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Science Projects > Chemistry Projects > Color-Change Chemistry  

Color-Change Chemistry

Magic show or chemistry lab?

Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference!

Chemical reactions often produce spectacular color changes that appear to happen just by magic. Now is your chance to put some tricks up your sleeve and wow your friends with scientific sleight of hand.

( NOTE: Some of the chemicals used in these projects can be hazardous if misused. Use caution when working with chemicals! Read the information on the chemical label before you start, and always wear protective lab safety equipment such as goggles, gloves, and aprons. Adult supervision required. )

Check out our top-selling beginner chemistry set and home chemistry kit to perform classic experiments. See our complete introduction to chemistry kit for a full overview of chemistry concepts and experiments.

Color Change Chemical Reactions Experiments + Video

#1 – confounding color.

Can you get a liquid to change color simply by pouring it into another container?

See this experiment in action before you try it!

What You Need:

• Four 250 ml erlenmeyr flasks  or 250 ml beakers
• Universal indicator

What You Do:

1. Put 25 drops of universal indicator into the first flask, and then add 200ml of water.

2. In the second flask, put a dropper-full of vinegar.

3. Add a dropper-full of ammonia to the third flask. (Be very careful not to breathe in the strong fumes from the ammonia!)

4. Put 100ml of vinegar in the fourth flask.

5. Slowly pour the contents of the first flask into the second one, then the second into the third and the third into the fourth.

What Happened:

The secret of this magic color change is pH. Chemicals with a low pH (0-6) are acidic , while those with a high pH (8-14) are basic . (A pH of 7 is neutral: neither acidic nor basic.) Universal indicator is a chemical that changes color in the presence of acids and bases from a pH of 2 to 10. Acids turn the indicator red, pink, orange, and yellow, while bases turn it green, blue, and purple. Vinegar is an acid, so when you poured the indicator solution into the second flask, it turned red. Ammonia is a base, so when you mixed the acidic vinegar solution with ammonia, it raised the pH and the water turned blue. If you had enough vinegar in your last flask, the solution should have turned red again. (If it didn’t, try adding a little more vinegar.)

#2 – Mystery Pitcher

Can you pour red “kool-aid” out of a pitcher of water? Try it out and impress your audience – just don’t drink the finished product!

Check out our project video to see this trick in action!

>> Get our Chemistry Magic Tricks Kit to do this project and 11 more!

• Phenolphthalein solution
• Sodium carbonate experiment powder
• 5 glasses and a non-see-through pitcher of water

1. In the first glass put a little less than 1/8 teaspoon of sodium carbonate, in the second put 6 drops of phenolphthalein solution, and in the third put three droppers-full of vinegar.

2. Add a few drops of water to the first glass and stir to dissolve the sodium carbonate.

3. Fill all the glasses with water from the pitcher, then pour all of them back in the pitcher except for the glass with vinegar.

4. Refill the remaining four glasses – the water will be red!

5. Now pour all five glasses back in the pitcher. Refill the glasses one last time — the liquid will be colorless again!

Like the universal indicator, phenolphthalein is a pH indicator, but it only turns colors in reaction to bases. When you poured the four glasses back into the pitcher, the phenolphthalein reacted to the sodium carbonate, a base, and turned the solution to red “kool-aid.” To change it back to “water,” all you had to do was add the acidic vinegar, which turned the phenolphthalein colorless again.

#3 – Invisible Ink

Invisible inks are also called sympathetic inks, and can be made with many different substances. Sometimes they appear when you heat them up; other times another chemical can reveal them. Get creative and see how many kinds of invisible ink you can find.

• You need Ink type 1 –  lemon juice, grapefruit juice, vinegar, milk, onion juice
• Plus, Ink type 2 – cobalt chloride solution or cocl2
• Lastly, Ink type 3 – phenolphthalein , Windex
• Q-tips or paintbrush

1. Choose a liquid like lemon juice to use as ink. Write a message on a piece of white paper using a paintbrush or q-tip, dipping in the ink frequently. Let the message dry. Turn on the toaster and carefully hold your paper over it. The heat will make your secret writing appear!

2. Some sympathetic inks appear and disappear again based on humidity. To try one of these, make a solution of 1/8 teaspoon cobalt chloride and 1/2 cup water. After writing your message and letting it dry, heat the paper to see your message appear in blue. Now hold the paper face down over a pan of steaming water. The steam will cause the writing to disappear. If you reheat it (evaporating all the water) the writing will appear again.

3. Other sympathetic inks work because of acid-base reactions. Use phenolphthalein solution to write a message on a piece of paper and let it dry. After it is dry, spray it with some Windex. Since Windex is a base, it will turn the phenolphthalein bright pink.

What other sympathetic inks can you find? Which kind shows up best? Which kind lasts longest?

#4 – Chromatography

Inks and dyes are generally made up of a mixture of different colors. Chromatography is a process that lets you separate ink into its individual colors.

• Filter paper (paper towels or coffee filters will work too, but filter paper is best)
• Black marker or felt-tip pens, highlighters (non-primary colors)
• Food coloring pack
• Several drinking glasses
• Many pencils

1. Cut several strips of filter paper about a half-inch wide. Draw a big dot about a half-inch from the bottom of one of the strips with one of the markers or pens you want to test. Do the same thing on different strips for each pen you want to test.

2. Tape the strip to a pencil so that when the pencil rests across the cup the strip will hang down into the cup.

3. Pour water into each cup until it is just barely touching the bottom of the paper strip. Leave the strip hanging in the water until the color has traveled most of the way up the strip.

As the water creeps up the absorbent paper, it carries the color with it. Some components of the ink travel farther than others, causing the different colors to spread out so you can see them. How many colors do you see? Do the different brands of pens have different colors?

Many dyes are also made up of multiple colors. Try a chromatography experiment with some food coloring. Place a drop of food coloring in some water and hang a filter paper strip so it just barely touches the water. Does it separate into colors? Try mixing more than one color of food coloring and then see if you can separate them again with chromatography.

You can also do chromatography with permanent pens and markers; you’ll just need to use a different solvent, since those inks don’t dissolve in water. Try isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol 90% or nail polish remover.

Get our chromatography kit for all the materials you need for fun chromatography projects.

Annual Color Change Chemical Reaction Experiments

Changing Leaves

Every fall we watch amazing chemistry color changes happen all around us. Trees that were green all year suddenly become bright yellow, orange, red, or even purple! How does this happen?

There are three types of chemical color pigments in green leaves: chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanins.

Chlorophyll is the dominant green pigment used throughout the summer in the production of food by photosynthesis.

Carotenoids are pigments that give yellow, orange, or brown colors and are present all summer. Anthocyanins cause reds and purples and are produced in the fall.

During the summer months, the leaves are so full of chlorophyll that green overpowers any other colors present in the leaves, such as yellow and orange. Even though carotenoids may be present in the leaves, we can’t see them because the chlorophyll is so strong.

In the fall the days start to get shorter and the temperature drops, signaling to the tree that it is time to go into storage mode for the winter. The chlorophyll starts to break down, causing the green in the leaves to disappear, and allowing us to see the colors of the carotenoids, which were present all along. Most of the sugars and starches produced by the chlorophyll in the leaves are brought back into the tree, but when excess sugar is left in the leaves, anthocyanins are produced. (Bright light also helps to form these red pigments.)

Eventually a separation layer of cells builds up where the leaf is connected to the branch of the tree, blocking the transport of sugars from the leaf to the tree. When this layer is complete, the wind or the weight of the leaves themselves will cause the leaves to fall from the tree. Beneath the tree the layer of fallen leaves decomposes throughout the winter, returning nutrients back to the soil, which makes the topsoil fertile for more plants to grow in the next year.

Explore the pigments inside a green leaf by doing a leaf chromatography experiment ! The setup is similar to the chromatography project above, but this time you use rubbing alcohol to help break down the chlorophyll.

