Grab our step by step instructions to make and erupt your own paper mâché volcano!
How to make an erupting volcano
Making a real erupting volcano is a brilliant activity for kids, not only does it incorporate art with the designing and making a paper mâché volcano but it finishes off with a bit of scientific experimentation and a chemical reaction.
A brilliant activity for keeping kids busy during the school holidays.
What you need to make a paper mâché erupting volcano
- a thick piece of cardboard as a base for your volcano
- a clean empty bottle – wide neck is easier to drop the bicarbonate of soda into.
- sticky tape to seal the bottle lid whilst you create the mountain around it.
- paper mache – we used old torn newspapers dipped in a flour and water solution 2 parts plain flour to 4 parts water. Just keep making it up every time you run out – quantity needed depends how big your volcano is going to be.
- paints for decorating the paper mache volcano
- 400ml white vinegar
- 4 tsp red food colouring
- 5-6 tsp bicarbonate of soda
How to make and erupt a paper mâché volcano
- Stand the bottle onto the piece of cardboard – tape over the opening and start to build up the paper mache mountain around it – you’ll need to do this in several sessions so that it gets chance to dry before the next layers are put on.
- Once your paper mache volcano is finished and dry – paint it.
- When the paint is dry – ERUPT IT!
- Remove the sticky tape from the opening of the bottle – pour in the vinegar and red food colouring.
- Tip in the bicarbonate of soda.
- Watch the eruption!
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