Mini Volcanoes

Your youngest geologist will enjoy making miniature volcanoes with homemade mud.

For homemade mud you will need:

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup salt
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• large mixing bowl
• spoon
• ½ cup water

1. Have your child measure and stir together the flour, salt, and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add water and stir until moistened.
3. Transfer the dough to a floured surface where your child can knead the dough until smooth. If the dough is too sticky, add flour.

To create a volcano, you will need:

• Stryofoam plate
• red cellophane, construction paper, or felt
  

1. Have your child put the homemade mud on the plate and shape it into a mountain.
2. Using a finger, make a hole in the top of the mountain.
3. For hot lava coming from the volcano, cut strips of red cellophane, construction paper, or felt and place in the hole at the top of the mountain.

NOTE: Even though the homemade mud will smell yummy, it cannot be eaten because of the high salt content and the unsweetened cocoa.