Shop UK Site 
Erupting Summer Science: DIY Volcanoes!
- Patria Lincoln Posted On May 30, 2018 | Science
Volcanoes are fun, loud, big, and exciting! So when my son asks "Can we do a science experiment? Please!" I know what to do! For simple and fun experiments, we absolutely love using baking soda and vinegar! The two ingredients make the most exciting reactions, and what better way to show this than with erupting volcanoes!?
Read below to see how to make your very own erupting volcano!
Begin by adding 3 parts baking soda to one part water in a bowl. Mix well using your hands. The baking soda should begin to stick together.
Take the baking soda mix and pack it into a small cup. The baking soda mixture will take the shape of the cup. Carefully dump the mixture onto the large plate to create the volcano.
Gently stick your finger about 1" down through the middle of the volcano. Add a few drops of food coloring to the center of the volcano.
Pour 2 cups vinegar into a container. Use an eye dropper or small scoop to pour into the middle to see the volcano erupt over and over again!
Mix your colors for even more erupting fun!
Science is an extremely important subject to expose our children to at an early age.
According to Steve Spangler, "Research shows that most children have formed an opinion (either positive or negative) about science by the time they reach the age of 7." Parents can help their young learners enjoy science by setting up exciting science experiments at home. With STEM occupations growing, sparking your child's interest in science may give him a head start for a future career.Read below to see how to make your very own erupting volcano!
What You'll Need:
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Food coloring
- Bowl
- Small cup
- Container
- Eye dropper or small scoop
- Large plate
- Dinosaurs (optional) for make believe play!
Begin by adding 3 parts baking soda to one part water in a bowl. Mix well using your hands. The baking soda should begin to stick together.
Take the baking soda mix and pack it into a small cup. The baking soda mixture will take the shape of the cup. Carefully dump the mixture onto the large plate to create the volcano.
Gently stick your finger about 1" down through the middle of the volcano. Add a few drops of food coloring to the center of the volcano.
Pour 2 cups vinegar into a container. Use an eye dropper or small scoop to pour into the middle to see the volcano erupt over and over again!
Mix your colors for even more erupting fun!
For more of a contained mess try this Volcano:
- Baking Soda
- Vinegar
- 9" x 13" disposable pan
- Small pitcher
- Aluminum foil
- Small cup
- Food coloring
- Dinosaurs (optional) for make believe play!
Begin by adding 1 cup baking soda to the small cup. Place the cup in the middle of the pan. Tear a large sheet of aluminum foil to cover the cup and lay at the bottom of the pan, creating the shape of the volcano. Poke a medium-size hole through the aluminum foil above the cup. This is where your volcano will erupt.
Now pour about three cups of vinegar into the pitcher. Add a few drops of food coloring to the vinegar. Slowly pour the vinegar into the volcano to watch it erupt. Pour again and again for lots of excitement!
What is the science behind the bubbling volcano?
The eruptions are made when the baking soda and vinegar react to make a water and sodium acetate releasing carbon dioxide (the bubbles that come to the surface).
Keep science interesting for kids, by setting up simple experiments for them to explore and relate to this summer!
Related Posts You Might Enjoy
Posted on Jul 16, 2019
DIY Space Sensory Bin!
READ MORE
DIY Space Sensory Bin!
It’s simple to make your own space sensory bin using dried black beans and a few items you probably already have in your home or classroom.
READ MORE
Posted on Nov 5, 2018
Ultimate STEM Day Activity Bundle! National STEM Day is November 8 – a day designated to the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and math. To help you celebrate STEM in style, we’ve put together three of our very favorite, holiday-themed STEM smarts & crafts activities perfect for your Thanksgiving Day festivities and winter break fun.
Here’s what you’ll do:Blow up one balloon per racer but don’t tie off the ends. Instead, twist the end, then attach a kitchen “chip clip” or binder clip to keep the air from escaping.
Cut your construction paper into feathers, waddles, and googly eyes and tape the pieces to your “turkeys”.
Set up your race course by placing two chairs about 8 feet apart (you’ll need one set of these chairs for each racer). Cut a 9-foot section of string for each racer and tie the loose end of a length to one chair.
Thread a straw through the untied end of the string, then pull the string taught and tie to the opposite chair.
Using tape, attach the top, center of the balloon to the straw. Make sure to line the straw up with the release point of the balloon, for straighter, faster flying.Pull the balloons back so the ends are touching the chairs, pinch the balloons above the chip clips, and remove the clips.
Call “On your marks, get set, GO”, let go of the balloons, and watch as your turkeys race to the finish line!
Let’s talk turkey about physics! Remember that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction (thanks, Newton!). When you blow up the balloon, you are filling it with air. When you release the chip clip, you are releasing the air, creating pressure out of the back of the balloon. This release creates an equal and opposite pressure on the front of the balloon, propelling it forward. 
What You’ll Do:Cut your pipe cleaners in half, then cut some of them in half again.
Twist the pieces together to form one-of-a-kind snowflake patterns, making sure that your snowflakes will fit into your container without touching the sides or bottom. (Trim the ends with scissors if need be.)
Tie one end of the string to the center of your snowflake and the other to your pencil or craft stick and check to make sure your snowflake will fit without touching the sides or bottom of your container.
