Lava Lamp
Create your very own mesmerizing lava lamp at home using simple materials. This engaging project teaches basic science concepts while providing a fun and colorful display.
Ingredients
For the Lava Lamp
- 1 bottle Clear plastic bottle (16 oz or larger)
- 1/3 full Water
- to fill bottle Vegetable oil (or baby oil) Leave some space at the top
- few drops Food coloring Choose your favorite colors
- 1-2 tablets Alka-Seltzer tablets (or substitute with baking soda and vinegar) For creating the lava effect
- optional Funnel For easy pouring
- optional Glitter For added sparkle
Instructions
Preparation
- Start with a clean, clear plastic bottle. Remove any labels and make sure it's dry.
- Use a funnel if needed. Fill the bottle about one-third full with water.
- Slowly add vegetable oil, filling the rest of the bottle while leaving some space at the top.
- Add a few drops of food coloring, noticing how it sinks and creates beautiful trails.
- Break an Alka-Seltzer tablet into pieces and drop them into the bottle.
- Watch as the reaction creates bubbles that rise and fall.
- If desired, sprinkle glitter into the bottle before adding the reaction tablet.
Notes
Experiment with different oils and food coloring combinations for various effects. Supervision is recommended for kids, especially during the chemical reaction phase.