DIY Lava Lamp

By Laura Novobilsky of Come Together Kids

I’m embarrassed to admit how much time I’ve spent on Pinterest. I always plan on just looking for a few cool ideas after the kids go to bed, but the next thing I know, it’s 2 a.m. and my mind is spinning with all my new “pins” and the fun I’ll have with them. The kids have to deal with a tired mommy the next day, but I do find cool ideas like THIS lava lamp.

Materials:

  • cooking oil
  • water
  • food coloring
  • an empty water bottle
  • Alka-Seltzer antacid tablets

Instructions

  1. Craft 01Fill your bottle about two thirds of the way with oil and the rest of the way with water, leaving about an inch free at the top. NOTE: We liked watching the water layer sink to the bottom, but we had to wait a while for the bubbles to disappear for the next step. Adding the water first, then the food coloring, and finally the oil wasn't quite as fun, but it was a bit faster.
  2. Add several drops of food coloring. (If you did the oil first, then the water, it'll take a little while for the drops of food coloring to "break through" and tint the water.)
  3. Craft 02Break an Alka-Seltzer tablet into three or four pieces. Then drop a piece in and watch the magic.
  4. As soon as the tablet hits the layer of water, it will start to fizz and the colored water will erupt!
  5. The bubbles will stop as soon as the tablet dissipates, but they’ll will start up again as soon as you add another tablet. If the oil layer starts to become cloudy with tiny bubbles, just let it settle for a while. Then you can do some more.

    6. My kids loved this so much they worked really hard to be good so they could "earn" more antacid tablets to do it over and over again. This is a project we’ll definitely keep around to reuse!

Laura Novobilsky lives in Maryland and is the proud but exhausted mother of three. She loves to find ways to come together with her kids through crafts, projects, activities and outings. Her favorite activities are easy and inexpensive, yet fun and enjoyable for everyone. Laura shares the many things she has done with and for her children on her blog, Come Together Kids.

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  • Vicki

    Great ideas! Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday. Music, food and family fun. Love it all.

    • Jessica

      Isn’t Thanksgiving grand? I always want to give the turkey its due!

  • Christy from DC

    Love the table cloth idea! Thanks.

    • Jessica

      You’re welcome Christy!