If you have snow, you will want to get outside for this erupting snow volcano! Cool winter STEM that the kids will LOVE to get their hands on. The seasons can provide a great opportunity to put twists on all the best science experiments. If you don’t have snow, don’t worry! You can also make this one in the sandbox or at the beach.
SNOW VOLCANO EXPERIMENT FOR KIDS
MAKE A SNOWCANO
Get the kids outside this winter (whether in the snow or the sandbox) and build a snow volcano for winter science! Kids can explore a favorite baking soda and vinegar chemical reaction with an easy-to-build volcano made out of snow. Plus, you can leave all the mess outside!
This winter chemistry activity is perfect for kids of all ages to work on together making it perfect for both classroom and home activities.
Check out more awesome fizzing science experiments!
Snow is a great scientific supply that can be readily available during the winter season provided you live in the right climate. If you find yourself without snow science supplies, our winter science ideas feature plenty of snow-free science and STEM activities to try!
WINTER SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
The printable science projects below make for great winter science activities for preschoolers through to elementary! You can also check out some of our latest winter science activities…
Click below for your FREE Real Snow Projects
THE SCIENCE BEHIND OUR SNOWCANO
Whether you make this snow volcano in the snow, the sand, or on the kitchen counter, the science is still the same. A baking soda and vinegar volcano project is a simple chemistry experiment that kids know and love.
When you make a snow volcano, you are mixing an acid (the vinegar) and a base (baking soda) which then produces a gas called carbon dioxide. This gas is fizzy and bubbly, but when you add in the dish soap you get extra frothy bubbles.
In chemistry when you mix two or materials you get a new substance and this activity the substance is the gas! Learn more about states of matter including solids, liquids, and gasses in this snow volcano experiment.
Read more about the science behind baking soda and vinegar experiments.
HOW TO MAKE A SNOW VOLCANO
SUPPLIES:
- Snow
- Baking soda
- Warm water
- Dish soap
- Vinegar
- Red food coloring
- Tall cup or plastic bottle
SNOW VOLCANO SET UP
You will want to have plenty of baking soda and vinegar ready because the kids will want to do it again and again!
STEP 1. In a tall cup or plastic bottle, add 1 tablespoon of dish soap, fill halfway with baking soda and mix in 1/4 cup of warm water.
If you use a bottle with a more narrow opening, you may get your lava to shoot up a bit into the air! You can see this in our sandbox volcano.
STEP 2. You can add several drops of red food coloring in the cup (the more food coloring the darker the lava). Of course you can experiment with your own colors too!
Change out the food coloring if desired or make a rainbow of snow volcanos. See our colorful snow painting here!
STEP 3. Place the cup in the snow and build a frozen volcano around the cup with the snow.
You want to pack the snow right up to the cup and make sure you can’t see the cup. Just make sure to leave a hole in the top for the lava to come out.
STEP 4. You can now have the kids pour the vinegar in the top of the volcano and watch it erupt The more vinegar the bigger the eruption!
Go ahead and repeat as desired with more vinegar and baking soda.
MORE FUN WINTER ACTIVITIES
The next time you have a snowy day with a little time on your hands, send the kids outside with all the necessary supplies to make a snow volcano!
Click on each of the links below to find more fun ways to explore winter even if it isn’t winter outside!
- Learn how to make frost on a can.
- Engineer your own snowball launcher for indoor snowball fights.
- Explore how polar bears stay warm.
- Whip up some snow slime.
- Create a snowflake salt painting.
- Make snow castles.
- Create coffee filter snowflakes.
MAKE ERUPTING SNOW VOLCANO FOR WINTER SCIENCE
Click here or below for more great winter science ideas to try indoors or outdoors this season!
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