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
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, streaming on iPlayer!