Making a Baking Soda Volcano!

A couple days ago, Chance was bored, so I was trying to think of something fun to do with him.  Lately, we've had a few natural phenomena nearby...wildfires, thunderstorms with hail, and tornados...so Chance has been really interested things like that.  I remembered making baking soda volcanos as a child, so I thought it might be fun to make one with him!  I'm pretty sure it's the only volcano that will be erupting around here, though! :)

You can make one just in a glass if you want it to be a quick project, but I was wanting to actually build one, which turns it into a 2 or 3 day project.  Here are the things you will need to make a volcano like we did...

Large paper plate

Jelly jar

Old newspaper

All-purpose flour

Water

Paint and brushes

Warm water

Liquid dish soap

Food coloring

Baking soda

White vinegar

To start, I put the jelly jar in the middle of the paper plate.  Then I crumpled up about two sheets of the newspaper and wrapped them around the jar, to form the base of the volcano.  Take another two sheets or so of the newspaper, and rip it up into smallish strips.  In another plate, or bowl, make a paste of flour and water.  Use about 1/2 cup flour and 2/3 cups water.  Dip the strips of newspaper into the flour paste, and spread over the crumpled paper.  Continue layering the pasted paper to form a volcano shape around the jar.

When you have the shape you want, you need to let it dry at least overnight.  When flour paste doesn't dry all the way, it tends to mold.  Chance tried to dry it faster with a hair dryer, but we still had to let it sit until the next day. :)

The next day, when the paste has dried, you can paint it!  Chance chose 5 colors for his...black, dark brown, light brown, antique copper and green.  But you can paint it any color(s) you like!

Chance being a clown for the camera. :)

After the paint dries, you can make the volcano erupt!  In a glass, mix together about 1/2 cup of warm water, a couple drops of liquid dish soap.  The soap helps hold the bubbles and makes the eruption much better! Add a few drops of the food coloring of your choice, and about a tablespoon of baking soda.  Stir slowly to mix.  Pour this mixture into the center of the volcano.

Then it's time to add the magic ingredient!  You just need a couple tablespoons of white vinegar.  Have you child pour it into the volcano and watch the eruption!

And again...

and again...

and again!

Have fun!