Q&A for How to Make a Clay Volcano

Yes, it is safe, but I would keep it out of the reach of any children five and under.

No. If you just want to make a model it is okay to leave the experiment, which is mainly for the entertainment of children or for science projects, out. The model still looks cool and could be used for a geography project, for example. Instead of using the baking soda and vinegar, you could try putting other things inside the volcano for different reactions. For instance, laundry detergent, warm water and glitter glue can be combined to create slime.

Of course! Why not? Try to add your own creativity to make it more unique and interesting.

Put it on a board with high enough sides so if it slides, it will not fall off. Walk or drive very slowly.

Any size. You could do just one recipe or you could double or even triple the recipe for a larger volcano.

No, the vinegar is what causes the chemical reaction.

It depends on the weather and temperature. If you live in a temperate, dry climate, putting your clay volcano outside could help it dry faster. Otherwise, it is best to let it dry the old-fashioned way - overnight inside.

The cause is the baking soda and the vinegar combining. It does so because the baking soda is a bicarbonate and vinegar is an acetic acid. One of the by-products this reaction creates is carbon dioxide, which creates a fizzy explosion.

The toilet paper gets soggy in the liquid and, as a result, it dissolves in the mixture, leaving the soda powder free to react with the vinegar and food coloring.

The clay will take almost 24 hours to dry. Sometimes, the process of creating a volcano can be mess, but the real mess is made when the volcano erupts.

Add more baking soda to balance it out. It will fizz for a longer amount of time, but it will fix the problem.

Add red food coloring.

Probably only once. You could try to clean it out somewhat and redo it. But it gets messy after the first time.

Use brown dye or food coloring. You can usually find these in craft stores.

Take loam soil mold, use a 10cm bottle, and add red food coloring, vinegar and baking soda.

You should paint the volcano after it dries.

You can dip your finger in water, then mold the dried part of the clay with your finger to make it smooth. You can also take a spray bottle full of water and spray the mold.

You can use all sorts of colors to make your volcano, but the demonstrator chose to use blue clay.

No. The thermocol would become wet and your project would be ruined.

You can use either one, but I think all-purpose works better.

No, you don't have to use the food coloring.

Very bumpy and not perfect. You can paint it whatever color you want. If you want to make it realistic, I suggest you use dark brown; once that's done drying, lightly brush it with a metallic-gray color.

Use about 20 mL of vinegar, then pour very quickly and it should explode.

Add extra vinegar, make the bottle bigger, or put more baking soda in it.

No, it shouldn't mold.

It is recommended, but you do not absolutely have to add food coloring to the clay.

Anywhere you would like. Just a warning, it makes a big mess so you will have to clean it up if you do it at home.

The reaction occurs immediately when the acidic vinegar is introduced to the baking soda.

Yes, the result will be the same.

Probably, yes. But it's a pretty classic project; the judges at your fair may be looking for something more original.