the volcano experiment

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5 Ways to Make a Volcano

There is more than one way to make a chemical volcano. Actually, there are several methods. Here are some of the best, from the tried-and-true baking soda and vinegar volcano to the most exotic dry ice volcano.

Make the Volcano Cone

You can use a bottle or can or really any container for your volcanic eruption, but it’s easy to make the volcano shape by coating your container with clay or papier mache. Here is a simple recipe for a homemade clay volcano:

• 6 cups flour
• 2 cups salt
• 2 cups water
• 4 tablespoons cooking oil
• Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl. It’s easiest if you stir the flour, salt, and oil together first and then mix in the water. You can add more water if needed. You want a firm, smooth dough.
• Stand an empty soda bottle or can in a pie tin or baking pan (so your ‘lava’ won’t make a mess) and mold the dough into a volcano shape. Be sure you don’t drop dough into the bottle or cover the opening.
• If you want to paint the volcano, wait until the dough is dry.

Now for the recipes! Most use common ingredients that you have at home.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano

This is the classic science fair project volcano. The baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) reacts with the vinegar (weak acetic acid) to produce carbon dioxide gas. The detergent traps the gas, which is heavier than air, so it flows down the side of the volcano.

• liquid dishwashing detergent
• red or orange food coloring
• baking soda
• Pour warm water into the volcano until it is 1/2 to 3/4 of the way full.
• Add several drops of food coloring.
• Add a squirt of detergent. This helps the ‘lava’ foam up and flow.
• Add a couple of spoonfuls of baking soda.
• When you are ready to start the eruption, pour vinegar into your volcano.
• You can recharge the volcano with more baking soda and vinegar.

Note: If you don’t have vinegar, you can use another acidic liquid, like lemon juice or orange juice.

Yeast and Peroxide Volcano

• packet of quick-rise yeast
• hydrogen peroxide (3% sold in stores or can use 6% from beauty supply stores)
• food coloring
• Pour the hydrogen peroxide solution into the volcano until it is nearly full. The 3% household peroxide is safe to handle, but wear gloves and use extreme caution if you use the 6% peroxide, which can give you chemical burns!
• Add several drops of food coloring for your lava.
• When you are ready for the eruption, add the packet of yeast to the volcano.

Ketchup and Vinegar Volcano

This volcano bubbles and oozes lava. The eruption is not so dramatic, but is interesting and long-lasting. The acidity of the vinegar and tomatoes in the ketchup reacts with the baking soda to produce carbon dioxide gas, which gets trapped as bubbles by the detergent.

• dishwashing liquid
• Mix together ketchup, warm water, and a squirt of detergent to make lava.
• Pour the mixture into the volcano so it is nearly full.
• When you are ready for the eruption, add baking soda.

Mentos and Diet Soda Volcano

This volcano erupts instantly and spectacularly. For a truly memorable volcano, use diet tonic water instead of diet cola and shine a black light on the volcano. This produces a vivid blue glowing eruption!

• diet soda (regular soda works too, but produces a sticky mess)
• Mentos candies
• Fill the volcano full of soda (or you could have molded the volcano around a full soda bottle.
• When you are ready for the eruption, drop all of the Mentos candies into the mouth of the bottle at once. One easy way to do this is to roll a sheet of paper around the candies, put your finger beneath them to hold them in place, and release the candies over the hole. Be prepared for a major splash!

Dry Ice Volcano

This volcano appears to smoke, releasing a cascade of bubble lava.

• Fill the volcano with warm water.
• Add a bit of dishwashing liquid.
• When you are ready to start the eruption, use gloves or tongs to drop a piece of dry ice into the volcano.

Do you need more ways to make a volcano ? You can bake a souffle to model the geological processes or make a realistic wax volcano .

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Science Fun

Baking Soda And Vinegar Volcano Kitchen Science Experiment

In this fun and easy kitchen science experiment for kids, we’re going to use baking soda and vinegar to create an erupting volcano. 

