A volcano is formed by thousands of years of pressure built up inside the earth. When it explodes a mixture of molten rock, gas and ash come out which is known as magma. We can replicate this explosion very easily at home using easily available household items. It’s a good way to keep kids interested in science and introduce them to new facts about our earth.

For this experiment you need:
3-4 tbsp Baking Soda
A plastic container preferable a cup
Water
1 tsp dishwasher soap
10ml washable colour
1 cup vinegar

How to do it:
You can make a volcano mountain using paper mache or cardboard or even a mould of sand outside. If doing this experiment inside, be careful to place a big enough tray underneath the volcano to capture all the contents of explosion.

Fill the cup with 2/3 of water. Add 3-4 tbsp of Baking Soda, dishwasher and colour
Place the container filled with these base ingredients inside the volcano mountain
Add vinegar and watch the coloured lava flowing out of the volcano

How does it happen?
Baking Soda or sodium bicarbonate is a base and vinegar is an acid. When these two combine, they make a very unstable substance called Carbonic Acid. Carbonic acid quickly breaks into carbon dioxide and water which creates the fizzing effect.

For more interesting resources for toddlers and preschoolers visit our Learning Lab at www.proeves.com/learninglab.php