Bring a pot of water to a boil. For every cup of water you pour into your container, add 3 tablespoons of Borax and stir (this is a job for a parent as the water is boiling hot!). Add more Borax and stir to dissolve, continuing until the water won’t accept any more Borax (it’s okay if there’s some left in the bottom of the jar). Then add a few drops of food coloring and stir.
Hang your snowflake in the water by balancing your pencil or craft stick across the top of the jar. If your string is too long, twist it around your pencil until it keeps the snowflake from touching the bottom.
Leave your snowflake overnight. Carefully pull your snowflake out of the jar and shake off the excess crystals to reveal your crystalized snowflake!
Borax can be beautiful! Hot water molecules are moving really quickly, which leaves room for the Borax to dissolve between them. As the water cools, the molecules move closer together, “squeezing” the Borax out. 
Set out the marshmallows and toothpicks and challenge your busy builders to construct their drawings.
Once they’re done, see if someone can build a snow den, an igloo, or a walled fort. The possibilities are endless (and delicious!).
With snow covering the ground, fewer plants are growing, which means less food for hungry animals like bears, bats, and squirrels. Hibernating slows down these animals’ metabolisms and reduces their body temperatures, which means they need less energy to survive and can go without eating for several months at a time. Hibernating animals need a safe, hidden spot to snuggle down for the winter months, similar to the caves and burrows you just built! 
READ MORE
Ultimate STEM Day Activity Bundle! National STEM Day is November 8 – a day designated to the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and math. To help you celebrate STEM in style, we’ve put together three of our very favorite, holiday-themed STEM smarts & crafts activities perfect for your Thanksgiving Day festivities and winter break fun.
Simple Physics Turkey Races
Add some get up and go to your gobble gobble with these crazy-fun turkey races perfect for perking up the party on turkey day!Here’s what you’ll need:BalloonsConstruction paperTapeStringPlastic strawsChip clips or binder clipsHere’s what you’ll do:Blow up one balloon per racer but don’t tie off the ends. Instead, twist the end, then attach a kitchen “chip clip” or binder clip to keep the air from escaping.Cut your construction paper into feathers, waddles, and googly eyes and tape the pieces to your “turkeys”.Set up your race course by placing two chairs about 8 feet apart (you’ll need one set of these chairs for each racer). Cut a 9-foot section of string for each racer and tie the loose end of a length to one chair.Thread a straw through the untied end of the string, then pull the string taught and tie to the opposite chair.Using tape, attach the top, center of the balloon to the straw. Make sure to line the straw up with the release point of the balloon, for straighter, faster flying.Pull the balloons back so the ends are touching the chairs, pinch the balloons above the chip clips, and remove the clips.Call “On your marks, get set, GO”, let go of the balloons, and watch as your turkeys race to the finish line!Let’s talk turkey about physics! Remember that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction (thanks, Newton!). When you blow up the balloon, you are filling it with air. When you release the chip clip, you are releasing the air, creating pressure out of the back of the balloon. This release creates an equal and opposite pressure on the front of the balloon, propelling it forward. Crystal Snowflake Christmas Ornaments
Celebrate the coming winter with crystal snowflakes you make yourself!What You’ll Need:Pipe cleanersBoraxFood coloringWide mouth glass container like a measuring cupPencil, craft stick, or spatulaString or an extra pipe cleanerWhat You’ll Do:Cut your pipe cleaners in half, then cut some of them in half again.Twist the pieces together to form one-of-a-kind snowflake patterns, making sure that your snowflakes will fit into your container without touching the sides or bottom. (Trim the ends with scissors if need be.)Tie one end of the string to the center of your snowflake and the other to your pencil or craft stick and check to make sure your snowflake will fit without touching the sides or bottom of your container.Bring a pot of water to a boil. For every cup of water you pour into your container, add 3 tablespoons of Borax and stir (this is a job for a parent as the water is boiling hot!). Add more Borax and stir to dissolve, continuing until the water won’t accept any more Borax (it’s okay if there’s some left in the bottom of the jar). Then add a few drops of food coloring and stir.Hang your snowflake in the water by balancing your pencil or craft stick across the top of the jar. If your string is too long, twist it around your pencil until it keeps the snowflake from touching the bottom.Leave your snowflake overnight. Carefully pull your snowflake out of the jar and shake off the excess crystals to reveal your crystalized snowflake!Borax can be beautiful! Hot water molecules are moving really quickly, which leaves room for the Borax to dissolve between them. As the water cools, the molecules move closer together, “squeezing” the Borax out. Winter Marshmallow Dens
Turn those cocoa fixin’s into a science lesson about the winter habits of some of your kids’ favorite animals with this tasty activity!What you’ll need:ToothpicksMarshmallowsPaperCrayons or markerSnowy Animal ToysWhat you’ll do:Ask your kids to imagine where they might go to hibernate if they lived out in the wild. Have you kids draw their ideas on paper.Set out the marshmallows and toothpicks and challenge your busy builders to construct their drawings.Once they’re done, see if someone can build a snow den, an igloo, or a walled fort. The possibilities are endless (and delicious!).With snow covering the ground, fewer plants are growing, which means less food for hungry animals like bears, bats, and squirrels. Hibernating slows down these animals’ metabolisms and reduces their body temperatures, which means they need less energy to survive and can go without eating for several months at a time. Hibernating animals need a safe, hidden spot to snuggle down for the winter months, similar to the caves and burrows you just built! HAPPY STEM DAY!
READ MORE
