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Fireworks in a jar, science experiment for kids.

• March 24, 2020

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Science experiment for kids.

Fireworks in a jar is a really simple and fun science experiment that will amaze your kids! 

This easy science project only uses three ingredients-which you probably already have in your kitchen…water, oil and food coloring! 

Fireworks in a jar is a safe, hands-on way to teach kids concepts about cause and effect, color mixing, polarity and density. 

Before you begin, explain the steps of the experiment to your child. Ask your child to predict what will happen. During the experiment ask your child to describe their observations. After the experiment, talk to your child about their hypothesis-was it correct? If it was incorrect, talk with your child about what actually happened. 

Food Coloring

Cooking oil, explores scientific concepts, experiments with cause and effect, introduces new vocabulary words, hands-on learning, teaches concept of density and polarity, explores color mixing, fireworks in a jar science experiment, step 1: fill jar, fill a jar 3/4 of full with warm water, step 2: add oil and food coloring, add 3-4 tbls of oil to a shallow plate, pick 3 colors of food coloring and add 3-4 drops of each color to the oil, tips: i found that using three drops of three colors worked best-any more than that darkened the water too quickly, step 3: break up food coloring, using the back of a fork to break about the food coloring into smaller droplets, step 4: add oil, carefully pour the oil and food coloring into the jar of water, the food coloring will cut through the oil and drop into the water, once the food coloring drops into the water it will make a little “explosion” when it hits the water and begins to dissolve, how does it work, oil and water can’t mix because water is made up of polar molecules and oil is made up of non-polar molecules , oil is less dense than water so will float above the more dense water, food coloring is aslo unable to to mix with oil, food coloring is heavier than oil so will drop from the oil into the water, when it does the food coloring will make what looks like a little “explosions” as it hits the water and begins to dissolve., more science activities for kids.

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Science Fun

Water Fireworks

• Food Coloring (Any color of your choosing)
• 16 oz clear glass
• Another 16 oz clear glass

Instructions:

• Fill the tall glass almost to the top with room-temperature water.
• Pour 2 tablespoons of oil into the other glass.
• Add 2 drops of food coloring to the glass with the oil.
• Stir the oil into the food coloring using a fork. Stop once you break the food coloring into smaller drops.
• Pour the oil and coloring mixture into the tall glass.
• Now watch! The food coloring will slowly sink in the glass, with each droplet expanding outwards as it falls. Looks like fireworks! Right?

VIDEO COMING SOON BUT YOU CAN STILL ENJOY THESE AWESOME EXPERIMENTS!

How it Works:

Food coloring dissolves in water, but not in oil. So when you pour in your food coloring/oil mixture the oil will float at the top of the water because it is less dense, and the food coloring will begin to dissolve once they sink through the oil and into the water.

Extra Experiments:

• Try using red and blue as you food coloring, and do one drop of blue and one drop of red when you start to mix the oil and food coloring together.
• Try doing it without the oil and observe and record how the results are different.
• Try using a larger glass, does it change the results?

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Easy Water Fireworks Science Project for Kids

Water fireworks are a safe and easy science project kids can enjoy any day of the year. The project uses edible kitchen ingredients and simple materials to make color “explode” in water, much like fireworks. Water fireworks also involve interesting science concepts, like density, diffusion, emulsion, polarity, and color theory.

Water Firework Materials

All you need is:

• Food Coloring
• Clear glass or jar

If you don’t have food coloring, you can substitute water colors or acrylic paint. What matters is that the color is water-based and not oil-based.

Make Water Fireworks in a Glass

There are two methods to try. The first one forms large “firework” shapes in the water.

• Fill a glass of water.
• Add a bit of oil.
• Drip food coloring onto the oil. You can use one color or multiple colors.
• If you like, use the tine of a fork to break drops into smaller ones.

The second method yields many smaller “fireworks.” It’s great for multiple colors.

• Pour a bit of oil in a small container.
• Drip food coloring into the oil.
• Use a fork to break the droplets and mix them. Don’t mix too much or all the colors will combine.
• Pour the oil and food coloring into a tall glass of water.

