glitter!}
• container to catch fizz
• turkey baster or eye dropper
• funnel for filling ornaments {optional but helpful}
• plastic drop cloth or newspaper is handy for mess control

How To Make Christmas Baking Soda Ornaments

STEP 1. I used a 5 compartment party serving tray to hold the ornaments. You could also use an egg carton.

Put about a tablespoon of baking soda in each compartment and dust it all with glitter.

STEP 2. Fill each ornament with about 2 tablespoons of baking soda, more glitter and some sequins! I used a funnel to make it easier.

STEP 3. Mix up a big container of vinegar and food coloring. Add a turkey baster. We used probably 6 cups by the end!

Place newspaper or a plastic cloth down to catch the fizz. We really made these ornaments erupt big time!

STEP 4. Used the turkey baster to transfer the vinegar to the ornaments!

This was also excellent fine motor skills practice! My preschooler understands that the fizzy bubbling action is actually a reaction from the two materials, a base and an acid (baking soda and vinegar), mixing. We explained a bit further this time that a gas is released called carbon dioxide.

We were totally surprised when it shot right out of the ornament and all over the place, including his tummy! Of course, we had to do this again and again. You might want to make sure you have enough vinegar handy! It is a magical sight for kids.

We refilled the ornaments and performed the baking soda and vinegar over and over until the tray couldn’t hold anymore!

I would have to say our Christmas science experiment was a complete success and a treat for both of us to spend time with this morning! Make the Christmas season extra special.

He looked pretty darn cute making these ornaments erupt and loved the reaction the baking soda and vinegar produced. Check out how it hit his tummy! He thought that was the coolest {so did I}. We love Christmas themed science ideas.

Check out more scientific Christmas ornaments you can make!

Printable Christmas STEM Project Pack

200+ PAGES OF HOLIDAY THEME STEAM, STEM, Science, and Art!

• 25+ Christmas theme science and STEM activities with printable sheets, instructions, and useful information all using easy-to-source materials perfect for limited-time needs. Includes a holiday theme engineering pack with fun, problem-based challenges for kids to solve! NEW observation sheets included.
• Try a Santa’s Letter airplane challenge or take the gingerbread house-building challenge! 
• Explore the five senses with a specially designed Santa’s Lab pack.
• Try a mini nature study with your favorite type of Christmas tree.
• Try your hand at building shapes with gumdrop structure challenge cards or build shapes with jingle bells. Or try the Christmas-themed paper chain challenge!
• Christmas Screen-free Coding activities include algorithm games, binary code ornaments, and more!
• Explore 6+ Christmas Art Projects with famous artist-inspired activities that combine art history, process art techniques, and more with simple to-do ideas.