science

Glow Art Words Of Affirmation

September 20, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This black light "Words Of Affirmation" Glow Art activity is a must-try. It is a science, art, and language self-esteem-building project.

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Words are powerful, and they can be super uplifting to early learners. At the beginning of the school year, supportive, self-esteem-building words help students get off to a good start. A creative and oh-so-easy way to introduce them is by inviting little learners to use highlighters to color around positive ones printed in heart shapes. Afterward, the fancied-up words can be viewed and discussed in a “Glow Art Words Of Affirmation” language and science activity.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

For this confidence-boosting glow art activity, gather the following supplies:

chisel-tipped highlighters in a variety of colors
white cardstock paper
black felt marker
scissors
tape
portable black light fluorescent tube and holder
small coffee table

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Glow Word Art

First, draw heart shapes on white cardstock paper with a black felt marker, and add a word of affirmation to each one. Or design the project digitally. The words chosen for my art project are:

creative
friendly
kind
brave
helpful
teachable
awesome
unique
cherished

Steps to perform a black light "words of affirmation" glow art activity. The art project is perfect for the beginning of the year, the end of the year, or anytime in between.

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Next, invite little learners to decorate a word heart with highlighter markers, and then cut their hearts out. Leaving some parts of the designs uncolored is fine, as white will glow too.

Note: Highlighter ink is a tiny bit toxic, but using it is not considered a health risk. If your little charges are prone to sticking things in their mouths and/or coloring on themselves, it is advisable to choose another art medium for this activity.

When decorated, tape the embellished hearts to a wall in a room that can be made totally dark.

Afterward, place a fluorescent tube black light on a small table next to the art wall, and turn it on.

Then invite everyone to the room to view the art with all lights on. Discuss how the words apply to your little learners.

This "positive words" glow art activity incorporates language and science. It is a confidence-boosting art project perfect for any time of the year.

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Lastly, make the room dark and leave just the black light on. Students will be wowed by the glowing, worded hearts.

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Safety Tip: Tell children that they should only be near a black light for a short period of time. Prolonged exposure may lead to eye and skin damage.

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Discussing The Glow Art Words Of Affirmation

Here are some ideas for discussing decorated word hearts with the children:

Assure early learners that they are brave in coming to school and meeting new friends.
Affirm the specialness of each child by saying they are “unique, awesome, and cherished.”
Compliment students for being creative and teachable.
Highlight that being “friendly, helpful, and kind” are ways to work as a team and get along with each other.

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The Science Behind Black Light

Black lights are designed to block out visible light and emit invisible, ultraviolet (UV-A) light. They illuminate natural and man-made materials that contain phosphors. Phosphors convert the energy in UV radiation to visible light by re-emitting it at a different wavelength, one that our eyes can see.

The dyes from highlighter pens contain phosphors. When highlighter art is positioned in a dark room near a black light, it glows.

This black light character trait art activity incorporates language and science. It is a confidence-boosting art project perfect for any time of the year.

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Glowing Names

Instead of focussing on words of affirmation, invite your little learners to color around their names with highlighters. This is also a terrific beginning of the year activity. And it works well at the end of the school term to remind children that they have been valued members of the class.

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Related: Scented Moon Playdough

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[Read more…]

Salt And Glue Moon Art

August 8, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This salt and glue moon art activity is a simple way to create a realistic moon in its natural colors. It’s easy for little learners to do, and looks showy when displayed.

To help set the tone for the art activity, here are ten fun facts about the moon’s surface to share.

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Ten Moon Facts

The moon usually appears bright whitish, silvery gray, or pale yellow. This is because its surface is illuminated by the sun.
Close up, the moon is colored in shades of gray, with a little bit of black and white. There are tinges of orange, blue, or green in some parts.
The moon is rocky and bumpy.
There are light and dark areas on it’s surface.
The dark areas are huge craters filled primarily with basalt lava that has cooled and formed smooth, dark plains. Much of the lava is rich in magnesium and iron, which is the reason for the dark color.
The lighter areas are highlands with mountains and many craters. The highlands are low in iron and rich in calcium, giving them a lighter color.
There are volcanic domes and shield volcanoes, as well as channel-like depressions on the moon.
The moon is covered in a thin layer of moon dust, which is a dark grey color.
There are traces of water in the form of water ice at the moon’s poles. Water molecules have recently been discovered on the sunlit side of the moon.
From earth, we always see the same side of the moon.

