Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Science · The activity desk
Fizzing volcano picture
Make a volcano picture and watch an adult create a bubbly pretend eruption.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
Paper, large child-appropriate crayons, a shallow unbreakable dish, baking soda, and vinegar.
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Draw a large mountain with an opening at its top. Place the drawing beside an open dish on a washable surface.
Adult's role: Stay beside the child and handle and pour the ingredients, keeping them away from eyes and mouths.
Let's make it happen
- Draw a mountain and imagine what a volcano might look like.
- Watch as the adult adds a little baking soda to the dish and slowly pours in a little vinegar.
- Describe the bubbles. Explain that this fizzy mixture is a pretend eruption, while real volcanoes release hot molten rock and gases.
Make it simpler: Watch the bubbles and point to the volcano picture together.
Clean up: An adult disposes of the mixture, washes the dish, and wipes the surface. Put away the picture and crayons.
Never seal the mixture or taste it. Stop if it splashes and wash exposed skin with water.