purposeful play
Rainbow Cupcake Science Experiment
hands-on summer activity for kids
This Rainbow Cupcake Science Experiment for kids is a super fun, hands-on summer activity your kids will love! This simple STEM experiment only requires a few ingredients and will keep your kids engaged for quite awhile this summer. Keep reading for the step by step instructions and to shop this project!
purpose
Builds new brain connections
Increases your child’s ability to absorb what they are learning
Helps develop memory skills
Develops fine motor and language skills
Experiments with cause and effect
Explores chemical reactions in a safe, colorful way
Screen-free fun!
Shop this project!
directions
How to do the Rainbow
Cupcake Science Experiment
-
2-3 tbsp water
-
Red food coloring
-
4-5 tbsp baking soda
Tip: Mix water and food coloring together first before you add the baking soda
Stir the ingredients together
Mix well until mixture is paste like
Add the mixture to a silicone cupcake liner
Repeat the process with the other 5 colors of the rainbow
Place the cupcakes in the freezer
Freeze for 1-2 hours
Add lemon juice to a squirt bottle
You can also use vinegar instead of lemon juice. We just like to use lemon because it smells really good!
This can be done inside or outside
Consider placing the cupcakes inside a tray to prevent making a mess
If you do this outside without a tray and on a pavement-be aware as it could stain the pavement. Be sure to rinse the pavement immediately after the experiment is over
Squirt lemon juice into each cupcake
Watch the erupting rainbow volcanoes!
Continue adding lemon juice (or vinegar)
This experiment can last a long time as long as you have lemon juice-so be sure to have plenty on hand!
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summer science experiment
What is the science
behind the Rainbow Cupcake Science Experiment?
It’s a chemical reaction
Baking soda is the base
Lemon juice is the acid
When a base and an acid are mixed together- a gas called carbon dioxide is formed causing the bubbling reaction
Chemistry
Chemical reaction
Base
Acid
Carbon dioxide
Gas
