Paper Mache Volcano WITHOUT using Newspaper

by Vicki

How many hundreds of paper mache volcanos have been made by students & parents for school science fairs?! That’s lots of paper, glue & mess. The paper mache volcano is not an original idea, but this method using paper coffee filters makes the process a little simpler.

Materials/Tools:

• Empty glass soda or beer bottle at least  8” tall
• Lots of plastic grocery bags
• Painters Tape
• Coffee filters (not the cone shaped ones)
• White glue, large flat mixing container
• Mod Podge
• Four year old child with paints
• Plastic wrap or aluminum foil
• Waterproof table cover

​Step one:
Cover work surface with a waterproof table cover. Cover this with plastic wrap or aluminum foil on which to build the volcano. Place bottle on table, lightly scrunch up the plastic grocery bags & place them around the bottle (do not cover the bottle opening), taping in place until you are pleased with the shape.

​Step two:
Thin the white glue with a little bit of water mixing it in the flat container. Don’t make it too runny. Throughly soak each coffee filter in the mix working with one at a time. Place it on the bagged volcano shape. Continue placing filters on the volcano, overlapping where necessary. Smooth out any air bubbles. One layer was enough. Let dry. Give the volcano a couple of coats of mod podge to add strength. Let dry between coats. Once dry, carefully peel away the plastic bags. The volcano is ready for paint.

​Step three:
Let the four year old go to town creating a volcano masterpiece!

​Step Four:
To use the volcano: Place the paper mache volcano over the same bottle used to construct the form. Add your favorite kid-friendly explosive mix (baking soda, vinegar, & food coloring) & watch the eruption with the same glee as a kid!