Ice Volcanoes

If you're looking for a mess-free activity for kids that's quick to set up, ice volcanoes are probably not for you. BUT if you're looking for some fun, messy science that your kids will LOVE, this activity is a good one. All you need for this play recipe is baking soda, water, vinegar, and food coloring. The supplies you need for making ice volcanoes are small bowls, balls that will sink, plastic wrap, and some room in the freezer.

Ice volcanoes are easy to make and a fun science and play activity for kids of any age.


Bolstered by the success of his frozen s'mores, my husband came up with another idea for the kids: ice volcanoes. I guess he now considers himself more of an idea man, because the actual planning and executing were up to me.  After a few failed prototypes, I did come up with a way to make them. It's messy, but the results were totally worth the effort.

I started with small bowls and placed a golf ball in the bottom of each. Any ball that fits into the bowl and doesn't float will work fine. I lined each bowl with plastic wrap so that the golf ball was underneath and the plastic came up over the sides.

Ice volcanoes are easy to make and a fun science and play activity for kids of any age.

Next I filled the bowls with a mixture of water and baking soda. I didn't measure, but if I had to guess I'd say it was about a third baking soda. I also added food coloring. Make sure you pour enough of the mixture in so that it covers the ball or you'll end up with a hole through the middle of your ice volcano.

Ice volcanoes are easy to make and a fun science and play activity for kids of any age.

Once they were frozen, I let them thaw a little, pulled the plastic wrap off and pried out the golf ball. This was the tricky part. I had to use a butter knife to get some of them out and I didn't necessarily get out all the plastic wrap either. The ones that had been sitting out longer were easier to do.

Ice volcanoes are easy to make and a fun science and play activity for kids of any age.

A squirt of vinegar ...

Ice volcanoes are easy to make and a fun science and play activity for kids of any age.

and watch them erupt.

Ice volcanoes are easy to make and a fun science and play activity for kids of any age.

Not only was the reaction fun, it was also fun to play with the melting volcanoes.

Ice volcanoes are easy to make and a fun science and play activity for kids of any age.

In fact, the kids couldn't keep their hands out of them.

Ice volcanoes are easy to make and a fun science and play activity for kids of any age.

They lasted quite a while so we were able to use them over and over again.

Ice volcanoes are easy to make and a fun science and play activity for kids of any age.

Before we had even finished, the kids were talking about making more. My 13 year old stepdaughter was as interested as my preschoolers, so I think ice volcanoes are a great science activity for just about any age.

Ice volcanoes are easy to make and a fun science and play activity for kids of any age.

Some volcano books you might like:


For more outdoor science fun, you might like:







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26 comments:

  1. OHMYGOODNESS!!!!!! These are SOOOOO amazing, Lorie! I love love love them.

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  2. Seriously sooo cool!!! I can't wait to try. :)

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  3. very fun. Might have to try that with my big kid class of 2nd graders!

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  4. What a neat idea! I think I have to do this! Maybe I'll even let the kids play!!! hahaha

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    1. Better make extras in case they see you. :)

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  5. I love this idea and can't wait to use it during our Extreme Weather Unit coming this winter. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  6. love these science experiments! would love if you came over and linked up to #kidsinthekitchen
    http://lookwhatmomfound.com/2013/08/comfort-foods-kids-will-love-kidsinthekitchen.html

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  7. What a fantastic idea - and how well executed, photographed and shared ;-) I've never seen this before - great variation on baking soda & vinegar (my kids can't get enough of them). Thank you!

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  8. I wonder if you brush the bowls with oil as I do a jelly mould then put the wrap on, it would come out of the bowl easier?

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    1. What a great idea! I'm going to try that next time!

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    2. I have just put my jelly moulds in my bag to take to work with me tomorrow as I think they will be perfect size, so will try and let you know!

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  9. So brilliant. I'll be featuring this on my Share It Saturday link. :)

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  10. What a NEAT idea! That looks like SO much fun!! You continually blow me away with your creativity!!

    I am featuring this on TGIF today. Thanks for linking up and sharing your creativity with all the rest of us. Have a GREAT weekend,
    Beth

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  11. I'll be featuring these on The Sunday Showcase this weekend - thanks for linking up!

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  12. I will be making these this weekend! My 5yr old is obsessed over science so this will be perfect! Thank you so much and hi-5 to your idea man.:-)

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  13. I will be making these this weekend! My 5yr old is obsessed over science so this will be perfect! Thank you so much and hi-5 to your idea man.:-)

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    1. Hope you have fun with it! I will tell him you liked it - I keep telling him to come up with more ideas, but he says he's retired!

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  14. Those are awesome! We must try it! Thanks for sharing at Mom's Library!

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  16. how long do they take to freeze in the freezer??
    I am doing this tomorrow with the children. They are 2 1/2 years. Please let me know

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  17. Love the mini volcanoes. Shared here http://siayla.blogspot.ca/2014/02/got-winter-try-these-snow-and-ice.html

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