Build Your Own Volcano
Volcanoes are openings in the earth’s surface that sometimes shoot out very hot rock, smoke, and ash. Help your child understand how a volcano forms and what causes it to erupt in this classic “science fair” experiment.
Materials
Directions
Show your child the picture of a cross-section of a volcano and identify the parts together including:
Magma: melted rock under the surface of the earth – it is more than 1000 degrees Fahrenheit (boiling water is only 200 degrees)!
Lava: magma that reaches the earth’s surface during a volcanic eruption.
Make a mountain out of playdough (or dirt) and use your thumb to press down at the top, forming an indentation for the volcano’s opening.
Use a small spoon to pour about one teaspoon of baking soda into the top of the volcano.
Next, use a small measuring cup to very slowly pour a small amount of red-colored vinegar onto the baking soda.
Observe the chemical reaction and describe what you see!
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