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Color Changing Water Science Experiment

Try this experiment at home with your kids and watch their eyes light up as you pour the liquid into the bowl and “create” a new color. Follow along in the video using blue and yellow food coloring or try it using other primary color combinations!

Mixing two colors together to create a different color has a certain wow factor, especially for younger children. This experiment takes the excitement up a notch because the colors aren’t mixed together, but the same color changing effect is achieved.

JUMP TO SECTION: Instructions | Video Tutorial | How it Works | Purchase Lab Kit

Supplies Needed

• Clear Drinking Glass
• Large Clear Bowl
• Blue and Yellow Food Coloring

Color Changing Water Lab Kit – Only $5

Use our easy Color Changing Water Lab Kit to grab your students’ attention without the stress of planning!

It’s everything you need to  make science easy for teachers and fun for students  — using inexpensive materials you probably already have in your storage closet!

Color Changing Water Science Experiment Instructions

Step 1 –  Pour water into an empty glass until it is 3/4 of the way full.

Step 2 –  Add 1-2 drops of blue food coloring to the water and stir until combined.

Step 3 –  Fill a pitcher full of water. Add 7-10 drops of yellow food coloring to the water and stir until combined.

Take a moment to make some observations about both of the containers of colored water. Do you think it is possible for the water to change color without adding anything to it? 

Step 4 – Get a large empty bowl and place the glass with the blue water in the center of the bowl.

Step 5 – Next, pour the yellow water from the pitcher into the bowl. Be careful not to get any water into the glass.

Step 6 –  Look through the side of the bowl and make some observations. How many different colors do you see? Is this different than what you originally started with? What color is the water in the bowl? What about the water in the glass? Why is some of the water green? Find out the answer in the  how does this experiment work section below.

What do you think will happen if you remove the glass from the bowl? Write down your hypothesis (prediction) and then test to see if you were right! 

Video Tutorial

How Does the Experiment Work?

Red, yellow and blue are the primary colors of light. When you combine these three primary colors together in equal amounts, they will make white light. When the primary colors are combined together in different amounts, they produce other colors. These colors are referred to as secondary colors.

In this experiment, when you look through two colors at once, the colors “mix” together similar to how they would if you put two drops of yellow food coloring and two drops of blue food coloring in a glass of water and stirred them together. Because primary colors (yellow and blue) were used in this experiment, when we looked through the bowl they “combined” to form a secondary color (green).

Primary colors are three colors that can combine to make any other color. Secondary colors are any colors that are produced by combining equal amounts of any two primary colors.

More Science Fun

Try the experiment again, but change the primary colors you use!

Red + Yellow = Orange Red + Blue = Purple

In addition, you can also try these other fun experiments that contain mixing colors:

• Color Changing Walking Water Science Experiment   – Much like the regular walking water science experiment, but with an added “colorful” twist.
• Discover How Colors are Made – This is a simple experiment that demonstrates how different colors are made.

I hope you enjoyed the experiment. Here are some printable instructions:

Instructions

• Pour water into an empty glass until it is 3/4 of the way full
• Add 1-2 drops of blue food coloring to the water and stir until combined
• Fill a pitcher full of water. Add 7-10 drops of yellow food coloring to the water and stir until combined.
• Get a large empty bowl and place the glass with the blue water in the center of the bowl.
• Next, pour the yellow water from the pitcher into the bowl. Be careful not to get any water into the glass.
• What do you see when you look through the bowl? Is the water in the bowl yellow? What about the water in the glass? Why is some of the water green?

Reader Interactions

February 3, 2016 at 2:53 pm

That is very cool. I know blue + yellow = green when mixed, but I didn’t know you could get green without the colors actually touching. I learned something new!

Great job on everything!

February 4, 2016 at 9:29 am

Thanks Tracy! I thought the same as you did, so I learned something from the experiment as well. It’s fun to be able to learn along with my kids.

We are going to try with other colors next time.

September 5, 2018 at 7:57 am

Thanks for this neat experiment! I appreciate the way everything is explained clearly and slowly. I plan on using this experiment with my Kindergarten students!

April 26, 2021 at 12:47 am

This is cool for sure. I like the way you do experiments. The experiment is fun and stimulate learners to think whe they say their predictions.

Thank you so much.

January 13, 2022 at 12:36 pm

The experiment is amazing! No need to mix the colours in one container to achieve the desired result. It’s one of a kind and I love it.

Maraming Salamat! (Thank you very much!)

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How to Do the Color Change Chameleon Chemistry Demonstration

Rainbow Redox Reaction Color Change Chemistry Demo

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The chemical chameleon is a wonderful color-change chemistry demonstration that may be used to illustrate redox reactions . The color change runs from purple to blue to green to orange-yellow and finally to clear.

Color Change Chameleon Materials

For this demonstration , you start by preparing two separate solutions:

• 2 mg potassium permanganate
• 500 ml distilled water

Dissolve a small amount of potassium permanganate into water. The amount isn't critical, but don't use too much or else the solution will be too deeply colored to see the color changes. Use distilled water rather than tap water to avoid problems caused by salts in tap water that can affect water pH and interfere with the reaction. The solution should be a deep purple color.

• 6 g sugar (sucrose)
• 10 g sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
• 750 ml distilled water

Dissolve the sugar and sodium hydroxide in the water. The reaction between sodium hydroxide and water is exothermic, so expect some heat to be produced. This will be a clear solution.

Make the Chameleon Change Colors

When you're ready to start the demonstration, all you need to do is mix the two solutions together. You'll get the most dramatic effect if you swirl the mixture together to thoroughly combine the reactants.

Upon mixing, the purple of the potassium permanganate solution immediately changes to blue. It changes to green fairly quickly, but it takes a few minutes for the next color change to pale orange-yellow, as manganese dioxide (MnO 2 ) precipitates. If you let the solution sit long enough, the manganese dioxide will sink to the bottom of the flask, leaving you with a clear liquid.

Chemical Chameleon Redox Reaction

The color changes are the result oxidation and reduction or a redox reaction.

The potassium permanganate is reduced (gains electrons), while the sugar is oxidized (loses electrons). This occurs in two steps. First, the permanangate ion (purple in solution) is reduced to form the manganate ion (green in solution):

• MnO 4 - + e - → MnO 4 2-

As the reaction is proceeding, both the purple permanganate and green manganate are present, blending together to produce a solution that appears blue. Eventually, there is more green manganate, yielding a green solution.

Next, the green manganate ion is further reduced and forms manganese dioxide:

• MnO 4 2- + 2 H 2 O + 2 e - → MnO 2 + 4 OH -

Manganese dioxide is golden brown solid, but the particles are so small they make the solution appear to change color. Eventually, the particles will settle out of solution, leaving it clear.

The chameleon demonstration is just one of many possible color change chemistry experiments you can perform. If you don't have the materials on hand for this particular demonstration, consider trying a different one .

Safety Information

Sucrose and distilled water are safe and non-toxic. However, appropriate safety gear (lab coat, safety goggles, gloves) should be worn when preparing the solutions and performing the demonstration. Sodium hydroxide and potassium permanganate can cause irritation and chemical burns in contact with skin or mucous membranes. The chemical solutions must be labelled and kept away from children and pets to avoid accidental ingestion. Potassium permanganate is highly toxic to aquatic organisms. In some places, pouring a small quantity of a solution down the drain is allowed. The reader is advised to consult federal, state, and local regulations for proper disposal.

Fast Facts: Chemical Chameleon Science Experiment

• Potassium permanganate
• Sucrose (table sugar)
• Sodium hydroxide
• Distilled Water

Concepts Illustrated

• This demonstration is a good example of an exothermic reaction. The color change is produced via a redox (oxidation-reduction) reaction.