An easy-to-do moon art activity with a salt and glue technique. The art project looks stunning on display.

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Powerful telescopes, space probes that orbit or land on the moon, spacecraft that circle the moon, and robotic rovers are some ways the moon is regularly explored. Twelve astronauts have had the chance to walk on the moon and see it up close.

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Moon Art Supplies

Just a few supplies are needed for this striking moon art project:

8 ½ inch x 11- inch gray cardstock paper
12 x 12-inch black cardstock paper
white glue
glue paddles
disposable plates
table salt
small bowls or paint cups
spray adhesive
hot glue gun

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The Salt And Glue Moon Art Process

To prepare for the activity, cut circles about 8 ½ inches in diameter from gray cardstock.

Next, set up a station for each child participating with a

gray cardstock paper circle
small bowl of salt and a teaspoon
container of white glue and glue paddle
disposable plate

Stunning moon art made with a salt and glue art technique. Teach facts about the moon while doing this process art activity.

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Invite little learners to drizzle white glue on their circle-shaped paper.

Then have them sprinkle salt from a teaspoon over the glue, and shake excess salt onto their disposable plate.

Let the art projects dry overnight.

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To help preserve the moon art, spray each salted circle with adhesive spray. Hairspray works fine for this task too.

When thoroughly dry, adhere each paper moon to a black cardstock or construction paper background using a hot glue gun.

Display the stunning art projects on a bulletin board or wall. They will look amazing!

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Little learners may have their own thoughts about the art they are creating. One of my students pretended he was making “The North Pole.” This led to a discussion about who was on Santa’s nice and naughty list!

Another student asked if he could taste the salt. After saying it was ok to taste a little of it, we discussed that it is a good choice to ask if it is safe to taste an art supply before doing it. We also talked about how there is a lot of salt in many playdough recipes, but we only use a little bit to season food.

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Related: Scented Moon Playdough

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[Read more…]

Painting Striped And Spotted Sharks

August 1, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Painting striped and spotted sharks is an effective way for young children to incorporate simple design elements into the art process. And tiger and leopard sharks are the perfect subjects to encourage early learners to paint stripes and spots. These sharks are especially interesting because of their unique coloring.

Painting striped and spotted sharks are an easy way for early learners to incorporate simple design elements into the art process. Tiger and leopard shark facts are included.

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It is common knowledge that early learners just love, love, love to mix colors when painting. They never seem to tire of mixing paints. Oh so quickly, they will swirl paint around to make a mediocre brown or another dull hue, and be left with muddied paints to work with.

As they get a little older, I like to encourage children to try something a little more challenging. I say, “Try this challenge on your first painting. Then on your next ones you can paint any which way you like.” This is usually effective. Sometimes little learners choose to make a second or even a third painted piece. Other times they are ready to move on to another activity in the classroom after the first one.

With these shark painting activities, children are challenged to keep colors somewhat separate and add stripes and spots to their paintings.

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Painting Striped Tiger Sharks

Tiger sharks provide inspiration for painting stripes on fish art projects.

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To prepare for the art activity, draw and cut large tiger sharks from 12 x 18-inch paper. Manila or construction paper works well.

Then set out tempera paint colors of choice. The paint palette can feature a variety of colors, or monochromatic ones, such as black, gray, and white.

Next, add a paintbrush and paper towel section to each participant’s station.

To introduce the painting activity, read a picture book featuring different kinds of sharks.

Next, focus on tiger sharks. Show pictures of them from books and/or online sources, and share interesting facts. The information further on in this post may be helpful.

Invite early learners to decorate their sharks, making sure to add some stripes to them. Encourage them to dab excess paint on a paper towel when switching paint colors.

Ten fun facts about tiger sharks. These fascinating sharks inspire little artists to paint stripes.

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10 Tiger Shark Facts

Tiger sharks are the fourth largest shark. Only the whale shark, basking shark, and great white shark are bigger.
These striking sharks have spots and vertical lines on the sides of their bodies, similar to the stripes on land tigers. The markings fade over time.
Their striped grey coloring camouflages the sneaky sharks in the water.
Preferring warmer waters, the large sharks live near coasts in tropical and subtropical areas around the world.
Tiger sharks have excellent eyesight and hearing and are slow-moving swimmers.
Not fussy about prey, the nocturnal hunters will eat almost anything whole, even garbage!
The food they commonly eat is invertebrates, other fish, dolphins, sea turtles, and seals.
Their broad jaws and strong, sharp, serrated teeth help them cut through their prey.
The orca whale is the only predator of tiger sharks.
Being very curious, these sharks will come close to humans and occasionally bite them.
Shark babies, called pups, hatch from individual eggs inside the mother’s body and are born live. There is an average of 30 – 35 pups per litter.

