Tie Dye Milk – Easy Science Experiment for Kids

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A couple weeks ago, my six year old daughter, Olivia, had to perform a science experiment for her grade one class.

After hours of researching online, Olivia chose to do this colorful milk swirl experiment. We added our own twist to the experiment, keeping the fun going by blowing gently on the milk to “tie dye” the milk.

Olivia had a great time with this colorful milk experiment, so I think we will be making more science experiments for kids.

If you and your children want to have some colorful milk swirling fun, or if they are looking for science experiments for school, here is how you tie die milk.

Ingredients

• Full Fat Milk – (the experiment requires fat in the milk)
• Food Coloring
• Dishwashing Liquid
• Plate or Bowl

Instructions

1. Cover bottom of bowl with milk
2. Place a few drops of various colors of food coloring into milk
3. Add one drop of dishwashing liquid into the middle of the mix
4. Watch colors swirl around
5. When the colors stop moving, get them moving again by gently blowing into mixture

Why it works

The food coloring is less dense than the milk and so the food colouring sits on top of the milk.
The dish-soap breaks up the fat in the milk. When the fat moves, the food coloring goes for a ride on top of the milk!

What are your kids favorite science experiments? Any ideas for what Olivia should conquer next?

Written and photographed by Janice, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom and owner of Janice Croze Photography.