How Water Fireworks Work

Water fireworks illustrate several scientific concepts:

• Density : Density is the amount of matter in a volume. Oil is less dense than water, so it floats on it.
• Miscibility : Miscibility is another way of saying “mixability.” If two liquids are miscible, they mix together. Food coloring and water are miscible. If you stir the dye into water, it completely disperses in the liquid. Oil and water and immiscible. They don’t mix. So, oil floats on top of water and doesn’t mix with it.
• Polarity : Polarity is the main reason food coloring and water mix, but oil and water don’t. Polarity is a measure of the electrical charge distribution around a molecule. The charge is evenly distributed around nonpolar molecules. One part of a polar molecule has a partial negative charge, while part has a partial positive charge. The basic rule of polarity is that “like dissolves like.” So, polar liquids dissolve in other polar liquids. Nonpolar liquids dissolve in nonpolar liquids. Nonpolar liquids (like oil) and polar liquids (like water and food coloring) don’t mix.
• Emulsion : You can mix immiscible liquids. If the drops don’t separate, they form an emulsion. Mayonnaise is a familiar example of an emulsion. When you mix oil and water, they separate, but if the drops are small enough it takes a while. When you stir food coloring and oil together, the oil surrounds the food coloring droplets. Eventually, the food coloring droplets sink down to the surface of the water. They don’t disperse in water the same as if you just dripped food coloring into water because other tiny food coloring cells merge and release color. Some oil gets pulled down into the water and then rises back up.
• Diffusion : Food coloring spreads through water through a passive process called diffusion. This process still occurs in water fireworks, but the oil molecules sometimes get between dye particles and water, leading to a more interesting pattern.
• Colors : If you select the right food colorings, you can see how colors combine. Red and blue make purple. Yellow and blue make green.

Homemade Lava Lamp

Water fireworks imitate real fireworks. They can imitate a lava lamp too. Just drop an Alka-Seltzer tablet into the water. The bubbles add motion to the water fireworks, causing oil globules to rise and fall like lava.

From Science Project to Science Experiment

Take water fireworks to the next level by including the scientific method . First, make observations about the project. Next, think of a factor you can change and make a prediction or form a hypothesis about what effect you think the change will have. Conduct an experiment and see whether or not your hypothesis was supported.

Here are ideas of factors you can change (the independent variable):

• Does the temperature of the water affect how quickly water fireworks form or how far they spread?
• What happens if you mix food coloring with other substances? Good examples to try include 2% or whole milk (which contains some fat), juice, rubbing alcohol, and dishwashing liquid.
• What happens if you omit the oil and just drip food coloring into water?
• What happens if you change the size or shape of the glass?

Related Posts

Fireworks in a Jar Science Experiment for Kids

This fireworks in a jar science experiment  is so much fun and super easy to do! My kids really loved it and it only takes a few minutes to setup! Check out the video to see how easy this  fireworks in a jar experiment really is.

Fireworks in a Jar Science Experiment

This is one of our new favorite science activities. The kids loved it because it’s so quick that they were able to try lots of different color combinations! They experimented with many different variations and used different amounts of each color, hot water vs cold and so much more.

There was no end to their creativity and all they had to do was replace the oil and water to start with their next version!

Our step-by-step guide will take you through this engaging activity that combines science and art, ensuring your child learns through experimentation and practical example while having a blast!

Video of Fireworks in a Jar Science Experiment

Setting up the fireworks in a jar experiment.

Note: This should be done with adult supervision at all times. To start, gather the following materials:

• Large clear jar
• Small bowl for oil and food coloring
• Vegetable oil
• Liquid Food coloring (assorted colors)
• Protective surface

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Begin by setting up an organized workspace. You will want to lay down a protective surface like a tray to make sure you catch any potential spills. The liquid food coloring can stain.

• Take the large jar and fill it about 3/4 of the way full.
• Take the small bowl and fill it with 3-4 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
• Add 2-4 drops of each of the food coloring colors you choose! Experiment with different combinations!

• Stir the vegetable oil and food color droplets slowly with a spoon. You want them to break apart some, but not too much.

• Once you are done stirring, slowly pour the vegetable oil into the mason jar.

• Watch as the fireworks begin once the food coloring sinks out of the vegetable oil and hits the water. Once the color hits the water it will expand quickly and combine with the other colors.

The great thing about this experiment is the vast number of variations. Your kids will be able to experiment with different amounts of droplets for each color. They can try different temps for the water and different amounts of vegetable oil. Our kids loved making different color combinations like purple by combining blue and red droplets.

• If you use hot water, the food coloring will dissolve faster when it hits the water. If you want the reactions to be a little slower use colder water.
• If you over-mix the food droplets in the oil, it will dissolve faster. Stir less to slow it down.

