Make a Volcano for a Birthday Party
Host an inexpensive birthday party by making volcanoes during the celebration. Making volcanoes provides a birthday activity for a dinosaur or scavenger themed party. Consider asking a friend or family member to help monitor the volcano construction. Preparation and organization will make this party and activity run smoothly. Take pictures or video during the preparation and eruption to send with thank you notes. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Inform parents about the volcano construction. Encourage parents to send a change of clothing or play clothes to change into before starting the volcanoes. Have extra clothes on hand in case someone forgets to bring play clothes.
2. Gather items for a volcano. Collect leaves, rocks, grass, twigs and other natural items to complete the volcanoes. Save plastic water bottles and cut the tops off. Have one bottle for each guest to make his or her volcano. Cut pieces of cardboard for guests to build volcanoes. Provide guests with plenty of stiff mud to mold their volcano.
3. Demonstrate make a volcano. Show guests pack the mud around the plastic water bottle. Consider hot gluing the plastic water bottle to the cardboard in advance so it doesn't slide. Add grass, twigs and other natural items to make the volcano look more realistic. Supply plastic dinosaurs and other toys to add to the volcano landscape.
4. Prepare for the eruption. Pour warm water into the plastic water bottles. Add 1 tsp. of dish washing liquid and 3 tbsp. of baking soda. Pour the water from a pitcher and use a funnel to easily add the baking soda.
5. Create a volcano eruption. Measure a 1/2 cup of white vinegar into small plastic cups. Give each guest a cup of vinegar and tell them to pour into the plastic water bottle. Watch the eruption right before your eyes.
6. Design a volcano birthday cake. Add to the birthday festivities by preparing a volcano birthday cake. Stack frosted cupcakes into a volcano shape on a platter. Place candles on the top. Use red icing to imitate lava flowing down the sides.
Tags: plastic water, make volcano, plastic water bottle, water bottle, baking soda, birthday cake, each guest