How to Make a Baking Soda Volcano

Learn how to create a classic erupting volcano using simple kitchen ingredients and a bit of chemistry. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Build your volcano. Place your plastic bottle in the center of the tray. Use your modeling clay or crumpled aluminum foil to build a mountain shape around the bottle, making sure not to cover the opening at the top.
2. Add the base. Use a spoon to carefully pour the baking soda into the bottle. Add the dish soap on top of the baking soda; the soap helps create extra bubbles for a bigger eruption.
3. Prepare the liquid. In a separate cup, mix the vinegar with a few drops of food coloring. Stir it gently with a spoon.
4. Create the eruption. When you are ready, pour the colored vinegar into the bottle quickly. Step back and watch the fizzing reaction climb up and over the sides of your volcano.