Crafts: Glow-in-the-dark lava lamp

Any craft project that simultaneously serves as a science experiment is always a great idea for the kids, and this is one of those that will capture your child’s imagination from start to finish. The fact that it’s a glow-in-the-dark project means that it is perfect for those late summer evenings, too!

 

What you will need:

• An empty glass mason jar or bottle
• Water
• Cooking oil
• Alka-seltzer
• Glow sticks

 

 

What to do:

1. Fill your container two-thirds high with cooking oil.

2. Next, add in water, leaving just an inch free at the very top of the container.

3. Crack your glow sticks and add in a few drops of the coloured liquid to the mixture.

4. Break up an Alka-seltzer tablet and drop a piece into the mixture – the water will start to fizz, sending colour bubbles up through the mixture. Once the mixture settles, the bubbles will stick in the oil, creating the ‘lava’ effect.

 

Tip: Expose your lamp to plenty of light before taking it outside at night, to make sure that it glows at its brightest. If you don’t want to create a glow-in-the-dark version, you can replace the glow stick liquid with food colouring.

 

Images via Pinterest