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Skittles Rainbow: A Sweet Science Experiment!

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September 28, 2024 / DIY / Stem Activities / Quick Easy Experiments / Age 3 - 5 / Skittles Rainbow Science

Did you ever think that the rainbow sweets children love could also be used for experiments? Yes! This is a slightly sweet science experiment. Children will learn about colour dissolution, diffusion, mixing, and the formation of symmetrical patterns within a beautiful rainbow design.

  • Age: 3-5
  • Time: Less than 30 minutes
  • Level: Messy

Materials Needed:

  • Plate
  • Skittles Rainbow Sweets
  • Water
On a pale blue surface, a white plate holds a scattering of multicoloured Skittles sweets. A small smiley face, also made from Skittles, is positioned to the left of the plate. Beside the plate sits a clear plastic cup containing water. The arrangement suggests the beginning of a Skittles science experiment, using the sweets and water to demonstrate colour separation or diffusion. The overall style is simple and clean, highlighting the colourful sweets against the plain background.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Arrange the Skittles in a circle on the plate, alternating colours.
    2. Against a light blue background, a white plate displays a circle of colourful Skittles sweets arranged around its edge. A small smiley face, also constructed from Skittles, is positioned to the plate's left. The colours are bright and distinct, and the arrangement is neat and precise. The image clearly shows the set-up for a Skittles science experiment, likely demonstrating colour separation or diffusion in water. The overall aesthetic is simple, clean, and playful, highlighting the colourful candies.
  2. Slowly pour water into the centre of the plate until it covers about half of the Skittles. Observe what happens.
    3. A hand carefully pours water from a small, clear plastic cup onto a white plate. Arranged around the edge of the plate is a circle of brightly coloured Skittles sweets. The water is being poured into the centre of the circle, where it will begin to dissolve the candy shells and allow the colours to diffuse. The plate rests on a light blue surface. The image depicts a step-by-step guide to a Skittles science experiment, focusing on the addition of water to initiate the colour separation process. The overall style is clear and instructional.

The Science Behind It:

The colouring of the Skittles is soluble in water. When the Skittles come into contact with water, their colouring begins to dissolve in the water. The water's density increases and diffuses towards areas of lower density. When the colouring from one Skittle meets the colouring from another Skittle, their colours don't mix because they have similar densities. Instead, the two colours diffuse towards the centre of the plate where the density is lower, forming a rainbow pattern. The overall effect looks like a Ferris wheel, which is quite beautiful.

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