Active volcanoes are those that have erupted recently and are likely to erupt again. Volcanologists (scientists who study volcanoes) watch these volcanoes for signs that they are about to erupt. This includes monitoring nearby earthquake activity and testing the air for changing gas output. It is estimated that there are around 1500 potentially active volcanoes on earth! HOMESCHOOL CLASSIC – This is a classic STEM project that teaches kids about Chemistry, Geology, and Earth Science, it’s a proven homeschool lesson your child will love; clear instructions are easy to follow and included learning material makes it easy to create lesson plans The deadliest eruption in recorded history occurred in 1815 in Tambora, Indonesia. Around 92,000 people died.

Cast your own volcano with the plaster and mold included, paint it how you want it to look with the provided paint and brush and then make your volcano erupt with the eruption powder! A fantastic family activity, with hours of fun for all ages. What we like about it: This isn’t your average styrofoam volcano. This one is a sturdy plastic model that can be opened up to show the cross section of a volcano. The various layers and components are all labeled, and there is a washable “lava chamber.” This kit is an excellent resource for budding volcanologists. Not all volcanoes are found on the surface of the earth. In fact, volcanologists believe that there are over 1 million volcanoes located deep down under water! These volcanoes are also called submarine volcanoes. The Smithsonian volcano kit is more like your classic volcano experiment, just on a larger scale. This puppy measures over 1 foot tall. This volcano kit includes a volcano base and structure, eruption tube, plaster strips, paint and instructional poster. All you’ll need from home are vinegar and baking powder! COMPLETE SCIENCE KIT - Includes absolutely everything you need to create a volcano, paint it, and even make it erupt!What we like about it: It’s up to you to build the volcano in this kit! Create a volcano frame using string and cardboard, cover it in a plaster cast, and then paint it to look like a real volcano. This is certainly a more labor-intensive kit, but well worth the time and effort. As an added bonus, the kit includes lava “glow” paint, which you can use to create an eye-catching glow-in-the-dark lava flow!

HOMESCHOOL CLASSIC - This is a classic STEM project that teaches kids about chemistry, geology, and earth science. It is a proven home-school lesson your child will love!

Volcano kits are one of those STEM toys with widespread appeal. They’re easy to do, exciting, and best of all, they’re messy! And let’s be honest, it’s the mess that really speaks to us! In the spirit of embracing this explosive science experiment, we’re reviewing some of the best erupting volcano toys around! From basic volcano making kits to more in depth educational sets, we’ve got something for everyone! Lava isn’t the only thing that shoots out during a volcanic eruption. Billowing clouds of poisonous gas and ash explode out, reaching heights of up to 40 km! In 2011, the Grímsvötn volcanic eruption in Iceland produced so much ash that airlines had to cancel over 1000 flights across Northwestern Europe for almost a week. Are There Different Types of Volcanoes?

The National Geographic kit includes a plastic mold and plaster mix for you to create your own, paintable volcano. Once the plaster cast has dried, add the eruption powder and watch that lava flow! MAKING SCIENCE FUN - The perfect hands-on experiment for any science fair. Includes National Geographic's learning guide so you can write an A+ report COMPLETE VOLCANO SCIENCE KIT – Includes everything you need to build a volcano, paint it, and make it erupt; the improved mold, brush, and paints make it easier than ever to create a show-stopping volcano MAKING SCIENCE FUN – A great hands-on experiment for any science fair with multiple volcano experiments to try; the updated mold is easy to assemble and holds the plaster securely to create a sturdy volcano form and more realistic paint colors give the volcano a lifelike look

If you’re interested in teaching your kids the basics of volcanoes, then keep reading! We’ve created a mini lesson on all things volcanoes, and even provided some suggestions on how to engage your child in this topic. Scroll down further, and you’ll find directions for making your own underwater volcano! Have a blast! Nothing to worry about! Only a fraction of the Earth’s volcanoes are capable of erupting, and they are called active volcanoes. There are also dormant and extinct volcanoes, which are explained in more detail, below. Like the Thames and Kosmos kit, your kids can enjoy multiple eruptions with this model from Learning Resources. This volcano model is just under 12 inches tall, and comes with a handy spill tray and learning guide.