Time Required

• The two chemical solutions may be prepared in advance, so this demonstration is instantaneous.
• The demonstration is suitable for all age groups. High school and college chemistry students studying redox reactions will get the most out of the experiment, but it can be used to stimulate interest in chemistry and science at any age. The demonstration may be performed by any high school or college chemistry teacher. Because there are safety protocols for using potassium permanganate and sodium hydroxide, this demonstration is not suitable for unsupervised children.
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Color Change Chemistry Projects – Chemical Reactions and More

Color change chemistry projects are among the most interesting and entertaining science experiments . Color change chemical reactions visually indicate chemical changes in matter. They illustrate pH changes, acid-base reactions, oxidation-reduction, and other key chemistry concepts. Other projects change color due to conformation changes, light emission, and simply mixing colors. There’s a color change chemistry project perfect for any occasion.

Here is a collection of color change projects.

Is Color Change a Chemical Change?

Color change often indicates a chemical change or chemical reaction, but sometimes colors change without altering the composition of a substance. For example, mixing blue and yellow food coloring makes a green liquid, but no chemical change occurs.

Color Change Chemical Reactions

These reactions are chemical changes. They include acid-base reactions, redox reactions, and precipitate formation.

• Briggs-Rauscher Oscillating Clock : A solution oscillates between colorless, amber, and blue in this classic chemistry demonstration.
• Blue Bottle Chemical Reaction : In this project, a blue liquid turns colorless before turning blue again.
• Chemical Traffic Light : This variation of the blue bottle reaction uses indigo carmine. The solution shifts colors between green, yellow, and red.
• Water to Wine to Milk to Beer : Pour liquid from one glass to another and watch it change into what looks like water, wine, milk, and finally beer.
• Two Color Chemiluminescence : Watch a solution produce a red glow and then a blue glow.
• Gatorade and Drain Cleaner : This variation of the blue bottle demonstration uses Gatorade and drain cleaner instead of chemicals from a lab. The colors you get depend on the products you choose.
• Red Cabbage Juice pH Indicator : Cabbage juice changes color depending on a liquid’s pH. The color change covers the entire rainbow.
• Fake Blood Chemical Reaction : Reacting an iron(III) solution and potassium thiocyanate solution makes the iron thiocyanate complex, which resembles fake blood.
• Color Change Violets : Change the color of violets or other flowers using household ammonia.
• Color Changing Chemical Volcano : This chemical volcano erupts lava that changes colors from purple to orange.
• Bubbles That Change Colors : These soap bubbles change colors using pH indicators.
• Disappearing Ink : Acid-base chemistry makes colored “ink” disappear as it dries and reappear using household ammonia.
• Color Change Liquid Thermometer : Tell the temperature by whether the liquid is pink or blue.
• Color-Changing Chameleon Eggs : This edible color change chemistry project changes the color of gelatin spheres, depending on the pH of the liquid surrounding them.
• Easy Color Changing Drinks : Turn a soft drink or cocktail into a color change chemistry project without making it taste bad.
• Color Changing Crystals : These crystals spontaneously change color due to a slow chemical reaction within them.

Holiday Color Change Chemistry Projects

These chemical reactions involve colors associated with holidays and other events.

• Natural Easter Egg Dyes : Use safe cooking ingredients as egg dyes and learn about natural pH indicators.
• Vanishing Valentine : A pink solution turns colorless as the oxidation state of its chemicals change.
• Hot and Cold Valentine : A pH indicator changes liquid from pink to colorless. A temperature change shifts the equilibrium between a normal and ionized form of a molecule, changing the solution pH and color.
• Water Into Wine or Water Into Blood : A clear liquid turns red. Use this color change chemistry project for either Easter or Halloween.
• Old Nassau or Halloween Reaction : A clear liquid turns orange and then black.
• Bleeding Paper : Goldenrod paper starts out golden yellow and turns blood red when you write your message.
• Christmas Chemistry Demonstration : This clock reaction is perfect for the winter holidays, as the liquid changes from green to red.
• Poinsettia pH Indicator : Extract pH indicator from a poinsettia plant and see test liquids to see if they turn the indicator red or green.
• Olympic Rings Demonstration : Pour clear liquid into five glasses and watch it turn the colors of the Olympic rings.

Colored Fire

Combustion is a chemical reaction and thus an example of a chemical change. However, the reason flames change color in these projects is because of light emission. Heating colorants excites their electrons. Photons released as electrons return to more stable energy states cause the color change.

• Colored Fire : Make a rainbow of colored flames using common chemicals.
• Colored Fire Pinecones : Use colorants on ordinary pinecones to spice up your campfire.
• Rainbow Flames Jack o’ Lantern : Instead of illuminating your pumpkin with a boring candle, make a rainbow of colored flames.

More Color Change Chemistry Projects

These colorful chemistry projects don’t necessarily involve chemical reactions. Other reasons for color changes include alterations in molecule shape, mixing colors, and scattering light.

• Rainbow Roses : Turn a white rose into a rainbow use. With a little know-how, change black roses into rainbows, too.
• Copper, Silver, and Gold Pennies : Change the chemical composition of coins and watch their colors change, too.
• Change Egg Yolk Color : Color egg whites using food coloring. Coloring egg yolks is trickier because the yolks are oil-based rather than water-based.
• Change Urine Color : It’s easy to change urine color. You may have done it accidentally once or twice!
• Make Rainbow Paper : Coat paper with a thin film that shows the colors of the rainbow.
• Thermal Nail Polish : Thermal nail polish changes color according to temperature. See how it works and make it yourself.

Color Changing Water Science Experiment

Who knew a head of red cabbage could be so much fun? We actually did this color-changing water experiment the same day we did the pH indicator testing. One cabbage, two experiments. We love science experiments here and I hope you do too.

This post contains affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information.

This is a very easy science experiment and super budget-friendly science. Everything you need is for this, is in your kitchen. I like experiments to be easy and accessible for everyone.

Red Cabbage Science Experiment

With this experiment, I had no idea what to expect along with my kids. I think those are the best experiments., the ones we get to experience the magic together. It was the same when we did the cabbage pH indicator.

What You Need:

• head or red cabbage
• boiling water
• baking soda

How to Make Water Change Color

The first thing to do is boil water, and pour that boiling water over ahead (or half ahead) of red cabbage cut up. The more cabbage, the more water you use, the more water you’ll have to do this experiment with.

Let it sit for about 30 minutes.

Now strain the water off your cabbage and into either clear small jars or into glasses. Your red cabbage water is going to look quite purple.

• Pour a little white vinegar into your cabbage water.

Science Experiment E-Book

• Add a little baking soda .

This color changing water science experiment doesn’t stop at one or two colors but you can add more baking soda to see more change.

You do want to make sure that you let each reaction finish before adding more baking soda or vinegar to each glass of red cabbage water. We did end up with a really big mess… think volcano .

Color Changing Water (Red Cabbage)

• clear glasses/jars

Instructions

• The first thing to do it boil water, and pour that boiling water over a head (or half a head) of red cabbage cut up. Let it sit for about 30 minutes.
• Now strain the water off your cabbage and into either clear small jars or into glasses.
• This color changing science experiment doesn't stop at one or two colors but you can add more baking soda to see more change.

You do want to make sure that you let each reaction finish before adding more baking soda or vinegar to each glass of red cabbage water. We did end up with a really big mess... think volcano .

Easy Red Cabbage pH Indicator

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Rapid color changing chemistry, you will need.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell SCIENCE from MAGIC – and this little demonstration is a great example of that. In this experiment you will watch an almost clear liquid suddenly turn dark blue in a flash. It takes a bit of preparation, and probably a trip to the pharmacy for materials, but we think it’s worth it.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: This experiment should only be done with the help of an adult. Iodine will stain just about anything it touches and it can be hazardous. Hydrogen peroxide can cause eye and skin irritation – safety goggles are needed throughout the experiment. Be sure your helpful adult reads the caution labels on each container.

