purposeful play
Rainbow Lava Lamp Science Experiment
hands-on summer activity for kids
This Rainbow Lava Lamp Science Experiment for kids is a super fun, hands-on summer activity your kids will love! This simple STEM experiment is fascinating and will keep your kids engaged for quite awhile. Keep reading for the step by step instructions and to shop this summer science activity!
materials
purpose
Builds new brain connections
Experiments with cause and effect
Explores chemical reactions in a safe, colorful way
Strengthens science concepts
Screen-free learning
Shop this project!
directions
How to do the Rainbow Lava
Lamp Science Experiment
Fill 6 mason jars 3/4 full with vegetable oil
Add water to the mason jars
Avoid filling the jars all the way to the top to prevent spilling
Add drops of food coloring to each jar
One color per jar
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple
This experiment can be done indoors or outdoors
Line up the jars in the order of the rainbow
Break up Alka-Seltzer tablets into fourths
Add tablets to each jar
Watch the reaction after the tablets are added!
Ask your child to describe what they see
- Keep adding tablets
- The chemical reaction will continue as long as your keep adding tablets
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science experiment for kids
What is the science behind the
Rainbow Lava Lamp Science Experiment?
After the water and oil are added to the jar, the oil floats above the water because it is lighter than water (it has a lower density).
The water and oil do not ever mix because of polarity. Water is polar and oil is non-polar.
When the food coloring is added-it shoots through the oil and goes straight to the bottom because it is heavier than oil.
When the tablet is added and dissolves-a gas is created (carbon dioxide).
Carbon dioxide is lighter than water so it floats up to the surface bringing a little of the colored water with it as it does.
Once the gas bubble reaches the surface it breaks and the colored water floats back to the bottom of the jar!
Chemistry
Chemical reaction
Polar
Non-Polar
Carbon Dioxide
