Volcanoes are landforms that children find fascinating. Unlike its cousin, the mountain, a volcano erupts, making it exciting for children. The spewing of lava and magma is also interesting for them.
Check out our list of ten fun and engaging activities for children to make and enjoy while learning about this unique landform.
Great Volcano Crafts for Preschoolers
This volcano craft teaches children the letter V and helps them remember that the word begins with the V sound.
This craft can teach colors and color mixing, such as yellow and red make orange. To do this, have the children mix some red and yellow in the container or have them layer the paint on the paper as they press down the fork.
Cut out a volcano shape from the brown construction paper. Glue this on white construction paper. Cut a letter V from red paper. Glue the red V on the brown volcano.
Squeeze a generous amount of paint on a paper plate. Use one plate for every color of paint. Have the child dip the back of the fork into the paint and gently press on the volcano. These represent the lava spewing out of the volcano.
Repeat this process until the volcano is overflowing with lava. Allow the paint to dry. Glue the cotton balls on top of the lava. These are the smoke that comes out of the volcano.
For this activity, you will need:
- Construction paper
- Glue
- Scissors
- Paint
- Plastic forks
- Cotton balls
- Small paper plates or other types of containers
For more information on this activity, go to ABCDEELearning.com.
This simple and easy activity is easy enough even for younger children to put together. Assist them in the use of a hot glue gun as a precaution.
Children will improve their fine motor skills by practicing cutting, painting, and twisting the tissue papers.
Cut a slit from the ribbed edge to the center of the paper plate. Once the scissors reach the middle part, cut a circle to make an opening for the volcano.
Take the two sides of the cut part and use a hot glue gun to attach them, making a cone shape. Paint the outside part brown and let it dry.
Next, cut strips of red and yellow tissue paper. Vary their lengths since this will be the lava flowing out from the volcano.
Gather one end of the tissue paper strips and twist about two inches from the end. Stick the end of the twisted part with a hot glue gun.
Insert the twisted part inside the volcano. Arrange the strips of tissue paper to make it look like lava is flowing out.
For this activity, you will need:
- Paper plate
- Brown paint
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Red and yellow tissue paper
- Hot glue gun
For more information on this activity, go to WooJr.com.
This volcano craft is perfect for those pieces of craft paper that cannot be thrown away. Children will learn to cut simple lines and different types of paper. This craft is also perfect for teaching children colors and shapes.
This craft is versatile. Use whatever material is on hand to put this together. Use crayons, paints, or markers to achieve the intended color if the recommended colored paper is unavailable.
Draw a volcano shape from brown construction paper using a crayon or marker. Cut this out and glue it onto a sheet of green paper. Cut out strips of yellow and red tissue paper. Glue these on top of the volcano. Let this dry.
Consider adding additional details, such as cutting out trees and plants from the scrap papers on the bottom part of the volcano or clouds and sun above.
A dotted letter “V” or the dotted word “VOLCANO” can also be added for children to trace.
For this activity, you will need:
- Glue
- Crayons or markers
- Construction papers
- Scissors
- Tissue paper
For more information on this activity, go to NoTimeForFlashcards.com.
Here’s an explosive handprint craft that will blow your mind. This craft is simple to make. Even young children can complete this with minimal assistance from adults.
Add enough heart stickers for children to count. Use different heart colors for them to practice identifying colors.
Download and print the free volcano template from the site. Set aside. This template only comes in a colored version.
Use a paintbrush or foam sponge to spread the orange paint on the child’s palm. Gently press the child’s hand on top of the volcano template. The handprint will serve as the lava flowing out.
Use decorative stickers like hearts to add design to the volcano. Use letter stickers to form the words “I LAVA YOU” beside the handprint.
If stickers are unavailable, have the children draw hearts or flowers instead. They can write the words instead of using letter stickers.
The final output can be framed and displayed for everyone to see.
For this activity, you will need:
- Printed volcano template
- White cardstock
- Paint
- Paintbrush or paint foam sponge
- Decorative stickers
- Letter stickers
For more information on this activity, go to GluedToMyCraftsBlog.com.
This volcano activity is an excellent way to teach children the concept of mixing colors to make new ones. All needed are materials that are readily available at home or in school.
The site recommends reusing Ziploc bags. Just make sure they are clean and dry for this activity.
Start by cutting out a volcano shape from brown paper. Add a good amount of strips of double-sided tape on one side of the volcano and attach this to one of the sides of the Ziploc bag.
Squeeze some yellow and red paint on the other side of the volcano that has not adhered to the bag. Carefully seal the bag and turn it over, so the paint side is hidden.
Place the bag on a flat surface, such as a table. Secure the bag with washi tape or painter’s tape. This step will ensure that the bag will not move when the child starts working on it.
Have the child gently press the volcano to get the paint mixed. Let the child identify the two colors and the result when they are mixed.
For this activity, you will need:
- Ziploc sandwich bag
- Red and yellow paint
- Brown construction paper
- Double-sided tape
- Washi tape or painter’s tape
For more information on this activity, go to HappyTotShelf.com.
Create a 3D volcano and simulate its eruption using readily available materials. This simple and easy-to-make craft, combined with an experiment, will arouse every child’s interest in science.
Use this craft to talk about unique landforms, such as the volcano, and natural disasters like volcanic eruptions. Have children watch video clips of volcanoes erupting and discuss the similarities with the experiment.