3 clear plastic cups 4 ounces or larger A 1000 mg Vitamin C tablet from the pharmacy (you can also use two 500mg) Tincture of iodine (2%) also from the pharmacy Hydrogen peroxide (3%) yep, also from the pharmacy Liquid laundry starch (see below for alternatives) Safety goggles Measuring spoons Measuring cup An adult helper

Put on those safety goggles and mash the 1000 mg Vitamin C tablet by placing it into a plastic bag and crushing it with a rolling pin or the back of a large spoon. Get it into as much of a fine powder as possible. Then put all the powder in the first cup and add 2 ounces (60 ml) of warm water. Stir for at least 30 seconds. (The water may be a little cloudy) Let’s call this “LIQUID A” Now put 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of your LIQUID A into a new cup and add to it: 2 oz (60 ml) of warm water and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of the iodine. Notice the brown iodine turned clear! Let’s call this “LIQUID B.” By the way, you’re done with LIQUID A – you can put it aside. In the last cup, mix 2 oz of warm water, 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) of the hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of the liquid starch. This is, you guessed it, “LIQUID C” Okay, that was a lot of preparation, on to the fun part. Gather the friends and family and pour all of LIQUID B into LIQUID C. Then pour them back and fourth between the 2 cups a few times. Place the cup down and observe….be patient….somewhere between a few seconds and a few minutes, the liquid will suddenly turn dark blue!

How does it work?

This is an example of the chemical reaction know as the IODINECLOCK REACTION. It is called a clock reaction because you can change the amount if time it takes for the liquids to turn blue. (see experiments below) The chemistry of the demonstration gets a bit complicated, but basically it is a battle of chemistry between the starch which is trying to turn the iodine blue, and the Vitamin C which is keeping it from turning blue. Eventually the Vitamin C loses and, bam! – you get instant blueness.

Note: If you do not have liquid starch, you can also use 1/2 teaspoon of corn starch or potato starch. The liquids will be more cloudy and the reaction will happen a bit more slowly, but it’s still impressive.

Clean up: Carefully pour all liquids down the drain with plenty of water and wash your hands. Recycle the cups or dispose of them in the trash.

MAKE IT AN EXPERIMENT

The project above is a DEMONSTRATION. To make it a true experiment, you can try to answer these questions:

1. Does the temperature of the water affect how quickly the liquids turn blue? 2. Does the amount of Vitamin C added (Liquid A) affect how fast the liquid turns blue? 3. Does stirring the liquids more affect how fast the liquids turn blue?

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Color Changing Flowers

A color changing flower experiment is a wonderfully simple science experiment you can do any time of the year. Also great for both the Spring season, Valentine’s Day or St Patrick’s Day! Fun kitchen science that is super easy to set up and is perfect for home or in the classroom. We love science activities for all seasons!

Explore Color Changing Flowers For Spring Science

Why not pick up some simple white flowers at the grocery store and pull out the food coloring. This color changing flower science experiment is a STEMy activity (pun intended).

Get ready to add this simple color changing carnations experiment to your spring STEM lesson plans this season.

Let’s get started if you want to learn about how water moves through plants and how the plant’s petals can change color. While you’re at it, make sure to check out these other fun  Spring STEM activities.

Plus, you don’t have just to use carnations, either. Observe capillary action with this walking water experiment, too! Learn all about capillary action with a hands-on science experiment.

Tips For Setting Up Your Experiment

Use a timer.

Although this color-changing flowers science project takes some time to see the results fully, check in on it occasionally and observe the changes in the flowers.

Set a timer every so often and have your kids record any changes over a day! Set it up in the morning and observe the changes at different times.

Apply The Scientific Method

You can turn these color changing flower activities into a science experiment in a couple of ways:

• Compare results using different types of white flowers. Does the type of flower make a difference?
• Keep the type of white flower the same, but try different colors in the water to see if that makes a difference.

Learn more about applying the scientific method for kids and how to choose variables .

Give It A Valentine’s Day or St Patrick’s Day Theme

This experiment is fun and easy for Valentine’s Day science or St Patrick’s Day STEM activities . All you need to do is change out the colors of the food coloring you use. Choose pink for Valentine’s Day and green for a St Patrick’s Day theme.

Color Changing Flower Experiment

• White flowers (experiment with different varieties)
• Vases or mason jars
• Food coloring

Instructions:

STEP 1:   Trim the stems of the white flowers (carnations work really well but these are what our local store had at the time) at an angle under water.

STEP 2: Squirt several drops of each color food into different glasses and fill halfway with water.

STEP 3: Place one flower into each jar of water.

STEP 4: Watch your carnations change color.

The Science of Color Changing Flowers

Turn beautiful white carnations into pink, blue or even green flowers. But how does it work?

The cut flowers take up the colored water through their stem and the water moves from the stem to the flowers and leaves. Water travels up tiny tubes in the plant by a process called capillary action . Putting a colored dye in the water in the vase allows us to observe capillary action at work.

What is capillary action?

Capillary action is the ability of a liquid (our colored water) to flow in narrow spaces (the flower stem) without the help of an outside force, like gravity.

As water evaporates from a plant, it is able to be pull up more water through the plant’s stem. As it does so, it attracts more water to come alongside it. This is called transpiration and cohesion.

Capillary action relies on the cohesive and adhesive properties of water molecules. Water molecules are attracted to each other (cohesion) and to the walls of the capillaries (adhesion). These properties help water move against gravity and through narrow spaces.

Transpiration is the process where water vapor leaves the plant through the leaves. As water evaporates from the leaves, it creates a negative pressure (tension) in the xylem, pulling more water up from the roots.

Helpful Resources To Get You Started

Here are a few resources that will help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

• Best Science Practices (as it relates to the scientific method)
• Science Vocabulary
• 8 Science Books for Kids
• All About Scientists
• Free Science Worksheets
• Science Supplies List
• Science Tools for Kids

Free Printable Spring STEM Cards

Free spring stem guide and challenge cards.

You’ll also be sent weekly projects to your inbox! We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Check out more fun spring science ideas!

Check out our list of plant activities for preschoolers , and plant experiments for elementary . Here’s a few of our favorites…

• Start a Seed Germination Jar
• How Do Leaves Drink?
• How Do Trees Breathe?
• Make Homemade Seed Bombs

Printable Spring Activities Pack

If you’re looking to grab all of the printables in one convenient place plus exclusives with a spring theme, our 300+ page Spring STEM Project Pack is what you need!

Weather, geology, plants, life cycles, and more!

11 Comments

Great ideas. Really useful. Thanks a lot.

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• Fifth Grade

Lesson 3.4 - Chemical Reactions & Color Change

Lesson overview for teachers.

View the video below to see what you and your students will do in this lesson. 

Youtube ID: 0-iCO0UQMM4

Downloads: Lesson Plan (PDF)   |   Student Activity Sheet (PDF)   |  Student Activity Sheet Answers (PDF)   |   Student Reading (PDF)   |   Teacher Background (PDF)   |   Connections to NGSS (PDF)

Students will be able to explain that if two substances cause turn a pH indicator different colors, they must be different substances. Students will be able to explain that the color that a substance turns a pH indicator is a characteristic property of that substance. Students will also be able to explain that different substances react in characteristic ways that can be used to identify a substance. 

Key Concepts

• A pH or acid-base indicator is a compound that changes color depending on the pH of the substance that is added to it.
• Acids and bases make pH indicators turn different colors.
• Two substances that turn the same pH indicator different colors must be different substances.
• The color that a substance turns a pH indicator is a characteristic property of that substance.
• An acid can neutralize a base, and a base can neutralize an acid

NGSS Alignment

• NGSS 5-PS1-3:  Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.
• NGSS 5-PS1-4:  Conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.
• Students squeeze red cabbage leaves in water to make an acid-base indicator solution.
• Students add laundry detergent powder (a base) and cream of tartar (an acid) to the indicator and see that the two solids cause different color changes.
• Students recognize that a particular color change is a characteristic property of a substance and that a color change can also be used as evidence that a chemical reaction has occurred.
• Students will explore what happens during neutralization by using a base to neutralize an acid, and an acid to neutralize a base.

