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June 4, 2014 | 8 Comments

Color Lab Science For Kids

color science for kids What would happen if we put watercolors in shaving cream? What about vinegar ? Or oil? Great hands on science always begins with ” I wonder…” and this color lab science activity was no exception. We wondered what would happen if we mixed water colors and different household liquids. After we explored our set questions it was time for completely kid directed play. We used liquid watercolors made with plain old paint instead of food color to avoid staining. Food color will make much more vivid colors.

Gather your materials. We used water, vinegar, shaving cream and oil for our liquids, liquid watercolors, some jars, an eye dropper, a cookie sheet, and goggles! color lab for preschool

Start by making liquid watercolors. Pop the disks out of the watercolor tray and add a little water. Sit for a few minutes and stir. liquid water color lab

Now you are ready to set up your color lab! Pour the liquids in ( I did the shaving cream) . color lab science for preschoolers

Time make a few predictions.

Grab your eye dropper and start adding colors. The eye dropper is important because it gives this activity an element of fine motor development as well, it takes a lot of coordination to make eye droppers work and works out the pincer grasp too. color lab water

She noted how slowly the colors floated down through the water.

The colors seems the same in the vinegar. I asked her if anything was different and she said the smell! Observing is a huge part of science!

The shaving cream was interesting because the color spread over it but didn’t mix much. She also discovered that if she pinched the eye dropper really hard the watercolor made a hole in the shaving cream. color lab shaving cream

The oil was rad. She had no previous experience with water in oil.  color lab oil wowShe was amazed when they turned into little dots of color and slowly sank down to the bottom. I loved seeing her experience this for the first time. color lab oil

Time to play. After going through each liquid it was time to mix them all together. mxing  color lab science

The shaving cream didn’t pour as well as the water did. color lab science pretend play

Want more science ideas for little ones? Check out our Science for Kids Pinterest board.

Filed Under: Age Preschool, Age: Toddlers, Color mixing, Color recognition, Preschool Activities, Science, Science Experiments | 8 Comments

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8 Comments

  1. Nina says

    June 4, 2014 at 7:53 am

    I totally want to do this with my kiddo tonight! Except I don’t have an eye dropper. I might have to wait til I get one. Thanks for a great science activity idea 🙂

    to Nina" aria-label='reply to this comment to Nina'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      June 5, 2014 at 8:15 am

      I may be too late but you could use a 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon for similar results, except making tunnels in the shaving cream.

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  2. DIY Corporate Mom says

    June 10, 2014 at 4:50 am

    I should really know this but I don’t! What’s the explanation why the water beads sink in the oil?

    to DIY Corporate Mom" aria-label='reply to this comment to DIY Corporate Mom'>reply to this comment
  3. J says

    June 13, 2014 at 11:23 am

    Did this with my 7 year old today. She loved it! Her favorite was definitely the oil. She figured out how to make bigger and smaller color drops by adjusting how quickly/ slowly she squeezed the dropper on the surface of the oil.

    to J" aria-label='reply to this comment to J'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      June 14, 2014 at 11:35 pm

      That is so rad- I think I need to get my 7 year old in on the action this summer too!

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment

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  1. Color Lab Science For Kids – No Time For Flash Cards | Learning Curve says:
    June 4, 2014 at 3:49 am

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  2. Stay at home kid activities ⋆ iMedia TV7 says:
    April 8, 2020 at 6:09 pm

    […] Colour Mixing Lab […]

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  3. Summer Activities for Kids | Little Learning Corner says:
    May 8, 2021 at 8:04 am

    […] Become Color Scientist […]

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