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Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Super Salt Lava Lamp

Super Salt Lava Lamp

Published: Sep 12, 2022 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

This simple salt lava lamp is a fun twist on the more traditional homemade lava lamp that uses a fizzy tablet. The salt lava lamp doesn’t look quite a good, and isn’t as reusable but is still a nice science activity for learning about density.

salt lava lamp made with water, oil and salt

You’ll need

A glass jar or glass

Vegetable oil – or other cheap cooking oil

Water

Food colouring -optional

Salt

Instructions

Fill the glass or jar about three quarters full.

Top up with vegetable oil to almost the top.

Sprinkle salt slowly for about 10 seconds over the top of the oil.

Sit back and watch!

Keep adding more salt to keep it going.

salt volcano made with water, oil and salt

Why does a salt lava lamp work?

Oil floats on water because it is less dense than water. Anything less dense than than water will float. We’ve demonstrated this before with a basic density jar.

Oil and water are immiscible liquids, they don’t mix.

When you pour salt onto the oil it sinks through the oil and into the water carrying a little oil with it.

The salt dissolves in the water which releases the oil allowing it to float back up to the oil layer.

More ideas

Make a traditional lava lamp. These use oil, water and an effervescent vitamin tablet.

lava lamp made with blue coloured water, oil and an effervescent vitamin tablet

Another fun way to learn about density is to make a density column using liquids with different densities.

Image of a density column made with honey, golden syrup, washing up liquid, coloured water and oil

If you make your own salt lava lamp, don’t forget to send me a picture!

Salt lava lamp for a science experiment next to a real lava lamp

Science concepts

Density

Immiscible liquids

Last Updated on September 12, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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