Download the student activity sheet (PDF)  and distribute one per student when specified in the activity. The activity sheet will serve as the Evaluate component of the 5-E lesson plan.  

Make sure you and your students wear properly fitting safety goggles. Most generic or all-purpose solid laundry detergents contain 20–30% sodium carbonate by weight and may cause skin burns and eye irritation. The detergent powder may also be harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Avoid contact of laundry detergent powder with eyes and skin. Do not handle the powder with bare hands. 

Clean-up and Disposal 

Remind students to wash their hands after completing the activity. All common household or classroom materials can be saved or disposed of in the usual manner. 

Materials needed for each group 

• Red cabbage leaves
• Cream of tartar
• Powdered laundry detergent
• Zip-closing plastic bag (storage-grade, quart-size)
• 5 Clear plastic cups
• 2 Small cups
• 2 Popsicle sticks
• 1 Tablespoon
• Permanent marker
• White piece of paper
• Measuring spoon (for Teacher Preparation)

Materials needed for each group

• 1 piece of Ivory soap
• Paper towel
• 2 Empty 8-oz disposable water bottles with lids
• 4 Clear plastic cups
• 1 Small cup

Notes about the materials  Be sure you and the students wear properly fitting goggles. Use a fresh red cabbage (pre-shredded red cabbage will not work well). If you don't use all of your cabbage leaves, you can refrigerate the unused portions and save them for future use. 

Teacher Preparation

Label two small cups Cream of Tartar and Detergent for each group. Place ¼ teaspoon of detergent and ¼ teaspoon of cream of tartar in their labeled cups. 

Activity sheet 

Download the  student activity sheet (PDF)  and distribute one per student when specified in the activity. 

1. Introduce the activity and guide the class in making a red cabbage indicator solution.

Tell students that they will use a special color-changing solution, called an indicator, to test two different substances. Explain that they will prepare their own indicator solution using red cabbage leaves and will then test the indicator by adding two different substances to it.

Demonstrate the procedure for preparing an indicator as you guide students to make their own.

• Tear 2 red cabbage leaves into small pieces and place them in a storage grade zip-closing plastic bag.
• Carefully add 1 cup of room-temperature water to the plastic bag. Get as much air out of the bag as possible and then seal the bag securely.
• While holding the bag, squeeze the mixture of water and cabbage leaves until the water turns a medium to dark blue. It should take about 3–5 minutes.

• Open a corner of the plastic bag and carefully pour the liquid into an empty, clear plastic cup, leaving the cabbage pieces behind in the bag. The liquid is your indicator solution.

Explain to students that a red cabbage indicator changes color when certain chemicals are added to it. It turns pinkish when acids are added to it and greenish when bases are added to it. The indicator solution remains blue when neutral substances are added to it. A neutral substance is neither an acid nor a base. 

Give each student an Activity Sheet (PDF). Students will record their observations and answer questions about the activity on the activity sheet. 

2. Have students add an acid and a base to the indicator.  

Question to investigate: what can the color of an indicator solution tell you about the substances added to it.

• Label three empty clear plastic cups  Indicator + Detergent, Indicator + Cream of Tartar,  and  Control .
• Carefully pour 2 tablespoons of indicator solution into each cup. Place the three labeled cups on a piece of white paper to make it easier to compare any color changes that are observed.
• Record the color of the indicator solution in the  Control  cup.
• Use the end of a popsicle stick to scoop up a small amount of cream of tartar. Add the cream of tartar to the  Indicator + Cream of Tartar  cup.
• Gently swirl the cup to mix. Observe the color of the indicator and record any color change(s) in the chart on the activity sheet.

Expected results 

Cream of tartar turns the indicator a pinkish color.   

• Use the end of the other popsicle stick to scoop up a small amount of laundry detergent. Add the detergent to the Indicator + Detergent cup.
• Gently swirl the cup to mix. Observe the color of the indicator and record any color change(s) in the chart.

Laundry detergent turns the indicator a greenish-blue color. 

3. Discuss student observations.

Remind students that a red cabbage indicator turns pink when acids are added to it and green when bases are added to it. Ask students which substance they tested is an acid and which is a base. They should conclude that cream of tartar is an acid and laundry detergent is a base.

4. Have students neutralize the Indicator + Cream of Tartar solution and the Indicator + Laundry detergent solution.  

Question to investigate:  what happens if you add some acid to the indicator that already contains a base and what happens if you add some base to the indicator that already contains an acid  .

• Use the popsicle stick you used for the laundry detergent to add a small amount of detergent to the Indicator + Cream of Tartar cup and gently swirl the cup to mix. Observe and record any color changes.
• If needed, continue adding small amounts of laundry detergent until the solution returns to the original blue color of the indicator in the Control cup.

The pink color of the Indicator + Cream of Tartar solution will return to blue after small amounts of laundry detergent are added to it. The color of the indicator may not return to the exact same shade of blue as the control. 

• Use the popsicle stick you used for cream of tartar to add a small amount of cream of tartar to the Indicator + Detergent cup and gently swirl the cup to mix. Observe and record any color changes.
• If needed, continue adding small amounts of cream of tartar until the solution returns to the original blue color of the indicator in the Control cup.

Expected results:  

The green color of the Indicator + Laundry Detergent solution will return to blue after small amounts of cream of tartar are added to it. The color of the indicator may not return to the exact same shade of blue as the control.  

Explain that adding a base to a solution that already has an acid in it is called neutralizing the acid. Adding an acid to a solution that already has a base in it is called neutralizing the base. 

Ask students: 

• Were you able to return the pink (acidic) and green (basic) indicator solutions back to blue (the control color)? Yes.
• What could you have done if you had added too much detergent to the pink indicator solution and the indicator had turned more green instead of blue? Adding a very small amount of cream of tartar could turn the solution back to the blue (control) color.
• What could you have done if you had added too much cream of tartar to the basic indicator solution and it had turned pink or purplish-pink instead of blue? Adding a very small amount of detergent could turn the solution back to the blue (control) color.

5. Show an animation of acids and bases causing an indicator to change color.

Show the animation  Testing Powders with an Indicator Solution.

Explain that acids and bases are like chemical opposites. An acid gives a proton to the indicator. This changes the structure of the indicator, which also causes it to change color. A base accepts a proton from the indicator. This changes the structure of the indicator, which also causes it to change color.  

6. Show students some examples (PDF)  of using acids and bases and neutralization.

The color of many hydrangea flowers are dependent on whether the soil in which they are grown are more acidic or more basic.

Excess stomach acid can cause a stomachache. The extra acid can be neutralized by taking an antacid tablet, such as Tums or Rolaids. These antacids contain calcium carbonate, which is a base, and neutralizes the excess acid. 

The amount of acid or base in a swimming pool or aquarium can be adjusted by adding either an acid or base to help neutralize the water.  

The yellow scale on the left shows the amount of chlorine in the water. This test for chlorine is not a pH test but the reddish color on the right is a pH indicator, which shows the how acidic or basic the water is.   

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• Science Fair Project Ideas for Kids, Middle & High School Students ⋅

Color-Changing Liquid Experiments

How to Turn a Glass of Water With Red Dye Back Into Clear Water

Some of the most interesting and visually exciting science fair experiments are those that feature a wide array of moving colors. Color-changing liquid experiments are especially well-suited for younger students, as the chemicals and supplies needed for the projects are easy-to-access and, for the most part, relatively safe. Some ideas include experimenting with food coloring and water, milk of magnesia and vinegar, as well as the compounded color-changing effects of various other substances.

