Create a giant eruption
Build a large model volcano and trigger a safe baking soda and vinegar eruption, observing reaction strength, measuring ingredients, and recording results.
Step-by-step guide to create a giant eruption
Step 1
Gather all Materials Needed and bring them to a clear workspace.
Step 2
Put on your safety glasses before you start the experiment.
Step 3
Place the empty plastic bottle upright in the center of the tray.
Step 4
Tape the bottle to the tray so it won’t tip over during the eruption.
Step 5
Build the volcano cone around the bottle with modeling clay or papier-mâché leaving the bottle top open.
Step 6
Use coloring materials or paint to decorate your volcano’s outside.
Step 7
Tape a ruler to the tray next to the bottle with the zero mark at the bottle rim for measuring eruption height.
Step 8
Spoon 1 tablespoon of baking soda into the bottle using the funnel or measuring spoon.
Step 9
Measure 1/2 cup of vinegar into the measuring cup and set it beside the volcano.
Step 10
Add one drop of food coloring to the vinegar if you want colored lava.
Step 11
Pour the vinegar quickly into the bottle and step back to watch the eruption.
Step 12
Measure the highest point the foam reaches using the ruler.
Step 13
Write the measured foam height and the exact ingredient amounts you used in your notebook.
Step 14
Try another trial with a different amount (for example 2 tablespoons baking soda or 3/4 cup vinegar) and record the new measurement the same way.
Step 15
Share a photo or description of your finished volcano and your experiment results on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use instead of a funnel or modeling clay/papier-mâché if I don’t have them?
Roll a piece of paper into a cone or use the plastic bottle top as a funnel, and build the volcano cone from playdough or crumpled newspaper taped around the bottle instead of modeling clay or papier-mâché.
Why did my volcano barely erupt or tip over, and how can I fix that?
Make sure you taped the empty plastic bottle firmly to the tray, spoon the full 1 tablespoon baking soda into the bottle, and pour the 1/2 cup vinegar quickly while standing back so the foam can shoot up and you avoid knocking the bottle.
How can I adapt this eruption activity for younger or older children?
For younger kids, an adult should tape the bottle, pre-measure and spoon the baking soda, and pour the colored vinegar while they watch, and for older kids let them measure and record foam height with the taped ruler, run additional trials (for example 2 tablespoons baking soda or 3/4 cup vinegar), and log results in their notebook.
How can we extend or personalize the volcano experiment after the first eruption?
Decorate multiple volcanoes with different food coloring, test one variable at a time (changing only baking soda or only vinegar), measure the foam height with the ruler each trial, and share a photo series and your recorded measurements on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to create a giant eruption
"How Do Volcanoes Erupt? The Science Behind Volcanic Explosions!"
4 Videos
"How Do Volcanoes Erupt? The Science Behind Volcanic Explosions!"
How Volcanoes Erupts | Science Behind Volcano Eruption
Volcanic eruption explained - Steven Anderson
The Process of Volcanic Eruption | How Volcanoes Erupt Explained
Facts about volcano science and acid-base reactions
🌋 Real volcanic eruptions are driven by trapped gases pushing magma upward—our model uses CO₂ bubbles to mimic that push.
📏 Scientists measure eruptions by volume, height, duration, and gas output—kids can practice by timing, measuring splash height, and recording ingredient amounts.
🧂 Small changes matter: doubling the baking soda or vinegar usually makes a noticeably bigger eruption, so measuring ingredients teaches experimental control.
🌍 The 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora was so massive it caused the 'Year Without a Summer'—eruption strength can affect whole climates.
🧪 When sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) meets acetic acid (vinegar) they react to produce carbon dioxide gas, water, and a little salt—hello fizz!
How do you build and trigger a safe giant volcano eruption for kids?
What materials and tools do I need for the baking-soda-and-vinegar volcano activity?
What ages is a giant volcano eruption activity suitable for?
What safety tips, benefits, and variations should parents know about this volcano experiment?
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