This is a really cool experiment I saw at a workshop I attended. In this experiment children will place Skittles in water and watch the “S” float to the top!
Exploring Colors: Floating S Experiment
Materials Needed:
Disposable bowls
Small cups
Skittles candy
Pitcher of water
Printable recording sheet and crayons or markers
Set Up:
In advance, gather all materials. Place at least 3 Skittles in each child’s cup. I gave each child about 6, so they could eat a few, but they will need 3 for the experiment. Find a stable surface for the experiment (the floor, a table that does not shake). Print and copy the Recording Sheets for each child.
Download: Floating S Recording Sheet
Procedure:
I gave the children a bowl, a small cup of water, and a small cup of Skittles candy. The children were instructed to pour the water into the bowl (you only need enough water so that it will cover the Skittles.) Then they choose three different colors of Skittles to place in the bowl at the edges and spaced out so they weren’t touching each other (I let them eat the rest). The children observed what happened to the colors (the colors will spread out and eventually blend with other colors and the three S’s float to the top).
I recorded their verbal observations on paper and the children recorded their observations by drawing what they saw in the bowl (see example below). An important note: this experiment only works well if the bowl sits on a very stable surface, such as a table that does not shake or the floor. Make sure the children understand not to touch or move the bowl. Be sure to place the Skittles with the S side up.
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What a great idea! We are doing a Summer Camp unit of “Colors All Around” and this will be a perfect addition to the science center. Thank you for the visual. It really helped to see exactly what the end result should be. Thanks again for the wonderful idea. P.S. LOVE your site.
Thank you, Audrey!
Hello,
Thanks for the skittle observation lesson. thi s is simple but extremly complex. Thanks a million. We are using it in class At Wee Patriots Academy on the camous of Westside HIgh School in Augusta, Georgia.
Deborah K. WElcher
I tried tis last year and it didn’t work. After reading your post, I realize we did it on the table and my friends were probably wiggling the table about! I’ll try a more stable landing spot this year!
P.S. I’m from Augusta, Ga, too!
Great ideas! Wonderful site. Many thanks.
I tried this at school the other day and every child had success!! I did do it on the floor which I think helped!! The kids ALL loved it and it was nice to actually have something work the way it was supposed to!!!
Thank u for these ideas I’m a fifth grader I needed some help trying 2 do a science project with my BFF.and we needed some help thanks alot
Great! I’m glad you could use it.
I use some of these ideas for my MD Unit in high school. It is great hands-on stuff usable for Any ability level!
I just wanted to THANK YOU! Your website is phenomenal!!
thanks so much Stacy!
About how long does this activity take? I am wanting to use this experiment for my Sunday School class, but only have a certain amount of time to do it in. Thanks!
Hi Josie, I’m not sure. I believe I had a 30 minute block of time, but sometimes things take a little longer. Time can also depend on the interests of the children. I’d say about 30 minutes. If you need to do it more quickly, you might want to do one that all the children can see.
Just did this with my pre-k class, they loved it and was asking all kind of great questions . Thanks for the great experiment!
Marion, I’m glad your class enjoyed it!
Hello,
I wanted to ask you, several have asked me why the colors dont mix, do you some clear explanation I could give?
Please, it is for the Science Fair this friday,
Thanks!
Hi! The colors actually will mix if the bowl is stirred or shaken. That’s why I recommend using it on a table that is pretty solid, with no shake to it. I don’t think there’s any fantastic scientific reason preventing the colors from mixing — it’s simply that the water hasn’t moved at all.
Why does the S float to the survace?
Same reason anything floats– density. The object is lighter than the amount of water it displaces.
Did this today with my boys – they LOVED it! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Glad you & your boys enjoyed it!
I can’t wait to try this with my class next year! What a great experiment and site!
Thanks!
I’ll be using this in my children’s church. I love to have a visual object lesson.
Midge,
Delaware
Thanks for this!!! i am doing this for a science experiment and you are the only person who did this!!!! i have to have a source that already did this and i looked for 3 days trying to find a source! Thanks for being my source!!
Do you know any other source that has this Experiment?
I LOVE this idea!!! My kindergartener is Scienctist for the day and he is going to do it with his class.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi, my 4 year old was “scientist of the week” at her preschool today. She did this activity and it was HUGE hit. I got a personal email from her teacher telling me how great the activity was and that she is adding it to her list of things to do with future students. I gave her this link as well. Thanks so much for the fabulous idea!
Thank you so much Karen for allowing me to use your site. I am aspiring to be an Early childhood teacher and you site has so many things I can use for class. Thanks again.
Colleen
Dear Karen
I tried the experiment using skittles and it was a big hit with my four years old. They were fascinated and excited watching the colours mix and blend and finally waiting to see the letter S floating up. Thank you, you have a great website, very useful.
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
This sounded so cool that I had to try it NOW. Since I did not have skittles I used M&M’s. Within 2 minutes I had cool colors and floating M’s! I will have to try this with my Pre-school class. They will love it.
Love your site, I live in Israel and was wondering if m+m’s will work? Don’t think we have skittles here.
I think M&M’s will work. I haven’t tried it, but I think I’ve heard of people doing the experiment with them.
Thanks for the worksheet! My class will be doing this as part of “Rainbow Week.” They love experiments!!
thanks for sharing i am going to try this for my science project it looks great!
My friend Amber did it and won first place . She said she got it off of this site I was like wow good job pre k who ever did this awesome.my name is Bianca I love this thank you .
P.S. my friend said thank you too.