Smithsonian Giant Volcano Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The product description says: "Build and erupt a 'volcano' with our new dual mold system. Make the most realistic volcano ever. Eruption tablets create accurate volcanic simulations. A world of adventure and science is great. Detailed instructions are included."
The "dual mold" includes top and bottom shells that form a mold for the volcano - you "build" it by combining the supplied cement-like sand material with water in a mixing bowl that you provide. You then stir it to remove lumps for "1 to 2 minutes," i.e., stir fast! Then you pour the water/sand mix into the space between the top and bottom shells and wait for 15-18 minutes (you do this with the mold upside down). Then, carefully invert the mold and remove the top shell. Then you wait for 24 hours for the volcano to set up. The building process makes a fair mess, so be prepared for some clean up of the sand mix from your mixing bowl, etc.
The above is the building part. The resulting volcano seems to be fairly strong and can be reused, at least for a while.
The eruption part of this kit was an utter failure. The kit says to pour club soda into the volcano and then add the "eruption tablets." This is presumably an acid-base reaction to generate carbon dioxide bubbles. The tablets have a red dye in them. My experience was that there was utterly NO bubbles or eruption. There are about 30 tablets included (maybe less), and you're supposed to use 5 for each eruption. I started with 5 and nothing happened. Added 5 more and still no eruption.
At that point I changed plans and went with the tried-and-true method: add baking soda, liquid dishwashing soap, and McCormick Spice's red food coloring to the inside of the volcano, and then add white vinegar. Of course, that worked like a charm.
Overall, I think this would be a lousy gift because it does not live up to expectations, or indeed work at all! The only thing that kept me from giving this one star is that the volcano can be used for the tried-and-true baking soda and vinegar method. However, for the cost, it's not really worth it just for the volcano. I would buy a couple of blocks of modeling clay instead.

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Recreate the spectacular sight of an erupting volcano with this kit, developed by a Smithsonian Volcanologist! -- First, build your own volcano, using volcano making compound around the volcanic plastic base. Then, using a bottle and tube system and special, non-toxic erupting mixture (lava), cause eruptions and control the flow of lava with hand pressure. Included are three different genuine volcanic rocks, safety goggles and instructions.

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