Making the mini-volcanoes added an extra element of fun, but also provided an opportunity to introduce the kids to the fascinating geography of their birth countries. Numerous volcanoes are found throughout Central and South America. Check out this link to learn more: Volcanoes_of_Central_and_South_America. A terrific Usborne Beginners book for kids is, "Volcanoes" by Stephanie Turnbull available through Scholastic, Inc.
Here's how we made our volcanoes... Put 3 T baking soda and two squirts of dish soap in an empty 16.9 oz water bottle. Add a little water to dissolve the baking soda. Build your cone around the bottle using beach sand. Leave an opening at the top. Pour in 2/3 cup vinegar. Wait for the eruption! Watch for "smoke" coming out first, then the bubbly "lava."
