A Classic Science Experiment



 

 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 



This winter with all of the snow we've had, we have been looking for some interesting indoor activities to do.

The trick to doing this well is to add a ton of food coloring to the water as you can see in the photo.  Any white flower works, but we chose carnations because they last a long time.  An added bonus is that the flowers absorb the dyed water very quickly.

Check out the rest of the results below.

This was an interesting twist:
cut the stem carefully up the middle.
Place one half in clear water and the other
half in colored water. 
Ask your child what they think will happen.
Nick thought it would all turn blue.
He loved the result.

 

 

 

 

After our flowers had been sitting in the colored water for a few days (we wanted to see how saturated they would become), I had Nicholas put them into vases (little votive holders), and place them on our dining room table.

 

 

 

I read these two sources before doing this activity, they both explain the science behind it as well:

 

http://paintcutpaste.com/color-changing-carnations/

 

 

 

http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/colorful-carnations

 

 

 

If you liked this, come see our Balloon Rockets here, for more preschool/elementary science.