Walking Water Experiment

January 24, 2024

Moms Morning Memo

Good morning! Being a mom is like being a superhero with a never-ending to-do list. But today, let's forget about the list (even the laundry) and focus on the fun side of being a mom. Imagine a day where the only thing spilling is laughter, and your imagination is running faster than the kids. That's what we're here for - making ordinary days into amazing memories. So, as you drink your (probably reheated) cup of coffee, let's enter a world where mess means creativity, and every little moment is a chance for a big smile. Ready to make your day colorful? Let's go!

"Motherhood: Powered by love. Fueled by coffee. Sustained by wine."

Daily Activity

Rainbow on the March - Walking Water Experiment

Summary: Try the Walking Water Experiment to have fun with science and colors! This easy activity will keep your kids entertained and teach them about colors and how water moves. They will be amazed as they make a beautiful rainbow at home!

Age Suitability and Benefits

Ages: Best for ages 3 to 8

Benefits: Enhances color recognition, teaches basic scientific principles, and fosters curiosity and observation skills.

Time and Materials Needed

Estimated Time: 2-3 hours (mostly waiting for the magic to happen)

Materials:

  • Paper Towels – 6 folded half sheets

  • Food Coloring – A drop of liquid gel (regular works too)

  • Water

  • 7 Small Clear Cups or Glasses

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Gather Your Materials: You'll need six folded half-sheets of paper towels, food coloring (liquid gel is great, but regular works too), water, and seven small clear cups or glasses.

  2. Fill the Cups: Line up your seven cups. Fill every alternate cup (1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th) with water, nearly to the top. The fuller they are, the quicker the 'walking' effect happens.

  3. Color Time: Now, it's time for some color magic. Add one drop of red food coloring to the 1st and 7th cups (these are your 'end' cups). In the 3rd cup, add a drop of blue, and in the 5th, go for yellow. If the color seems too light, it's okay to add just one more drop, but remember, we want to avoid dark, murky colors.

  4. Prepare Your Paper Towels: Take those six half-sheets of paper towels you folded earlier and trim about a quarter off each end. This step ensures they're not too long and can efficiently wick the water from cup to cup.

  5. Bridge Building: Now, let's connect those cups! Place one end of a paper towel into the first cup (with red water) and the other end into the second (empty) cup. Repeat this process, connecting each colored cup to an adjacent empty one, and then connecting the empty cups back to the colored cups. You’re creating a circle of paper towel bridges.

  6. The Magic Begins: Watch as the water starts climbing the paper towels! This is capillary action in play. Gradually, the colored water will walk over to the empty cups, and new colors will form. Red and yellow make orange, blue and yellow create green, and blue and red turn into purple.

  7. Patience, the Secret Ingredient: The full effect takes about 2-3 hours, so this is a great time to discuss predictions, observe changes, or just enjoy a well-deserved mom-break while the rainbow forms.

  8. Rainbow Complete: Once the empty cups are filled with new colors, your walking rainbow is complete! It’s a beautiful visual representation of color mixing and a great conversation starter about how water can move in such mysterious ways.

Tips and Variations

Tips: Use a tray for easy cleanup and to avoid spills.

Variations: Try arranging the cups in a circle for a compact version, or experiment with different color combinations.

Wrapping Up

Today, you did something amazing by turning water into a rainbow - that's like mom magic! Every little thing you discover and every time you make your child laugh, it all adds up to those special moments that warm your heart. Just remember, in the world of parenting, the best magic comes from trying, learning, and loving together with your little ones. Keep making those everyday moments special, because you, dear mom, are their favorite magician!

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