How to Make a Classic Baking Soda Volcano

Learn how to create a bubbling, erupting volcano model using simple kitchen ingredients and science. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Build your mountain. Place your plastic bottle in the center of the tray. Use the modeling clay or crumpled aluminum foil to build a mountain shape around the bottle, leaving the opening at the top clear.
2. Add your base. Using a funnel or a steady hand, pour the baking soda into the bottle. Add the dish soap on top of the baking soda, which helps create extra bubbly foam.
3. Prepare the eruption. In a separate small cup, mix the vinegar with a few drops of food coloring. Ask a grown-up to help you move the tray to a place where a little spill is okay, like a kitchen counter or outside.
4. Create the lava. Pour the colored vinegar into the bottle quickly and step back to watch the reaction happen.