• Measuring cup
• Baking soda
• Liquid dish soap
• Red food coloring
• Baking pan or plastic bin
• Plastic water bottle

Instructions:

• Fill the plastic water bottle about halfway full with baking soda.
• Add a squirt or two of dish soap to the bottle. 
• Pile the sand up around the plastic water bottle to make it look like a volcano. Be sure to leave the mouth of the bottle open and unobstructed.
• Measure out ½ cup of vinegar.
• Add a drop or two of red food coloring to the vinegar.
• Pour the vinegar into the plastic water bottle and observe.

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How it Works:

The baking soda is a base and the vinegar is an acid. When the acid and base combine, an endothermic reaction occurs and releases carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide gas rushes toward the bottle opening and also causes the dish soap to foam. The gas and foam quickly fill the bottle an erupt from the top and causes a cool looking “lava flow” down the side of your volcano. 

Make This A Science Project:

Try different amounts of vinegar. Try different amounts of baking soda. Try different sized and shaped bottles. 

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Student Project .

Make a Volcano

Your browser cannot play the provided video file(s).

Make a volcano with baking soda, vinegar and play dough. Then, add multiple layers that you can investigate like a NASA scientist. Test your family and friends to see if they can guess what's inside your volcano!

Watch the Tutorial

See below for materials and step-by-step instructions. For more video tutorials and activities like this one, visit Learning Space .

Watch en Español : Seleccione subtítulos en Español bajo el ícono de configuración.

In this episode of Learning Space, you will make a volcano with baking soda, vinegar and play dough. Then, add multiple layers that you can investigate like a NASA scientist. | Watch on YouTube

• Piece of cardboard OR a cookie sheet
• 3 or more colors of play dough ( download recipe ) or soft clay
• Baking soda
• Paper towels
• Colored pencils OR crayons (ideally matching the colors of the play dough)
• 2 sheets of graph paper OR plain paper
• 1-3 clear plastic drinking straws

Project Steps

Step 1: learn about volcanoes.

Find out how volcanoes form and what causes them to erupt . Then click the planets in this interactive image to learn about volcanoes on planets throughout our solar system. Get inspired before you create your own volcano by checking out these images of volcanoes on Earth .

› Learn more about this image

Step 2: Prepare your crater

Cut off the top of the paper cup so it's only about 0.5 inches (1-2 cm) tall. Place the paper cup at the center of your piece of paper and trace around the bottom to make a circle. The circle and the cup represent the crater inside your volcano. Tape the cup to the piece of cardboard or a cookie sheet. Mark north, east, south and west on both the paper and the cardboard or cookie sheet.

Step 3: Make your volcano erupt!

Fill the cup with a spoonful of baking soda. Then, slowly pour in enough vinegar to make the mixture foam up and flow out of the cup. This simulates an eruption and lava flowing out of your volcano.

Step 4: Form the lava flow

If possible, use a colored pencil to trace around the edge of where the lava flew out of your volcano. Dab up the fluid with a paper towel. Then, cover the area inside the line you traced with a thin layer of one color of play dough to mark where the lava flowed.

Step 5: Map it

On your graph paper, use a colored pencil that matches the color of the play dough you put down to draw the shape of your lava layer. This is the start of a map that will show where lava flowed during each eruption of the model volcano. Be sure the orientation of the cardinal directions on your map match the ones on your model volcano.

Step 6: Make more eruptions

Repeat steps 3-5 three or four more times. Each time, put down a new layer of play dough and then map it out by drawing the shape of that layer on your graph paper. If you have more than one color of play dough, change colors between eruptions so it's easier to see the different layers.

Step 7: Trade your volcano

If possible, trade your volcano with another person, so you can investigate one that is unknown! If you can't trade with anyone, find a family member who didn’t watch you build the volcano and challenge them to do the next steps.

Step 8: Take core samples

Cut a plastic straw into thirds or fourths. Push an open end of the straw straight down through the play dough lava flows until you reach the bottom. Twist the straw in place and lift out a sample. This is what's called a core sample.

