🌸 Flower Chromatography Science Experiment for Preschoolers

Looking for a fun spring science experiment, a flower activity for preschoolers, or a summer science project to add to your summer bucket list? This pretty flower chromatography is such a simple flower experiment that will engage toddler, preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, and 2nd graders too.

Flower Chromatography

Learn about chromatrography for kids with this pretty flower chromatography experiment! This chromatography experiment for kids is perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarnter, grade 1, and grade 2 students. Whether you are a parent, teacher or homeschooler – you will love how this chromatography experiment at home helps kids learn about the colors that make up other colors! This would be such a fun addition to a flower theme!

Chromatography flower

This simple flower activites for preschoolers is a great way to sneak in some flower science while having fun! Just grab a couple simple materials and you are ready to get started:

coffee filter
scissors
markers (try these felt tip pens and these watercolor marker)
epsom salts
cup of warm water

Chromatography experiment at home

Start out by cutting the coffee filter to look like a large multi-petal flower. Next make a triange in the base of each petal (as shown).

Chromatography Flowers

Fold the flower inwardly and twist the bottom to look like a flower. It’s important to make this “handle” prominent enough that it will reach the surface of the Epsom salt solution

Flower science projects

Mix one teaspoon of Epsom salts in one cup of warm water. This solution is what you will use to start the chromatography process! I used a wide, flatter cup to help with dipping the flower evenly into the solution.Pinch your flower at its center until you form a small handle underneath. Place the prepared flower in the solution so the pinched part touches the Epsom salt solution.

Chromatography experiment for kids

See how the petals stick out from the center? The petals will hold the flower in place so it doesn’t collapse into the cup. The water starts working it’s way up pulling the other water molecules and color with them as they go.

Chromatography science experiment

The bottom does look black as the pigment from all six colors are mixing to make a black color, but don’t worry, the wolors will keep traveling up to the end of the flower.

Chromatography science fair project

See how the colors keep traveling up the flower petals and are starting to sepearte. Thre are several shades of blue that go into making the color “blue”.

Chromatography flowers experiment

When the color diffusing has stopped you can remove the flower (s) from the cup and set on top of a dry container. Leave to dry for about 15 minutes. Now you can use a ribbon or button to decorate the center and hang to brighten up your room.

HINT: WE find the markers I recommended in supplies work the BEST. The ones we happen to have on hand worked, okay, but the chromatography is better with the suggested supplies.