Make a Pumpkin Volcano!

Looking for some fun Halloween STEM activities to do with the kids this October?  

If you’re carving pumpkins this year, use one to make a simple pumpkin volcano.   It’s a fun fall twist to an old favorite science experiment.

Earlier this week we did a simple float or sink experiment with pumpkins.  This Halloween STEM was fun to do with our pumpkin afterwards. 

Pumpkin Volcano

Materials:

• Hollowed out pumpkin
• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Dish soap
• Food coloring (optional)

To create your volcano jack o lantern,  sprinkle a healthy dose of baking soda into the bottom of the pumpkin.  How much you need will depend on the size of your pumpkin.

To increase the bubbles produced, squirt a little bit of dish soap into the bottom of it as well.  

If desired, add a drop or two of food coloring as well.  We chose to leave ours plain. 

Finally, pour 1/2 cup vinegar on top of the baking soda.  You’ll have an instant volcano in a pumpkin!

For even more fun, try adding pumpkin seeds to the bottom of your pumpkin.  

When the vinegar is added the foam will cause the pumpkin seeds to bubble up and spill out with the pumpkin volcano’s lava.

Does your child love being hands on?  Grab a spoon and let them try stirring. 

Mixing it helps more baking soda react with the vinegar and you get a second eruption.  

This pumpkin STEM activity is so much fun! 

I warn you, this simple Halloween science is addicting!  

If your kids are anything like mine, the will ask to do it over and over again.  

We used half a box of baking soda and quite a bit of vinegar before I had to call it quits.  

If you are looking for fun activities to try with the kids this fall, I highly recommend making a pumpkin volcano.

Other fun fall activities to try:

• Pumpkin Activities — 10 fun activities with pumpkins 
• Vanishing Ghost Experiment — Kids of all ages will have fun with this STEM for Halloween
• Apple-Scented Bubble Dough— Find out how to make amazing smelling play dough with just 2 ingredients.