Simple science activities are tons of fun for kids of all ages. In this underwater volcano activity, kids learn how liquids run together and try to bond and create one liquid that is equal between both mixtures.
Using hot and cold water illustrates how temperatures move from hot into cold and is a fun way to illustrate how weather works, as well as how real life volcanoes might work (minus eruptions that explode into the air).
Kids will have a blast making this underwater volcano, and the addition of glitter only makes it more fun. If you don’t have glitter, you can make it without.
What you’ll need to make the glittery underwater volcano:
Heat a cup of boiling water over the stove. An adult should pour this water into the small container.
Dye the hot water red. Add a shake or two of glitter.
Cut a plastic piece from your plastic bag big enough to fit over the mouth of the small jar. Hold in place with a hair tie or rubber band.
Fill the large jar with cold water. Add ice.
Place the jar with hot water inside the large jar.
Carefully pierce the top of the plastic with scissors or another sharp object. Be careful not to tip the jar.
The glittery water will slowly escape into the water.
Because the temperature is so drastic between the two liquids, it can take a while for the water to emerge and stain the cold water.
Try the experiment with both containers filled with room temperature water and watch how it turns out differently.
This is a fun experiment that teaches children how cold and hot things run together to try to create an even temperature. This activity is the perfect thing to try when learning about weather.
What a fun experiment!
My son has been begging to do more volcano experiments…and I’ve been hunting for some that are beyond the usual baking soda and vinegar ones. He will love this.