How to Build a Volcano
One of the very best science projects of all time is the volcano experiment for kids. We have built a homemade volcano several times and here is how to make a volcano the easiest way. A DIY volcano project is a great STEM activity for home or in the classroom. Let’s make a volcano!
How To Build a Volcano
We usually do this volcano building science experiment outside because it does create a mess.
Related: Free volcano coloring pages
Our step by step pictures for this volcano project show how it can be done inside with the least amount of clean up needed!
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Supplies Needed for DIY Volcano
- Red or orange food coloring
- Funnel
- Empty plastic bottle – soda bottle works great
- 1 Tbsp Baking soda
- 2 cups Vinegar
- Sand/dirt – we took a shovel outside
Watch Our Quick Video Step by Step Tutorial for Kids Volcano
Instructions for Building a Homemade Volcano
Step 1
Use the dirt to build a mound around your plastic bottle to create the look of a real volcano with just the neck of the soda bottle sticking out of your dirt mountain.
Tip: We found that placing the bottle cap on the bottle during this step kept dirt from getting inside your volcano.
Step 2
Add the baking soda to your bottle using the funnel so it sits on the bottom of the bottle floor.
Step 3
Add a couple of drops of food coloring to the vinegar. Then pour the colored vinegar into your bottle (using a funnel if necessary) and watch the reaction happen!
Why the Volcano Erupts
This easy volcano experiment for kids is based on a simple chemical reaction of vinegar and baking soda. When you add the vinegar to baking soda it creates carbon dioxide gas that expands quickly filling the available space inside the bottle and then overflowing down your homemade mountain creating a volcano.
Outdoor Volcano Experiment for kids
When we make our volcano outside as pictured above, we usually leave the vinegar un-colored because the foaming white vinegar and baking soda combination oozes over the dirt in a very satisfactory way!
Variations on this Science Experiment
- Change the ratio of baking soda to vinegar and see what happens.
- Try different sizes of bottles buried inside your dirt mountain. Can you tell which bottle is larger or smaller based on the size of the volcano eruption?
Related: Use our scientific method steps printable for kids
Volcano Science Experiment for Kids
This is an easy way to make a volcano science experiment for kids to explore the chemical reaction of baking soda and vinegar in a fun way. This simple STEM activity works for kids of all ages with proper supervision. We recommend doing this outside to control the mess.
Materials
- A few drops of red or orange food coloring
- 1 Tbsp Baking soda
- 2 cups Vinegar
Tools
- Funnel
- Empty plastic bottle with cap
- Sand/dirt
- (Optional) Shovel
Instructions
- Place the cap on your plastic soda bottle and bury it under a pile of dirt or sand with the neck of the bottle sticking out of the dirt mountain.
- Take the cap off the bottle.
- With a funnel, add your baking soda to the bottle.
- Add a few drops of food coloring to your vinegar.
- Pour the colored vinegar into the bottle using a funnel if needed.
- Watch for the chemical reaction!
Our Experience with Volcano Experiment for Kids
My boys have been obsessed with volcanoes for awhile. I think it all started on our road trips between Dallas and Colorado several times a year.
1. Real Life Volcanos are Closer than You Might Think
Just off the highway in Capulin, NM is a volcano.
Capulin, NM is interesting because it is the only “hill” for MILES and MILES. It is in the middle of nowhere. The Capulin volcano hasn’t erupted in years – 58,000 to be exact.
This was the initial inspiration to make a homemade volcano. So, we put together our supplies and got to work!
2. What I Learned Making a Volcano with Younger Kids
Rhett (age 5) created a volcanic mountain of dirt burying the bottle. If your helper is a small child, I suggest replacing the bottle cap during this process so that dirt doesn’t become part of your eventual lava.
It is pretty awesome to discover what happens when vinegar and baking soda react.
This Volcano Science Experiment is in Our Science Book
Our book, The 101 Coolest Simple Science Experiments, features tons of awesome activities just like this one that will keep your kids engaged while they learn.
More Easy Science Experiments from Kids Activities Blog
- Fun science sunscreen vs. sun art project for preschoolers
- Bacteria growth experiment with a little kitchen science
- Explore the layers of the atmosphere with this STEM activity
- Build an atom model with this fun science activity
- Big list of science experiments for kids
- Kids science fair project ideas
- Let’s play science games
- Science activities for preschoolers that are easy and fun
- Our resource here at Kids Activities Blog for science experiments for kids
How did your volcano experiment turn out?
My son would love to watch this explode!
My 9 year old is going to love this – he is going to think I am such a “cool” mom! Bonus is, the mess is outdoors!
Anything involving volcanoes is always popular.
Thanks for linking to Science Sunday!
Holly, I cannot wait to do this volcano with my son.
I am featuring this on my post tomorrow! We love volcanoes at our house!
My spouse and I stumbled over here different website and thought I may as well check things out.
I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to finding out about your web page repeatedly.
This is also fun to do with snow instead of dirt! If you have snow on the ground where you live, it works great to surround the bottle and the food coloring makes the “lava” look pretty awesome when it runs down the white snow!
What a great idea! Thank you for sharing!