Tiny Makers Lab

Activities / Experiment

Fizzing kitchen volcano

Baking soda and vinegar turn into a foamy eruption you can repeat again and again.

  • Ages3+
  • Time15 minutes
  • A grown-up helps withPouring vinegar

How to make it

  1. Stand the cup in the middle of the tray.
  2. Put the baking soda in the cup. Add the dish soap and a few drops of food coloring.
  3. Pour in the vinegar and step back.
  4. When the fizzing stops, add another spoon of baking soda and pour again.

Why it works

Baking soda and vinegar react and make a gas called carbon dioxide. The gas needs room, so it pushes up and out as bubbles. The soap traps the gas and makes the foam thicker.

Try next

  • Build a mountain around the cup with play dough or damp sand.
  • Does warm vinegar fizz faster than cold?

Safety note. Vinegar stings in eyes. Keep faces back from the cup and rinse with water if it splashes. A grown-up should be nearby for the whole activity.

Watch it

The video for this activity is on its way. It will be on our YouTube channel first.

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