The Science Behind the Experiment

Food coloring does not dissolve in oil, but it does in water. Because the oil is less dense than water it will not mix with the water. The oil will stay at the top and the water will sink below because it is heavier. The food color droplets will sink out of the oil because they are heavier than oil. Once they hit the water they will dissolve and it will look like tiny fireworks.

Questions to Ask

Does the water temperature affect anything?

What color do you think this combination of food colors will make?

What role do you think the vegetable oil plays in this experiment?

Educational Benefits

Apart from the visual fun, this experiment offers numerous benefits for children:

• Critical Thinking: Kids will experiment with different variations as they use trial and error to figure out how to manipulate the experiment.
• Chemical Reactions: They will be introduced to simple chemical reactions, creating curiosity about the interactions between substances.
• Fine Motor Skills: Kids will help with mixing the vegetable oil and food coloring, and then pouring that mixture into the jar slowly, using their fine motor skills.

Watch as your child’s eyes light up with excitement and curiosity as they witness the mesmerizing fireworks in a jar!

More Fun Science Experiments for Kids

This rainbow  Walking Water Science Experiment  will wow your kids!

The  Oobleck recipe  is super easy to make and will keep the kids entertained!

This  rainbow skittles experiment  is a colorful water dissolving experiment as well!

This  color changing flowers experiment is always a big hit for the kids!

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Written by Muneebah • Feb 8, 2024 • Leave a Comment

Fireworks In A Jar Science Experiment

Real fireworks can be a hazard, and that’s why fireworks in a jar are the best option! Celebrate New Year’s or any holiday during the year with this easy science experiment. Plus, this little project only uses 3 ingredients! Everyone will love homemade fireworks in a jar during your celebrations. The best part – no loud noises are involved!

Table of Contents

You can add these science experiments in a jar activity to your holiday celebration fun over New Year’s, use it as a resource for your science lesson plans, or as a fun way to keep the kids occupied. One of the best chemical reactions is a child’s fascination.

This science experiment in a jar activity is easy to set up, has low prep, targets important concepts, and is so much fun! Plus, the supply list is super affordable, and you may have most, if not all the items at home.

Materials Required

All you need is the following:

• Canola oil (This is a vegetable oil)
• Food coloring

Check out our favorite  kindergarten and preschool supplies list  here.

Watch the fireworks in a jar oil and water science experiment video

While you’re at it, why not set up these free New Years activities too?

• New Years Coloring Pages
• New Years Color By Letters

Plus, here’s a link to all the Official United States 2024 Holidays so you know when to make fireworks in a jar!

How to Make Fireworks in a Jar

Head to your kitchen and grab your supplies. Use a large jar or bowl. Full disclosure: if you don’t have a separate bowl for extra use, you can use a disposable cup; I use any old cup or container and incur no additional cost.

The fireworks in a jar experiment asks the scientific question, ‘What happens when oil and water mix?’. Ask the kids and let them jot down their hypotheses (guesses).

1– Fill the mason jar with warm water up to 3/4 of the jar.

2– Add about 5 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a separate bowl or cup. Thereafter, add drops of food coloring to the oil. We used red, blue, green, and orange.

3– Try to break up the colored droplets with a fork.

4– Add the oil and food coloring mixture to the water mixture.

5– Then, wait for the food coloring to fall into the water and watch the ‘fireworks.’

Look how beautiful the effects are! Share your images with me on Instagram @funwithmama .

Check out more STEM activities and simple science experiments like:

• Water in a Bag – a fun water experiment
• Walking Water – to understand color mixing
• Skittles Rainbow – a candy science project kids will love!

Variations for Fireworks in a Jar

What variables can you change to engage the kids further?

• Mix different colors in one jar, or use one color per jar.
• Experiment with cold water and let the kids observe if there are any visible changes to the fireworks.

T he Science Behind Fireworks in a Jar

This experiment entails diving into the concept of liquid density. This concept includes both physics and chemistry! When you observe the fireworks in a jar, you will see that oil and water do not mix. But why don’t they mix?

Liquids have different weights or densities as a result of their molecular structure (this is what they’re made up of). Water is heavier than oil, and therefore, it sinks because it is made up of a different number of molecules than oil.

Food coloring (the one you find on shelves in grocery stores) is water-based and will dissolve in water but not in oil. This is why the food coloring drops and oil remain separate in the jar. As you pour the oil and colored drops into the jar, the food coloring drops begin to sink because they are heavier than the oil. Once they reach the water in the jar, it creates a fireworks effect in the jar. Adding the food coloring to the oil slows down the process of the water and food coloring mixing!

