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Chromatography flowers (using coffee filters and markers)

Leave a Comment Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade

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Earlier this year I taught a series of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) classes for a group of homeschool families with kids in grades kindergarten through 8th grade. The classes were a blast, and I enjoyed the challenge of finding subject matter and activities that would appeal to kids across such a wide age range.

One of the topics we covered was chromatography. Chromatography is the separation of a mixture (e.g., marker ink) by passing it in a solution (e.g., water) through a medium (e.g., coffee filter) in which the components of the mixture (e.g., the various colors that make up any given marker color) move at different rates.

As one of our activities to learn about chromatography, we made chromatography flowers. Despite the fancy science word (e.g., chromatography), this is actually a pretty simple craft to do, and it was enjoyed by kids from a wide age range.

These chromatography flowers made with coffee filters and markers are beautiful! What a fun way to combine art and science for kids of all ages! This would be a great STEM (or STEAM) project to try. || Gift of Curiosity

To make chromatography flowers, you need the following materials:

  • Coffee filters
  • Markers
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Small container with water


Start by using the markers to color on the coffee filter. You can experiment with different colors, different designs, drawing close to the center of the filter, and drawing close to the edge of the coffee filter.

These chromatography flowers made with coffee filters and markers are beautiful! What a fun way to combine art and science for kids of all ages! This would be a great STEM (or STEAM) project to try. || Gift of Curiosity

Next, fold your coffee filter in half a few times so it becomes wedge-shaped. This will create a point where the center of the coffee filter is.

Place the coffee filter into a container with a small amount of water at the bottom.

Note: You do not need to fill the cup all the way with water. This activity works better when only the very bottom of the coffee filter is touching the water.

These chromatography flowers made with coffee filters and markers are beautiful! What a fun way to combine art and science for kids of all ages! This would be a great STEM (or STEAM) project to try. || Gift of Curiosity

Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the water to seep up through the coffee filter, carrying the marker ink with it and spreading it throughout the coffee filter.

Then unfold your coffee filter and lay flat to dry. I like to place a paper towel on a tray and dry the coffee filter on top.

When the coffee filter is dry, fold it again as you did to put it int the water. Pinch the middle of the filter and wrap a green pipe cleaner around it to make a stem. Fluff out the “petals” as you like.

The final result may not smell as wonderful as a real flower.

These chromatography flowers made with coffee filters and markers are beautiful! What a fun way to combine art and science for kids of all ages! This would be a great STEM (or STEAM) project to try. || Gift of Curiosity

But it is sure to be beautiful nonetheless.

These chromatography flowers made with coffee filters and markers are beautiful! What a fun way to combine art and science for kids of all ages! This would be a great STEM (or STEAM) project to try. || Gift of Curiosity

You can use this coffee filter technique to make so many beautiful flowers!

These chromatography flowers made with coffee filters and markers are beautiful! What a fun way to combine art and science for kids of all ages! This would be a great STEM (or STEAM) project to try. || Gift of Curiosity

STEAM Kids book

Looking for more hands-on activities that incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM)? Then you’ll love STEAM Kids! This book features 52 hands-on activities are helpfully identified by category (science / technology / engineering / art / math) so you know exactly what skills your kids are developing.

Grab a copy of the e-book delivered as a PDF download (or this e-book for EU residents) and in print at Amazon.

More arts and crafts ideas

More arts and crafts posts from Gift of Curiosity:

  • 20 ways to use liquid watercolors
  • Constellation craft
  • Crystallized snowflakes
  • Painting with strings
  • Recycled crayon craft
  • Leaf collages
  • Easy seed medallion craft
  • Coffee filter chromatography

For more fun art projects, see my Arts and Crafts for Kids page and my Arts and Crafts Pinterest board. 

Follow Katie @ Gift of Curiosity’s board Arts & Crafts on Pinterest.

Filed Under: Arts and Crafts, Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, Science, STEAM

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Hey there, I’m Katie

I help parents who are transitioning into homeschooling shed old mindsets and embrace their homeschooling superpowers so they can create a homeschool they love where their children will thrive.

Learn more about me and what I do HERE.

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