Coloured Water Potions

Water play is a great way to provide a natural sensory experience for kids. In this activity, they will mix coloured water and other ingredients to make "potions". It is a cheap and fun activity, perfect for playing with in hot weather.

Ages: 3-5, 5-10 year olds

Outdoor: This activity is best done outdoors.

Equipment/Resources:

Baking tray
Plastic containers or jars for storing and mixing
Spoons
Syringe
Water
Food colouring
White vinegar
Bi-carb soda
100's and thousands

Cost:
Very cheap. Free if you have the items in your pantry.

Instructions:



1) First place the plastic containers and other items on the baking tray. This will help catch any unwanted spills.

2) Fill a container with a couple of tablespoons of bi-carb soda, another with about 40ml of white vinegar.

3) Fill the other containers with water and add a couple of drops of the food colouring, until you reach the desired colour.



4) Let the kids set about making their concoctions.

Aim: To have fun making pretend potions and introduce children to a concept of basic chemistry.

Time: 5 minutes to set up. This kept my 8 year old amused for an hour or so. Great frugal fun!

Players:1-2, for more kids add an extra tray with containers, water etc.

Why?: This is a good science lesson for introducing acids (vinegar) and bases (bi-carb.) When you add an acid to a base it results in a chemical reaction. Making the mixture bubble and fizz-just like a real potion!

Additions: You could substitute the 100's and 1000's for glitter, or add some dish liquid or bubble bath to the coloured water. Be creative.



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#3-5_year_olds
#5-10_year_olds
#free
#low_cost
#science
#educational
#outdoor
#imaginative_play


%kidfun