For your lesson plans

Interested in the scientific details behind the activity? Here are some key points which you can explain to older kids:

• Water and oil are immiscible ; this means they do not mix.
• We all know that water is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Water is polar and has a partial negative charge from the oxygen atom and a partial positive charge from the hydrogen atoms. These positive and negative charges allow the molecules to be attracted to each other and form strong bonds.
• Oil is composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms – it is called a hydrocarbon . Unlike water, these hydrocarbons are non-polar , meaning there are no positive or negative charges. The bonds are not strong enough to break the bonds between water molecules and this is why they don’t mix. We call oil hydrophobic or ‘water fearing’.
• Food coloring is water-based and it will not mix with oil. It will form tiny spheres within it. It is more dense than oil because the atoms are more tightly packed than oil. This causes the coloring to sink. When you pour the oil and food coloring the oil floats to the top and carries the food coloring inside it. But, when the liquids settle, the food coloring sinks into the oil and goes into the water.

Now the real magic happens. Food coloring is denser than water so it sinks right to the bottom of the jar. As it sinks, it begins to mix and slowly dissolve into the water. As the dye spreads, it leaves a beautiful trail that resembles fireworks.

Benefits of Science Experiments for Early Childhood Development

It’s important to incorporate scientific experiments for early childhood development. Science experiments:

• Encourage curiosity and exploration.
• Foster scientific literacy.
• Cultivate a love of learning.
• Promote teamwork and communication skills.
• Teach problem-solving skills.

Click here for more Benefits Of Science Experiments For Kids .

More Science Experiments

Muneebah is a proud woman in STEM. When she's not in the lab, she loves exploring the world of literature and early childhood education and development.

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Water Fireworks Science Experiment

I have a fun and simple science experiment to share with you today. It’s a great visual which I have always thought was the best way to teach science, and so easy that kids can do it! This is a lesson on density, the measure of quantity of mass per volume ( aka how many molecules are crammed together within a unit of volume ).

Materials: Warm tap water in a glass jar Cooking oil Liquid food coloring.

As you probably already know, oil and water don’t mix. Allow the oil to settle into a layer above the water. The oil is LESS dense than the water which means it is LIGHTER than the water. This means that the molecules in the oil are not packed as tightly together as the molecules in the water.

Once the two layers settle out, add food coloring drop by drop.

The food coloring will fall through the oil and settle where the oil and water meet, but still within the oil layer. Food coloring has a density HIGHER than the oil, making it more similar to the density of the water.

Eventually the density of the food coloring will pull it through the oil layer and into the water. Once it reaches the water, it begins to mix with a fun “explosion” of color!

A little secondary lesson you can try: Temperature can affect density. We used warm water for this experiment. Try it with cold water. It slows down how quickly the food coloring falls into the water. What do you think hot water will do?

Not too difficult right? Science is fun, y’all!

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Water Fireworks

By: Author Michele McDonald

Posted on Published: August 14, 2017

Water Fireworks – A simple science experiment that shows how density work. So easy the kids can do it!

I have a fun and simple science experiment to share with you today. It’s a great visual which I have always thought was the best way to teach science, and so easy that kids can do it! This is a lesson on density, the measure of quantity of mass per volume ( aka how many molecules are crammed together within a unit of volume ).

Materials: Warm tap water in a glass jar Cooking oil Liquid food coloring.

As you probably already know, oil and water don’t mix. Allow the oil to settle into a layer above the water. The oil is LESS dense than the water which means it is LIGHTER than the water. This means that the molecules in the oil are not packed as tightly together as the molecules in the water.

Once the two layers settle out, add food coloring drop by drop.

The food coloring will fall through the oil and settle where the oil and water meet, but still within the oil layer. Food coloring has a density HIGHER than the oil, making it more similar to the density of the water.

Eventually the density of the food coloring will pull it through the oil layer and into the water. Once it reaches the water, it begins to mix with a fun “explosion” of color!

A little secondary lesson you can try: Temperature can affect density. We used warm water for this experiment. Try it with cold water. It slows down how quickly the food coloring falls into the water. What do you think hot water will do?

Not too difficult right? Science is fun, y’all!

Linking up to Flamingo Toes , Today’s Creative Blog , Tidymom , My Repurposed Life , Tatertots & Jello , and other great parties found on my party page .

