Volcano Science Experiment

My son got a book from the library this week that gave us lot of ideas for projects.  The book is called Nature Explorer by DK.  We did this volcano first because I already had all of the necessary ingredients.  I will be posting other cool science experiments and projects as we make our way through the text.

For this project you will need:

Sand
Warm water
a small plastic bottle
a funnel is nice but not necessary
vinegar
baking soda
food color


I suggest working outside.  This is a messy project!  I laid down a big, plastic lid for a working surface. Setting the bottle in the center, I told the kids to make a volcano by using sand and water to help shape the sand into a volcano like form.  They worked on building that sand up for a while.  One fun part of this is squirting in the water!  I just used some sand from our sandbox, but any sand will do.

                                         Be careful not to let sand fall down into your bottle!

The kids added adornments like rocks and weeds from our yard.  They also used some plastic dinosaurs and trees.

 When you have the volcano built and your kids have tired of decorating it, it is time to add warm water to the bottle.  Use a funnel if you have it to avoid spills and work faster.  We didn't have one and it was not an issue.  

Next add warm water to the bottle; about 3/4 full.  Top that off with vinegar.  

I don't have a photo of the next step, but it is simple.  Also, this step was my tweak since the book instructions flopped.  I found this method to be the most explosive!  Place about two teaspoons of baking soda in a square of toilet paper.  Twist it into a ball-a little bomb, if you will, and get ready!

I placed this baking soda bomb right over the mouth of the bottle and had my kids push it in.  Below are the results.

Almost instantly the liquid bubbles out of the bottle and oozes down your sand volcano.

The kids loved this project.  They wanted to do it again immediately after it was over.  Fortunately, it is not a difficult experiment to replicate and it is inexpensive.  What I loved about it was that I had all the ingredients on hand.  The kids also got to learn about what happens when these two ingredients collide!