How to Make a Volcano

To prove that I really am a scientist, C and I had to make a volcano together. C was disappointed when I told him we were making it at home; he wanted to do it at my work (aka the labs). Next science project will have to be in a real lab then. L Child and Daddy went for a drive while C and I got started.

Step 1: Gather all your materials. Including one excited little boy.

Step 2: Have a brief overview about volcanoes complete with an Earth Science textbook and a piece of scoria.

Step 3: After cutting a vent (a hole) in a plastic cup, cover the cup with clay. (A big shout out to my friend Taylor who suggested the easy plastic cup covered with clay idea!)

Step 4: Add red food coloring to vinegar.

Step 5: Put baking soda on the plate in a pile.

Step 6: Place the colorful volcano on top of the baking soda. Anticipate the explosion.

Step 7: Pour vinegar through the vent onto the baking soda.

Step 8: Enjoy the show!

Step 9: Make a different type of "lava." Add corn starch to the cup.

Step 10: Add a little water to the cornstarch as well as red food coloring. Stir it up well (an adult will probably will be needed to stir).

Step 11: Pour this viscous lava on and around the volcano. This homemade "lava" is neat because it seems to go back and forth between a solid and a liquid.

While we waited for Daddy and L Child to return home, we watched some volcanic eruptions videos on the Internet as well as went to a cool website to make different types of volcanoes and have them explode on screen. 

L Child arrived back home and got to make both types of lava as well. He was a bit wary at first but enjoyed the show.