HOW TO MAKE A LAVA LAMP FOR KIDS
DIY LAVA LAMP FOR KIDS
Did you have a real lava lamp growing up? Were you as obsessed with yours as I was with mine? Honestly, I remember how I could stare at it for hours and hours and not even notice time passing by. I was next-level obsessed like most kids were.
Well, I am not going to lie, I am obsessed still obsessed. And this version is a great at home science activity for the little ones! It’s one of our all-time favorite experiments in this household! My kids can never get enough of it, and when we are tossing up what activity to do, it always ends up being this one. It is quick, easy, and bucket loads of super fun.
It’s awesome for your older kids to get in on the fun of making it, and if the younger toddlers are too young, then it’s still fun to watch! I’m telling you, the faces of amazement were priceless, trust me! Plus all the ingredients are taste safe (but not tasty) which means if the little ones try it its safe, but they won’t want to actually eat it!
MATERIALS:
Recycled water bottles
Water
INSTRUCTIONS:
Fill your recycled water bottle half way with water. I used a funnel to make it easier for Nicky.
Add a few drops of food coloring.
Fill the rest of the bottle with oil (you can use any types of oil, but I prefer vegetable oil or baby oil). Make sure you leave a little bit of space at the top so it doesn’t overflow.
Drop in the Alka-Seltzer tablets and watch it erupt.
Enjoy the priceless looks on your kiddo’s faces as the oil blobs slowly rise to the top of the water from the bottom of the jar because of the chemical reactions!
TIP: I’m a big fan of recycled activities and you can use recycled water bottles and save them to repeat this kid friendly science experiment several times!
How this activity works
The oil will float to the top of the water because it is lighter than the water, creating the cool lava lamp effect. The food coloring is the same density as water, so that will sink through the oil and mix with the water. When you drop in the tablet, it will sink to the bottom and start to dissolve straight away. As it begins to dissolve, it will release gas (carbon dioxide).
Obviously, gas is lighter than water, so it floats to the top. These new air bubbles will bring the color allll the way to the top, and when the air comes out of the coloured water blob, the water gets really heavy again and sinks. It will do this over and over until the tablet dissolves completely. Voila! Homemade lava lamp and endless fun!
Try this at home activity for endless fun.
As I said, this activity is SO fun and can be done plenty of times. I’ve done it a lot, and my kids literally never stop enjoying it. The look of awe on their face is exactly the same, if not better, every single time.
I like to align all of my activities with children’s development in mind. I truly believe that education doesn’t have to be sitting down with a pen and paper, and can include sensory enrichment, fun activities, and laughter. If you’d like exclusive access to all of this and more, check out my Mothercould In Your Pocket resource. For a one-time fee, you gain access to a host of educational and engaging activities that will help your little one thrive while still having fun!