Food Coloring and Water

This experiment is designed to teach students about surface tension and Brownian motion, which concerns the effects of density on motion. According to AtoZTeacherStuff.com, to perform this experiment, you need a bowl of water, a spoon and some food coloring. After giving the water a gentle stir, add in one drop of food coloring, and observe. While you might expect the dye to disperse and dissolve rapidly in the water, quite the opposite is true. You may notice that it takes awhile for the dye to penetrate through the surface of the water, which is caused by surface tension, a web-like interconnection of surface water molecules. Also, because the food coloring molecules are denser than water molecules, it takes awhile for the “weaker” water molecules to shift around the “stronger” food coloring molecules and effectively disperse them.

Milk of Magnesia and Vinegar

Milk of magnesia is a white solution that consists of hydrated magnesium carbonate suspended in water. It is used as both an antacid and a laxative. According to SteveSpanglerScience.com, for this experiment, you need to pour 100 milliliters (mL) of milk of magnesia into a 500 mL beaker, and then add water, until the beaker is filled to approximately halfway. You then need to add in 10 mL of universal indicator--which is a chemical commonly used in pool kits to check pH levels--and stir. Because the milk of magnesia is an alkaline compound, you should notice the solution taking on a bluish hint. However, if you then add in 10 to 20 mL of vinegar into the solution (while stirring), you will notice something remarkable: The bluish solution will rapidly change to red. This is caused by the vinegar neutralizing the alkaline magnesium carbonate, which drastically increases the solution’s acidity.

Multiple Chemicals and Color Changes

Unlike the above-mentioned experiment, this experiment moves beyond simply changing a solution from alkaline to acidic. Instead, it seeks to determine the precise amount of specific chemicals that are needed to cause these changes. According to HomeTrainingTools.com, you should start by filling one flask or beaker with 25 drops of universal indicator and approximately 200 mL of water. Then, put a dropper full of vinegar in a second beaker, a dropper full of ammonia in a third beaker, and--finally--100 mL of vinegar in a fourth beaker. You then need to pour the contents of each beaker sequentially into the next, and observe the colors produced (so, pour the first into the second, the second into the third, and so on). While the vinegar will initially turn the solution red, the alkaline ammonia should neutralize it and change the solution to blue. If there is enough vinegar in the final beaker, the solution should turn back to red. You will need to experiment with the quantities to determine the precise amounts necessary to cause each change.

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• A to Z Teacher Stuff: Food Coloring Fun Part 1 - Color Swirls Experiment #438
• Steve Spangler Science: Color Changing Milk of Magnesia

About the Author

Erik Devaney is a writing professional specializing in health and science topics. His work has been featured on various websites. Devaney attended McGill University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in humanistic studies.

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Blue ink in the water on a white background image by Nadezda Kraft from Fotolia.com

Find Your Next Great Science Fair Project! GO

Science Fun

Color Changing Slime Color Science Experiment

In this fun and easy color science experiment for kids, we’re going to make a slime that changes colors.

• White school glue
• Thermochromic powder
• Food coloring
• Liquid starch

Instructions:

• Mix four ounces of glue with 1/3 cup of warm water.
• Add 2 tsp of thermochromic powder.
• Add about six drops of food coloring.
• Add ½ cup of liquid starch.
• Mix until slime forms.
• Touch cool or warm objects to your slime to observe it changing colors.

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How it Works:

Thermochromic powder is designed to temporarily change colors when exposed to different temperatures. These types of color changing powders contain a molecular structure that changes at a specific temperature. The molecular changes alters the wavelengths of light it reflects at those specific temperatures which causes the color changing effect. 

Make This A Science Project:

Try different colors of thermochromic powders. Try different slime activators like Borax and saline solution. Try exposing the thermochromic powder to long durations of cold by leaving the color changing slime in the freezer. 

EXPLORE TONS OF FUN AND EASY SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS!

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Color Changing Flowers Science Experiment

I just love this color changing flowers science experiment ! It is really easy to do and the kids love watching the flowers change color. We think it is the perfect science activity for spring!

I even created printable recording sheets that kids in preschool and early elementary can use to show their observations. Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of the post to get them.

Related: Walking Water Science Experiment

Color Changing Flowers Experiment

We love a good science experiment and this one did not disappoint. It was really neat to watch the flowers change colors. If you are looking for a science activity to try this spring, you should definitely give this one a go!

Supplies Needed:

• Free printable recording sheets (button to download at the bottom of this post)
• White carnations
• Liquid food coloring in a variety of colors

Instructions:

• To start you will want to trim down the stems of the flower so they fit your cups or glasses.
• Add water to each cup.
• Then put about 10-15 drops of food coloring in the water and stir around a bit.
• Add at least one carnation to each glass of colored water.
• Check in on the flowers every couple of hours and observe any changes.

Observing the Flowers Change Color

We did this color changing flower experiment in the early evening and we started to see changes within a couple of hours. Some of the flowers started showing faint streaks of color along their petals.

By the next morning, most of them were even more colorful. The flower in the purple water didn’t seem to be taking in much water, so I trimmed the stem a little more and it soon started showing more color in the petals.

The following day the color was even more vibrant.

We continued to watch the flowers over the next few days. They did get a bit brighter than the pics above, but never completely saturated in the color.

Next time, we plan to try even more food coloring to see if we get even more saturated colors. We also decided that we will try roses alongside carnations and see if one takes on the color better than the other.

There are lots of ways you can change-up the experiment. You can try doing several different flowers at once. Or you can try different amounts of food coloring.

How Do Plants Drink Water?

Plants drink water from the ground up through their roots. The water travels up the stem and into the petals of the flower. Although, our flowers didn’t have roots anymore they were still able to pull water up from the cup into the stem and up through the flower to the petals.

It is through capillary action that plants are able to defy gravity and pull water up and into their leaves and flowers.

To read more about capillary action, check out this awesome walking water science experiment !

We hope you’ll give this fun color changing flowers science experiment a try soon!

Science is Fun and Engaging for Kids!

Science experiments help foster curiosity, ignite children’s imagination and help develop a love for learning! It’s a fantastic way for kids to develop problem solving skills, critical thinking and improve fine motor skills while building confidence!

Your kids will have a blast while learning science concepts in the classroom or at home.

Other Fun Science Experiments for Kids

This rainbow  Walking Water Science Experiment  is one of our most popular science activities!

Try this super simple  Oobleck recipe  that only requires two household ingredients!

This rainbow skittles experiment is sure to WOW the kids!

Explore chromatography with this fun  chromatography science experiment  for kids!

This  rain cloud jar science experiment  give children a chance to explore clouds and rain in a hands-on and engaging way

The kids will get a kick out of this super cool  dancing raisins science experiment !

Looking for more fun science? Your kids will love these 30 science experiments !

How Wee Learn

Out of the box learning ideas, playful art, exploring nature, and simple living - that is How We Learn!

Science Experiment: Why Do Leaves Change Color?

September 6, 2023 by Sarah 71 Comments

Science experiments for kids are big in our home. My kids love them—and so do I. While teaching Kindergarten, I made science experiments a priority. Kids are so naturally curious about the world around them, and science experiments bring this learning fully to life!

This is my ABSOLUTE favorite science experiment of all time—oh yes, I promise it is THAT GOOD!

I even included this science experiment in Kindergarten at Home , my curriculum for children ages 4 to 6. Kindergarten at Home consists of 18 units, each spanning two weeks. This science experiment is part of the unit all about leaves! Your little one will make leaf art, prepare a fresh salad with you in the kitchen, practice their literacy skills through some fun leaf activities, and so much more.

Take a peek inside! Check out Kindergarten at Home right here:  https://shop.howweelearn.com/pages/kindergarten-at-home

Why Do Leaves Change Color?

When asked by my eldest daughter at age 3 (don’t ask me how many years ago that was!), “Why do leaves change color?” I had no answer.

I looked it up and found it too complicated for a 3-year-old, but I explained the best I could and let it be.

I was in Teacher’s College at the time, and wouldn’t you know, a few weeks later, we learned about—and did—a science experiment for kids about leaves changing color!  

It made things so much clearer that I immediately did the experiment with Madeline. And my future Kindergarten classes. And my future children. Multiple times. Yep, it really is that good!

