Smithsonian Giant Volcano

by NSI

Product Features

• Build and errupt a volcano
• New, dual mold system.
• This system allows you to make the most realistic volcano.
• Included erruption tabets create accurate volcanic simulations.
• Develop the scientist inside you !

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 10.6 x 3.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000099Z4E
• Item model number: 03269
• Manufacturer recommended age: 8 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,456 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 1.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Smithsonian Interactive Simple Science Activities - Giant Volcano

Product Description

Giant Volcano Set includes Plastic volcano substructure Volcano making compound Bottle and tube eruption system Three real volcanic rocks Erupting mix Safety goggles Detailed instructions

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very Disappointing, November 5, 2006

By 

Kristen M. (Storrs, CT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smithsonian Giant Volcano (Toy)

I picked this item up for my 6 year old nephew who loves science.
We put it together one night and I was surprised to find that the base and volcano are incredibly thin plastic that crack under any pressure at all. The plaster/sand mixture was impossible to work with, it just balled up into clumps and there was no real way of spreading it around smoothly. We both ended up with plaster all over us. Once it had dried, he was excited to get to paint it. As soon as he began to paint, parts of the plaster started breaking off in chunks.
Hooking the plastic tubing up was not a major problem but I had issues keeping it hooked together. The "pump" system was supposed to send vinegar into a baking soda chamber to push up into the volcano. Instead the "pump" (which was a squeeze bottle) pushed the vinegar weakly upwards and then once it hit the baking soda chamber it clogged up. When it finally made its way out through the volcano after me squeezing the bottle as hard as possible, it barely trickled out. Once it had trickled enough, the rest of the plaster fell off as it got wet. He and his sisters just looked at me and asked "Is that it?" After three tries we trashed the whole thing.
Also, the "rock samples" that they give you in the kit are the size of the tip of your fingernail. I'm a geologist and these are not rare, expensive rocks. There was no reason to not include larger samples.
He was very disappointed in the whole thing and so was I. I can't believe that the Smithsonian put their name on this product. We'll go back to our plaster volcano with vinegar and baking soda.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sounds like fun, but leaves you hanging, January 2, 2011

By 

Mom_of_two - See all my reviews

= Durability:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Smithsonian Giant Volcano (Toy)

I bought this volcano kit for my 8 year old son. We were really excited to put it together. We carefully read the directions and quickly mixed up the volcano mix (directions read you have 1-2 minutes before it sets up). As soon as I added the water, the mix began to set up which made it impossible to pour into the mold. We ended up with a crumbly mess and no volcano. Needless to say, my son was very disappointed. I'm pretty good at following directions, but this set up so fast it was ridiculous.[...] Save your money.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Volcano review, March 22, 2011

By 

Patti from Sugar Grove - See all my reviews

= Durability:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This was very disappointing. It did not erupt - it barely fizzled. I added 12 of the tablets and couldn't get it to do anything. I would NOT suggest to anyone!