Chemistry Activities for Kids: Week 5 - Volcanoes and Lava Lamps

Chemistry Activities for Kids Week 5 - Volcanoes and Lava Lamps From Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., your Guide to Chemistry Chemical volcanoes and lava lamps are great examples of chemistry. Volcanoes result from the chemical reactions between the components. Lava lamps, on the other hand, are cool because the ingredients don't mix! Let's Try It! Kitchen Volcano  This 'volcanic eruption' relies on a reaction between baking soda, vinegar, and dishwashing detergent. You can build the cone for the volcano from flour and water or you can simply mix the ingredients in an empty 2-liter bottle. Learn how... Make Your Own Lava Lamp The lava lamp celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2003, but it's still really popular! The globs stay separate from each other because they have different densities and polarities, like oil and water. You can make something similar. The 'real thing' is much more complicated (and poisonous)! Make a Density Column You can also make a red, white, and blue 3-layered density column that works on the same principles as the lava lamp. Of course, you can change the colors to whatever you want! Yeast & Peroxide Volcano Another safe and easy volcano you can make uses quick-rise yeast and hydrogen peroxide solution to make the 'lava.' More About Mixing Chemicals Learning Chemical Names  Here's a table that may come in handy. It's a list of the chemical names for some common materials. For example, baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. The ingredient in the vinegar that causes the 'volcano' to erupt is acetic acid. Do Not Mix List Mixing chemicals produces some really nice effects, but some mixtures are poisonous or otherwise dangerous. These are chemicals that you don't want to put together. Got Questions? Join the Chemistry Forum  If you are age 13 or older you can ask and answer questions at the chemistry forum. Forum members include anyone interested in chemistry. You'll find scientists, engineers, students, parents, and other people just like you with an interest in chemistry. Looking for More Projects? Fun Activities for Kids  Here's a list of some of the most popular science projects for bored kids. These activities are safe and use common household materials. Best Science Toys Sometimes you might prefer to purchase an educational toy rather than start a project from scratch. Are you looking for ideas for good toys? Here's the list I made for myself to jog my own memory before my kids' birthdays and other holidays. Home Chemistry Kit Here's a list of projects that you can do at home. I've included a list of common supplies you might want to have in order to start up a home chemistry lab. For each project, I've listed the materials and stated an appropriate age range. This email is written by:  Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.