Disclaimer: Devoted Grandma is reader-supported. If you purchase anything through my site, I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Thank you.
Lava lamps are a classic and fun accessory that have been popular for decades. But did you know that you can make your own lava lamp from home using just a few simple ingredients? How cool!
It’s a fun and educational activity to do with the grandchildren, and they’ll love watching the colorful “lava” swirl and flow. In this article, I’ll guide you through the steps of making your own homemade lava lamp. It’s easier than you think!
Required Supplies
To make the lava lamp, you’ll need a few basic supplies to get started:
- A clear plastic bottle (an old water or soda bottle will work great!)
- Vegetable oil
- Water
- Food coloring
- Alka-Seltzer tablets
Now, you’re ready to create the lava lamp!
Steps To Create the Lava Lamp
Step 1: Fill the plastic bottle about 1/4 of the way full with water.
Step 2: Pour vegetable oil into the bottle until it is almost full. Be sure to leave a little bit of space at the top!
Step 3: Add a few drops of food coloring to the bottle. Ask the grandchildren which color they want, and maybe even try mixing a few to show them how certain colors combine! This will be the color of the “lava.”
Step 4: Break an Alka-Seltzer tablet into small pieces and drop them into the bottle. Watch as the chemical reaction between the tablet and the water causes bubbles to form and rise to the top, carrying the colored oil with them.
Step 5: Once the bubbles have settled, add more Alka-Seltzer tablets as needed to keep the “lava” flowing.
And that’s it! Your homemade lava lamp is complete. Sit back and enjoy as your grandkids watch in amazement as the “lava” swirls and flows.
This is a great activity to do with your kids or grandkids on a rainy day or when you just want to spend some quality time together. You just need a few basic supplies you probably already have lying around the house! Not only is it fun to make, but it also teaches kids about science and chemistry in a hands-on way. They’ll love having their own personalized lava lamp to display in their room, plus, it further cements you as the hip and cool one of the family! 😎
