Everyone loves a rainbow, but they seem to be elusive even on rainy days around here. We were at story time in our local library a bit ago and they pulled out some milk and “magic potions” to make rainbows, all the kids loved it! This is a fun and quick activity that is great for your little ones learning colors. You can really emphasize how the primary colors become the secondary colors to form the colors in the rainbow. Plus it is just super cool, even my older neighbor kids got a kick out of it, and I bet you have everything you need in your kitchen!
Milk and Dish Soap Rainbows
Supplies:
- milk in a bowl
- dish soap (magic potion)
- food coloring – yellow, blue, red, and green (it’s a secondary, but we had it)
We did this out on our lawn just so I didn’t need to worry about spills.
Squeeze one drop of each color into the milk.
Now take a couple drops of the “magic potion” and drop in the center….make sure the kids are watching!
It happens instantly when the dish soap hits the milk! Don’t stir just yet.
Now just sit and watch, it will start to make “rainbows”.
We gave ours a little stir to help it along and then pointed out all the colors we could see. Then I got out a piece of paper and a red, blue, and yellow crayon for him to make his own rainbows. I was surprised when he actually blended a few colors to make new ones.
The pictures really don’t look that exciting I know, but when the soap hits the milk the kids love it because it instantly shoots the coloring around, just like magic! If your kids are older you could look into why it does that…if you do will you let me know? So curious.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
What a fantastic idea – I love how the colors look all swirled together!
OMG I did that when I was errr, younger! I had totally forgotten and this is a great reminder… most things are being packed right now but milk we always have lots of!….. great colouring droppers…were did you find those? Think that would make it a little safer than mine.
So for my absence, I fear I might be a rather rare sight over the coming weeks.
smiles
Leave out the dish soap, dip white bread into the mix and toast. Then used cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes and serve to the kids. My library did this at Charlie and Lola party a couple of years ago. Very cute!
Way cute Destri!
We were in need of a learning experiment today – TMH to the rescue again!. My five and three year old boys loved this project. Of course, once the colors swirled a bit they had to keep adding colors. My three year old kept stirring with a toothpick. For a while it was lovely swirls but once he got at it, it was just a bowl of gray. I had them guess what would happen and then once we put the soap in we talked about why the colors didn’t just blend immediately but swirled like a rainbow. Fun experiment! Thanks Destri!
No, those pictures do look exciting! My kids (and I) are going to love this. Thanks!
But all I have are gel food colors. Threw out the liquid recently. Darn!
I’ve done similar in primary school science lessons and it is always popular. It works because the dish soap lowers the surface tension of the liquid as it spreads outwards. Another experiment to explore surface tension is to have a large flat tray full of water. Float a bread tie (those little squares of plastic with a hole out the side). When the kids are watching, place a drop of dish soap in the centre of the bread tie and it will speed across the tray. Only works once though – unless you change the water.
Oh thank you! I told my husband your answer for me and he said “well yeah, I knew that” mmm hmmm, sure he did. I am so trying the bread tie trick tomorrow, shall report!
I just found you!! Where were you when my children were growing up as kids, no don’t answer that. LOL Wow, you are savy, genius momma. I am going to share your site with my grown children, friends and all. Truly Great. I got here thru “allfreesewing” via your tute for pleated apron with built in hot pads, but have not even gotten there yet? Off chasing rainbows!! Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with us all. I am a joyful grandma, and cannot wait till the little guy is old enough to show him this, if his momma doesn’t do it first. Which she will , because I just can’t keep this to myself! And she is so smart anyway.
Sincerely,
Deanna
dshouppe@gmail.com
I like this rainbow science experiment and would love to try it with the kids. I’ve included this post on my weekly favorites here: http://play2grow.blogspot.com/2011/02/weekly-favorites-for-february-6-2011.html
Great idea!