Making a volcano is a really fun project, whether it's for a science fair or to pass the time - even more so for kids! You only need items you already have at home to form the base of the structure. Then just paint the volcano to make it more convincing, and add the ingredients to simulate the eruption!
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Mixing Volcano Base Mass
Step 1. Mix 3 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of oil
Place all ingredients in a large bowl and use a fork or spoon to mix.
The dough will be hard after a few minutes. If necessary, ask your parents, a teacher, or an older sibling for help
Step 2. Knead the ingredients with your hands into a ball
When the dough becomes too hard for your fork or spoon, start using your hands to form a ball.
- Knead ingredients on a sturdy surface such as a table or counter.
- Using a rolling pin can be helpful.
Step 3. Add 1 tablespoon of water to the dough if the ingredients don't stick together enough
Ingredients will come loose if they are too dry. In that case, add 1 tablespoon of water and keep using your hands to process everything.
- If the dough is still dry, add 1 teaspoon of water at a time until it starts to stick.
- Be careful not to add too much water or the dough may get sticky!
Step 4. Add 2 tablespoons of flour to the dough if it is too sticky
If the dough sticks to your hands, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour into it and continue processing the ingredients.
- If the dough is still sticky, add another 1 tablespoon of flour and continue mixing until you get a nice result.
- Don't overdo the flour. Otherwise, the dough will not stick.
Part 2 of 4: Creating the Volcano Shape
Step 1. Press the ball against the center of a tray or box lid
The volcano will make a mess when it erupts. Place it in a tray or box lid with edges (to control the liquid that comes out) and apply force on top.
- Ask your parents for permission before using a tray. Do not use anything that still serves in the kitchen, as the volcano will spoil the piece.
- A cardboard box lid will do as well. Anyway, ask your parents for permission first!
Step 2. Use your hands to shape the dough into a mountain
Press the sides of the dough together until you get the right shape.
- Ask an adult or older sibling for help if the dough is too hard.
- There are numerous types of volcanoes. Some are steeper than others and some have a flat top. You can model the mass to create a specific type of volcano, but keep in mind that most will have an uneven surface and are unlikely to be completely flat.
Step 3. Insert a small glass or glass jar into the middle of the dough mountain
After forming the mountain, place the cup or pot in the middle of it and push it down until it is level with the rest of the structure. This will be the mouth of the volcano.
- This part can be difficult. Ask your parents or someone else who has strong hands for help if you can't get the cup or pot into the dough.
- Ask your parents for permission before using a cup or pot! It won't be possible to use the utensil anymore.
Step 4. Form a volcano with the dough around the cup or pot
After inserting the cup or pot, begin to form the volcano around it with your hands.
- Remember that no volcano is “smooth”! They have stones and deformities in the structure. So leave some flaws in the dough.
- Remember that you can make your volcano look like a specific type if you want to craft something more technical, but nothing stops you from making a traditional volcano. Search for volcano images on the internet to find a model to base yourself on.
Part 3 of 4: Painting the volcano
Step 1. Wait for the dough to dry completely before painting the volcano
Please be patient as this can take up to eight hours. Place the project in a place inaccessible to pets, such as a high shelf, to protect it.
- The clay will be hard when it dries. Press it after eight hours to see if this is the case. If not, wait a little longer.
- If after 8 hours the clay is still not hard enough, let it dry for a few more hours.
Step 2. Apply a coat of brown or black paint to the outside of the volcano
Acrylic paint (any color) is ideal. Use a large brush to spread a brown (more or less dark) or black tone to be realistic.
- Spread a few sheets of newspaper or paper towels across the surface to protect it from ink. Also, wear an old T-shirt.
- It may be better to wear an old shirt when painting.
Step 3. Paint the interior of the volcano orange or yellow
If you want to simulate the color of the lava inside the volcano, paint the body inside it with a medium brush.
- Use a lighter shade of orange to contrast with brown or black.
- You can make orange paint by mixing equal parts of red and yellow paint.
Step 4. Allow the ink to dry overnight before erupting
The paint on the inside and outside of the volcano has to dry before you can simulate an eruption. Wait about eight hours for nothing to go wrong.
- Keep the volcano out of the reach of pets, such as on a high shelf or a closed room.
- You can touch the ink to see if it's dry. It can feel sticky if it's moist and smooth when dry.
Part 4 of 4: Making the volcano erupt
Step 1. Put 2 tablespoons of baking soda into the volcano
Add the 2 tablespoons of the baking soda to the cup in the middle of the volcano - but only when it is dry, as moisture can speed up the reaction too soon.
- Baking soda is a common household item; you probably have it at home.
- Ask your parents for permission to use baking soda.
Step 2. Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent into the baking soda
The dishwashing detergent will create the foam from the rash. A single teaspoon is enough.
- Use any type of dish detergent.
- Remember to ask your parents for permission.
Step 3. Add a few drops of red and yellow food coloring to the volcano
Food coloring makes the rash look more like lava. Add a few drops of the product to make the simulation more believable.
If you have orange food coloring, use it to color the lava
Step 4. Pour 30ml of vinegar into the volcano to cause the eruption
Vinegar is the final ingredient - and the volcano will erupt as soon as you add it. Wait until the time is right.
- Don't add vinegar until you're ready to erupt! Leave the other ingredients in the mouth of the volcano, but wait with the vinegar.
- You can add more vinegar if there is still some baking soda left in the bottom of the cup or pot.
wikiHow Video: How to Make a Volcano
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Tips
If you don't want to make volcano dough, put the eruption ingredients in an empty 2-liter soda bottle. They will cause the chemical reaction anyway
Notices
- Don't look into the volcano during the eruption!
- Ask your parents for permission before doing the experiment. You may need help or supervision.
- Walk away right after adding the vinegar!