Erupting Volcano

Bring chemistry to life with a mesmerizing DIY Erupting Volcano🌋 science project, perfect for learning and dramatic fun! Begin by anchoring a recycled plastic bottle upright on cardboard using Clag® Paste, then build the volcano structure by layering scrunched-up newspaper, all held together with Clag® Paste for a sturdy papier-mâché base. Once dry, paint your creation to mimic a real volcano eruption landscape🏞️, then add dinosaurs for extra flair. When you're ready for the big moment, pour vinegar mixed with red food colouring over baking soda and watch an explosive, bubbling eruption, just like the real thing. This project combines crafting with scientific wonder, making it great for classrooms, family experiments, and memorable STEM activities. ✨

What you will need

Clag® Paste
Recycled plastic bottle
Thick cardboard (50cm x 50cm)
Newspaper
Paint brushes
Craft paint
Utility knife
Scissors
Dinosaur figurines
Red food colouring (5-10 drops)
White vinegar (1 cup)
Baking soda (2-3 tsp)

Difficulty

Average time

2 hours (allow for drying)

Cost

Print version!

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare your base

Cut the top and bottom off the plastic bottle. Ask an adult to assist with using the safety knife. Use Clag^® PVA glue to stick the plastic bottle to the centre of the cardboard. Make sure the plastic bottle sits upright.

Note

Adult assistance required for this step!

Step 2: Cut newspaper

Cut up newspaper strips.

Step 3: Start to build

To begin building the volcano, scrunch strips of newspaper into balls, apply Clag^® and stick them around the base of the bottle. Repeat this step, working your way around and up the bottle to form a base for the papier mache.

Step 4: Layer it up

Next, apply Clag^® to a strip of newspaper and lay it onto the scrunched-up newspaper, from the top of the bottle to the bottom. Continue this process until the entire volcano is covered. Repeat step 5 twice - you’ll need at least three layers of paper! Leave the volcano to dry for 48 hours.

Step 5: Paint

Paint the volcano.

Step 6: Decorate!

Decorate the volcano with dinosaurs and/or other items.

Step 7: Watch it erupt

Take your volcano outside - this could get messy! Pour the baking soda into the top of the volcano. Add the red food colouring to the white vinegar, tip it into the volcano, and watch it erupt!