Make a homemade lava lamp with Big Manny
Check out this step-by-step guide on how to make your own lava lamp.
- A jar or container (we used old bottles, spicy sauce, jam jars, even pesto jars!)
- Liquid food colouring
- Sunflower or vegetable oil
- Water
- A vitamin C effervescent tablet (you can find these in your local shop)
How to make a DIY lava lamp
Step 1
Prepare the jar by ensuring that it is clean and dry.
Step 2
Fill the jar with oil, leaving about 4/5th of the jar full. This will be the main liquid in your lava lamp.
Step 3
Choose a food colouring and add a few drops to the jar, it should sink to the bottom underneath the oil. Adjust the amount based on your desired colour intensity.
Step 4听
Top up the jar with some water, leaving a small gap at the top so it doesn't overflow.
Step 5
Drop a vitamin C tablet into the jar. It should take around 30 seconds, but eventually you will start to see a reaction between the vitamin C tablet and the water, creating bubbles similar to a lava lamp.
Make sure you check with an adult and have their permission to use Vitamin C tablets. You could use Bicarbonate of Soda as an alternative, although the reaction will be slightly less fizzy!
That's it! Now you can place your DIY lava lamp on a flat surface and enjoy the fun display of colourful bubbles.
Check out more fun experiments from Big Manny on Blue Peter,听streaming on iPlayer!