A Colour-Mixing Sensory Delight

September 28, 2024 / DIY / STEM Activities / Chemistry / Ages 3 - 5 / Colour Mixing Sensory Bottle

This experiment is perfect for preschool-age little scientists to explore. Watching beautiful colours mix, gradient, and layer before their eyes, shimmering in the sunlight, will stimulate children's visual perception abilities and curiosity about science. It's a fun way to learn about scientific and artistic concepts.

Age: 3-5
Time: Less than 30 minutes
Mess Level: A bit messy

Materials Needed:

Water
Oil (corn oil or any vegetable oil will do)
Cups (2)
Glass bottle
Food colouring
Stirring stick

Arranged on a light wooden surface are several items: a glass of water, a small jug of yellow liquid, a bottle of blue colouring, an empty glass bottle, and a wooden stirrer.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Pour an appropriate amount of water into a cup and add food colouring. Mix well.

A hand gently holds a small, light-coloured wooden craft stick, partially submerged in a short, cylindrical glass beaker filled with bright blue liquid. The beaker sits on a plain white surface against a similarly light background. The image focuses on the simple act of stirring or mixing the liquid, suggesting a step in a craft or science project, possibly related to creating a colour-mixing sensory bottle. The overall impression is one of calm precision and quiet activity.

Pour an appropriate amount of corn oil into another cup.

A small, clear glass beaker with a light brown wooden handle sits on a white surface against a pale grey background. The beaker is partially filled with a bright, clear yellow liquid. The liquid appears to be viscous and still, with minimal surface disturbance. The overall impression is one of simplicity and clarity, suggesting a single element in a larger process, perhaps a step in a science experiment or a craft project.

Pour the water and oil into the glass bottle in sequence.

A clear glass jug with a light brown wooden handle is pouring a bright yellow liquid into a small, clear glass bottle. The bottle already contains a layer of bright blue liquid. The yellow liquid is slowly entering the bottle, creating a visible separation between the two liquids and some small bubbles where they meet. The scene is set against a plain white background with a light grey backdrop, creating a clean and simple visual. The overall impression is one of a calm, controlled process, likely part of a craft or science project involving liquid layering.

Tighten the bottle cap and shake vigorously up and down.

Two hands carefully secure a lid onto a small, clear glass bottle. The bottle contains two distinct layers of liquid: a bright yellow layer on top and a vibrant blue layer underneath. The liquids appear to be slightly viscous, with minimal mixing visible. The bottle is held firmly but gently, suggesting care in sealing the contents. The setting is simple, with a bright, uncluttered background, focusing attention on the bottle and the action of securing the lid. The overall impression is one of a final step in a craft or science project.

Let the bottle stand still, and you'll see the water and oil slowly separate into layers, with the oil floating on top of the water, forming a gradient before completely separating. It looks even better in sunlight!

A small, rectangular glass bottle stands on a white surface against a plain, off-white background. The bottle is sealed with a silver screw-top lid and contains two distinct layers of brightly coloured liquid; a layer of pale yellow sits atop a layer of a more vibrant blue. There is a very slight mixing of the two colours where they meet, creating a thin, slightly green band. The bottle is positioned centrally, and the image is sharply focused, highlighting the clear separation and bright colours of the liquids. The overall impression is one of a completed sensory bottle, ready for use.

The Science Behind It:

In addition to utilising the principle of density of different substances (denser substances sink, like water; less dense substances float, like oil), the experiment also involves the interaction between liquids: water is polar, while oil is non-polar, meaning their molecules interact differently. Polar and non-polar molecules repel each other, which is why water doesn't mix with oil.

A Colour-Mixing Sensory Delight

Materials Needed:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

The Science Behind It:

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