DIY Volcano Anatomy Puzzle for Kids to Learn Parts of a Volcano

Inside: A DIY Volcano Cardboard Puzzle for kids to learn about parts of a volcano.

Last month, we did a volcano learning unit. Now, I’m pretty sure if there isn’t a volcano anatomy puzzle in the market.

Of course, why buy one (if there’s any) when it’s so easy to DIY?

One of the best perks about making our own learning toys?

We can design any one of a kind learning toy that caters to our homeschool themes and our learning goals.

Related: Here are more cardboard puzzles I have made for other learning themes - rainbow puzzle, butterfly life cycle puzzle, seasons puzzle, Christmas Tree puzzle!

Parts of a Volcano Cardboard Puzzle — Parts of a Volcano Puzzle

Parts of a Volcano for Kids

When my 3.5yo preschooler took apart the cardboard puzzle, she got to see the ‘inside’ of a volcano. It was a great opportunity to talk about what's a volcano eruption (hot materials like lava, rock, dust and gas from the Earth's interior are thrown out of a volcano).

There is hand and eye coordination involved when my preschooler put the puzzle together.

I took the learning further with my 6yo kindergartner. We discussed the causes of volcano eruptions and learnt about parts of the volcanos:

Magma - Molten rock beneath Earth's surface.
Magma Chamber - A space where large pool of magma is stored under the volcano
Vent - An opening in Earth's crust through which volcanic materials escape.
Side Vent - Alternative openings on the sides of the volcano through which magma flows out to the Earth's surface.
Lava - Magma that flows/erupts onto the Earth's surface
Ash Cloud - A cloud of ash formed by volcanic explosions.

We ended the lesson with a video about volcanos. My children were excited to see some cool volcano eruptions!

For the older children, this can also be a fun project to draw and paint their own volcano puzzle!

Learn about parts of a Volcano with this DIY puzzle

What you need:

2 pieces of square cardboard (same size)
Paint
Black permanent marker
Ruler
A sharp penknife
Hot glue
Small post it notes (optional)

Let’s make this Volcano Anatomy Puzzle!

Watch follow the instructions below.

Draw a 1” frame around the first piece of cardboard
Draw a line as the ground and a volcano.
Using a sharp penknife, cut the puzzle pieces out. Only adults should handle the penknife.

Attach the frame onto the second piece of cardboard with hot glue
Use the cardboard puzzle cutouts as the stencils, draw the same volcano and ground on the second piece of cardboard. Fill in details for the interior of the volcano (vent, side vent, magma chamber).

Paint the puzzle and let dry.
Create labels for parts of the volcano (ash cloud, lava, magma, vent, side vent and magma chamber) using the post it notes.

My son labelling the parts of a Volcano Cardboard Puzzle with the little Post It notes.

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