I have amazing volcano facts for kids and a fun lemon volcano experiment. Also, look at my page Free Homeschool Volcano Unit Study for more ideas.
Whether they’re gently oozing lava or shooting ash into the sky, volcanoes are some of the most powerful and fascinating natural phenomena on Earth.
We’ll learn some cool facts.
And even do a fun experiment with lemons to create our very own mini volcano.
A volcano is like a giant mountain with a hole on top.
Inside the Earth, there’s super-hot melted rock called magma.
When magma pushes through the surface, it erupts, and that’s when we see a volcano in action.
Volcano Books for Kids
Next, bring learning to life with some fun books.
When possible, I add living books to our library.
You’ll love some of these choices.
12 Volcano Books & Resources
Add one or two of these books to learn about volcanoes and add some hands-on ideas to learn about the types of volcanoes.
Did you know there are four main types of volcanoes? Or that volcanoes are classified as active, dormant, or extinct? The Devil’s Tower in Wyoming is an extinct volcano. It’s about 40.5 million years old!
Simple explanation of how an island is formed. B/ W sketch illustrations.
As Dawn breaks, mount kahlualualuau is spewing its fiery lava down onto meepleville. The natives are frantically trying to escape the rivers of lava and remain on safe ground. Whoever’s tribe survives the eruption with the most Meeples shall be the winner!
In this extraordinary photographic essay, Patricia Lauber details the Mount St. Helens eruption and the years following in Volcano: Eruption and Healing of Mt. St. Helen's.Through this clear accurate account, readers of all ages will share the awe of the scientists who witnessed both the power of the volcano and the resiliency of life.
Science is vital for every inhabitant of today’s world, and being scientifically informed and literate is a crucial part of any child’s education. Science can seem daunting –- especially as scientific knowledge advances so quickly –- and this volume is the perfect purchase for any family. It will bear repeated use by all the family from 10+ through the teenage years.
Conditions on Earth are becoming more and more extreme and kids want to learn about it!
Is it true that, at any given time, about 20 volcanoes are erupting somewhere on Earth? Yes! Sometimes volcanoes erupt with a big, dangerous bang. Other times they spit out lava so slowly that you could walk faster than it flows.
‘[An] irresistible account of a child’s imaginary 8,000-mile journey through the earth to discover what’s inside. Facts about the composition of the earth are conveyed painlessly and memorably.’ —SLJ. ‘An exciting adventure. . . . Illustrations [by Caldecott Medal winner Marc Simont] explode with color and action.’ —CS.
The cool story of volcanoes will intrigue kids and adults alike. Hot melted rock from the middle of our planet forces its way up through cracks in the Earth’s crusts, exploding violently and sometimes unexpectedly in volcanic fury that can terrorize populations for months, even years.
Kids will burst with excitement as they learn all about the science and wonder of volcanoes in this new National Geographic Kids Reader.
UNFORGETTABLE SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS – This is a great hands-on experiment kit for any science fair; the updated mold and instructions make it easy to assemble a sturdy volcano form and realistic paint colors give the volcano a lifelike look.
This set of 48 cards features a colorful illustration on one side and informational facts on the other side.
MIX YOUR OWN LAVA: Use the included mixture to form your own “lava” and experiment with explosions by making your own volcano erupt!
. This eruption can be explosive or gentle.
However, this depends on how thick the magma is and how much gas it contains.
Also, look at some of these other volcano facts for kids.
3 Volcano Facts For Kids
1. About the Ring of Fire
- The “Ring of Fire” is a major area in the Pacific Ocean where many of the world’s volcanoes are found.
- It’s called this because of the frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that happen there. Countries like Japan, Indonesia, and the west coast of the USA are part of this fiery circle.
2. Supervolcanoes
- Some volcanoes are so massive they’re called “supervolcanoes.”
- These can have explosive eruptions that affect the entire planet.
- One famous supervolcano is Yellowstone in the USA. If it ever erupts, it could change the climate for years!
3. Volcanic Lightning
- During a big eruption, lightning can actually form within the volcanic ash cloud.
- This happens because the ash particles rub against each other, creating static electricity. Volcanic lightning is pretty rare and spectacular.
After a volcano erupts, it can spit out different types of rocks.
One cool type of volcanic rock is called pumice, which is so light it can float on water.
Next, look at these other volcano activities for kids.
More Volcano Activities
- Mini Volcano Book and Label Layers of Earth Mini Book
- Celebrate National Vinegar Day With A Hands-on Study of Volcanoes
- Free Homeschool Volcano Unit Study and Fun Apple Volcano
- How To Make A Mountain Volcano | Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro With Geronimo Stilton
- How to Make A Letter V For Volcano Handprint Craft
Finally, look at how to make a lemon volcano.
It doesn’t require vinegar. It’s fun and easy.
For example, if you have younger learners, I love this book by Gail Gibbons about Volcanoes.
Ready to create your own mini volcano? We’re going to use a lemon for this awesome experiment.
Lemon Volcano Experiment
It’s going to fizz and bubble just like a real volcano!
What You Need:
- Lemons
- Baking soda
- Food dye
- Spoon
- Paper plates
Cut the top and bottom off your lemon and then cut in half. Place on your plate.
Add 3 to 5 drops of food dye on the top of the lemons.
Sprinkle some baking soda on top of the lemons.
As you push down on the lemon with a spoon, it should start erupting and fizzing!
You can break up the lemon before putting the baking soda on so it will react without you using the spoon if you’d like.
The more lemon juice, the better!
Too, add a few drops of dish soap to the baking soda. This will make the fizz and bubbles last longer.
Why Does This Explode
When you mix baking soda (a base) with lemon juice (an acid), they react with each other and create carbon dioxide gas.
This gas bubbles up and makes the fizzing effect you see in your lemon volcano.
Remember, science is all about having fun and learning new things
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