Underwater Volcano 🌋 ages 3-8 🌋
Doing science experiments at home is so much fun and this underwater volcano science experiment is so simple to set up!
Easy Science Experiment For Young Kids
This is one of the simplest science experiments to do with kids – and it is so fun, they will be very surprised! You probably already have all the supplies at home.
There is a lot to love about this experiment:
- No mess – unless you spill the jar of water
- Keeps their attention – they will watch the water, enthralled in the movement of the colors
- Simple supplies – no need to run to the store
- Perfect for all ages
This is a fun way to teach preschoolers and early elementary kids the basics of science and the scientific method. They won’t even know they are learning!
Materials Needed:
To make an underwater Volcano you will need the following:
- Two clear containers (glass or plastic), one large and one small enough to sit inside the large one
- A rock or small object to weight down the small container
- Water
- Food coloring
- Stick or chopstick for mixing
How To Make An Underwater Volcano:
Just follow these easy steps and you’ll have your own underwater volcano. Follow them exactly as written for the best results.
1. Fill the large container with cold water.
2. Fill the small container with hot water.
3. Place the rock in the bottom of the small container.
4. Add food coloring to the small container. We mixed red and yellow to get orange.
5. Gently place the small container in the large container keeping the small container upright. (You may want an adult to help with this, especially if using glass containers like we did.)
6. Finally, watch the eruption happen!
Why It Happens:
Hot water rises to the top because the molecules in it move faster and therefore make it expand and become less dense causing it to rise. So cool!!! 👍🏻
What This Experiment Teaches
This is a really popular experiment because it teaches a lot of concepts in a very short amount of time. Here are some of the things your child will learn from it:
- The Scientific Method – Use the questions shared below to teach them how to think critically.
- Hot and cold molecules – Teach what molecules are and why the hot and cold molecules are different.
- Density – They will learn what density is
- Colors – Do the experiment a few times, mixing different colors and making different shades
- Following directions – Following directions is an important skill for really young children to learn.
Use the Scientific Method
As you do this experiment, teach your kids the basics of the scientific method. Here is an example conversation to explain how to do it.
- Ask a question – “what will happen if we put hot water inside cold water?”
- Form a hypothesis – “I think the hot water will spread into the cold water.”
- Experiment – do the experiment
- Observe and record – “wow, the orange hot water came out of the glass jar on its own.”
- Draw conclusions – “something in the hot water causes it to move out of the jar into the cold water. My findings support my hypothesis.”
Underwater Volcano Video
Want to see it in action? Watch this video and show it to your kids.
Love science experiments as much as we do? Check out our other science experiments here.
More Experiments for Ages 3-8 Years
Here are some more science experiments for kids in preschool to second grade.