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Painting Spotted Leopard Sharks

With this second painting activity, draw and cut out leopard sharks from oversized sheets of sturdy paper.

Introduce little learners to the spotted sharks by showing pictures of them and sharing facts. Interesting leopard facts are listed below.

Invite participants to paint their sharks, adding spots to them.

Leopard sharks provide inspiration for painting spots on fish art projects.

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10 Leopard Shark Facts

Leopard sharks are smaller than tiger sharks, but also live near the shore.
The sharks live year-round in the Pacific Ocean from Oregon to the Gulf Of California.
The dark spots on their backs have a likeness to those of real leopards.
The narrow-headed mid-sized sharks have three pointed teeth that are good for smashing food.
The spotted sharks hunt on the bottom of the ocean at night.
Favorite prey is crabs, fish eggs, shrimp, clams, octopus, and fish. The sharks sometimes eat other small sharks.
Leopard sharks are active, strong swimmers, but will sink when not moving.
Being shy and skittish, they often hide before humans can spot them.
Like tiger sharks, leopard shark pups are born live after hatching from egg capsules in the mother’s uterus.
Loss of habitat is the biggest threat to leopard sharks.

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Painting stripes and spots on sharks are an easy way for early learners to incorporate simple design elements into the art process. Tiger and leopard shark facts are included.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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More Ways To Create With Spots

In addition to brush-painted spots, eye-catching spots can be added to an art piece by:

fingerpainting
using dot markers
adhering circle stickers
gluing on paper circles

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Artist Yayoi Kusama

A famous artist who often uses circles/spots in her art is Yayoi Kusama. Her “obliteration room” collaborative projects are especially amazing!

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[Read more…]

Pool Noodle Building Blocks

July 30, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Over a year ago, I purchased interlocking foam pool noodles, planning to pull them out one day as a boredom buster. This year they finally made their debut, as pool noodle building blocks!

Pool noodle building blocks are fantastic in the block corner or as loose parts. This is a STEAM activity you will want to try.

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Before introducing the pool noodles, I trimmed them into various lengths with a sharp knife on a cutting board. The cut pieces ranged from thin slices to much longer ones. A few sections were sliced in half lengthwise.

Then I loaded the connectable foam noodle loose parts into large bins and set them out in a block corner. I wasn’t sure how early learners would react to them. Would they find them interesting to build with? Would the novelty of the construction activity wear off after a few days?

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Pool Noodle Block Play

The first day the cut swim noodles were out I demonstrated how to slide them together. Children responded well and began creating structures.

The light, flexible blocks far surpassed my expectations as a building toy. Every day, early learners regularly picked them up and made something new. Here are some things they created with the noodles:

large sculptures
barricades
spaceships
an elevator
a castle

The hollow foam blocks stayed out for a few months. Over time, I added a few other types and colors of noodles to the play area in order to provide more choice. The new pieces were not interlocking but added interest, and early learners used them to enhance the creations they made.

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More Play With Pool Noodle Building Blocks

To my delight, children repurposed the different kinds of pool noodles in other play activities. They used individual pieces as:

candles on a table in a play restaurant
a bun for a sausage
food fried up in a pan
a telescope

And at times, other classroom building materials were added to pool noodle structures.

Set out these light, transportable, foam noodle building blocks for your early learners to build with and add to for STEAM fun.

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As loose parts, the pool noodles were used innovatively and creatively by early learners. I loved seeing the inventions made, and always responded enthusiastically.

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Pool noodles are inexpensive, light, and easy to move around and store. They work fabulously as creative building pieces and loose parts for construction and dramatic play centers.

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Scented Moon Playdough

July 29, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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This scented moon playdough is the result of a color and flavor mixing science experiment with jello powder. Can you guess which flavors of jello were used?

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The Scented Moon Playdough Recipe

Your child will love to explore space with this moon playdough tray. The homemade playdough is amazing!

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To make a big batch of this steely gray playdough that matches the color of the moon, gather the following supplies:

3 cups flour
1 ½ cups salt
6 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 85-gram package of lime jello powder
2 85-gram packages of grape jello powder
3 cups water
3 tablespoons oil

Add the first three ingredients to a sturdy pot and mix them together.

