I like to do various semi-education activities with my kids, most often on Saturdays. We call these Science Saturdays activities. I am going to post about some of the successful activities and the less-than-great semi-educational activities.

Volcanos

While I have some kits, they aren’t necessary, and compared to any other activity, this one is always a hit. My kids would probably do it every day if they were allowed. All their friends enjoy it when we set it up for larger groups. There are endless ways to mix and match to keep the activity fresh and fun. It only requires baking soda and vinegar, which we now purchase in bulk.

Mix It Up

So other than using a few standard kits we have expanded it in many ways. We have added safe dyes to color the lava. We have added a number of containers for making “experiments” and we have a few containers that can keep the pressure and then use it to fire off little nerf rockets. We do the activity outside, by the sink, at the kitchen table, and once in the winter in an empty kiddy pool in the basement. We have had so much fun over the years making little “explosions”

Kits or Skip It

I think a few of the kits have added to the fun as many parts are re-usable, and it comes with some reading to give a bit more learning and the science behind volcanos. Over the years I think I have gotten three kits. I know I got the one’s listed below:

• Volcano Lava Lab – This is a good starter kit as it comes with some plastic volcano shapes that can be used for mixing baking soda and vinegar. It also comes with safety goggles, which the kids enjoy playing with… mixers, scoops, droppers, etc… This was a great start, and I just refilled the primary ingredients as needed.
• NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Ultimate Volcano Kit – Erupting Volcano Science Kit – This kit has a lot more reading material and comes with a mold to make plaster volcanos. The kids enjoyed making the volcano with the mold and painting it. So it was also a hit, it also included some dye color refills which was needed.

I like having some of the kits and adding other containers and shapes into the mix. Then I buy vinegar and baking soda from Costco in bulk.

Kid Approved? Yes

I have been doing the volcano kits with kids for years and nearly ever group of our kids friends has had a blast with it.

Honestly, if you haven’t done this with your kids I can’t recommend it highly enough. Everyone will have fun and it is a good way to re-awaken the kid in yourself.