Looking through the clear straw, you can see the layers underneath the surface of the volcano. You can use this sample to investigate how the layers of the volcano formed over time. Repeat this step with each of your three or four straw pieces. Think about the best places to collect samples so that you can get as much information as possible.

Step 9: Record your findings

On a blank piece of graph paper, draw a circle and cardinal directions like you did in Step 2. Use your core samples to make a prediction of where each layer of the volcano you’re studying begins and ends.

Then, use colored pencils that match the colors you find in the volcano to draw the layers on your graph paper. Try to get as close as you can with as few samples as possible!

Step 10: Compare your map

Once you’ve created a map of your predictions, compare it with the known map from steps 2-6.

Lesson Last Updated: Nov. 4, 2024

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How To Make a Baking Soda Volcano With Free Observation Sheet

This experiment will have kids erupting with applause!

The classic baking soda volcano experiment has been entertaining kids (and adults) of all ages for decades. But it’s more than just a lot of fun. This experiment also teaches kids about simple chemical reactions and physical properties. The best part? It’s easy to do and uses only a few basic ingredients. Read on to see how to conduct the baking soda volcano experiment, and fill out the form on this page to grab your free recording sheet!

How does the baking soda volcano experiment work?

This experiment involves pouring vinegar mixed with dish soap into a small amount of baking soda. The baking soda acts as a base while the vinegar is an acid. When the base and the acid come together, they create an endothermic reaction that produces carbon dioxide. The dish soap helps to create the foaming effect as the “lava” pours out of the volcano.

What does the baking soda volcano teach?

The baking soda volcano experiment is a great way to demonstrate a chemical reaction between an acid and a carbonate. When the carbonate (found in the baking soda) is exposed to the acids (found in the vinegar), it creates a decomposition reaction that releases carbon dioxide as gas. While this experiment is an example of an acid-base reaction, it’s also a great simulation of a real volcanic eruption.

Is there a baking soda volcano video?

This video shows how to make a volcano erupt using ingredients you can probably find in your kitchen.

Materials needed

To do the baking soda volcano experiment, you will need:

• Baking soda
• Food coloring
• Mini Paper Cups
• Plastic Volcano Form

Our free recording sheet is also helpful—fill out the form on this page to grab it.

Baking soda volcano experiment steps:

1. to start, place a tiny paper cup into the hole at the top of the plastic volcano mold..

2. Once your volcano is set up, pour 1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda into the paper cup.

3. Next, add about a half cup of vinegar into a plastic measuring cup.

4. Add a few squirts of dish soap to the vinegar solution.

5. Add some squirts of red and yellow food coloring to the vinegar mixture.

6. Use a plastic spoon to mix all the ingredients in the plastic measuring cup together.

7. Pour the vinegar solution into the small paper cup at the top of the volcano.

8. Finally, watch and enjoy the eruption!

Grab our free baking soda volcano experiment worksheet

Fill out the form on this page to get your free worksheet. The worksheet asks kids to guess the correct order of the steps in the experiment. Next, kids must make a prediction about what they think will happen. They can use the provided spaces to draw what happens before and after they add the ingredients. Did their predictions come true?

Additional reflection questions

• What role does the dish soap play in the reaction that occurs?
• How would it be different if you added baking soda to the vinegar instead of the other way around?
• What do you think would happen if you added a different liquid than vinegar?
• What do you think would happen if you added more baking soda?

Can the baking soda volcano experiment be done for a science fair?

Yes! If you want to do this experiment for a science fair, we recommend switching up some of the variables. For example: Does the amount of baking soda matter? Does the type of dish soap? Form a hypothesis about how changing the variables will impact the experiment. Good luck!

Looking for more experiment ideas? Check out our  big list of experiment ideas here.

Plus, be sure to subscribe to our newsletters for more articles like this., you might also like.

16 Red-Hot Volcano Science Experiments and Kits For Classrooms or Science Fairs

Kids will erupt with excitement! Continue Reading

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Volcano Experiment – Baking Soda Volcano

March 20, 2018 By Emma Vanstone 1 Comment

When you think of great science experiments for kids one of the first that springs to mind is probably a baking soda volcano and vinegar volcano. I remember making one with my little brother in the kitchen when he was about 4 or 5. Baking soda volcanoes and coke floats were our favourite summer activities.

