Kiddie Crafts - Make your own Lava lamp
- by Francesca Clarke (RSS feed) on Mar 12th 2008 10:00AM
- Filed under backyard science, kids, weekend projects, Kiddie Crafts
Back in September, we shared some DIY lava lamp instructions, taken directly from the patent. That, and the others that I shared in that post, was meant for adults (or chemists!) to make, assemble and enjoy.
Kids love looking at motion lamps. They stare at the dancing blobs, enjoying the tranquil motion and curious shapes. It is inevitable that at some point during their little trance, they can't help but reach out and grab the lamp. The hot light and glass are a nasty combination in their small hands, and for this reason, lava lamps are generally confined to dorm rooms, or top shelves in the basement.
Don't worry, Kiddie-Crafters: those adult lamps aren't as much fun, anyway. In this project, we'll make a DIY lava lamp for kids. Just for fun, we'll add a St.Patrick's day twist.
Follow our crafting adventure in the gallery, and I'll share the full instructions with you after the break.
Don't worry, Kiddie-Crafters: those adult lamps aren't as much fun, anyway. In this project, we'll make a DIY lava lamp for kids. Just for fun, we'll add a St.Patrick's day twist.
Follow our crafting adventure in the gallery, and I'll share the full instructions with you after the break.
What you need
- 1/2 cup cooking oil - clear
- 2 liter soda bottle, with lid
- Food coloring or powered tempera paints
- Spouted measuring cup or funnel
- Water
- Glitter
- Pour the oil into the pop bottle
I'd recommend using a funnel, but ours is hidden out in the sandbox, so I used a spouted measuring cup instead. - Add the color
Add food coloring or powdered paint. We used green, keeping in the spirit of St. Patrick's day. - Shake in the bling
We used colored sparkles: they looked great! If you have some themed glitter, try shamrock confetti for a festive look. - Top it off with water
Fill the rest of the bottle with water. Close the cap tightly... very, very tightly. - Turn it upside down and watch it dance
Give the bottle a shake and turn it upside down. Watch the oil and water change and move as they separate. Set the bottle upside down in a candle holder or sundae cup (you'll have to use your imagination, but you'll find something kicking around just waiting to be re-purposed). We tried the funnel from our espresso press and a little glass cup, but the bottle has spent very little time in its stand.
[via: Pitter Patter Craft Library]
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