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Disappearing colors experiment {science activity for kids}

6 Comments Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade

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This disappearing colors experiment is quick, simple, and easy to do. But don’t let its simplicity fool you – it makes for a really cool trick! Although your kids may think it’s magic, it’s actually just a really neat science activity. It’s also a great demonstration for why bleach will turn your clothes white.

Note: Find more science experiments on my Science Activities for Kids page!

Disappearing colors experiment - kids will think it's magic, but grown ups know it's really just science! #handsonlearning #magicalscience || Gift of Curiosity

 All you need to do this disappearing colors experiment are:

  • two glasses of water
  • liquid watercolors (We own these liquid watercolors from Discount School Supply, but you can also find them on Amazon.)
  • bleach
  • A plastic pipette would also be helpful, but not necessary

I started by filling two tall glasses with water. I then used liquid watercolors to color the water in one glass red. (I believe food coloring would also work in lieu of liquid watercolors, but I did not try it myself.)

Disappearing colors experiment - kids will think it's magic, but grown ups know it's really just science! #handsonlearning #magicalscience || Gift of Curiosity

I then filled my plastic pipette with bleach.

Disappearing colors experiment - kids will think it's magic, but grown ups know it's really just science! #handsonlearning #magicalscience || Gift of Curiosity

And I put the bleach into the glass with red water.

Disappearing colors experiment - kids will think it's magic, but grown ups know it's really just science! #handsonlearning #magicalscience || Gift of Curiosity

The effect was not instantaneous, but the water did begin to lose color fairly quickly. The longer we waited the more the color disappeared.

Disappearing colors experiment - kids will think it's magic, but grown ups know it's really just science! #handsonlearning #magicalscience || Gift of Curiosity

Cue the oohs and aahs. 🙂

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 science activities for kids

More science posts from Gift of Curiosity:

  • Dancing raisins
  • Candy experiments
  • Jumping colors science activity
  • Make your own glycerin soap
  • Crystallized snowflakes
  • Dissecting an apple
  • What do ants like to eat?
  • Make your own telescope
  • The great baking soda and vinegar experiment
  • Magic inflating balloons

Find more great science activities on my Science Activities for Kids page and my Science Activities Pinterest board. 

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

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Reader Interactions

6 Comments

  1. Sara

    May 8, 2014 at 7:43 am

    This looks like great fun for my children! We don’t have a plastic pipette, but a straw works well for us instead. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply to this comment
  2. Emma @ P is for Preschooler

    May 9, 2014 at 7:21 pm

    This one would definitely bring the oohs and aahs (from me at least! lol!)

    Reply to this comment
  3. Natalie PlanetSmartyPants

    May 14, 2014 at 6:08 am

    This is a very cool experiment! Thanks for sharing with After School Link Up!

    Reply to this comment
  4. Carrie

    May 16, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    Oh, how neat!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!

    Reply to this comment
  5. Ticia

    May 18, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    My church used a similar activity once to show how Jesus takes away our sins (as represented by the bleach taking away the red stain) and the kids were all amazed at what happened.

    Reply to this comment
  6. Susan W

    May 18, 2014 at 7:25 pm

    We have a supply of those pipettes, they always come in handy! Thanks for sharing at the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop!

    Reply to this comment

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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.

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