Who doesn’t enjoy hearing the fizzle and pop of baking soda and vinegar reacting? This is such a fun experiment because the chemical reaction is safe and is undoubtedly visible. When we take this chemical reaction and use it to demonstrate a natural disaster, that most people won’t ever see in person, it’s a winning combination. 

As far as a preschool volcano science experiment goes this is a nostalgic one but it’s not my favorite. My favorite is smashing geodes with my boys. Check out the information and supplies for that activity by following the link. As well as why I love it so much!   

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Let’s learn about volcanoes before conducting a volcano science experiment. 

Many children will not have a reference for what a volcano is. So before conducting this volcano science experiment you’ll need to introduce volcanoes and lava to them. There are multiple ways to do this, my favorite is with books.

Books about volcanoes for preschoolers.

Volcano Dreams: A Story of Yellowstone by Janet Fox and Gopher to the Rescue! A Volcano Recovery Story by Terry Jennings are excellent reads for learning about how volcanoes form. As well as their impact on the environment around them when they erupt.

Online educational resources for preschoolers. 

Sometimes though a book is not quite enough to convey the awe inspiring spectacle of a volcano erupting. That is where YouTube videos designed for kids about volcanoes are an excellent way to demonstrate this natural disaster. Volcanoes for Kids by Learn Bright is educational and provides footage of real volcanoes erupting.

I also understand it can be difficult to get your kids away from a screen once it is turned on, cue the meltdowns if they aren’t allowed one more video! To avoid the meltdown, offer up a game! Turn on The Floor is Lava song and dance and play along. I will turn on just the sound for this, my kiddos are oblivious to the fact that their is a video to this song.

A preschool volcano science experiment

Materials needed.

Now that you have front loaded your preschooler with information about volcanoes, it is time to demonstrate a volcano eruption in the backyard. You’ll need baking soda and white vinegar, luckily these are both very common items for a pantry. Additionally you’ll want red food coloring and a disposable water bottle.

I also suggest safety glasses and you can use child’s safety gloves if you want to set up an entirely lab like environment. I have opted for the whole gear, partial, and none at all. But I do encourage the full lab gear because it helps your child fully step into being a scientist and practice lab safety.

Set up for the preschool volcano science experiment.

Begin by filling the plastic water bottle to three quarters with white vinegar. Add 2-3 drops of food coloring. Place this in the backyard or driveway. If you place this on grass be sure it is in a spot where you don’t mind the grass dying. 

Conducting the preschool volcano science experiment.

Let your child drop 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda into the bottle and stand back. The chemical reaction will be immediate and the red lava should come spewing out the top and over the sides. 

Allow your child to conduct the experiment over and over again if you wish. I enjoy experimenting with the ratios of vinegar to baking soda to compare the size of the reaction. My boys get into it too. At first they stood back. I think they were really imagining hot lava and the destructive nature of a real volcano! Probably because we watched the YouTube video first. But after they realized that this little bottle and the fizzing were harmless they quickly became more hands on. 

Because of this it took more oversight by me to make sure the bottle didn’t tip over and that they were not pushing and shoving. But this is where it can become a little messy and being aware that it will kill the grass is important!

Have you done this preschool volcano science experiment in your home?

Have you done the baking soda and vinegar reaction with your child? Did you theme it around volcanoes? Let myself and others know in the comments what the experiment was for.

 A week’s worth of volcano lessons for homeschool.

Volcanoes are truly awe-inspiring forces of nature. Most children do not have a reference for what a volcano is, even if they may enjoy playing the game, the floor is lava. Because of this it is important to preload with images and facts that are at their level. Also consider turning it into a week of lessons all about volcanoes. This is easily done because there’s so much to learn and children are fascinated by them.

This preschool volcano science experiment is a part of a week’s worth of lessons designed for 3-5 year old’s in homeschool. Vv is for Volcano includes more activity ideas, coloring pages, and book suggestions. You’ll also find a free printable and instructions for games to teach your child about natural disasters.

Discover more creative activities for 3-5 year old’s. 

Vv is for Volcano is a part of a free preschool curriculum. Letter of the Week has been reimagined for all that homeschool has to offer. Your child will not only learn the alphabet but participate in educational and play based activities and experiments. There’s math and art and so much more, follow the button below to learn more.

Volcano Eruption

Science experiment instructions.