You might also like our 10 science experiments every child should try at least once with a free printable checklist to work through.

A baking soda volcano eruption is a fantastic first demonstration of a chemical reaction as the ingredients are safe ( although do wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from vinegar )

Why does a baking soda and vinegar reaction happen?

If you combine an acid and an alkali they react together to neutralise each other. Vinegar is an acid and bicarbonate of soda is  an alkali.

The reaction releases carbon dioxide gas, which is the bubbles you see. If you add washing up liquid ( dish soap ) to your eruption mix the bubbles make the washing up liquid bubble up, giving the appearance of lava erupting from a volcano .

How to make a baking soda volcano

What you need to make a baking soda volcano.

Basically you need the ingredients for the volcano eruption , a jar or small bottle for the eruption to happen in and something to use as the volcano part.

Volcano – sand, snow, modroc etc

Small jar or bottle

Red food colouring

Baking soda

Volcano Instructions

I don’t usually measure an exact amount of each, but a good dollop of baking soda, a squirt of dish soap and a bit of red food colouring mixed with a little water should give you a good eruption. If it doesn’t, add a bit more baking soda.

If you want to make a very quick and easy baking soda volcano a  sand volcano is a good option, or a snow volcano !

Volcano Experiment Extension Ideas

What happens if you don’t use the dish soap? Can you predict what might happen before trying it?

What happens if you add extra dish soap?

Volcano Experiment Extra Challenge s

Can you think of an acidic fruit you could use to make an baking soda volcano eruption without adding vinegar?

Create a papier mache volcano ? We love this version from Red Ted Art.

Design a multicoloured volcano? We split our jar in half and poured yellow food colouring into one half and red into the other for this.

What’s your favourite baking soda volcano to make?

What is a volcano?

A volcano is a mountain that contains a magma ( rock so hot it has turned into a liquid ) chamber. The magma chamber is filled with liquid rock. If enough pressure builds inside the chamber the volcano can explode shooting the magma from the top! When magma is on the surface of the Earth we call it lava! This is a volcanic eruption and can cause a lot

Make a model of a famous volcano

Another idea is to make a model of a famous volcano. In my book This Is Rocket Science one of the activities is to make a baking soda Olympus Mons . It’s a great way to learn about chemical reactions, volcanoes and Mars!!

Contains affiliate links

Last Updated on March 2, 2021 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

March 21, 2018 at 2:44 pm

My kids just love making erupting volcanoes – they are really fascinated by them. Love your challenges and extension ideas – will defo give them a try!

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How to Make a Volcano Experiment

Creating a volcano experiment is a classic science lab project that offers a spectacular display of chemical reactions. This interactive project offers not just a stunning visual display but also serves as an enriching learning experience, showcasing the concepts of chemical reactions, pressure dynamics, and the study of Earth sciences. Below is a guide to crafting your very own erupting volcano, perfect for students, teachers, and anyone with a curiosity about how these magnificent natural phenomena can be modeled at a small scale.

Materials Needed for Volcano experiment:

• A small bottle or container (this will be the volcano’s “chamber”)
• Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
• Vinegar (acetic acid)
• Liquid dishwashing soap
• Food coloring (red or orange for a lava-like effect)
• Modeling clay or playdough (to mold the volcano)
• Tray or a large plate (to catch the overflow)
• Safety goggles (always wear goggles when performing any experiment)

IMPORTANT: Ensure your child wears goggles and is always under adult supervision for their safety while performing the volcano experiment.

Instructions For the Experiment

Construct the volcano:.

Use the modeling clay or playdough to make a cone shape of a volcano around the bottle. Don’t put clay on the bottle’s opening as this will be the crater from which your volcano will erupt. Place your volcano bottle on the tray or large plate to catch any overflow and avoid the table getting dirty.

Prepare the Eruption Mixture:

Fill the bottle almost halfway with warm water and add a few drops of food coloring.

