How to Make a Clay Volcano

This is a fun lesson in chemical reactions; you can make your own miniature volcano that will really erupt. This is a small volcano, but it's eruption will still be grand! If you want a bigger volcano you can use a 2 liter bottle and make a paper mache mountain! When you are ready for your volcano to erupt, take it outside or in a well protected area as it will be messy!

Materials Needed:

• 2 Small Disposable Cups
• Paper Plate
• Masking Tape
• Clay
• 1 Tablespoon Warm Water
• Liquid Dish Washing Soap
• Food Coloring
• 1 Tablespoon of Baking Soda
• Vinegar

Instructions:
Use the masking tape to attach the disposable cup the center of the paper plate. [Use clay to form a mountain on the plate around the cup. You can either buy clay or you can mix up a batch of clay using one of my recipes. You may need to mix up a double batch. You want your mountain to completely cover the side of the cup. The hole in the cup will be the crater where the lava comes out of so be careful to not get any clay in it. You may want to let the clay dry, but you do not have to.

Now to prepare for your eruption! First measure the water into your volcano crater. Add 3 to 4 drops of dish washing soap and 3 to 4 drops of food coloring. Stir in the baking soda. Pour some vinegar into the other small disposable cup so the cup is about 1/3 full. Quickly pour the vinegar into your volcano crater, step back, and watch your volcano's bubbly eruption!