Today’s activity is so much fun. It’s the base portion of how we mix potions at the studio.
Color Mysteries
Here are the supplies you need:
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muffin tin
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food coloring
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baking soda
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vinegar
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dish soap
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eye dropper, spoon, or squeeze bottle
Before gathering your artists, place a few drops of food coloring in each cup of your muffin tin. Usually food coloring comes in four colors. Try mixing drops of different colors in the same tin to add more variety. After adding the food coloring, add a few heaping spoonfuls of baking soda to cover the food coloring—and just a drop of dish soap. (The chemical reaction your artists cause will reveal the color surprises!)
Set the tray in front of the children and give them each their own cup of vinegar. Using eye droppers, small spoons, or squeeze bottles, let them slowly add vinegar to the muffin tin. It will fizz, it will bubble, colors will be revealed, and happiness will ensue.
Brightly Tips:
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One of your kids will for sure dump his/her entire cup all at once onto the baking soda. Instead of getting frustrated, take that opportunity to talk about cause and effect: “Wow, it was a suppppper fun bubbly reaction—but bummer, now it’s over so fast!” Talk about how maybe next time, taking it slower would extend the fun. Then try it again!
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Put a cookie sheet underneath the muffin tin to make clean up a cinch.
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Hide a small toy or trinket under the baking soda.
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Once the muffin tray feels “done” or stops fizzing, try dumping out the vinegar. Often there is a clump of untouched baking soda still in the tray. Now repeat the process!
We’d love to see your artists and their fizzy, colorful fun. Share photos on social media using #brightlyathome!