Boil the water and stir in all three packages of jello powder.

Then stir in two tablespoons of oil.

Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and combine.

Heat the pot on the stove on medium heat.

Stirring frequently, cook the mixture until it is no longer glossy and the dough forms a ball.

Scoop the dough onto a cutting board.

Knead when cool, adding one tablespoon more oil.

Store the playdough in a sealed plastic bag.

Note: The liquid in the pot is very black at first, but when mixed thoroughly with the dry ingredients, the result is gray playdough!

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Scented Moon Playdough Invitation

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Set out the moon playdough in a compartment tray with the following supplies:

star-shaped reusable ice cubes and cookie cutters
glow in the dark moon, stars, and stones
gray and tan gems and rocks
loose parts such as baby bottle collars, buttons, hair ties, and wooden circles
space vehicles and lunar rovers
astronaut figurines

After the playdough has been used a time or two, sprinkle silver glitter and/or foil stars on the dough to extend interest in the play invitation.

This super fun moon playdough is perfect for your space exploration theme. Children participate in a science experiment when they help make the homemade dough.

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Note: This gray scented playdough has a blended grape and lime scent. When I introduced the dough to my preschoolers, I wasn’t sure what they would think. Overall the children felt it smelled pretty nice.

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Colored Light And Moon Playdough

Our moon is mostly hued in lighter and darker grays. But from the earth, we see the moon shine due to reflected sunlight. To us, it often looks bright yellow.

The full moon, which we see once a month, can appear in different colors and sizes. This is due to its position in the sky, the particles in the atmosphere, the amount of air pollution, and the current season.

To see the full moon in a variety of colors, check out a post titled “Colors Of The Moon” by Nasa Science. It features an amazing photo showing different colors our rocky satellite has been viewed and photographed by one astrologer in Italy.

In the home or classroom, a color-changing light is fun to use to illuminate the moon playdough so that it shines in different hues.

Add colored light to the moon playdough invitation as you discuss the colors the moon shines as it reflects light from the sun.

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My featured light shines red, green, purple, blue, and white. Since the moon has been photographed in tones of red, blue, and purple, this lighting isn’t a stretch. Green is a popular color for depicting aliens, and some moon rocks with a green tinge have been discovered. And so the green lighting works too!

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Playdough Dwarf Planets

This scented grey playdough also works as a follow-up activity to a discussion about dwarf planets. These small planets are far away, super icy, and take many years to orbit the sun. Some dwarf planets are:

Pluto: Recently reclassified, it shines red and grey in space and has one big moon named Charon.
Ceres: This dwarf planet is grey and dotted with craters.
Haumea: A grey and egg-shaped dwarf planet with two moons.
Eris: This round dwarf planet takes a half-century to orbit the sun. it is far, far away and has one tiny moon.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Lilac Flower Sensory Trays

June 9, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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It is safe to say that our city is a late bloomer when it comes to plants popping up in spring. So when large, showy lilac blooms finally appear, I am more than ready to enjoy them. With these lilac flower sensory trays, their magnificent beauty and fragrant aroma are celebrated.

Before using natural materials with early learners, the first thing I do is check if the items I would like to introduce are poisonous or toxic. I was super excited to find that no lilac parts contain chemicals or toxins that are harmful to people or animals. This makes them safe for sensory tray play.

And when washed, lilac flowers are edible, with flavors that vary from grass-like, lilac, or no flavor at all.

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Lilac Flower Tuff Tray

As is often featured on this blog, this lilac flower sensory tray is easy-peasy to set up. You can use supplies commonly at your fingertips. Gather the following for the tray:

metal bowls
tablespoons
children’s scissors
containers with water
lilac foliage and sprigs in purple, lavender, and white
a bouquet of lilacs

Lilac flowers are the stars of this aromatic sensory play invitation.

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Set up stations in a tuff tray or sensory tub. For each station, include a metal bowl, lilac sprigs, a container with water, a pair of children’s scissors, and a large spoon. Place a bouquet of lilacs in the center for added visual appeal.

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Lilac flowers are the stars of this aromatic tuff tray play invitation.

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Invite little learners to explore. They will be thoroughly engrossed in cutting lilacs, pouring water, and making delicious “lilac soup.”

Oh-so-fun lilac flower sensory play in a tuff tray.

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Note: Lilacs come in a range of purple, pink, and white colors. The Spruce website features an array of gorgeous colors in a blog post titled “14 Beautiful Types Of Lilac.”

