Valentines Day Science Experiments Using Milk

When you think about it, Valentine’s Day goes way beyond paper hearts and candy! Think about all of the relevant science activities for Valentine’s Day! The human heart experiments, love potions, growing crystal hearts, and so much more! I love the Valentine’s Day Science Experiments Using Milk because they’re easy to do and teach real scientific concepts.

Valentine Magic Milk Experiment

Science Experiments with Milk and Food Coloring

VALENTINES SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

MAGIC MILK SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS GIVE KIDS GREAT MEMORIES AND BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE FOR FUTURE SCIENCE PROJECTS.

Starting early with science experiments capitalizes on the thing that ALL young learners have: CURIOSITY!

There are so many home science experiments to do with your kids, starting at a young age! You can make play dough, play with the effects of vinegar drops on baking soda, fill different size/shape containers with colored water, or simply play in the dish bubbles!

All of those early science explorations are so valuable. To kids, they’re just a fun way to make a hot mess! As children grow, teachers and parents can introduce some of the reasons behind all of this scientific magic.

I love demonstrating this rainbow milk science experiment to the whole class first. Then, I set up supplies for small groups of students to roll up their sleeves and get hands-on with science!

Although it can be a little scary for parents and teachers to let things get a little messy, I highly encourage you to do so. We all know the value of hands-on learning!

Ask questions as children try the Valentine’s Day science activity:

  • What do you see happening when you add the food coloring to the surface of the milk?
  • How does it change as the soap molecules race around the milk?
  • Would it be different if you used skim milk?
  • What important role does the food coloring play?
Red dye in milk in a heart-shaped container

What Can Students Learn From Milk and Dish Soap Science Experiments?

SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATION WITH YOUNG LEARNERS

ASKING STUDENTS THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP DURING AND AFTER THEY COMPLETE THE EXPERIMENT:

The milk, food coloring, and dish soap science project for kids teaches lots of valuable vocabulary and concepts. Introduce what your students are ready for, depending on their age and interest:

  • Milk contains minerals, proteins, and fats
  • Proteins and fats can change when other substances are introduced
  • When you add dish soap to the milk, it breaks the surface tension of the milk
  • The dish soap molecules try to attach to the fat
  • When the soap attaches, it creates a burst of color
  • The movement stops when all of the fat has been found by the soap
Dropping Dawn dish soap into milk with food coloring

More Valentine’s Day Inspiration:

 

Materials needed for Valentine’s Day Science Experiments Using Milk:

Get the Supplies Here:

Don’t worry about making a special trip to the store. You can get all the supplies for this activity right here.

  • Milk-whole or 2 percent (about 1 cup)
  • Food coloring
  • Liquid dish detergent
  • Cotton swabs or cotton balls
  • Shallow dish
Easy Product Display with supplies
Supplies for making a magic milk experiment

Low-Prep

High-Engagement

Low-Prep

Expand your activity library with these amazing resources!

How To Perform the Marbled Milk Experiment

MILK EXPERIMENTS WITH PRESCHOOLERS AND KINDERGARTNERS

ASKING STUDENTS TO PREDICT WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU ADD FOOD COLORING, THEN SOAP, TO THE MILK IS AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP IN THE ACTIVITY.

First, gather the necessary supplies for each group to be able to easily conduct the experiment.

Steps in the Valentine’s Day magical milk procedure:

  1. Pour the milk into the shallow dish so that it covers the bottom.
  2. Add several drops of food coloring to the edges of the milk, choosing the colors you like.
  3. Dip a cotton swab/ball into the dish soap.
  4. Place the swab into the middle of the dish to activate the food coloring molecules.
Food dye reacting to the soap in milk

How to Differentiate the Marbled Milk Experiment:

Play with Color

Turn this entire experiment into one of color mixing. Use the primary colors (red/blue/yellow) to make the secondary colors (purple/orange/green).

Alter Ingredients

Use different types of soap, a different type of milk, or perhaps candy hearts to see how the results change (or don’t).

Record the Results

Extend this fun experiment across the curriculum by having students write/draw a prediction. Then, have them record the results.

Our Favorite Valentine Books:

We can’t live without these!

Once your child’s creativity is sparked with this fun activity, take it a step further and create a full Valentine themed unit with these engaging resources:

 

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