Amaze your kids with this simple grow a rainbow activity! This capillary action experiment allows preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd graders to learn about capillary action while having fun. This capillary action rainbow experiment makes science exciting and fun with a few simple materials and 5 minutes!
Capillary action experiment
Amaze your kids with this simple yet captivating “Grow a Rainbow” activity! This fun and educational capillary action experiment is perfect for preschoolers, pre-k, kindergarteners, and even first, second, and third graders. It’s a fantastic way to introduce young scientists to the fascinating world of capillary action while they engage in a hands-on activity that will leave them in awe.
With just a few simple materials that you probably already have at home, you can create a spectacular rainbow right before their eyes—it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! In just 5 minutes, your little ones can witness science in action, as colorful water travels up the paper towels like magic. Not only is this experiment visually stunning, but it also provides a wonderful opportunity for children to explore and learn about the science behind capillary action in a fun and engaging way.
This activity is not only entertaining but also fosters curiosity and encourages kids to ask questions about how things work in the natural world. It’s the perfect blend of fun and learning, making it an ideal choice for a weekend project, a day off from school, or even a science-themed playdate!
We have lots more science activities for kindergarten including this epic ice cream volcano experiment and using science to color flower activities.
capillary action rainbow experiment
All you need to try this easy science experient for kindergartners are a few simple materials you already have on hand:
- 2 glasses
- water
- washable markers
- paper towel
Grow a Rainbow
Now you are going to make a block of each color, in rainbow order as shown above, on each side of the paper towel. You want it to be a solid block in the same order as the other side, so color it in well. But the middle section is all white.
HINT: The markers must be washable markers. In other words they are water based and will move when they come into contact with water for our experiment. Permenent markers will NOT work for this experiment.
Rainbow Experiment
Now you will need two glasses filled at least 1/2 full with water. You want to space them so that your paper towel reaches both sides. The colors should just barely touch the water. If you put too much of the colors in the water the colors will move to the water instead of flowing towards the other side of the rainbow.
Walking Water Science Experiment
Almost immediately you will notice the colrs are starting to move towards each other.
Spring Science Activities for Preschoolers
Continue to watch as the walking water experiment continues to unfold very quickly in front of your eyes. As the water travels up the paper towel, it will take the colors with it.
Spring Science Experiment
Right before your eyes you will have grown a rainbow! Not only is this a pretty science experiment perfect for spring or summer, but it teaches a scientific principal too!
Capillary Action for Kids
This simple, beautiful experiment teaches the principal of capillary action. Capillary action is the name of the process that moves liquids up through a solid (paper towel). This moving of water is how plants drink. In our experient the moving water took the washable dye molecules with it because they are water based and dispersed in the water. Water molecules are considered cohesive (sticky to each other) and they adhere (stick) to the paper towel. As one water molecule moves up the paper towel it pulls the other molecules with it. The molecules pull each other along like a drawstring.
Kindergarten science experiment
This pretty science experiment takes less than 5 minutes and is super quick to clean-up. Simply throughout the paper towel (or dry it outside for a pretty decoration). Dump the water down the drain or outside on the lawn and wash out the canning jars.
Science activities for kindergarten
We had our paper towels too far in the water this time we did this experiment. Although it still worked, while the water molecules were traveling up with the dye, the dye under the wtaer was also dispersing and coloring the water. Ideally just put the tip of the paper towel touching the water for the best, quickest, and most reliable results with this colorful science experiments.
Grow a rainbow in less than 5 minutes! This SIMPLE  spring science experiment teaches about capillary action with pretty walking water science experiment.
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Science Experiments
See some of our most popular science projects and actvities below or browse through all our science activities for kindergarten, fun preschool science, and science experiments for kids of all ages
- Tons of Kindergarten science experiments by month
- Quick and EASY Lemon Volcano or 100 Amazing Food science experiments for kids – arranged by type of science and Kids will no nuts over this simple Pop Rock Experiment
- Colorful Capillary action science experiment (also known as walking water) or Magnet Experiments for Kids
- Amaze kids with these 12 Hands on Science experiments with batteries or 24 Epic Solar system science projects or this fun Simple Ketchup Volcano!
- Fun Water balloon science experiment that explores density and Color-Changing Flowers
- 50 Fun Preschool science experiments, Simple Galaxy science project, and Easy and Fun Dancing Raisins Experiment
- Learn about weather as you find how to make a weather vane, Eye opening Eye science experiments
- Easy-to- make Air pressure science project and Amazing POP rocks science experiment
- Stunning Chromatography Flowers, fun How to Make a Lava Lamp, 30 Simple machines science projects
- Why do Leaves Change Color Experiment, Free Printable Animal Classifications for Kids Cootie Catchers
- 19 Edible science experiments or teach kids about conductivity with this fun squishy circuits projects
- HUGE Free Solar System Unit, Pipe Cleaner Constellation Activity , Leak Proof Bag – Amazing Science Experiment with Everyday Materials, EPIC Mentos and Soda Experiment, and Mind-Blowing Magnetic Slime for Kids
- Color Changing Slime or l-o-n-g colorful bubble snakes , neat burning candle experiment worksheet answers
- Human Heart for Kids, hands-on Human Body Project, LOTS of Life Cycles for Kids
- EASY, Colorful Oil and Water Science Experiment, amazing Dying Flowers Science Experiment
- This super cool Lego Zipline is fun and simple to make orthis cool look INSIDE a Volcano Project
- Exploding Watermelon – science experiment that explores potential and kinetic energy with a big WOW moment!
- Life Size Skeletal system science project, free parts of the brain worksheet and project, fun science experiments
- Hands-on Newton’s cradle project, DIY draw bot for kids to make, playdough human body game
- EASY Magnetic Field Sensory Bottle that will WOW and LOTS more Easy Science Experiments for kids of all ages!
- free Matching Seasons worksheets for kindergarten