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Pop-Up Lilac Flower Mud Kitchen

How to set up a pop-up mud kitchen in minutes. A nature-based sensory activity your little learners will love.

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Another easy way to celebrate lilacs is to offer them in a pop-up mud kitchen:

Set a crate and small wire shelves in a sensory table or tray.

With a black felt pen, draw four stove burners on a section of cardboard.

Set the cardboard “stove top” on the crate.

Add metal pots, bowls, muffin tins, and spoons to the table/tray. Include a selection of smooth stones and tiny wood slices.

This DIY mud kitchen is a must-try. Aromatic lilac flowers accentuate the nature-based play invitation.

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Your little charges will love investigating this sensory invitation too!

Note: Both lilac flower sensory trays can be offered indoors or outdoors. And a current in-season flower can be used instead of lilacs.

Set up this "do it yourself" mud kitchen in minutes! Use it indoors or outdoors.

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Related: Flower Theme Activities

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Felt Marker Color Exploration

May 1, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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So – many – beautiful – hues! That‘s what your little learners will create while engaging in this felt marker color exploration invitation. The activity is easy and economical to set up and the science experiment is as interesting to children as any other project out there.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies to Collect

Gather the following supplies. Most can be found in the kitchen, so you probably already have them!

plastic tablecloth
water-based felt markers
office paper
craft foam
paper towels
clear plastic or white styrofoam egg cartons
compartment trays
scissors
jug of water

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Create beautiful hues with this felt marker color exploration invitation. The activity is easy and economical to set up!

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The Felt Marker Color Exploration Set Up

First, cover a table with a plastic tablecloth.

Next cut paper, paper towels, and craft foam into 2-inch x 3-inch strips.

For each participant, fill sections of an egg carton with water. Or add water to empty tempera block trays.

Then set up stations with strips of paper and foam, and a water-filled egg carton or compartment tray.

Add a set of water-based felt markers to each spot.

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Exploring Color With Felt Pens And Markers

An easy and economical felt marker color exploration activity your children will love to do!

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Invite participants to decorate foam and paper strips with felt markers, and then dip the strips into egg carton sections. The water will turn a variety of colors, resulting in exquisite transient art. Such a fun science experiment with an artistic flair!

The colored water in the clear egg cartons below is the work of several students. I was so impressed with the many colors they created. The plastic egg cartons are set on a light table so the hues display clearly. Aren’t they gorgeous?

So many beautiful hues can be created with this felt marker color exploration activity.

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Related:

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Floating Egg Science Experiment

March 25, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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In a whole range of egg colors with expressive faces drawn on, this floating egg science experiment includes a dose of art and drama. The experiment is simple to do and promises to be a huge hit with your little learners.

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Supplies To Collect

The supplies for this dramatic science experiment are easy to procure, as you probably already have them in your home. Gather the following:

eggs
salt
pitcher of water
egg carton
two 500 ml glass jars
tablespoons
egg dipper
store-bought egg dying kit
black permanent felt pen

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Performing The Floating Egg Science Experiment

Steps to perform a simple floating egg science experiment with easy-to-gather supplies. Drawing and egg coloring are included in this activity.

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With a permanent felt pen, carefully draw chick feet and a worried face on one side of the eggs selected for the experiment. Draw feet and a happy face on the other side of each egg.

Note: Crayons can be used instead to decorate the eggs.

Then dye the eggs in different colors. I use color tablets from a store-bought kit for the eggs, but you could use a home recipe.

Carefully drop the color-dyed eggs back in the egg carton, using an egg dipper if available. Let the eggs dry.

Pour 1½ cups water into two jars.

Add 3 tablespoons salt to one jar, and stir it into the liquid. Add no salt to the other.

Pick a decorated egg to gently drop into the unsalted jar of water. Observe if it floats or sinks. Then scoop the egg out of the liquid and have participants pick the feeling the “chick egg” might be experiencing: (worried, scared.)

Simple and fun floating egg science experiment with easy-to-gather supplies. Egg decorating adds an artistic element to this activity.

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Carefully drop the same egg into the saltwater jar. Observe if the egg now floats or sinks again. Have participants pick the feeling the “chick egg” is probably experiencing: (relief, happiness.)

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Try this science experiment with other colored eggs. Participants may enjoy picking an egg in their favorite color to drop in the jars.

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Related: Reptile Egg Science Experiment

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The Science Behind This Experiment

An egg is denser than water, so it sinks. But when salt is added to water, it increases the density of the liquid. When enough salt is added, a raw egg will float.

