If you’re looking for an entertaining and educational project for kids, a volcano experiment provides a great opportunity for them to learn science basics while also engaging them with fun, hands-on learning.
Childcare experts recommend learning concepts such as STEAM and STEM activities for kids. It allows them to learn by using their hands and practises basic “how does it work?” engineering and building skills.
Many grown-ups may recoil at the idea of conducting an erupting volcano science experiment in the kitchen. It might sound complicated and chaotic, but there are a variety of ways to do volcano science experiments that minimise the mess.
Here are some fun volcano experiments for kids of all ages, collected from educators, blogs and across social media. Because any type of volcano science experiment involves mixing chemical substances, all of these activities should be supervised by an adult, and wearing safety goggles is recommended.
Volcano experiments for little kids
1. Pumpkin volcano
Have you got a leftover Halloween pumpkin or two? This pumpkin volcano project from the blog Thimble and Twig shows you how to create a homemade erupting volcano inside a pumpkin. All you need is a medium-sized pumpkin, baking soda and vinegar for the reaction, washing-up liquid to make it foam and a container to mitigate any “volcanic” fizzy overflow.
2. Volcano rainbow
This rainbow volcano experiment is perfect for younger kids who love colour play — and it’s not too complicated. As creator Sarah Britton shows on her TikTok profile @beyondtheplayroom, the volcano rainbow only requires six small cups on a tray, lemon juice, food colouring and baking soda. Fill the cups with lemon juice and then put a few drops of food colouring in each cup, one for every colour of the rainbow. Then add a spoonful of baking soda to each cup and watch the rainbow magic happen!
3. Sandpit volcano
If you have access to a small sandbox, you can try this volcano idea for preschoolers in a sandpit (this resource from Twinkl provides downloadable instructions). Have the children form a crater in the sand, making sure to leave it as hollow as possible in the centre. Spoon 1–2 tbsp of baking soda into the sand, pour vinegar into the centre of the volcano and watch the volcano erupt! This one is especially fun for younger kids because it’s easy to do over and over again, as they might request (or demand).
4. Soil volcano
Similar to the sandbox volcano, this experiment calls for a bit of fresh soil instead. Fill a bin with dirt and use it to build your volcano — or just do the whole experiment in a patch of soil outside. Check out the Kids Activities Blog for a step-by-step tutorial. You’ll need an empty plastic bottle, red and orange food colouring, baking soda and vinegar to make the perfect realistic soil volcano.
5. Glitter volcano
Put a sparkly twist and a whole new level of excitement on the classic volcano experiment by adding glitter. Check out this glitter volcano YouTube video from JJT Adventures.
Adding glitter to a volcano experiment can also change the consistency and appearance of the “lava” if you’re looking to add a burst of creativity to the project.
Volcano experiments for older kids
1. Papier-mâché volcano
Put a sparkly twist and a whole new level of excitement on the classic volcano experiment by adding glitter. Check out this glitter volcano YouTube video from JJT Adventures.
Adding glitter to a volcano experiment can also change the consistency and appearance of the “lava” if you’re looking to add a burst of creativity to the project.
Volcano experiments for older kids
1. Papier-mâché volcano
If your older kids want to make a papier-mâché volcano, this experiment from Thimble and Twig is fantastic. It shows how to use a bottle, glue and paper strips to create a papier-mâché masterpiece. While it may require more time to create, the payoff of watching the eruption is well worth it.
2. Foil volcano
If papier-mâché glue sounds too messy, you can create a similar volcanic project using tinfoil. This TikTok video from creator @stemwithm breaks down how to do a simple foil volcano experiment. You’ll still build a mountainous shape around a plastic bottle, but using foil instead of paper strips to create a metallic base for the eruption. You can add washing-up liquid to the vinegar to make an extra bubbly explosion once the baking soda is added.
3. Elephant toothpaste volcano
Achieve an extra foamy volcanic eruption (often referred to as “elephant toothpaste” because it looks like a giant squeeze of toothpaste) by using slightly different ingredients for your reaction. Rather than using baking soda and vinegar, use hydrogen peroxide and dry yeast to create this effect.
A hydrogen peroxide and dry yeast concoction will create a more active and showier explosion. With these kinds of materials, it’s best to use eye protection and keep it safe, as with any super-fun science experiment!
4. DIY volcanoes
This educational project turned volcano experiment from The Natural History Museum is as fun to make as it is to watch erupt. The painted volcano model uses a plastic bottle, baking soda and water, which leads to an extra fun explosion when you pour vinegar into the centre. And the best part? Kids can have fun painting the baking soda volcano before watching the colours melt together during the eruption.
5. Glow-in-the-dark volcano
This educational project turned volcano experiment from The Natural History Museum is as fun to make as it is to watch erupt. The painted volcano model uses a plastic bottle, baking soda and water, which leads to an extra fun explosion when you pour vinegar into the centre. And the best part? Kids can have fun painting the baking soda volcano before watching the colours melt together during the eruption.
5. Glow-in-the-dark volcano
Becky Ward, education experience specialist at Tutor Doctor, suggests trying out a glow-in-the-dark lava for your next volcano experiment. Ward explains how you can mix tonic water with vinegar (use extra vinegar for the experiment because the tonic water will dilute it). Then move to a dark room equipped with a black light, pour the vinegar/tonic over the baking soda and watch it glow.
This experiment can teach students about fluorescence, the light spectrum and chemical reactions.
6. Snow volcano
On a snowy day, try this snow volcano experiment from Kim McLeod, who runs the blog The Best Ideas For Kids. Build a volcano shape out of snow and use a cup to hold your baking soda and vinegar concoction in the centre of the snow volcano. Don’t forget to add blue food colouring for an extra icy effect!
Minimal mess volcano projects
1. Volcano in a bag
While this volcano-in-a-bag project doesn’t necessarily include an explosion, it simulates a volcanic eruption using paint — and it all happens inside a sandwich bag! On the Happy Tot Shelf blog, learn how to set up this mess-free experiment that teaches about volcanoes and colour-mixing at the same time.
2. Underwater volcano
Keep the mess to a minimum by trying this underwater volcano project from Cool Science Experiments Headquarters. First, fill a bottle with hot water and red food colouring and attach a string to the top of the bottle. Then, fill a clear tub with cold water and lower the bottle into the water using the string. The hot water will rush out of the bottle to the top of the tub, creating an eruption-like effect.
3. Homemade lava lamp
Did you know you can make a DIY lava lamp at home from household materials? Based on this tutorial from PBS Parents, all you need is a jar, water, cooking oil and food colouring. Fill the jar with water and a few drops of your favourite colour. Add several drops of oil and then close the jar, making sure it’s tight enough not to spill. Turn the jar over and over and watch the bubble move through the colourful water, just like a lava lamp.
4. Citrus volcano
This citrus volcano experiment can all be contained on a plate or in a small bin, making it relatively mess-free.
Cut a lemon or orange in half, squish the fruit inside with a spoon to release the juice, scoop out a bit of the fruit to make space and add baking soda. Squeeze the fruit to make it really overflow. Have a look at this resource from Twinkl to see how it can be done