June 12, 2021

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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!

materials

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

Step 1: Add ingredients

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

Step 2: Mix well

Stir the ingredients together
Mix well until mixture is paste like

Step 3: Cupcake Liner

Add the mixture to a silicone cupcake liner

Step 4: repeat

Repeat the process with the other 5 colors of the rainbow

Step 5: freeze

Place the cupcakes in the freezer
Freeze for 1-2 hours

Step 6: Lemon Juice

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

Step 7: time to play!

Squirt lemon juice into each cupcake
Watch the erupting rainbow volcanoes!

Step 8: Keep Playing!

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?

what happens when you mix baking soda and Lemon Juice?

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