How to Make Skittles Rainbow?

When it comes to candy, kids cannot resist the temptation. This colorful science experiment using skittles is perfect for kids which will keep them amused for a long time. This is an easy arts + crafts experiment Skittles Rainbow with supplies you probably already have at home? This can inspire your kid’s creativity. Let’s check this out.

Age：3+          Time: < 10mins

 Safety 

1. Adult supervision.
2. Be careful with the fragile glassware.
3. Wear protective gloves and goggles.

 Materials List 

• Skittles
• Water
• White plate
• Cup
• Gloves
• Goggles

 Instruction 

Step 1/2– Place different colors of skittles into a loop along the rim on the plate.

Step 2/2–Pour the water to the middle of the dish about 2/3 of skittles. Wait a moment to see the various colors spread to the center of the dish to form the Skittles Rainbow.

 Troubleshooting 

Why the skittles spreads very slowly?
 – it can be that the temperature of the water is too low. We can use warm water.

 Question to Ask 

1. Why does the skittles fade?
2. In addition to the Rainbow Wheel, can you create other patterns?
3. What happens when water is replaced by other liquids such as milk or alcohol?

 Scientific Description 

When we add a drop of food coloring in water, the food coloring spreads quickly because the molecules of the substance move from the high concentration area to the low concentration. The principle behind this experiment is the same as this. The crust of the skittles is composed of a candy coat containing water-soluble food coloring. When it is placed in water, the candy coat will dissolve quickly in water. The concentration of food coloring in the middle of the dish is low, so the food coloring will spread to the middle of the dish. And the concentration of different food coloring is almost the same so in a short time, different colors will not be mixed together, thus forming a skittles rainbow.

 Extensions 

The rainbow candy can be placed in different shapes to form a variety of good-looking patterns.

 Disposal 

Pour the liquid into the sink and do not forget washing what you have used.