Before we get started, be sure to download your Free Printable with step-by-step instructions for this fascinating Why Do Leaves Change Color? Science Experiment:

Please keep in mind this is my (limited) understanding, having done the experiment and some research in that class. I’d love to share it with you. So…

The Science Experiment!

Leaves contain chlorophyll. Chlorophyll makes the leaves green and is so dominant that it covers up all the other colors in the leaves. To figure out what color a leaf would be without the dominant chlorophyll color, we can separate the colors by doing this science experiment.

This experiment is very simple, and you likely already have everything you need!

• three leaves from the same tree
• rubbing alcohol
• plastic baggie or plastic wrap
• paper coffee filter
• small bowl or pan
• scissors (optional to cut the coffee filter)
• elastics (optional to hold the plastic wrap in place)
• tape (optional to hold coffee filter in place)

1. Have your child break the leaves into tiny pieces and put them in the jar. We decided to try leaves from two different trees to see how the results compare (being careful to keep each pile of leaves separate).

2. Pour rubbing alcohol over the leaves until they are just covered. A feline supervisor is optional, but highly encouraged.

3. Mash and stir the leaves into the rubbing alcohol until the alcohol turns slightly green. Really give it a good mashing—this is key. We used a plastic spoon so we could really mush and poke the leaves without worrying about accidentally breaking the jar.

4. Cover the jar with a baggie or plastic wrap. We used a rubber band to help hold it in place. Place the jar in a bowl and pour hot water into the bowl.

5. Leave the jar in the hot water for at least 30 minutes, occasionally swishing the jar to stir the leaves. The alcohol should be a dark green (leave longer if needed). If you can resist, wait 45 minutes or even an hour. We found the color difference in the rubbing alcohol at this stage interesting! Is the chlorophyll perhaps stronger in the leaves on the right?

6. Cut a strip from the coffee filter so it can reach the rubbing alcohol. Place it in the jar, and secure it with a small piece of tape at the top edge if needed.

7. The liquid will travel up the coffee filter, and the colors will separate as the alcohol evaporates off the coffee filter. Let this happen for about an hour for the full effect.

There was definitely a difference between the two types of leaves we chose! While it was difficult to capture in the photo, we could see a lot of orange-red tones in the coffee filter strip on the left, and more yellow tones in the one on the right. We also noticed that the size of the orange-red tinge in the strip on the left was larger than the yellow tinge in the strip on the right.

And sure enough, the leaves on the left turn an orange-red shade in the fall, and the leaves on the right turn yellow!

So… Why Do Leaves Change Color?

In this science experiment, we used rubbing alcohol and energy (hot water) to separate the colors. You likely saw green and, depending on your leaf type, maybe red, yellow, or orange.

As we know, chlorophyll gives leaves their green color and is so dominant it hides the other colors in the leaves. But in the fall, chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down, allowing the other colors to finally shine through and show their beautiful reds, yellows, and oranges.

I hope you and your little ones enjoyed this experiment! Science is everywhere, and science experiments for kids are such a wonderful way to build on our children’s natural curiosity about the world.

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September 8, 2013 at 8:02 pm

This is a great experiment. Not even just for the kids – I find it fascinating too! lol. Pinned it!

September 8, 2013 at 11:38 pm

I think so too! I love activities that are as exciting for me as they are for my wee ones! Thank you for pinning 🙂

October 4, 2018 at 10:27 am

my class is doing this experiment today.

September 15, 2013 at 7:02 am

Ooooh what a great experiment. I’ve struggled to explain this too.

Thanks for linking to The Sunday Showcase. I’ve pinned to our board.

September 15, 2013 at 11:03 am

Yes – The leaves changing can be tricky to explain! Hopefully this experiment helps it to make a bit of sense – and if your wee one is too young to grasp it, it makes for a cool magic trick all the same! Thank you for pinning

September 25, 2013 at 1:01 pm

What an awesome investigation. I saw this experiment in several other posts with comments that it didn’t quite work. I think they didn’t “stew” the solution like you did. I asked my second grader about color change and got the lecture on chlorophyll back, but I know she will enjoy this experiment and seeing this color separation on her own. Thank you so much for sharing it – I will be featuring this post in the next edition of Afterschool! And, by the way, we just did a fun experiment of our own – http://learningwithmouse.blogspot.com/2013/09/mystery-substanceself-led-discovery.html

September 25, 2013 at 1:28 pm

Thanks Natalie! Yes, I have done this experiment many times – worked every one! It is important to really mash the leaves and be patient. I hope it works well for you – please come back to let us know! I will definitely head over to check out your experiment – we are always up for Science ideas!

September 27, 2013 at 6:35 pm

Thanks so much for sharing this great Science experiment over at After School!

September 27, 2013 at 7:27 pm

My pleasure – thank you for hosting!

September 30, 2013 at 1:03 am

Very cool! I think my kids would love doing this project. Thanks for sharing at the After School Party

September 30, 2013 at 1:05 am

Thank you Kelly. Yes, I think it is a super cool experiment too – for grown ups as well 🙂

September 30, 2013 at 3:31 am

This is awesome! I’m adding this to my must-do list. My son would LOVE it! Thanks for sharing this at the After School Linky Party. I’m featuring it this week. Stop by tomorrow and share more of your phenomenal ideas!

October 1, 2013 at 1:13 am

What a compliment – thank you! I would love to stop by 🙂 Hope you enjoy with your son … Gotta love Science!!

October 2, 2013 at 6:26 pm

Thank you so much for sharing this, Sarah! We went on a nature hike when the leaves were starting to change colour and I have been thinking that I needed to find something to explain to the kids why the leaves change colour. This is perfect!

I found your post through the Mom’s Library Link-up.

October 8, 2013 at 1:12 am

What a neat experiment! My daughter loves science so I will have to do this with her:) I am featuring you on my blog for the “Hearts for Home Blog Hop”. The link will be posted on Thursday:)

October 8, 2013 at 1:46 am

Thank you so much for the feature Erika! I love Science too.

November 8, 2019 at 1:00 pm

Thanks my class of children are 2….they don’t understand but they LOVE my science experiments……and I have fun doing it with them

October 20, 2013 at 2:41 pm

It’s really interesting that rubbing alcohol will make the colors in leaves separate. We will have to try that. I would love to have you visit and link up with my Entertaining and Educational Friday blog hop. – http://highhillhomeschool.blogspot.com

October 20, 2013 at 7:28 pm

It is interesting Julie. Rubbing Alcohol breaks down the chlorophyll, imitating what happens in the cold weather. I find Science so fascinating too! I would love to link up to your blog hop on Friday – I will try to stop by this week! Thanks for the invite,

November 2, 2013 at 10:18 pm

What a cool experiment! I am bookmarking this one for when the twins are a little older- they will love it (and so will I)! Thanks for linking up to Discover & Explore this week!

November 4, 2013 at 9:40 pm

It really is cool. Glad you think so too! Thanks for having me over to link.

November 8, 2013 at 7:42 am

This is such an interesting experiment! I had no idea you could do that. I’m featuring you today in a collection of weather experiments for kids. Thanks for linking up to Discover & Explore!

November 8, 2013 at 7:10 pm

Thanks Shaunna! Yes, it is a really neat experiment – I am eager to check out the others in your round up! Thank you for the feature 🙂

November 22, 2014 at 5:36 pm

Wow! Can hardly wai to try!

December 1, 2014 at 8:43 pm

Oh I hope you do give it a try Barb! It is one we do every year … very, very cool!

September 3, 2015 at 6:09 pm

If I remember correctly, I think rubbing alcohol will also separate out the colors from a permanent marker (e.g. a Sharpie pen). Wonder if the color from chlorophyll is somehow similar? Might be amusing to do as a side by side experiment. 🙂

September 3, 2015 at 7:21 pm

Fascinating – I don’t know about this one, but I certainly want to find out! Thank you for taking the time to mention it Gwen!

