Our Volcano
As the kids in my mom group gets older and start MDO’s or preschool, our toddler meet-ups are now very few and far in between. We felt a little left out so three other moms and I started a group called the Too Cool for Preschool Group just so we could have a playdate each week that was fun and educational. It is also very flexible because we decide on the day and time each week and we can bring the babies with us. This week I was responsible for the lesson and I chose the ever popular subject of volcanoes. I made a volcano at home to demonstrate.
First, I took a bottle and made a frame around it using cardboard scraps. I made a ring that fits tightly around the opening and then attached the strips. Even though I used painter’s tape in this picture, in later pictures, I upgraded to packing tape which held much better.
Next, I stuffed it with newspaper.
After that, I had Sean dip paper towels into a thin plaster of paris solution and apply it to the outside of the volcano.
Then I finished it off by making a thicker Plaster of Paris mix (about 2 cups plaster, 1 cup water) and dipping strips of paper towels in it and putting it quickly on the volcano.
Notice how I folded the layers over the cardboard box so it won’t leak.
I let it dry for a day and a half then painted it with Sean.
I made the back of the volcano against a piece of cardboard that I could fold up and down so I can take the jar out. I was afraid the cardboard would get wet and the volcano could not be reuseable so we painted a thin wooden sheet to go behind it.
Even though it was a beauty to behold, it didn’t erupt really well because the opening of the bottle was too small and the hole should have been tilted forward more to get the full effect. The “lava” merely bubbled out instead of gushed out.
Jasmine and her mom made this small volcano from a Renuzit container and playdough and it was more impressive to set off.
When I have time, I will get a wider container and cut the opening a little bigger. Sean has been so excited about volcanoes after this playdate that we will probably be making it erupt every day (like the Easter egg hunts that we still have to this day).