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Isadora Guidoni

Friday 25th of August 2017

These look so awesome!! I loooove making these mini experiments, so much fun!

Monday 21st of August 2017

That was a fun little science experiment. Thank you for sharing at Over the Moon link party. Shared and pinned.

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Fireworks In A Jar: Fourth of July Density Science Experiment For Kids

This post may contain affiliate links.

Learn how to create a colorful and exciting Fourth of July fireworks in a jar with just a few simple ingredients. This science experiment is perfect for kids.  It will teach them about density and chemical reactions between different liquids. And it’s not just for the 4th of July!  It can be used any time of year. 

Also check out this Liquid Density Experiment for Kids ! It’s another cool way to demonstrate varying liquid densities. 

What Are Fireworks in a Jar?

These homemade Fireworks in a Jar are far from real fireworks. There are no loud noises or fire. However it is still a celebration! They are a cool way to demonstrate some physics and chemistry concepts for Independence Day.

Who says educational activities are just for school days? You may remember this activity from your childhood since it is a great classic. I would say this activity could easily be done with very little adult supervision. 

Supplies Needed

• Vegetable oil
• Liquid food coloring
• Large jar or glass

Instructions to Make Fireworks in a Jar  

•   Fill the Jar with Warm Water : Pour warm water into a clear large jar or a tall glass until it’s about three-quarters full.

The Science Behind It:

Density Difference: Oil is less dense than water. Since they are different weights, it floats on top of the water.

Variations on the Fireworks In a Jar Experiment:

Ice Cube Fireworks . Freeze cubes of colored water. Fill the jar with warm water, add a layer of oil, then add the colored ice cubes. 

We loved this one even better than the original because the reaction lasted much longer!

We used yellow and blue for this one and it mixed so nicely! I made the star ice cubes with a star-shaped silicone mold . 

Baking Soda and Vinegar Fireworks : Fill the jar halfway with warm water and mix in a spoonful of baking soda.  Add a layer of vegetable oil. In a small bowl, mix food coloring with vinegar.  Pour the vinegar and food coloring mixture into the jar. This one didn’t have the same swirling color reaction, but it was fun to watch the bubbling with the baking soda and vinegar as it reacted. 

Glitter Fireworks : Make it the same but add glitter to the oil and food coloring mixture. 

This experiment demonstrates some important scientific principles.  But, it also captures children’s attention with the colorful display. It is a perfect addition to your homeschool or school lessons. 

See More of the Best Kids Activities for Teaching:

Rainbow Science: Sugar Density Experiment

Sink or Float: Density of Salt Water

Fun Printable Summer Mad Libs for Kids

How to Make a Five Pointed Star or Origami Star

The COOLEST Science Art Projects for Kids

Former school teacher turned homeschool mom of 4 kids. Loves creating awesome hands-on creative learning ideas to make learning engaging and memorable for all kids!

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Fireworks in a Jar – Simple Science

Fireworks in a Jar is the perfect simple science project to get your kids ready for the 4th of July.  This week’s simple science project only uses 3 ingredients and the results are so much fun!

Fireworks in a Jar

This is a great experiment to show the interaction of water and oil and most likely you have all the supplies you need in your pantry right now.  The 4th of July is right around the corner here in the United States and since fireworks are a huge part of our celebration, I thought this would be the perfect experiment to share with my boys this week.

Supplies needed:

• Red, Blue and Yellow Food Coloring

Step 1: Fill a clear vase or jug full of water.  I used a tall vase but any type of see-through container will work.  It is better to use one that is taller for the best effect.

Step 2: Add 2-3 Tablespoons of oil into a bowl and add three drops each of red, blue and yellow food coloring.  Be careful not to mix the colors.  I made sure to leave space between each drop so they didn’t mix.  Don’t add too much food coloring or it will turn black, which we learned the hard way.  But it was really cool and would work perfect for a witches brew or potion. Just not fireworks. 😉

Step 3: Carefully use a fork or spoon to mix the food coloring up into  smaller droplets.

Step 4: Slowly pour the oil/food coloring mixture into the water.  You will see that the oil remains on the top of the water and the food coloring starts to cut through the oil into the water making a beautiful show of colors.

How does it work?  The simple answer is that oil hates water.  Since oil is hydrophobic, it will stay away from water as much as possible.  The food coloring is hydrophilic (It likes water) so it will repel the oil and move through it slowly into the water.

Pretty cool right?

I hope you loved this fireworks in a jar experiment.

