Drip Drop Cloth Color Experiment

Try This Color Experiment at Home

We love activities that are simple to do with supplies you can find in your own house, but also that provide educational opportunities disguised as fun and mess! Check out this simple but exciting color experiment you can do right at home! Drip drop cloth allows your child to explore color mixing, water absorption, and even chemical reactions when you add the baking soda and vinegar.

Color Experiment Supplies

• Pipettes or bottle droppers
• Small bowls, cups, or even recycled yogurt cups
• A plastic tray or sheet pan
• Paper towels (we recommend the thicker, more absorbent ones such as the ones made from bamboo; but any paper towel will work)
• Food coloring or liquid watercolors
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Small scoops or spoons

**If you do not have pipettes or droppers, you can still do this activity! Other options of transferring the liquid could be:

• A straw – hold one end to create a vacuum to keep the liquid in the straw; lift and replace your finger to allow drops to fall.
• Cotton swabs – dip a swab into the liquid until it’s saturated and then transfer to the paper towel.
• Small spoons – your little can transfer small amounts of liquid using a spoon; the experiment will still be successful.

Directions

1. Lay one sheet (or a half sheet) of the paper towel on a tray or baking sheet for each child.
2. Pour the baking soda into a small container and include a scoop or spoon.
3. In other small containers, mix 1 -2 drops of the food coloring (3 -4 drops of liquid watercolors) with vinegar (a little goes a long way!).
4. Show children how to scoop out a small amount (about a teaspoonful) of baking soda and put it on the towel.
5. Using the pipette (or other option), suck up the colored vinegar and squirt it onto the baking soda.
6. Watch the fizzy chemical reaction and beautiful colors form and spread!

*You may also decide to use the drip drop cloth with only the food coloring or liquid watercolor and water (no vinegar and baking soda); this is still a fun way to experience color mixing!