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Floating Egg Experiment Extensions

This floating egg experiment could be extended by:

using large and small-sized eggs, and recording how much salt needs to be added to a jar for each one to float.
dying the eggs in different methods.
reading a picture book about feelings before or after performing the experiment.

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Shamrock Dissolving Candy Experiment

March 5, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Try this stunning, easy-to-perform shamrock dissolving candy science experiment today! It brings a WOW factor.

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Lately, I cannot get enough of candy color science. So, in addition to previous endeavors, I tried a shamrock dissolving candy experiment. It’s got all the WOW factor similar experiments offer.

Since it is difficult to find a clear or white shamrock-shaped plate or pan, a shamrock outline taken from a St. Patrick’s Day wall decoration helps create the aesthetic appeal. And it does the job beautifully!

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Supplies for a science experiment couldn’t be any easier to gather. Just four items are needed:

shamrock outline
striped green and white candies
round, square, or rectangular leak-proof tray
measuring cup

Steps to perform a shamrock dissolving candy science experiment that delivers a WOW factor.

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Performing The Shamrock Dissolving Candy Experiment

First, set the shamrock outline in the center of a tray that is a little larger than the clover shape.

Next, position the striped candies next to each other around the inside of the shamrock.

Then, fill a 500 ml measuring cup with warm water.

Slowly pour the warm water into the tray, aiming for the area near the rim. Cover just the bottom of the tray with liquid.

Watch what happens!

This stunning, easy-to-perform shamrock dissolving candy science experiment delivers a WOW factor.

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After the color has spread from the candies into different patterns, a leprechaun could be floated in the center of the shamrock outline for added visual appeal.

The leprechaun is the finishing touch to this stunning, easy-to-perform shamrock dissolving candy science experiment.

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Participants may wish to taste the colored water. It will likely have a noticeable mint flavor. The candies will slowly dissolve, but a few could be scooped up for tasting as well.

Note: The shamrock outline can be washed and dried afterward, and used as a tracer.

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The Science Behind This Candy Science Experiment

The candies are made of sugar. The water breaks the sugar molecules apart. Then the food colors move through the water from areas of higher sugar concentration (near the candy) to areas with less sugar (the center and rim of the tray.) When the sugar concentration is the same in all areas, the colors stop moving.

Water temperature is a variant in this experiment. Sugar dissolves quicker in warm water, and food coloring moves at a faster paste.

This science experiment is so easy to set up and has immediate results, perfect for little learners. And participants get to use their senses of sight, smell, taste, and touch. Try it today!

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Heart-Shaped Dissolving Candy Science

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Heart-Shaped Dissolving Candy Science

February 20, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Valentine’s Day has passed, but it is Heart Month in Canada and the United States. So I am squeezing in this heart-shaped dissolving candy science experiment before I put all the valentine items away for the season. It’s an easy and fun experiment for all ages, so be sure to give it a try.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

There are just four items to gather for this fascinating color experiment that I cannot get enough of:

round, square, or rectangular tray (white or clear)
striped red and white candies
plastic or wooden heart outline
measuring cup with a spout

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The Heart-Shaped Dissolving Candy Science Experiment

Easy steps to perform a heart-shaped dissolving candy science experiment.

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First, pick a large heart outline. A wooden or plastic heart would work, or you could cut one from a generous piece of red craft foam. I used one that was previously part of a heart-themed wall hanging.

Place the outline in a white or clear tray that is slightly bigger than the heart.

Next, lay candies around the inside of the heart outline. Featured here are Starlight Mints purchased at a Dollar Store. They have flat sides, so seem destined for this experiment!

Then fill a 500 ml cup with a spout with warm water. Or use a large cup or water bottle.

Slowly pour the water into the bin. Add just enough liquid so the bottom is covered.

Watch what happens! And have your camera ready to snap some stunning pictures.

An easy to perform heart-shaped dissolving candy science experiment. A simple experiment with amazing results.

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Try this heart-shaped dissolving candy science experiment today! It is simple and brings the WOW factor.

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For the science behind this experiment, visit my blogpost Candy Cane Science Experiment.

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Side Note: I wasn’t sure what to call the heart shape I feature in this science experiment. One of the search words for suggestions I used was heart rims. Who knew that you could get heart-patterned rims for car tires!

If you give this heart-shaped dissolving candy science experiment a try, tag me on Instagram and I will share your post in my stories.

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