We gathered up the last remaining bits of snow this afternoon to make a Baking Soda Volcano using snow! A snow volcano is a great way to have some fun in the snow while learning and experimenting.
I piled up a heap of snow around a small glass jar, making the top of the snow level with the top of the jar, added the ingredients for the baking soda and vinegar reaction and stood back to watch the snow volcano erupt!
How to make a snow volcano
What you need to make a baking soda volcano eruption
Two spoonfuls of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda )
One spoonful of washing-up liquid ( dish soap )
a few drops of red food colouring
30 ml vinegar
Snow
Small container
How to make a snow volcano using baking soda and vinegar
Add everything except the vinegar to the container.
Carefully shape a volcano shape around the container using snow.
Stand back, get ready......add the vinegar and watch the eruption! If it doesn't work so well, add a bit more washing-up liquid and vinegar and give it a good stir.
I loved how easy this was to make and how great the red looked against the snow! It was also super easy to clean up,
Extension Task
Can you make a different-coloured snow volcano? We made lave using every colour of food colouring we could find.
FREE Snow Volcano Printable Instructions
Download a free snow volcano instruction sheet.
How does a baking soda volcano work?
Vinegar (an acid ) and bicarbonate of soda ( an alkali ) react together to neutralise each other. This reaction releases carbon dioxide, a gas which is the bubbles you see; these bubbles make the washing up liquid bubble up to give the reaction shown above.
Another idea is to make a multi-coloured snow volcano. To do this, we used a thick card to divide the central container in half and added yellow food colouring to one half and red food colouring to the other half.
More experiments using baking soda
Don't forget to try some of our other easy Baking Soda Experiments
Make a fizzy monster Tea Party
Design and build a baking soda powered boat.
Hide small items inside fizzy baking soda rocks!
This post was first published on 21st Jan 2013. Updated 3rd Feb 2019
Last Updated on January 7, 2025 by Emma Vanstone
HELEN says
ooh I like it with the snow...I like it even more that it's outside!
Rachel says
I would have never thought to do this outside with the snow... what a fun idea! I love it!!
TheBoyandMe says
Right if I can get a snow day tomorrow I am trying this out!
TheBoyandMe says
I was going to get out to do this with the last of the snow today, but it's all muddy 🙁
maryanne @ mama smiles says
I love this version of the classic volcano! Will have to give it a go with my kids!!!
@zingzingtree says
Now this is super fun and there isn't the heart break of destroying a papier mache work of art 😉
@bluebearwood says
Love this. Just need to get some more snow. We had a dismal show this year 🙁
ScienceSparks says
oh no, I hope you get some soon. x
Lauren says
Going to try this next Winters, I think my kids would love to do this.
Susie says
Hooray for snow in March. We're trying this out later. Children (aged 3 and 6) very excited‼
International Elf Service says
Love these ideas, thank you!!!!
denise Coon says
What is washing up liquid?
Emma Vanstone says
Dish soap 🙂
Tricia Luker says
What is washing up liquid?