Add in a good amount of liquid dishwashing soap into the bottle and stir the mixture gently. The soap helps to produce more foamy lava during the eruption.

Add Baking Soda:

Add two tablespoons of baking soda to the mixture in the bottle. This will act as the base of the chemical reaction.

Let it Erupt:

Now for the exciting part! Slowly pour vinegar into the bottle and watch as your volcano erupts with bubbly, colored lava.

Volcano Experiment Explained:

This experiment simulates a volcanic eruption through a chemical reaction between baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid). When these substances mix, they react to form carbonic acid, which immediately decomposes into water and carbon dioxide gas. The carbon dioxide gas builds up pressure inside the bottle until it pushes the mixture out, mimicking a volcanic eruption. The dish soap added to the mixture helps create more foam, making the eruption even more spectacular.

Variations of the Volcano Experiment:

Experiment with proportions:.

Change the amounts of baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap to see how it affects the eruption’s size and duration.

Color Variations:

Use different food coloring to simulate different colors of volcanic eruptions or lava flows.

Surface Textures:

Modify the surface of your volcano with paint, real rocks, and sand to make it more realistic.

Eruption Strength:

To increase the strength of your eruption, you can experiment with adding a spoonful of dry yeast to the vinegar before adding it to the baking soda solution. The yeast accelerates the production of carbon dioxide gas, resulting in a more vigorous eruption.

This volcano experiment is a fascinating way to bring the dynamic processes of the Earth to life. It allows participants to engage directly with the materials and witness the exciting reactions that occur. Whether you’re conducting this experiment at home, at school, or as part of a science fair project, it’s sure to provide an educational and entertaining experience for everyone involved.

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Top 10 Volcano Science Experiments

Welcome to our carefully curated collection of the best volcano science experiments.

We have selected these experiments for their educational value, safety considerations, and ability to captivate learners, fostering a deeper appreciation for the wonders of our planet’s volcanic activity.

These hands-on, enlightening experiments suitable for all age groups convey the magic of volcanic eruptions and foster a deep appreciation for Earth’s geological wonders.

1. Look Inside a Volcano

Engage budding scientists as they witness the power of nature firsthand, fostering a deeper understanding of volcanic processes and igniting a passion for earth sciences.

Learn more: 123 Homeschool

2. Underwater Volcano

By simulating the eruption of an underwater volcano, students gain a unique understanding of the explosive forces at play beneath the water

3. Volcano Slime

This exciting hands-on activity combines the thrilling eruption of a volcano with the mesmerizing texture of slime.

Learn more: Volcano Slime

4. DIY Volcano at Home

Not only does this experiment provide an entertaining sensory experience, but it also introduces students to the concepts of chemical reactions and viscosity.

5. No Vinegar Volcano Science

By substituting vinegar with other safe and easily accessible ingredients, students can still witness the captivating chemical reactions that mimic volcanic eruptions.

Learn more: No Vinegar Volcano Science

6. Color Changing Volcano

Learn how to take the basic baking soda and vinegar volcano to the next level. This color changing volcano is really simple made and this tutorial includes very detailed step-by-step instructions and a helpful video.

Learn more: Color Changing Volcano

7. Sand Volcano

Engage students in a thrilling journey of discovery as they explore the fascinating world of volcanoes through the mesmerizing medium of sand. Watch their scientific curiosity erupt as they bring their own sand volcanoes to life!”

Learn more: Sand Volcano

8. Make a Lemon Volcano

By combining the natural acidity of lemons with a few household materials, students can witness an exciting chemical reaction that mimics the explosive eruptions of a volcano.

9. Clay Volcano

This hands-on activity allows students to mold their own volcano using clay and witness the thrilling eruption that follows. By combining artistry with scientific exploration, students can learn about the geological forces at play in a visually captivating way.

Learn more: Clay Volcano

10. Magma in a Bag

Encourage students to explore the fascinating world of volcanoes through this hands-on experiment that brings the marvels of geology right into their hands.

