Stephen's Place

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DIY Color Changing Volcano

As part of our series of science experiments for adults with special needs, we’ve added one of our absolute favorites! We’ve also made Lemon Volcanoes in the past and you can definitely combine both experiments to make your own science experiment. 

This color-changing volcano is great for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have mobility issues because you can do the whole experiment together or single out parts. No matter which part of this experiment you do, it’s going to be fun to watch! 

Image source: preschoolinspirations.com

You Will Need:

  • Water
  • 1 Plastic Cup
  • Mixing Bowl
  • 4 Tbs of Baking Soda
  • 1 Tsp of Dish Soap
  • 1oz of Washable Paint in 2 Primary Colors (for example red & blue or blue & green)
  • White Vinegar
  • A bag of sand or a space outside with rocks or gravel (to make the volcano mound)

Instructions 

  1. Combine your water, baking powder, dish soap, and one of the washable paint colors
  2. Fill your plastic cup with water to about ⅔ full
  3. Add the baking soda, dish soap, and washable paint to the plastic cup with the water
  4. Head outside and make a mound of rocks, sand, dirt, or gravel
  5. Nestle your plastic cup into the volcano mound
  6. Stir your ingredients again 
  7. Start to add dashes of vinegar to set off the eruption
  8. As it starts to erupt, add your second washable paint color
  9. Watch as it changes colors
  10. Add more vinegar to make it erupt more
  11. Rinse and repeat as many times as you like! 

About Stephen’s Place

Stephen’s Place is an independent apartment community for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, located in Vancouver, WA (7 minutes from Portland, OR).

If you have a loved one with developmental or intellectual disabilities who is looking for a community to live in, please contact us for more information. 

Stephen’s Place is a private-pay apartment community due to our state-of-the-art amenities and programs. We are a nonprofit and do not profit from our community. We are private pay because we spend more than some housing communities to ensure that our residents are comfortable and can safely live their lives with independence and dignity.