Kitchen Chemistry: Baking Soda Volcanoes (update 2025)
Educational and Fun Activities
Written by Gregg Payne
06 September 2024
🕓 10 min
Nothing sparks a child’s imagination quite like a baking soda volcano. This classic experiment has been loved for generations, and it continues to be a powerful way to introduce children to the wonders of chemistry. In a world where hands-on learning is more important than ever, simple science activities like this inspire curiosity, problem-solving, and a genuine love of discovery. Whether you're planning a rainy afternoon project, a school science lesson, or just a fun family weekend, a baking soda volcano offers the perfect blend of excitement and education. At Science of Sound, we believe that combining sensory experiences with real scientific principles gives children the best start in STEM. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to create a show-stopping kitchen volcano, explain the science behind the fizz and foam, and suggest easy ways to extend the learning for maximum fun. Let's get ready to erupt into action!
1. What You’ll Need
Creating a baking soda volcano is refreshingly simple and relies on everyday materials you likely have at home. For a richer, more eco-friendly experience in 2025, we also encourage using biodegradable or reusable items wherever possible. Here’s everything you’ll need to get started:
✔ Baking soda (also called bicarbonate of soda)
✔ Vinegar (white vinegar works best, with 5% acidity)
✔ A small plastic bottle, cup, or reusable container
✔ A tray, baking sheet, or dish to catch the eruption
✔ Dish soap (optional – adds foamy texture)
✔ Food colouring (optional – for a colourful "lava" effect)
✔ Measuring spoons and a jug
✔ Protective apron or old clothing for messy fun
✔ Paper, clay, or foil to shape your volcano (optional)
You can also add creative extras like natural food dyes, glitter made from plant cellulose, or reusable pipettes to control your eruptions. Setting up these materials first ensures a smooth and exciting experiment that's packed with learning, laughter, and a few delightful surprises.
2. Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own fizzing, foaming baking soda volcano. In 2025, the focus is not just on fun but also on encouraging kids to observe, predict, and reflect on what they see!
- Build Your Volcano Structure
- Wrap your plastic bottle or container with clay, foil, or recycled paper to create a mountain shape. Leave the top open for the eruption. Decorate it if you like for an extra splash of creativity!
- Add Baking Soda
- Using a funnel or spoon, carefully place 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda into the bottle. Make sure it settles nicely at the bottom.
- Mix in Colour and Soap (Optional)
- Add a few drops of food colouring for vibrant lava, and a squirt of dish soap to create a frothy, foamy eruption.
- Get Ready for the Eruption
- Slowly pour vinegar into the bottle. For a slower eruption, use a pipette or syringe. Watch as the volcano bursts into colourful, bubbly life!
- Observe and Experiment Again
- Try adjusting the amounts of baking soda and vinegar to see how it changes the eruption. Science is all about experimenting and discovery!
For another hands-on activity that explores the world of science, check out our post The Egg Drop Challenge: Engineering a Solution.
3. The Science Behind It
Understanding the magic behind the eruption makes this experiment even more exciting. Here's what is happening when you create your baking soda volcano:
✅ Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) is a base. It has a high pH and reacts easily with acids.
✅ Vinegar is an acid. It contains acetic acid, which has a low pH.
✅ When combined, a chemical reaction occurs. The acid (vinegar) reacts with the base (baking soda) to produce carbon dioxide gas (CO₂).
✅ The gas creates bubbles. These bubbles build up pressure inside the bottle, causing the foamy lava to flow out in a fun, fizzy eruption.
✅ Dish soap traps the gas. When added, it helps create even more bubbles, making the eruption bigger, foamier, and longer-lasting.
This simple acid-base reaction is a brilliant introduction to basic chemistry concepts like reactions, gas formation, and pressure. It shows children how exciting and dynamic science can be, all with ingredients they can recognise and handle safely at home.
4. Fun Fact About Volcanic Eruptions
Real volcanic eruptions are awe-inspiring natural events that shape our planet's landscape over millions of years. While our baking soda volcanoes use a simple chemical reaction, they mimic some of the processes happening inside a real volcano!
✅ Real volcanoes form from molten rock. Beneath the Earth's surface, intense heat melts rock into magma. As magma rises toward the surface, it can build up tremendous pressure.
✅ Pressure causes eruptions. When the pressure becomes too great, magma bursts through cracks in the Earth's crust, resulting in an eruption. Once it reaches the surface, magma is called lava.
✅ Volcanic eruptions create new land. As lava cools and hardens, it forms new rock layers, shaping mountains, islands, and even entire continents over time.
✅ Some eruptions are explosive, others are gentle. Factors like magma composition and gas content determine whether an eruption is violent or a slow lava flow.
By creating a kitchen volcano, children can imagine the incredible power of Earth's geology and gain a lasting appreciation for the natural forces that continuously shape our world.
5. Safety Tips
Even though the baking soda volcano is a safe and gentle experiment, it's important to follow basic safety guidelines to keep the activity fun and worry-free for everyone involved.
✅ Supervise young children. Always have an adult present to help measure ingredients, pour liquids, and manage the eruption, especially when younger scientists are involved.
✅ Avoid ingestion. Baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap are not harmful in small amounts but should never be eaten or consumed intentionally.
✅ Protect clothes and surfaces. Wear aprons or old clothes to prevent stains, particularly if you use food colouring. Cover your workspace with a tray, cloth, or newspaper for easy clean-up.
✅ Clean up promptly. After the experiment, wipe down all surfaces to avoid sticky residues from the soap and vinegar.
✅ Be careful with eyes. Avoid splashing vinegar into eyes. If it happens, rinse immediately with plenty of clean water.
By following these simple safety tips, your kitchen chemistry adventure will be an exciting and safe learning experience for all ages!
Final Thoughts
The baking soda volcano remains a timeless favourite because it blends excitement, creativity, and foundational science all in one bubbling, colourful eruption. In today's learning environments, where active engagement and sensory experiences are more crucial than ever, simple experiments like this continue to ignite a lifelong love of STEM. By understanding the science behind the fun, children not only enjoy the spectacle but also develop essential observation and prediction skills that carry over into school and beyond.
If your child enjoyed creating a volcano at home, they'll absolutely love our Science of Sound holiday camps, after-school clubs, and STEM workshops. We design each session to combine excitement with meaningful educational outcomes, helping young learners grow in confidence, creativity, and critical thinking. Explore our latest programme offerings and give your child the chance to experience hands-on science the way it should be — thrilling, inspiring, and unforgettable!
Ready for more kitchen chemistry adventures? Stay tuned for even more fun experiments coming soon!