September 25, 2015 at 8:16 am

I came across your blog earlier this week because my oldest asked why leaves changed colors. So, we did this experiment. They had so much fun! We ended up using the colored alcohol as a form of watercolor paint. Well we tried to, it didn’t work very well haha.

September 30, 2015 at 10:58 pm

So happy you found me here Chelsey! Glad your little ones liked the experiment. What a cool idea about the watercolour paint from the alcohol!

September 30, 2015 at 3:23 pm

wow. i love this science project. next week we are doing leaves for the theme of the week. can’t wait to do this with the children. they are going to love it.

September 30, 2015 at 10:54 pm

I bet you they will love it! And I am glad you sound so eager about it too – that will make them love it even more! It’s awesome – and so are you! Thank you for commenting!

October 14, 2015 at 5:12 pm

Something went wrong with our experiment. We don’t have any color on our coffee filter. I stewed it like you said. Should we take the coffee filter out of our jar and let it dry?

October 14, 2015 at 7:48 pm

Hmmm – rats! Sorry to hear! I don’t think taking it out and letting it dry will make a difference (however you might as well give it a try, perhaps you will e able to see a faint line) . Perhaps try again with more leaves, really really mashed. I promise it really does work! Sorry it didn’t for you – very disappointing!

October 15, 2015 at 10:39 pm

Thanks for your help! I think there is a VERY faint line of yellow. It’s hard to tell. I probably didn’t mash it enough. That’s okay. It was a learning experience for my son to figure out what to do when something doesn’t turn out right.

October 25, 2015 at 8:10 pm

Well I certainly love your positive attitude! I bet it will work for you next time – just mash like crazy!!!

October 19, 2015 at 12:14 pm

Oh I love this so much! I can’t wait to try it with my little girls, thank you for posting! 🙂

October 25, 2015 at 8:07 pm

So glad you are excited! Hope you and your little one have fun!

November 18, 2015 at 5:49 am

Hello. I would really like to do this experiment with some children, the only problem is that in my country we don’t have white coffe filtres. Can you recommend me something else to use instead?

December 1, 2015 at 7:43 pm

Hi Myriam – great question. I am afraid I do not know of an alternate, but perhaps somebody else will – anyone?

February 25, 2016 at 2:19 am

It’s good

September 13, 2018 at 11:15 am

How about paper towels?

October 5, 2018 at 8:20 pm

I’m not sure if this would work as effectively – but if you give it a try, please let me know!!

September 8, 2019 at 4:42 am

IF you know a a science teacher, (high school, college, middle school), you might be able to get lab filter paper, or the real deal, chromatography paper. If your alcohol isn’t dark green, let it sit on the leaves overnight, in the dark, and most all of the pigments will be extracted. Yellow are carotenoids, red would be anthocyanins. Which makes me wonder if you could grate carrots and see those pigments.

April 18, 2016 at 5:54 pm

You should also play with purple cabbage juice. It’s a great pH indicator and you can test loads of household items: baking soda, lemon juice, soda… 🙂

April 18, 2016 at 10:34 pm

Thanks for the suggestion! Very much appreciated!

October 16, 2016 at 8:46 pm

We are doing this for my daughter’s 6th grade science fair project. We tried 3 different leaves from our yard. But only 1 gave us a faint yellowish line. I’m not sure if we didn’t mash it well enough. We tried it again using 2 different types of leaves and only one gave us good results. I don’t know if it’s the type of leaves we used. We live in Central Florida and don’t see leaves cancer by much. We will keep on trying till we get better results. It’s too late to change project ideas. ?

October 19, 2016 at 8:24 pm

Oh No! I hope it works for you. A few tips would be to super, duper mash the leaves, leave the filter as long as possible in the mixture, and use really, really hot water. We are in Canada and get a whole plethora of colours in the Autumn. I am not sure if it makes a difference – I hope it works for you!

October 7, 2020 at 5:18 pm

I’m not sure if the use of the metal lid to the canning jar made a difference but I did not get the results I expected. I plan to try again later tonight with plactic wrap. Any ideas for how to make the colors pop?

July 12, 2017 at 12:14 am

Have you tried this experiment with a leaf already changing color? If it’d work, it’d be neat to compare the filter strip of the green leaf to the changing leaf months later.

July 17, 2017 at 10:14 pm

That’s a neat idea!

August 31, 2017 at 2:23 pm

Thank you for sharing this simple science idea. To be honest I had forgotten why leaves turn color, so it was a nice little reminder and education for me as well. -makeitmindful

October 19, 2017 at 10:41 am

Glad you enjoyed it!

September 23, 2017 at 9:31 am

Just tried this and made some modifications that worked really well, so thought I would share. I let the leaves sit for several hours in the alcohol (about 4 hours). Then I poured the liquid into a clear glass cup and added an equal volume of water. It was cool to see what the liquid looked like in the clear cup (it was brightly pigmented at this point)! For the filter paper strips – after sitting for one hour there were some faint bands, but nothing impressive. I let the filter paper strips sit overnight, and WOW – there were vibrant bands in the morning! I tried hydrangea leaves (green – turn yellow in the fall), and red maple leaves. The red maple leaves were especially beautiful – there was a thick band of purple pigment at the top of the evaporation line and lower band of green pigment. Hope this is helpful! Thanks for posting this fun experiment!

October 18, 2017 at 3:02 pm

Thank you so much for taking the time to add your modifications Abbi!

November 2, 2019 at 5:25 pm

Why did you dilute the leaf-alcohol solution with water? Wouldn’t that dilute the pigments as well?

October 7, 2018 at 12:27 pm

That is wonderful example for Extraction and color chromatography.Thank you very much.

October 14, 2018 at 8:59 pm

So glad you liked the post – thank you for taking the time to let me know!

October 28, 2018 at 12:53 am

Instead of rubbing alcohol can I use spirit or nail polish remover.

October 28, 2018 at 9:32 pm

I’m afraid I am not sure the answer to this question Sonali. Hopefully someone else will and will reply to your message. If you give it a try please let me know if it works. Thank you!

June 6, 2019 at 12:15 pm

Tried this yesterday with 3 kindergarten classes. It didn’t really work, even hours later at the end of the day. I even tried mashing the leaves in a food processor. But then I checked today and there was faint colour lines!! Maybe because I used 50% rubbing alcohol? Anyway, cool experiment.

August 9, 2019 at 9:05 pm

Oh Shucks! I have found that really, really mashing the leaves is key – but clearly you did that with the food processor. Maybe it was the lower concentration of alcohol. Sorry it didn’t work! That is so disappointing.

October 21, 2019 at 10:23 am

Does this experiment make the leaves themselves actually change color? Do the leaves turn yellow or red? Or just the paper gets color on it?

November 16, 2019 at 4:28 pm

Hi Amanda, great question. It just makes the PAPER change colour.

November 4, 2020 at 11:48 am

Hey Sarah! I’ve done this experiment before and loved it. But this year my kiddos have taken us into a leaves and tree study now and all the leaves have already fallen off of trees. Will this experiment work with a dead leaf (one I get from the ground)?? Let me know. Thanks!

November 11, 2020 at 9:59 pm

What an interesting question! I don’t believe it will work with a dead leaf, as the process is complete. But I could be incorrect!

July 12, 2021 at 3:36 pm

What do you recommend I use if I don’t have coffee filters?

July 15, 2021 at 8:06 am

Hmmm … great question. I wonder if just paper towel would work? I am not sure! Perhaps someone else in this community will have insight!

September 29, 2021 at 5:48 pm

The kids loved this experiment!! We got great results! Thanks for sharing!!!

October 25, 2021 at 12:37 pm

So awesome!!!!! Thank you for sharing! xo

[…] A science experiment about why leaves change colour would be a great extension for older preschoolers.  And an art extension making a fall tree would […]

[…] Science Experiment: Why Do Leaves Change Color? […]

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