oshc activities
Science Day / Homemade Lava Lamps

Homemade Lava Lamps

Children layer oil and coloured water in a bottle, then drop in a fizzing tablet to make bubbly blobs rise and fall.

How to run it

  1. Fill a clear bottle a quarter with water and add food colouring.
  2. Top up with vegetable oil and wait for it to separate.
  3. Drop in a piece of fizzing tablet.
  4. Watch the blobs rise and talk about why oil and water do not mix.

You will need

  • clear plastic bottles
  • vegetable oil
  • water
  • food colouring
  • effervescent tablets
  • tray
Make it easier or harderYounger children watch and describe, while older children test different liquids.
SafetyStore tablets away from children and supervise to prevent drinking.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 4Children observe and explain density and reactions.

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