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June 1, 2016

Volcano Science Experiment

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My kids are big fans of anything that erupts, explodes, fizzes, or bubbles. That makes the volcano science experiment a must try for us.  We have tried several baking soda experiments but have yet to try the classic volcano experiment.

I grabbed some supplies from our science kit and a few things from the pantry and we were ready to start erupting volcanoes of our own.  Not sure who was more excited, me or the kids–we could not wait to get started!

Volcano Science Experiment for Kids! There's a reason it's a classic--try it at home today! (Science behind the eruption in the post.)

Volcano Science Experiment

  • vinegar
  • baking soda
  • beakers, flasks or a plastic cup
  • orange food coloring or use yellow and red food coloring to make orange
  • dropper (optional)
  • plastic tray or dish

volcano science

Classic Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano

Fill 2 beakers about halfway full with baking soda and pour white vinegar into a plastic cup.  Make it orange by adding red and yellow (or orange) food coloring.  Set everything on a plastic tray to try and help with the overflow and get ready to experiment.

baking soda and vinegar science

Simple science is a great way to get kids thinking.  Let them make predictions about what they think will happen before you start the experiment. My oldest child always tells me his observations during an experiment.  He also likes to come up with his own way of trying things too. Once the kids made predictions they poured the vinegar into the beakers filled with baking soda.

fun simple science experiment for kids

The Science Behind the Eruption

At first they did not pour enough vinegar in the beaker and we only saw a little foaming and bubbles.  Next they poured more vinegar in and we got big erupting reactions!  This is an acid-base reaction.  Baking soda is a bicarbonate and vinegar is an acetic acid. Carbon dioxide is a product of this reaction and makes the foamy bubbles. This experiment is  a great way to explain to kids that when a volcano’s pressure builds up too much it erupts.  The eruption is either hot ash or molten lava.

The kids were able to pour more baking soda in the beakers a few times before they stopped getting the big reaction. My kids then went on to experiment more and had lots of fun playing with the baking soda and vinegar.  We look forward to more simple science experiments that erupt, bubble, and foam soon.

For even more science fun try these Classic Science Experiments for Kids!

Classic Must Do Science Experiments for Kids!

Don’t let the fun and discovery stop there!

We have TONS of science experiments your kids will love on our Super Cool Science Experiments for Kids page! 

The most fun science experiments for kids ever!

Take me to the experiments –> Super Cool Science Experiments for Kids

 

About Jaime

Hi! I am Jaime, mama to three high energy boys. With three boys, life never slows down, but I wouldn't have it any other way! We love creating, learning, and crafting together and we can turn anything into an adventure. I enjoy sharing our activities and crafts on my blog Frogs & Snails & Puppy Dog Tail.

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Comments

  1. Tony says

    February 19, 2017 at 8:18 pm

    A beaker has a wide opening. The container with a small opening is a flask.

    Reply
  2. Shea says

    May 26, 2019 at 10:13 am

    Thank you so much! I have to do 5 experiments or my pre-K science fair. These look so interesting and fun.

    Reply
    • Megan Sheakoski says

      May 29, 2019 at 2:24 pm

      I bet they will love them!

      Reply

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