How to Make an Apple Volcano Experiment

Turn an apple into a bubbling volcano! It’s a fun and easy science experiment that’s perfect for fall or any time of year.

If you’ve got an apple and a few basic kitchen ingredients, you’ve got everything you need for an exciting science experiment. This apple volcano is a fun and easy way to show kids how chemistry works—perfect for afternoons at home or fall-themed STEM learning.

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What You’ll Need

1 apple (any variety)
Baking soda
Vinegar
Food coloring
Dish soap (optional for extra foam)
Spoon or small scoop
Tray or plate to catch the eruption

Optional:

A knife to carve the core (grown-ups only!)
Extra apples to try variations

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Core your apple

Use a spoon or small knife to scoop out the top of the apple, creating a shallow well. Leave enough room for your ingredients but don’t cut all the way through.

Apple volcano experiment instructions step 1

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2. Add baking soda

Place a spoonful of baking soda into the hole. Add a few drops of food coloring and a small squirt of dish soap.

Apple volcano experiment instructions step 2

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3. Add food coloring

Add a few drops of food coloring and a small squirt of dish soap.

Apple volcano experiment instructions step 3

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4. Watch it erupt!

Slowly pour vinegar into the apple and watch the fizz bubble over the top!

Apple volcano experiment instructions step 4

5. Repeat

Want more eruptions? Just add more baking soda and vinegar.

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The Science Behind the Apple Volcano

This experiment works thanks to an acid-base reaction. When baking soda (a base) combines with vinegar (an acid), it creates carbon dioxide gas, which builds up and causes the foamy overflow.

The apple serves as a fun, natural container—and it smells great, too!