This post is a part of the Saturday Science Blog Hop.  Each week I team up with some of my favorite science-oriented bloggers to bring you some fun science projects.  Check out their posts below and if you have a science project to share, make sure you link it up at the bottom.

Greenhouse Effect from Suzy Homeschooler

10 Summer Science Activities – that rock! from P is for Preschooler

25 Must Follow Pinterest Boards for Science Activities from Lemon Lime Adventures

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June 21, 2014 at 12:36 pm

This is a beautiful experiment! I love the effect when food color is dripped into water, so I can’t wait to see it in oil and water! (Yes, I get excited about food coloring, lol!)

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Yeah,I would say the same. Great job!

My name is Erin Marie. I am a fellow blogger. I LOOOOVE your website and use it all of the time with my daughter. So, I nominated you for the Liebster Award.

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Thank You! Erin Marie

Thank you for your exciting, educational and easy-to-follow experiments and activities. I help run a boys’ club (ages 7 to 11) and we are always looking for activities which will make their brains work harder while their hands have a bit of fun! I am looking forward to receiving your emails with more of these science activities.

You take experiments from Home Lab App in Google play

I haven’t heard of that app, so no, I haven’t taken any of their experiments. Although, many of them are ‘common’ science experiments that are available in many science textbooks and the like, so there’s likely to be unintentional double up.

is there a way to print the snowflake activity directions without having to print 20 pages? Thanks!

Ah, yes, I’m working on adding an easy ‘print instructions’ feature. sorry it’s not up and running yet, but watch this space!

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10 of the Best Colourful Science Experiments

September 5, 2024 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

Colourful science experiments are often much more engaging for younger children than less colourful activities. Adding colour to a lava lamp, volcano or density demonstration makes the activity feel extra special.

I’ve pulled together a list of my 10 favourite colourful science experiments for kids of all ages.

10 Colourful Science Experiments for kids

Create a skittles rainbow.

The infamous Skittles experiment will never let you down. It’s inexpensive, simple and looks fantastic.

Children can turn it into an investigation by using different temperature water and arranging the Skittles in different ways.

Rainbow in a hosepipe

Create a rainbow on a sunny day day using just a hosepipe. All you need to do is stand with your back to the sun, spray the hosepipe and a rainbow will appear in the droplets!

DIY Colour Mixing Wheel

A colour mixing wheel is a fun way to learn about primary and secondary colours. Children can create their own or use my handy template.

Another fun way to learn about colour mixing is to make colour mixing squishy bags .

Colourful Jar Activity

Creating firework type swirls of food colouring in a glass of water is a brilliant, very visual science activity for kids of all ages.

Colourful Potions

Baking soda and vinegar potions can be made colourful by adding food colouring or using red cabbage indicator . Red cabbage indicator is especially fun to use as it changes colour depending on whether you add an acid ( vinegar ) or alkali ( baking soda ).

The addition of a little dish soap makes an extra foamy potion.

Coloured Density Jar

A multicoloured density jar can be made from water, salt and food colouring!

The blue-coloured water contains salt, which makes it denser than the orange water, which does not contain salt. The denser liquid stays on the bottom and does not mix with the less dense liquid on the top. If the glasses were placed with the salt water on top, it would sink to the bottom and the colours would mix.

Colourful Flowers

White flowers can be made colourful by placing them in a vase of coloured water. The colourful water rises up the stem into the white petals, filling them with colour.

This is a great science activity for demonstrating transpiration .

Colourful Baking Soda Volcano

A baking soda volcano is an ever popular science activity. We made this one extra special by using two colours for the lava!

If you have snow this winter, snow volcanoes are easy to set up and almost mess-free. We made four different colour volcanoes a couple of years ago.

Paper Chromatography with Felt Tip Pens

Colourful paper chromatography is a simple science activity that can be done using paper towel if you don’t have filter paper.

The different inks in the felt-tip pens move through the kitchen towel at different speeds, separating the colours.

Black pens often contain the most different colour inks and are a great example of how this technique can be used as a method of separation.

Colourful Salt Crystals

Creating colourful salt crystals is a fun science activity for a hot day and a visual way to learn about evaporation.

More colourful science experiments

Set up a walking water experiment . This is a fantastic way to learn about capillary action and looks brilliant when it’s complete.

Learn about surface tension with a magic milk display .

Create a colourful slushy drink using the cooling power of ice and salt.

Do you have a favourite colourful science activity?

Last Updated on September 5, 2024 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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