To make the volcano, use sticky tape to secure the toilet paper roll on cardboard or a tray. The step will ensure that the paper roll is attached securely to the cardboard during the experiment. Cover the toilet paper roll with the play dough.
Next, place some baking soda and red food coloring in a plastic container. Ensure that this will fit inside the toilet paper roll. Carefully stick this inside the volcano. Have the child slowly pour the vinegar into the baking soda container.
Let the child observe and take note of what happens during this experiment. Use this craft to go with the book “Harry and the Hot Lava” by Chris Robertson.
For this activity, you will need:
- Playdough
- Toilet paper roll
- Sticky tape
- A tall plastic container that will fit inside the toilet paper roll
- A cardboard box or tray
- Garbage bag
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Plastic container to hold liquid
- Red food coloring
For more information on this activity, go to ToddlerApproved.com.
This activity is excellent for teaching children that not all volcanoes are created similarly. Older kids will find it interesting that there are different types of volcanoes, while younger children will enjoy forming the volcano shapes using playdough.
Expose children to some earth science facts using posters or watching videos about the different types of volcanoes. Next, allow them to create their version of these volcanoes.
Give each child three lumps of brown playdough. Let the children knead and form the different volcanoes. Remind children to make an opening in the center of their volcanoes.
Cut the pipe cleaner into several pieces and insert it inside the volcano’s crater. Arrange and twist the pipe cleaners, so they look like erupting lava.
Ensure that children understand that shield volcano is broad. On the other hand, cinder volcanoes are small, while composite volcanoes are tall.
Knowing these facts will allow them to be mindful of each volcano’s unique features as they make their 3D versions.
For this activity, you will need:
- Brown playdough
- Orange pipe cleaners
For more information on this activity, go to SortingSprinkles.blogspot.com.
Here’s a different take on the baking soda and vinegar volcano experiment. Have children create their version of an erupting volcano using playdough and some materials found at home.
Use this craft to discuss the science behind volcanoes and how the lava flows in different directions and leaves devastation to whatever it touches.
Make the volcano by cutting the paper cup in half. Place this on a lump of playdough for better elevation. Knead and flatten the rest of the play dough and use this to cover around the lump of clay and the paper cup.
Form the play dough to make it look like a volcano. Once finished, carefully place some baking soda in the paper cup. Pour some vinegar into a glass and add red food coloring.
Have the child pour the red-colored vinegar into the baking soda. Let the child watch as the fizzing happens. Explain that the lava flows out the same way when the volcano erupts.
For this activity, you will need:
- Playdough
- Paper cup
- Plate
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Drinking glass or any liquid container
- Red food coloring
For more information on this activity, go to HappyBrownHouse.com.
Here’s a craft that perfectly combines the disciplines of Science and Art, resulting in a masterpiece fitting a gallery. Children will find this painting technique mesmerizing as the paint fizzes.
This process of art will allow children to explore the concept of abstract painting. This activity’s use of colors, lines, and textures will enable them to create a visually appealing output.
Download and print the volcano template on brown cardstock. Stick this on a light blue cardstock horizontally, ensuring the base of the volcano is aligned on the edge of the paper.
Mix a small amount of black and white paint to form gray. Dip a cotton ball in gray paint. Dab this above the volcano to create the wispy effect. This part will become the smoke coming out of the volcano.
Next, mix the baking soda with paint. Pour some red paint into the plastic container and add some baking soda. Repeat the process using yellow and orange paints.
Make the lava by applying paint to the volcano. Use the paintbrush to add a layer of red, followed by yellow and orange. The layers of colors will add depth and an abstract effect to the lava.
Pour some vinegar into a plastic container. Use a dropper to add vinegar to the lava to create fizzing. Allow the paint to dry before displaying.
For this activity, you will need:
- Printed volcano template
- Cardstock
- Scissors
- Glue
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Dropper
- Cotton balls
- Vinegar
- Small plastic containers
For more information on this activity, go to TheCraftAtHomeFamily.com.
Recycle those egg cartons by making miniature volcanoes that erupt. Make several volcanoes in each cardboard for children to count. Paint each volcano a different color for children to identify.
Make different sizes of volcanoes by trimming off the tops of the pointy parts. Name the volcano craft from famous volcanoes and discuss their locations. Use this craft to go with the book “Going to the Volcano” by Andy Saxton.
Start making the volcanoes by cutting the pointy part between the egg carton cups. These pointed parts separate the eggs between each cup. Use the hot glue gun to attach these to a piece of cardboard.
Cut off the tops of the egg carton pointy part to make a hole. Paint and let them dry. Use a funnel or a small spoon to transfer the baking soda inside the volcanoes. Use a dropper to add the vinegar and watch the volcanoes spew the lava.
For this activity, you will need:
- Egg cartons
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Dropper
- Bowl
- Cardboard
- Hot glue gun
- Paint
- Paintbrush
For more information on this activity, go to ToddlerAtPlay.com.
Conclusion
Volcanoes are one of the essential landforms that children should be familiar with. Incorporating activities such as crafts and experiments will help broaden their knowledge on this topic.
Children will become aware of the effect of eruptions on the environment and, hopefully, become more appreciative of this fantastic yet devastating structure.
We hope you like our list. Thank you for reading!
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