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Easy Volcano Kids' Craft Project: All From Your Pantry

By Deacon Hayes Updated

Looking for a cheap afternoon activity for the kids? This erupting volcano uses only things you probably already have in the pantry, including the clay you'll use to build it. It's a fun mini science lesson, and it costs pennies.

What You'll Need

For the clay:

  • 2 cups baking soda
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1 1/4 cups cold water
  • Food coloring (optional)

For the volcano:

  • An empty yogurt cup or small plastic cup
  • A baking sheet lined with foil
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • A few drops of dish soap and red or orange food coloring (optional, for foamier "lava")

Already have play dough or modeling clay? Skip the clay step and use that instead.

Step 1: Make the Clay

  1. Combine the baking soda, cornstarch, and cold water in a saucepan. Add a few drops of food coloring if you like.
  2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. In about 10 minutes, the mixture will thicken into a dough-like ball.
  3. Turn it out onto a plate and cover it with a damp towel while it cools.

This step is for an adult. Let the clay cool until it's comfortable to handle before the kids touch it.

Step 2: Build the Volcano

  1. Set the yogurt cup in the middle of the foil-lined baking sheet.
  2. Mold the cooled clay around the cup to form a cone, leaving the top of the cup open as the crater.
  3. Shape ridges and slopes with your fingers. Kids love this part.

You can use the volcano right away, or let the clay dry overnight for a sturdier mountain.

Step 3: Make It Erupt

  1. Pour 1/4 cup water into the cup.
  2. Stir in 1 teaspoon baking soda. Add a drop of dish soap and food coloring for bigger, redder lava.
  3. Pour in 1/4 cup vinegar and step back.

The vinegar (an acid) reacts with the baking soda (a base) to make carbon dioxide gas. The gas bubbles up and pushes the foamy "lava" over the top.

Try Some Experiments

Turn it into a science lesson by changing one thing at a time and asking your kids to predict what will happen:

  • Use more vinegar, or less
  • Add more baking soda
  • Try warm water instead of cold
  • Swap in lemon juice for the vinegar

Ask which version made the biggest eruption, and why they think it worked.

Why We Love This Project

It's a great rainy-day or nap-time activity, it pairs well with a library book about volcanoes, and everything comes from the pantry. That's one more reason to keep a small stockpile of baking basics on hand.

Want another frugal kids' activity? Try making a bouncy ball next.