Learn more: Leslie John Stone

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How to Create a Mini Volcano

Last Updated: August 23, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was reviewed by Anne Schmidt . Anne Schmidt is a Chemistry Instructor in Wisconsin. Anne has been teaching high school chemistry for over 20 years and is passionate about providing accessible and educational chemistry content. She has over 9,000 subscribers to her educational chemistry YouTube channel. She has presented at the American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AATC) and was an Adjunct General Chemistry Instructor at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Anne was published in the Journal of Chemical Education as a Co-Author, has an article in ChemEdX, and has presented twice and was published with the AACT. Anne has a BS in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, and an MA in Secondary Education and Teaching from Viterbo University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 311,129 times.

Mini volcanoes are a popular science experiment for children to learn about chemical reactions. When baking soda and vinegar combine in the volcano, they make a water and carbon dioxide “eruption” that looks like lava from a volcano! You can easily do this fun experiment at home using a cup, baking soda, salt, and vinegar.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (28.8 g) of baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) of salt
• 1-2 drops of washable paint
• 1-2 drops of dish soap
• 1 cup (240 mL) of vinegar

Mixing the Lava Ingredients

• The baking soda will react with the vinegar to cause the reaction, so make sure there's more baking soda than salt in the cup.
• Washable paint is less likely to stain your hands or the ground than food coloring, but you can use food coloring if you don't have paint available.
• The color and type of dish soap doesn't matter, as long as it produces bubbles when added to water.
• If you don't have a small toothpick or stick, you can use a spoon. However, since the spoon is bigger, some of the baking soda “fuel” can stick to the spoon, causing the reaction to be less intense.

Building the Volcano

• Remember that the outside of the volcano will quickly be covered with the “lava,” so the clay doesn't need to be dry.
• You might also have to trim around the base of the volcano to make sure it isn't crooked. Don't worry about making it perfect, as long as the general shape is right.
• Thinner paper, like regular printer paper, will start to collapse once it gets wet when the lava starts. Try to use a thicker paper, like construction paper, or a coated paper, like wrapping paper.
• For clay figures, you can press plastic dinosaur figures into the clay to create a fun Jurassic scene!
• If you're doing the project outside, consider using rocks or sand to surround the base of your volcano, making it even more realistic!

Making an Eruption

• If you're doing this experiment with kids, you can talk to them about what's going to happen as you start pouring the vinegar into the cup.
• If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, add an extra tablespoon (14.4 g) of baking soda to the reaction.
• If the lava starts to lose its color, add another drop of paint before adding more vinegar!

Community Q&A

Reader Videos

• Don't be afraid to touch the lava as it comes out of the volcano! Since its just water and bubbles, it's safe to play in the lava while you watch it erupt. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

• To reuse your volcano, simply add more baking soda and vinegar. For each 2 tablespoons (28.8 g) of baking soda, you can safely add 2-3 cups (473-710 mL) of vinegar before needing to rebuild.
• Doing this experiment indoors? Be sure to place your volcano over a spill-proof tray or inside a large plastic bin to catch any overflow. Wipe up spills immediately to avoid stains.
• Get creative with building materials! Use playdough, salt dough, or papier mâché instead of clay for the outer structure. Or recycle items like oatmeal containers for the base.
• For a more dramatic eruption, add several drops of red or orange food coloring to the baking soda mixture. The more vibrant the lava color, the more exciting for kids.
• Capture the volcanic eruption on video by setting up a smartphone or tablet on a tripod. Kids will love rewatching the experiment and seeing their reactions.
• Involve kids in preparing the experiment by allowing them to measure ingredients or mix the “lava." More participation builds science curiosity.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic cup or jar
• Aluminum foil and modeling clay
• Rolling pin
• Construction paper and tape
• Washable paint (optional for adding color to lava and decorating)
• Markers (optional for decorating)
• Plastic tray
• Toothpick or stick for stirring

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qalAKtLbjX8
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFZhbEi19M8
• ↑ https://youtu.be/mWZW4FeHHbU?t=216
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AqoOOJ3H_I
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFSYLQkMR7U
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8VEnGcfXHY

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